What to look out for when buying an S type (R)

What to look out for when buying an S type (R)

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Medic-one

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

202 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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So, after seeing one next to me at the lights the other day, and then opening my window to hear to roar off i've made up my mind, and with the misses saying she's always loved "a jaaaaaag" i've started looking at getting a Jaguar S type R, the 4.2 supercharged V8.

I've started reading up on them, but would like to hear some owners tips/advice, especially on what to look out for when buying, and what big services/replacings should have been done at what millage.

Also would like to know if the bits in the dashboard are easily swapable. I've seen a few nices models which had the alluminium dash whereas we'd both prefer the wooden bits in the dash, is it possible to buy wooden panels and swap them over afterwards or does that mean removing half the interior ?

9mm

3,128 posts

209 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
Tyres around £600 a set from somewhere like Camskill. Bad tyres will ruin the car and possibly hurt you.
The two front banana arm bushes go - symptoms are vibration under high speed braking. You need the complete arm at around £200 each. Easy DIY fit though.
Water pipe under the supercharger WILL fail, typically between 70,000 and 100,000 miles. Cheap part, £700 job unless you can DIY. Fail to notice it and you can total the engine.
Expansion tank joint fails - new tank £100 or so.
The two rear lower suspension arms - again you need the complete arms at around £250-£300 each plus fitting. Relatively easy DIY job but you will need the car aligned afterwards.
CATS shocks get tired and it will cost you £1200 to replace all round + fitting. Coil springs at the same time 4 x £75.
Random air leaks from underbonnet tubing can throw up lots of fault codes
Adjustors in the headlights fail. New headlights are....£650 each......plus fitting (bumper off)
Discs and pads are expensive.
Electric handbrake pads or motor can be wearing on higher mileage cars - easily £300-£400 to put straight.
Pre '04 cars seem to rust more.
Pre '04 cars are generally worth less
Big service at 100,000 miles when plugs should be replaced. Expect to see plenty of cars for sale at 95,000 miles.
Watch out for £500 tax on April 06 cars onwards
Do not buy without a professional inspection or at the very least an MOT by a main dealer.
Trim bits can be swapped around but easy to damage in the process.

Lots of parts differ from lower spec S-types so don't be fooled into think you'll be able to use cheap ebay breakers. the bits you'll need, that are generally listed above, are expensive, wherever you source them from.

Expect 20mpg on average. Fantastic cars - I prefer mine to my E39 M5.


Tame Technician

2,467 posts

203 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
As above, you need to be aware its not going to be the cheapest thing to run. They were 50k-£55k cars when new.

I bought mine cheap, knowing I had to replace all the bushes/arms etc and a few other items the seller advertise as not working. I made a list and still 18months later havnt done everything.

IN addition to the recommended servicing..........
It is a must to change the gearbox oil and filter.
Advise rear diff oil change and if you are up to it (its very difficult) supercharger oil change to.

There are more model differences that just the pre and post face lift cars.

Pre 2004 look a little sad at the rear (like an upside down smile) front still looks great.
Post 2004 cars are alot better looking from the rear IMHO





Pre 2004 cars have front fogs, post 2004 cars have twin oil coolers behind the grills so no fogs.





2006 Model year cars got different brakes, the expensive brembo calipers were ditched for ATE ones, at the time were all thought this was a cop out and price cuts by ford. But the later brakes proved to squeak and warp discs much less, somthing the Brembo ones did all the time.

The ATE calipers look more like this,


Very late cars got the 19 inch Barcelona alloys



Whats the bugget ???

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...



Edited by Tame Technician on Saturday 7th February 22:21


Edited by Tame Technician on Saturday 7th February 22:29

Medic-one

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

202 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all

Cheers folks.

That "Water pipe under the supercharger", is that something that would get changed during a big service at jaguar, or it that at owners initiative ?

Budget upto 10K.

Have actually already emailed the guy from that first autotrader link (the green one), as really like that colour.

Also, is the dash trim easy to swap ? That one above has that grey/aluminium dash, but we both prefer the wooden look.

9mm

3,128 posts

209 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
Medic-one said:
Cheers folks.

That "Water pipe under the supercharger", is that something that would get changed during a big service at jaguar, or it that at owners initiative ?

Budget upto 10K.

Have actually already emailed the guy from that first autotrader link (the green one), as really like that colour.

Also, is the dash trim easy to swap ? That one above has that grey/aluminium dash, but we both prefer the wooden look.
Known as the valley pipe. It isn't a service item. It will just fail at some point.

Let me know if you buy it and fancy a straight swap with my wood trim.

Tame Technician

2,467 posts

203 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
The trim that covers the passenger airbag is a bit of a faff to get off, the rest relatively straight forward.

