[Bronco]

That was Jim, I think. My suggestion is that pictures would count for more than hearsay!

You're right. For some reason I associate Mac's with Glasgow! Pictures might be a problem while driving on the M3 though..

 

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XJ60 DAD - Anyone on here?

To get back on thread, I've just got back from a 470-mile round trip to the Manchester area, plus another 50 miles around the streets in my daughter's car, and saw one other XJ X351 - a black 2014 XJ on the M11 just south of Stansted Airport.

 

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There may not be many X351s around, but this is a true story. Back in 2015, soon after buying my brand new XJL, I followed my wife to Bluewater shopping centre, had a coffee with her, and then left her there to spend money. I went back to the car park, tried to open the door on my new Loire Blue XJ, but it wouldn't open. So I got the fob out of my pocket and tried the button to unlock it - nothing. Damn! The battery must be discharged. So I flicked open the key to manually unlock it, but I had no idea where the keyhole was or how to access it. I went all round the car, checking the door handles, but I just couldn't figure it out. So I had no option but to call Jaguar Assist - but the card with the phone number was locked inside the car, in the glove box. So I thought I'd call the main dealer (Guy Salmon) to see if they could help me - but their details were also locked inside. By now I had spent 5 minutes trying to get into the car. Then I had a brainwave - perhaps the main dealer's phone number is on the tax disc holder! So I had a look at the tax disc holder, and was surprised to see it was a Caffyn's tax disc holder. My immediate thought was - what a cheap-skate dealership Guy Salmon is, using another dealer's tax disc holder! My second thought was - wait a minute, my car doesn't have a tax disc!

So I sheepishly walked away to my own identical Loire Blue XJL parked eight spaces away...

 

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Are we reporting X351's even if we don't see the number plate?

Of course, but if you can give the reg, so much the better. Hopefully, we may find someone on this forum!

 

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Don't put yourself down Steve.☺

No, let him carry on if he wants to.

 

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A random Costa in the heart of England:

Jeez, the one on the right looks enormous...

 

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An XJ50 in Waitrose car park:

Chris, if you are going to anonymise the number plate, it's a good idea to do it on both pics.

 

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I have a theory that because the X351 is quite uncommon, and is SO DAMN GOOD, that they will become a classic in the future, just as the previous marque is becoming. I will be too old and crusty (or a windblown pile of ashes) but one day these will be sought after and the prices will start to appreciate.

 

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Just back from a 450+ mile trip from Kent to near Manchester, up via M25, M1, and Holmfirth Pass, back via Woodhead Pass, A1, A14, M11, etc. Number of XJ X351s seen? None. Zilch. Nada. Well, not on my side of the road anyway!

 

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I saw two today on my journey to Kent. The first Eastbound at around 11am on the A2 near Bluewater with the first part of the reg GL19 and the other westbound around Gravesend at about 1.30pm with 111 as the first part of the reg. Two different driving styles one very fast the other not very fast at all 🤣

Not me, but a regular stomping ground. Where are you from Toby?

 

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I saw two today on my journey to Kent. The first Eastbound at around 11am on the A2 near Bluewater 🤣

4 hours later and that would have been me. But at 11am I was still somewhere near Woodhead - Worksop.

 

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Suffolk, according to the spreadsheet.

Bl**dy miles away...

 

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It sounds like you were in the Diggle/ Delph area which explains why you didn't see any XJ's. They still think steam trains are witch craft up there.

Spot on with the location, Mr Kis. We stayed at The Old Bell Inn.

 

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A pleasant 65 mile round trip to a pleasant pub in Tenterden today. No X351's spotted, but I did see a beautiful XJ120/140 pass in the opposite direction.

 

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I've been an X350 man for quite a few years but thinking about changing to the X351. Dilemma is: Diesel or 3L petrol? It takes me years to choose a car but then I keep them for ages. I'll be browsing these hallowed pages in the months to come.
Pete

Hi Pete. I've had both - Euro 5 and Euro 6. They are both fine cars. No real trouble with either, although plenty of imagined ones after joining this forum.. A lot depends on your mileage. On my Euro 5, I used to do around 7,000 or so a year, no problems, I just had an annual service. On my Euro 6, I've just carried out an interim oil change after 8 months/3,000 miles. TBH, I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't taken notice of the scare stories on here, I would have waited until the car told me. The V6 diesels are excellent, very powerful, and 600 to 700 Nm of torque can be quite addictive. But if your mileage is relatively low, and high fuel consumption is not an issue for you, certainly try a good petrol version.

The other option is to stick with your 2005 X350 - they too are a wonderful car.

 

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Presumably the boot spoiler stabilises the car at high speeds, like the rear wing on a Formula 1 racing car. I haven't got one, so I try to keep my speed down to around 70 mph just in case I lose control.

On the subject of pointless accessories, I do remember having a vinyl roof fitted to my Sweeney-style Granada back in the day. What was all that about?

(I understand some people paint their brake calipers red too - presumably they make the car stop faster?)

 

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Which reminds me: can anyone tell an "L" by eye?

Very difficult to tell TBH. But I still had to have the L.

 

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For my modelling purposes, I'd like to know where that L stretch is on the bodywork - is it all rear door, or front and back combined? And presumably a longer rear sunroof. The XJL isn't offered in diecast form, so a cheap 'Welly' brand (LHD, opening front doors) will be cut and shut. Then serving as a resin master for various horrific street machines, stretch limo, hearse, Sentinel and so on.

The rear doors and rear sunroof are stretched. Front doors of the SWB and LWB are the same.

 

[Bronco]

For my modelling purposes, I'd like to know where that L stretch is on the bodywork - is it all rear door, or front and back combined? And presumably a longer rear sunroof. The XJL isn't offered in diecast form, so a cheap 'Welly' brand (LHD, opening front doors) will be cut and shut. Then serving as a resin master for various horrific street machines, stretch limo, hearse, Sentinel and so on.

I admire your skill and patience. I have the blue 1/43 diecast, and the black 1/24 Welly. I wish I could get a decent 1/18 to go with my E-Type, XK140, and others.