I've got plenty of experience of X-Types as I had a new one back in 2003 and then bought a fleet of them for the company. Mine was a 2.5 SE AWD Saloon, then had a 3.0. The fleet was made up of the FWD Diesel models.

Really nice cars. Yes, they were based on the Mondeo, but lots of little changes and upgrades added up to a vastly superior car which drives so much better.

Really good 4wd system. Nothing fancy, just works well. I was up high in the Welsh Mountains Christmas Day 2005 in mine when the snow suddenly came down thick and fast and the car was superb to be honest.

They were good cars, but never really thought I'd have another since I got rid of my last one in 2007, but then last November I was on the lookout for an estate car as I'd got nothing really suitable for 4 people or taking to the tip without a permit and general runabout/workhorse. I'd sold my Range Rover as I was bored of big 4x4s, so I looked at X Type Estates. There were far too many dogs about and went off the idea as thought I'd always compare an X-Type to my last one, which was virtually new at the time. Started looking at BMW Tourings instead and thought I'd just live without the 4wd, but soooo many BMW's get run into the ground and not looked after too, when I came across an excellent early 2005 X-Type 2.5 Sport AWD Estate, so I snapped that up and it's been great. I was ideally looking for a 3.0, but the 2.5 goes well enough and is pretty economical.





I've racked up a fair few miles in it in a few months and I've loved it. It's fully loaded bar Sat Nav. Sure it doesn't feel as special as my old X350 4.2 XJ8, so in some ways it's not a "proper" Jag, but still a very nice car to drive and live with. And the estate is a useful bit of kit, especially in AWD form. And it's a good stablemate for my 5.0 XKR.

I'd recommend one to anyone and whilst my X-Type was towards the top end of what you'll pay for one, even at that they're awesome value.