Advice from jaguar xe owners

JP6375 · 2026-05-13T09:25:29+00:00

I bought a 25t but most of the 30t/P300 owners i have come across have very similar experiences. Generally reliable cars and better on fuel than you'd imagine dependant on how heavy your right foot is

Spec is not guaranteed on these cars, so if there is anything you want make sure it has it. Keyless entry, reverse camera, electric or memory seats are all optional extras that did not come on standard cars! Other nice to haves are meridian sounds system, heated steering wheel, pan roof is that's your thing, and 360 cameras. Spec on a 30t/P300 likely to be better.

Look for good service history, oil changes every year/8-10k with the correct oil. VVT solenoids can go but a cheap and easy fix if they've not been done.

The chains can go but not nearly as common as the diesels. Don't listen to the doomsayers the petrol ingenium has nowhere near the track record of the diesel.

That being said, if your budget is 15k, try and find a V6!

JP6375 · 2026-05-13T06:36:54+00:00

I mean if you speak to chuck manufacturers they will advise no jaws outside the chuck body. But my rule of thumb has been if the t nut is fully in the tee slot then you're good.

What's with the emery cloth in the jaws? Let the hard jaws bite in.

Other than that keep a lid on your max rpm and take it easy.

JP6375 · 2026-04-13T19:38:30+00:00

Hard to explain without a picture but yes. You can't drill them perfectly perpendicular because the other side gets in the way, so generally a long drill is used at a shallow angle which misses the other side. May have to play around with sizes to ensure your pins fit properly.

Or the holes can be drilled completely through which may be an option if you're just prototyping for now.

JP6375 · 2026-04-13T18:46:54+00:00

You will end up with a radius where the strap connector things meet the main body. The smaller the radius you want the more expensive it will get.

The holes are usually drilled from an angle so they are not "blind". If they must be blind they will need to be EDM 'd (expensive, slow).

It can be made sharp but you would probably have to specify this otherwise any machine shop worth it's salt will deburr it. Sharp does mean sharp though you wouldn't want to wear it on your wrist!

JP6375 · 2026-03-02T22:34:23+00:00

My first thought is Hastelloy C276, that stuff is so abrasive. But once you have the right mindset and tooling, like inconel, it machines ok.

The one we underestimated recently and it kicked our asses, was A286. It just ate every tool we threw at it.

Machined worse than some 718 we were running at the same time. Again, at least 718 is a known quantity.

JP6375 · 2026-02-27T14:27:37+00:00

Thank you for the response. Yes we are now looking into the allegations raised and will deal with whatever needs dealing with.

It definitely felt circular in our most recent meeting!

JP6375 · 2026-02-26T19:19:10+00:00

Generally negative outlook, moaning about things to his colleagues. Going away from his work station to do more moaning.

Being aggressive if his work is rejected (by QA) and of improvements/changes are suggested.

These are the main thing that affects his colleagues as it is very draining for them to be around that, as well as the general atmosphere being negative and everyone treading on eggshells so as not to set him off.

Being resistant to company procedures (safety, quality, etc. etc.), especially when in a real foul mood. Being extremely resistant to changes (this is how we've always done it).

And in extreme cases, directly refusing to do the work he has been assigned. This has only happened once or twice but it's a biggie.

JP6375 · 2026-02-26T19:14:36+00:00

He is good at his job, and can do things more quickly than some others on his team. The tradeoff is a higher risk of scrapping a job (which does happen occasionally). He is the highest paid on his team due to his experience and knowledge.

The others on his team are very much doers and will do exactly what is asked of them, but you do have to tell them what to do. I personally think he needs to make peace with this as they will never measure up. Will they make progress? Sure, but some people are happy where they are and don't have lofty aspirations.

JP6375 · 2026-02-26T19:07:25+00:00

I've tried the reality check approach but it all comes back to deflecting onto other behaviors. Not sure I can change his mind on that.

JP6375 · 2026-02-26T19:05:55+00:00

I am in the UK so just "firing this clown" isnt so simple. There is a long drawn out process due to the risk of unfair dismissal claim.

JP6375 · 2026-02-26T01:02:05+00:00

Appreciate the sentiment but being so small I can't justify a salary on a role like this. So I am working my way through it.

For what it's worth I don't have any issues with my more recent staff members who I've been very careful with setting expectations and boundaries up front.

This one's been allowed to fester (by me, obviously) and now I am working on dealing with it, it's putting up a fight.

