Show me modified X type jags

Cheers for that and I agree with above, think I would add a plush tiger on the parcel shelf though lol

Rust is the biggest killer. Also, in the diesels, the Delphi Injection system on that Ford engine is an absolute nightmare. I had an issue with the same engine in a Mondeo. Amazingly nice car to drive when it was sorted, but it's basically a case of overhauling the entire fuel injection system if there's a fault, so would never touch one again.

As for the X-Type. My dad bought a 51 Plate 2.5 SE Manual Saloon in Silver when it was nearly new and was a perfect daily driver for 3 years with no issues. The AWD system worked beautifully in snow and returned decent MPG.

I bought a 54 Plate 2.5 Sport Manual Estate in Blue about 7 years ago now and was a really nice daily driver for about 18 months and was perfectly reliable as an older car also. The only thing I can ever remember changing was the parking sensor sounder unit. By this time though, it was becoming apparent that they were going to suffer with rust. This car had no rust issues when I had it other than some minor surface corrosion on the underside (sill area), which I cleaned up. I did, however get a message via eBay a couple of years after selling it from someone who just missed out on the car when I sold it on there, but had just bought it and it required a few bits for MOT, including welding to sills which he was going to sort, but confirmed that it was otherwise still very tidy and he loved the car.

I remember regularly seeing a silver one, modified in a similar style to the above when they were still a new model. The XJ wing vents don't work for me though. Far too fussy with the rest of the styling, but the rest works ok.

Would be interested to know the diameter of the front struts. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same or very close to Mk2 Focus.

Tom

The Dephi system in these is very picky on the fuel filter. Ford specified a fine filtration grade filter on these. So much so, that, if the filter change is skipped, the car can cut out from a lack of fuel supply.

Most OEM filters are not of the right quaity. They don't filter enough. In essence, some dirt will get past the filter, let's say if the low pressure fuel pump goes. That will then take out anything downstream, right to the injectors, and also all of the fuel lines.

No one buys the proper filters as they are not cheap (£25 which may as well be £100 to a Ford owner), especially when a Mann filter is £10. However, only Bosch Premium and Delphi Premium filters work ; yup, they also do two qualities of filter, which leads to more confusion.

On V-Power and the right filters, I've seen these do big miles without an injector change, right up to 180k. However, I've also seen several go bad, and people chase their tail trying to fix them.

If you get a good diesel, it's worth having as they are frugal and pull well, but skimp on the servicing at your peril ; they can be that flaky.

As said, rust is the biggest issue on these.