Most of the early cars have wood and two tone leather, most of the later cars are the aluminium look.

You can have the metal ones aqua dipped to look like carbon. Thats what I was going to do, when I thought I would never find a late one with wood, but then I found it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq2mkrVflkU

PS I should have mentioned at the very beginning

!You simply have to get one of these car they are the greatest!

I love that colour too, sadly for me to get into one, it had to be sub £4k and the cheaper 55plate or older tax band.

fast forward to 7:00
http://www.bbcamerica.com/top-gear/videos/muscle-b...

http://www.bbcamerica.com/top-gear/videos/muscle-b...

Back then the manaro was £15-£20k cheaper, now the jaaag is £2 or £3k cheaper its a no brainer.

Edited by Tame Technician on Saturday 7th February 22:42

wilwak

759 posts

169 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
quotequote all
They're truely fabulous cars.

I have a mint 2007 car in silver with just 22,000 miles on it. It was my treasured weekend-only toy for about 6 years. Always garaged.

I've recently bought an XFR-S but just couldn't bring myself to sell the S-Type R as a part-x so now I have both!

I still prefer driving the S-Type! :-)


sgrimshaw

7,311 posts

249 months

Sunday 8th February 2015
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wilwak said:
just couldn't bring myself to sell the S-Type R
I can echo that sentiment, I really should sell mine .... but I just don't want to let it go.

jamieduff1981

8,022 posts

139 months

Monday 9th February 2015
quotequote all
Great cars.

The rear wishbone bushes can be bought separately from Racing Green but it is a faff to change them out. A straight swap of the whole wishbone is very quick.

I too have an XFR-S which is also a great car, but the S-Type has the better seats by some margin. They are supremely comfortable! I could almost decide ti use S-Type seats in my house laugh

Medic-one

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

202 months

Monday 9th February 2015
quotequote all

This is gonna sound a bit silly, but been looking at a few youtube video's and during acceleration that supercharge wine seems to be quite prominent.

I've never driven anything with a supercharger before, so was just wondering, are you still able to hear the V8 rumble and burble away, or does the supercharge noise kinda take over ?

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

163 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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I was going to say speed cameras

pherlopolus

2,087 posts

157 months

Monday 9th February 2015
quotequote all
Banana bushes are available without the arms, about £30 each (+ fitting)

Rear bushes also available similar price

Headlight fixes are available (were about £20+ a side for a mail order repair on ebay 12 months ago)

it's the tyres/brakes/valley pipe issues that would put me off (that and the fuel bill)

very sensitive to battery failure, the wiring harness under the front bumper can corrode as well, and need to keep an eye out for corrosion in sills and rear subframe.

Tame Technician

2,467 posts

203 months

Monday 9th February 2015
quotequote all
The supercharger whine is there, its most noticable on wide open throttle. Its much queiter the rest of the time.

It does sound odd if you havnt driven one before, but soon becomes a joy to the ear. Lots of people change the intake pipe and the air filter to enjoy the charger sound more, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YQBjA2V2Gk

At the time the S type was developed Jaguars were very much about getting down the road quickly without any noise. (they have pretty good exhaust notes now though)

So the stock STR exhaust note is quite muted, you can here the V8 burble at idle and on light throttle inside and outside the car, but many people change the rear silencers, you can actually just take them off and fit un-silenced pipes, as I expect you have seen on the other thread, for a bit more exhaust noise.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

two other clips here of modded exhausts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA8RD9DXKq4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_4UJU5qHXw

Best thing you can do is get out there and drive one.

Did the green one sell?? I see the add is now down.



9mm

3,128 posts

209 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
quotequote all
pherlopolus said:
Banana bushes are available without the arms, about £30 each (+ fitting)

Rear bushes also available similar price

Headlight fixes are available (were about £20+ a side for a mail order repair on ebay 12 months ago)

it's the tyres/brakes/valley pipe issues that would put me off (that and the fuel bill)

very sensitive to battery failure, the wiring harness under the front bumper can corrode as well, and need to keep an eye out for corrosion in sills and rear subframe.
I believe you can only get one (big) bush for the banana arm and I know that both wear out.

With the rear wishbone there are three bushes but only two available that I know of. Type R is a different part number, presumably due to the higher power.

In any event, I'm not keen on (re)pressing into ally components but each to his own.

I am about to try the headlight adjuster fix. Seems crazy not to for £20 and a couple of hours.

Tyres/brakes are no different to any high performance car. Better probably. My front discs and pads have done 20,000 miles and didn't even get an advisory on the last MOT. I'd say £600-££700 for a set of Pilot Sports is very good. With the valley pipe, either get a car that has had it done or factor the cost into your valuation. It's not a regularly recurring problem.

