Back in a F-Type - P450 this time - Picture Heavy

scz4

New member
Evening all,

After an 18+ month absence since the sale of MY14 V6S convertible at the end of 2022, I picked up a 2021 P450 RWD with just 7k miles on it at the beginning of July. The car was just about to turn 3 so came with a fresh dealership service and I insisted the seller put an extended warranty on the car. Previous experience told me this was essential if returning to Jaguar ownership. It's only been to Jaguar once in two months which is pretty good going :D :D Although did remind my how incompetent my local dealership are. Complaint lodged, but that's a story for another day.

If I'm honest, my previous V6S ruined my perception of Jaguar and my wallet!! I said I'd never buy another JLR product as long as I lived. After selling the V6S I went for the new Supra which blew my socks off! Wow, what a machine, a true sports car rather than the cruiser which I'd say the F-Type is. But truth be told, 1) It brought the worst out in my driving habits, I was driving everywhere fast! and 2) I was REALLY missing having a convertible. I test drove a Z4 M40i thinking I could transfer all the mods over, but I just couldn't get on with the looks. Now I know the Supra isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I can assure you they look 10x better in real life. Think I'm on my 28th car now and none of my previous cars ever received as much attention, looks and comments as the Supra! From 8 years old kids to guys in their 70's wanting to know more about what it is. But the F-Type is more of an event if that makes sense.

Anyway, my partner had been nagging me for months and months to have the Supra. Started as a joke but when she sold her X2 M35i I knew she was coming for it, so I finally relented paving the way back into a F-Type. Of course, it had to be the V8 this time and if one thing the Supra taught me is, there definitely is such a thing as too much power for the road, so P450 seemed the perfect balance and of course meant I didn't have to go to AWD.

After a 360 mile drive home I took the car off the road for a few week to give it a full detail. It clearly wasn't a well looked after example, but nothing I knew I couldn't sort and I love that process when buying a car. Roof was green, exhaust tips corroded, swirl marks etc. Now it looks brand new and I absolutely love it! It's truly my dream car and I suspect will be my last weekend car!

Only issue with the car is an annoying rattle feeling through the accelerator pedal on rough roads, very odd. Everything is super tight, aluminum pedal cover, pedal itself, torqued all the bolts.

Few observations:
  • Not really much faster than V6S due to the taller gearing
  • V8 just edges it on sounds, what a noise, but it is monotone. Whereas the V6 had a wide range of noises depending on revs, load etc. Sometimes very exotic sounding, sometimes deep, but sometimes just a little too raspy for myselfi
  • Love the modern dash. Also love the facelift front end, just looks so much more modern
  • Absolutely no difference in mpg, I never believed this when I used to read it as a V6S owner, how could it be... well it is! (with the exception of really short drives, then it can be horrendous)
  • Newer Meridian sounds system is MUCH better than the early cars, but still not fantastic
  • Entertainment Screen is absolutely useless with roof down
  • Fans on the cooled seats are noisy
  • DAB Signal is absolutely appalling in areas it always works in the Supra or my 5 series
  • Build quality is much improved compared to my MY14, no rattles, creaks etc, but certainly not to German standards

Mods\Enhancements so far:
  • Removal of Fuse 15, wow! Really woke it up
  • Set of Gyrodyne wheels I've always wanted since getting my V6S.
  • Red Aluminum Paddle Shifters
  • New Union Jack Centre Caps
  • Black Jaguar Growler Grill Badge
  • Painted caliper in Firenze Red
  • Fitted my old front splash guards

Potential Future Plans:
  • Have wheels refurbished with gloss black finish in the spokes and inside, maintain the polish faces
  • Apply underside protection
  • P575 Lower Grills Inserts
  • Visit to Mod Stock for exhaust mod
  • Visit to LR Retrofits for Meridian Surround sound upgrade
 
Welcome back to F-Type ownership. That's one good looking P450 - the black and red contrast is always a winner. It sounds like your missus has done pretty well out of the deal too!

Out of interest, what did you use to get rid of the swirl marks and how easily did they lift? That's a job on my list and I've been weighing up whether hand polishing will be sufficient, or whether it'll need to be machined.
 
YorkshireSam said:
Welcome back to F-Type ownership. That's one good looking P450 - the black and red contrast is always a winner. It sounds like your missus has done pretty well out of the deal too!

Out of interest, what did you use to get rid of the swirl marks and how easily did they lift? That's a job on my list and I've been weighing up whether hand polishing will be sufficient, or whether it'll need to be machined.

Thanks, yeah she's super happy. Means she can get the dog in the boot of the Supra so doesn't need anything more practical.

You'll never get rid of them by hand, unless your arms can do 5000rpm :) I have a Dual Action polisher which when coupled with the right pads and compound make light work of it. Don't be scared to give it a go, lot's of really good videos online and it's super satisfying. Otherwise expect to pay £500 to £1000 to have it done professionally.
 
Welcome back and congratulations on your colour choice. I think most people nowadays would relate to the comment on the earlier F-type versions. I'm pretty happy with my 2018 P340 after 9 months/6K spirited miles 😊

As it's my daily, I think the V6 delivers enough power and noise to bring out just the right amount of hooliganism 🤭

Enjoy your new ride!
 
Where is home for you scz4? Nice scenery!

I like the black wheels you've removed from your F Type to fit the Gyrodynes!

Lovely cars!
 
Mods\Enhancements so far:
  • Removal of Fuse 15, wow! Really woke it up
  • Set of Gyrodyne wheels I've always wanted since getting my V6S.
  • Red Aluminum Paddle Shifters
  • New Union Jack Centre Caps
  • Black Jaguar Growler Grill Badge

Nice love the colour 😉
You selling you old red grill badge by any chance ?
 
Jimmyrn85 said:
Where is home for you scz4? Nice scenery!

I like the black wheels you've removed from your F Type to fit the Gyrodynes!

Lovely cars!

I'm up in the North East of Scotland.

I've always wanted Gyrodynes! The black wheels are for sale! ;) ;)
 
I'm looking to buy an F Type early next year, and this forum is providing loads of useful information. One thing you are in a great position to answer, is there much difference between the performance of the headlights on dipped beam between the older LED lights and the facelift LEDs?
 
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