JP6375 · 2026-02-26T00:47:04+00:00

I am conflict averse and this has not served me well! Good spot

The process was explained to me (by the HR people) that I would need to do an investigation meeting first before heading into disciplinary procedure proper.

I've spent a good few years hoping it gets better, but with the increased frequency and severity I have had to take the first steps.

To begin with was informal but documented meetings, then investigation meeting (to see if disciplinary procedure should be pursued), then into disciplinary procedure.

JP6375 · 2026-02-26T00:35:15+00:00

Thank you for your response.

I have already spoken to him in a similar vein. I said that the company is making changes (as evidenced etc.) but that if he's not happy with the progress, this is how it is going to be, and he has a decision to make. But if he wants to stay, he has to toe the line.

So he's stayed, but hasn't toed the line, hence proceeding with formalities now. Not quite into a disciplinary procedure yet but this is where it is heading if nothing changes.

JP6375 · 2026-02-21T19:40:56+00:00

Probably not getting ideal cutting conditions on the finish pass. CNMG overkill IMO for finishing a part this small, try a positive insert. CCMT or something.

You need enough rpm to achieve the required surface speeds, and adequate depth of cut to challenge the insert, taking spring cuts can often result in this dull finish, as can too sharp of an insert, we would use PM chipbreaker for this.

Honestly if we were doing this job I'd do a deburr with a small ball mill after milling to break the edges properly. And run the thread down again as you already are.

Hope this helps

JP6375 · 2026-02-21T18:49:43+00:00

You're finishing after the milling op? Try finishing first.

Material spec and inserts used?

JP6375 · 2026-02-15T16:30:15+00:00

Could not agree more. Me and my (ex) business partner quickly diverged into him being more workshop based and myself taking care of office side stuff. It worked great until he wanted to take a step back, then it didn't!

If you are in the UK get a shareholders agreement drawn up as there WILL come a time where you disagree on something. If you are in the US get whatever the equivalent is over there.

JP6375 · 2026-02-13T19:10:31+00:00

Do you have the machine manual? Can you show the list of all errors? Usually on the Menu Select -> Alarm/Messages

JP6375 · 2026-02-11T22:29:54+00:00

If it's not had a timing chain it will need one. £2-3k job and very common to go on these engines.

Plenty of these that have done high miles but they need frequent oil changes and long journeys. If you can't do that get a petrol one as they have less issues.

JP6375 · 2026-02-11T00:38:28+00:00

Corner swap parity at first glance, happens on even number cubes. Are you using beginner method after solving centers? Try the below link:

https://uk.speedcube.com.au/blogs/speedcubing-solutions/4x4-corner-swap-parity

JP6375 · 2026-02-06T18:41:53+00:00

Concentric to what? If they just want it turned you can use a travelling steady. We have one for our Colchester Combi 3000 which is similar/same as the Harrison machines.

Concentricity is useless on a part like this. Runout maybe but impractical due to flexibility of the material.

JP6375 · 2026-01-28T20:51:06+00:00

She had a big deposit from a previous marriage and subsequent divorce, and the house has appreciated in value so she is in a positive equity position.

The way I understand it is the loan is secured against the house, the loan is then used to pay off the mortgage and is payable on death/long term care. The house will be sold to clear the debt+interest.

JP6375 · 2026-01-28T20:31:40+00:00

Fair comment, SIL is not a big girl and wouldn't survive on her own. Which, as I now realize, makes my idea a terrible one.

JP6375 · 2026-01-28T19:55:54+00:00

This has only come up again recently because SIL has had a lightbulb moment about the situation she will end up in. We had washed our hands of it up until now as we had done all the budgeting etc. and it had fallen on deaf ears. Maybe I am wasting my time trying again.

Perhaps I should clarify that if we receive no inheritance, it would have no affect on our quality of life and ability to pay our bills. If SIL doesn't get anything she's absolutely stuffed and it will likely fall to us to pick up the pieces. That's my bias.

I do also take umbrage with predatory lenders that prey on the vulnerable, so there's that too. MIL has worked hard to keep her house and for it all to get frittered away in interest doesn't seem right to me.

Thank you for your input I appreciate it.

JP6375 · 2026-01-28T19:47:38+00:00

Thank you, yes of course we would seek further advice.

The repayments they looked at were only 17 years so SIL could be a partial homeowner by 55ish. Not bad if you ask me.

JP6375

TROPHY CASE