X, you could have said, “This is all correct........to a degree.”

Your comments on the crapfotainment systems are spot on IMHO. I would go a step further and add the driver assist/safety features are woefully out of date. On my vehicle I was pleased with the “build”quality other than the panel alignment.

The rate of technological change is increasing and so without a tremendous effort JLR will fall farther and farther behind. I worry about whether there will be a next generation F type given the gap and the small sales numbers.

Lastly, I don’t know how you chose 2011 but it seems about right to me.

I believe you are misreading the numbers. It’s 148 issues for 100 cars, or I.48 issues per car.

Most enthuiasts become apoplectic when you mention CU. I spoke with the head of their auto test function once and I can assure you he was not a car guy. But there needs to be more than enthusiasm and CU and JDP provide some data as flawed as they might be.

Regardless of what JDP says and regardless of how much we like them, Jaguar did not get and hold its reputation for unreliability out of the clear blue sky. Everything on my XK8 failed even the ZF transmission. But I still bought another one

Q&C, Can you cite the part number for a piston ring set - or if not sold as sets, any piston ring at all - for the 5.0 S/C engine?

... Searching myself, I can’t find JLR part numbers for these but do find aftermarket companies claiming to have new OEM parts on eBay.

My question stems from reading other threads where owners had great difficulty attempting to rebuild the 5.0 S/C.

I believe it. In less than 5k miles, have had both the transmission and the clutch replaced, a couple of rattles fixed, the fuel filler neck replaced, and now the windshield wiper fluid doesn’t squirt. Have never had this many problems with any car I’ve owned, much less one as new as this one!

I had high hopes. Now I just have a sour taste in my mouth and spirited driving is ruined by “what’s going to break next?”

5. Jaguar AJ133 V8 & AJ126 V6 (2-in-1)


This engine has as much soul as Bono singing Moment of SurrenderYes, I know these are two engines I’m talking about here, but really they’re the exact same engine. And whilst the Jaguar V8 has been continuously been developed, the current third-generation AJ133 came into play in 2010, so for that reason, it deserves a place on this list. Due for replacement by a rumoured BMW 4-litre powerplant within the next few years, the AJ133 and 126 are two of the very best examples of pure, muscular V8’s and V6’s that belt out vocals like Bono singing <i>“Moment of Surrender”</i> at Glastonbury. But it’s not just the noise that make these great engines.For a bit of background, the AJ126, 3-litre, 90° V6 is essentially the 5-litre AJ133 minus 2 cylinders found in virtually everything in Jaguar-Land Rover’s arsenal. Apart from the smaller Land Rovers, that is. Going into the current decade, Jaguar went with a newly developed direct injection system with variable intake and exhaust valve timing. Naturally Aspirated versions feature variable cam profile switching and variable track length inlet manifold. Whilst the supercharged versions feature the sixth-generation of Eaton’s Twin Vortex Supercharger. Making as little as 380 bhp in the naturally aspirated models and up to 570 bhp in its most powerful guise, found in the new F-Type SVR, the V8 feels as smooth as double-cream and pulls effortlessly even in something like the N/A version of the XK and has seamless torque throughout the rev range. It really is an engine you can use day to day.
The V6 on the other hand is the more popular engine of the two, seeing as it’s in 99.9% of Jaguar-Land Rover’s products, wouldn’t be surprised if it’s powering their offices’ toilets. Like was said above, it’s their V8 minus two cylinders, plus a supercharger. Two options come with this one thus far; 340 bhp and 385 bhp. What’s more it’s also a very smooth engine; despite the forced induction, the power delivery is smooth, as is with superchargers, and is a very musical engine too with hints of the old straight-6’s. It rasps and burbles, even on a Range Rover. Alas, the AJ126 is due to be replaced too by a new Bi-turbo straight-6 based on their new modular Ingenium line of engines. So for now, let’s enjoy some rasp from this great V6 before its time is up