New owner saying hello, S type V8S

[V88Dicky]

Hi folks , just saying hello and introducing myself as the wife has gone out and bought an S type V8 Sport 07 plate. The short story is, after going to see half a dozen 'executive' style cars on Saturday, including a 5 series, a 3 series, a C class and E class, a couple of Audis and a baby Lexus, she fell for the Jag in a big way!: So, is there anything of note that we should know about these cars? From what I can remember, they had some shortcomings at launch but evolved into excellent cars by their last few years of production. Is that an accurate prognosis?
The car itself; Registered March 2007, FJSH, Silver, 20,000 miles, too many extras to list, bodykit and 'Triton' alloys and bought from a Jaguar main dealer. It was for sale for £15000 and I haggled hard, ending up getting it for £12500 plus my wifes old Passat.

Kind regards,
Michael

[pete5570]

Your wife has good taste, kicking all those euro boxes to the kerb and getting a lovely V8 Jag. As you have said, the S type, in it's later years really did become a good car (i happen to think all S types are good though). From 2002 onwards they came into their own and Jaguar improved them further in 2004, so you did well getting a late one. As far as i know, the V8 engine was well and truly sorted by then, so i wouldn't worry about that. Not sure if the gearbox was improved, im sure someone will advise you on this, but as your car is low mileage, you should be fine. Would love to see pics if you can put some on here.
Pete.

[The Leaper]

Welcome to the delights of the S-Type V8.

I had a 4.0 V8 for 3 1/2 years and now I've had a 4.2 V8 SE since February 2004, got it for a huge discount as a demonstrator with all of 14 miles one the clock. Now just over 91,000. I plan to keep the car until its demise. I just love it for its all round capability, particularly long distance journeys which are just uneventful (could not wish for more really).

I have had major problems with the gearbox, now seems fully sorted, all under warranty. I have heard about suspension wear but have had no problems. Rear wheel bearings were replaced at around 80,00 miles. I think the secret is to ensure that the service schedule is rigidly followed. Othere will advise that all the fluids in the supposedly sealed for life gearbox and diff should be changed around every 20,000-30,000 miles.

R.

[V88Dicky]

Thanks for the replies folks. Hopefully we'll have many years of pain free and enjoyable ownership from the S. I'm lucky enough to have a good mate who is a Jaguar technician (although he now mainly works on the Astons at a joint dealership) and he should be able to get servicing and parts heavily discounted, so we're delighted with that.
I'll post up some pics as soon as I can

Kind regards, Michael.