Originally Posted by BibaResto

I've checked out eBay for them and last I looked there were a few for sale. However, they fail to say - along with fuzzy photos - what area of the car each of the manuals are for.

Assuming one can find them, what besides the electrical one (ones?) is especially helpful? A recent post here mentioned adjusting the valve clearance - which should be done every 20K miles. Pray tell that it isn't adjusted via shims unless vintage Alfa shims fit.

Trying to consider what most likely - other than brake pads - would most likely be needed is the 6-speed's clutch plate. Assuming the clutch hasn't been harshly used, what would your guesstimate of the life of one? My 'new' XF has 51K miles and the clutch works as it should. Knock, knock.

Meaning, should one have both the engine and clutch/6-speed transmission manuals?

Two questions since you've read this far: Is it normal for the shift lever to have some 'play' in it? And how is the lever connected to the transmission - directly, cable (horror of horrors), or via linkage?

One more: For a non hot-rodder, are the OEM brake pads as good as any, or are there ones that stop a bit better (without chewing up the discs) and don't need to be 'heated up' to function properly? And if they dust less, that would be nice.

Biba