Good point on the front bumper wiring corrosion. Can lead to climate blowing scorching air only but it's a relatively cheap and easy fix.

Also good point re rust. The sill covers are plastic and can hide rot. Later (2004 facelift cars) seem better in this respect.

Oh, and my folding mirrors have stopped folding. The garage told me but since I didn't know they are supposed to fold I'm not that bothered!

pherlopolus

2,087 posts

157 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
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I got my power folds working by emptying a can of gt86 in them, and helping them with my hand a couple of times

Company called racing green were making some bushes that wernt available else where

I am just about to delve into my 'too hot' on the drivers side issue :'(

LFB531

1,233 posts

157 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
quotequote all
Stunning car for the money.

I've had mine for 18 months now, I bought it after 3 years with a normally aspirated 4.2 as I just had to scratch that Supercharger itch!

Mileage is now at a shade over 100,000. It had an excellent history and so far I've spent 'extra' money on tyres (Goodyear Eagles), various coolant hoses, a battery and fixing some dodgy wiring in the drivers door. Ordinary serice costs have been as expected and I changed the supercharger belt and fluid as a precaution.

The 'go' factor is amazing for a car of this size and vintage, it just keeps pulling and pulling. You certainly need to keep your wits about you as it's quite capable of getting you in bother as you steam past other cars at potentially quite illegal rates in peace and quiet. The supercharger whine is infectious and never a nuisance!

This is mine, a 2004 car;



I do have another tip mind you! My daily commute uses a lot of lanes followed by City pootling. It wasn't doing the STR a lot of good, especially with all the brambles and potholes along the way. I treated it to a driveway mate for the City and am now keeping the Jag for more pleasant journeys where the open road beckons! This little 4wd screamer cost the same as a couple of services, goes anywhere whatever the weather, can be parked on a sixpence and sips fuel at a miserly rate. 850kg and 105bhp provides a bit of fun too. Suprised Jaguar don't have them on the options list! Man maths I believesmile


Medic-one

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

202 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
quotequote all
LFB531 said:
Stunning car for the money.

I've had mine for 18 months now, I bought it after 3 years with a normally aspirated 4.2 as I just had to scratch that Supercharger itch!

I do have another tip mind you! My daily commute uses a lot of lanes followed by City pootling. It wasn't doing the STR a lot of good, especially with all the brambles and potholes along the way. I treated it to a driveway mate for the City and am now keeping the Jag for more pleasant journeys where the open road beckons! This little 4wd screamer cost the same as a couple of services, goes anywhere whatever the weather, can be parked on a sixpence and sips fuel at a miserly rate. 850kg and 105bhp provides a bit of fun too. Suprised Jaguar don't have them on the options list! Man maths I believesmile
Cheers for that.

Neither of us commute as she takes the train to London and i got an 8 minute walk to work.

We've got a little Clio sport 182 (900 kg, 182 bph) and a 3000GT (3.0 V6 twin turbo, 500 bph, but still off the road with multiple issue's) so the 182 is the shopping car, and the Jag would be for weekends away and to drive to Holland in, as eventhough the little countrylanes back home were a lot of fun, the motorway journey to Holland in a Clio wasn't great...


Was there a lot of difference in oomph between the 4.2 and the supercharged 4.2 ? I've seen a few really nice 4.2's online but i don't want to regret not getting the R version after a few months.


Medic-one

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

202 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
quotequote all

Also, above i read "Pre 2004 cars have front fogs, post 2004 cars have twin oil coolers behind the grills so no fogs", but yours is a 2004 model with fog lights ? Or did it change somewhere in the middle of the year ?

I am looking for a post 2004 model as i read the engine etc is a bit better.

LFB531

1,233 posts

157 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
quotequote all
In real life terms, there's proably not much to choose between them. Sure the R is faster and a bit more 'sporty' but the 'basic' 4.2 is no slouch. In many ways, I actually prefer the 4.2 n/a, it's much quieter (17" wheels) and I'm not a fan of the seats in the R but I'm in the minority there I think. However, if you buy one like me, you'll always wish you'd gone for an R, three years of thinking that in my case. It's just because it's there!

To my knowledge, there's no difference in any of the 4.2 engines irrespective of year. My 2004 car is just on the design change and one of the last of this type I imagine, the next one had the external changes mentioned plus slightly different instruments and trim. I've got the wood finish.

Value for money, the n/a 4.2 is a steal but beware the R factor will not go away.

Medic-one

Original Poster:

3,105 posts

202 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
quotequote all

Think I'd better go for that R then so I won't have any regrets ;-)

I've seen some with that chrome leaping jag statute on the bonnet and some without, is that something that could be added afterwards? Does it screw in or what?

And what's your view on the Sat nav, does it work ok and is it easily updateable ?