S-type Buying Advice
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm looking at replacing my Saab 9000 barge with an S-Type and have got a couple of questions...
1. I've seen a lot of them advertised with a Gearbox fault. On googling this i'm getting all sorts of differing answers and the JaguarForums.co.uk aren't particularly helpful. So, my question is a simple one... Is there one common problem, how easy to fix and worst case scenario how much is a replacement box (I've got a fully equipped workshop so no labor to pay). There are a few dirt cheap ones with gearbox issues so wondering whether it's worth picking up a dead one and fixing it...
2. I much prefer the later interior with the traditional Jaguar centre console. Has anyone retro fitted one into an earlier S-Type? Again, not expecting it to be easy but wondering if it's actually possible?
3. Anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks,
James
I'm looking at replacing my Saab 9000 barge with an S-Type and have got a couple of questions...
1. I've seen a lot of them advertised with a Gearbox fault. On googling this i'm getting all sorts of differing answers and the JaguarForums.co.uk aren't particularly helpful. So, my question is a simple one... Is there one common problem, how easy to fix and worst case scenario how much is a replacement box (I've got a fully equipped workshop so no labor to pay). There are a few dirt cheap ones with gearbox issues so wondering whether it's worth picking up a dead one and fixing it...
2. I much prefer the later interior with the traditional Jaguar centre console. Has anyone retro fitted one into an earlier S-Type? Again, not expecting it to be easy but wondering if it's actually possible?
3. Anything else I should be aware of?
Thanks,
James
There's plenty of advice on this site if you bother to use the search facility.
I have had consecutively two S-Types over the past 13 years. The first was a 4.0 V8 (3 1/2 years, did about 75,000 miles), and the second a 4.2 V8 SE (10 1/2 years, currently at 127,000 miles), both of which were very low mileage demonstrators when I bought them. My comment are as follows:
1. Do not buy the earliest versions: they were inferior in my experience and this is the common view. Poor interior, 5 speed auto, problematic front suspension etc.
2. The later versions are far better: expected Jaguar-esque interior, 6 speed auto and a great improvement on the first model, improved front suspension.
3. With the second car I did have problems with the gearbox...a whoosh noise on change down and acceleration (not using kickdown). The problem was the design had weak internal aluminium seals. Jaguar did improve the design and eventually in my car the gearbox has been fine since 65,000 miles. Despite being sealed for life, best advice is to change the gearbox oil every 50,000 miles or so...I had this done at about 115,00 miles. I gather that BMW and Mercedes have the same gearbox and have experienced the same problems.
4. You probably know about the tensioners and timing chain problems with the 4.0 V8 engine: must be replaced before 100,000 miles. If you're looking at a car without them being changed to the latest version I'd walk away because so many have had these fixed. The 4.2 V8 has the latest generation tensioners so the problem does not arise. This is another reason to avoid the earlier 4.0 V8.
5. Another common problem is with the heater header box. If it needs replacing it could be difficult to find a new one.
6. These are heavy cars so they take their toll on suspension and brakes. Interestingly, the rear discs on mine lasted until about 108,000 miles!
7. Touch wood, I've had no serious electrical problems with both cars. The only issues have been with the rear parking sensor but this was fixed by the JMD I use at a reasonable price, and also a door mirror that's reluctant to fold.
I have no plans to sell mine after more than 10 years of ownership, and this is hopefully a personal endorsement for the car. Maybe I've been lucky with the actual car that I have.
R.
I have had consecutively two S-Types over the past 13 years. The first was a 4.0 V8 (3 1/2 years, did about 75,000 miles), and the second a 4.2 V8 SE (10 1/2 years, currently at 127,000 miles), both of which were very low mileage demonstrators when I bought them. My comment are as follows:
1. Do not buy the earliest versions: they were inferior in my experience and this is the common view. Poor interior, 5 speed auto, problematic front suspension etc.
2. The later versions are far better: expected Jaguar-esque interior, 6 speed auto and a great improvement on the first model, improved front suspension.
3. With the second car I did have problems with the gearbox...a whoosh noise on change down and acceleration (not using kickdown). The problem was the design had weak internal aluminium seals. Jaguar did improve the design and eventually in my car the gearbox has been fine since 65,000 miles. Despite being sealed for life, best advice is to change the gearbox oil every 50,000 miles or so...I had this done at about 115,00 miles. I gather that BMW and Mercedes have the same gearbox and have experienced the same problems.
4. You probably know about the tensioners and timing chain problems with the 4.0 V8 engine: must be replaced before 100,000 miles. If you're looking at a car without them being changed to the latest version I'd walk away because so many have had these fixed. The 4.2 V8 has the latest generation tensioners so the problem does not arise. This is another reason to avoid the earlier 4.0 V8.
5. Another common problem is with the heater header box. If it needs replacing it could be difficult to find a new one.
6. These are heavy cars so they take their toll on suspension and brakes. Interestingly, the rear discs on mine lasted until about 108,000 miles!
7. Touch wood, I've had no serious electrical problems with both cars. The only issues have been with the rear parking sensor but this was fixed by the JMD I use at a reasonable price, and also a door mirror that's reluctant to fold.
I have no plans to sell mine after more than 10 years of ownership, and this is hopefully a personal endorsement for the car. Maybe I've been lucky with the actual car that I have.
R.
I have a 2007 S-Type R and love it.
I bought it in 2008 and it's now only done 21,000. Only problem was the heater matrix behind the dash making bubbling noises. It was replaced under extended warranty.
The car is wonderful to drive.
I also have an XKR and a Nissan GT-R but the S-Type R is the most fun.
They're also quite a bargain. I was offered just £8k for mine and it's mint. Just couldn't sell it for that.
I bought it in 2008 and it's now only done 21,000. Only problem was the heater matrix behind the dash making bubbling noises. It was replaced under extended warranty.
The car is wonderful to drive.
I also have an XKR and a Nissan GT-R but the S-Type R is the most fun.
They're also quite a bargain. I was offered just £8k for mine and it's mint. Just couldn't sell it for that.
The ZF gearbox in the post-2002 cars are extremely very rare for suffering physical gearbox faults. They tend to have had poor software from new meaning they can bang when coming to a halt or when moving off immediately after coming to a halt but this can be fixed with a reflash at the dealers. Not all were prone to this and many have already been updated by past owners.
A fluid and filter/sump change helps a lot too and costs about £200 in parts plus a couple of hours under the car.
Most "Gearbox Fault" messages on ZF equipped S-Types are symptoms of a weak battery whereby a slight undervoltage can compromise the solenoids' ability to control the valve packs properly, which throws a GEARBOX FAULT or sometime RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE message up.
A fluid and filter/sump change helps a lot too and costs about £200 in parts plus a couple of hours under the car.
Most "Gearbox Fault" messages on ZF equipped S-Types are symptoms of a weak battery whereby a slight undervoltage can compromise the solenoids' ability to control the valve packs properly, which throws a GEARBOX FAULT or sometime RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE message up.
jamieduff1981 said:
The ZF gearbox in the post-2002 cars are extremely very rare for suffering physical gearbox faults. They tend to have had poor software from new meaning they can bang when coming to a halt or when moving off immediately after coming to a halt but this can be fixed with a reflash at the dealers. Not all were prone to this and many have already been updated by past owners.
A fluid and filter/sump change helps a lot too and costs about £200 in parts plus a couple of hours under the car.
Most "Gearbox Fault" messages on ZF equipped S-Types are symptoms of a weak battery whereby a slight undervoltage can compromise the solenoids' ability to control the valve packs properly, which throws a GEARBOX FAULT or sometime RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE message up.
That is very useful to know - thankyou A fluid and filter/sump change helps a lot too and costs about £200 in parts plus a couple of hours under the car.
Most "Gearbox Fault" messages on ZF equipped S-Types are symptoms of a weak battery whereby a slight undervoltage can compromise the solenoids' ability to control the valve packs properly, which throws a GEARBOX FAULT or sometime RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE message up.
Not uncommon for the 6 speed ZF to have torque converter problems, depending on the fault I understand that you may get away with a new TC but equally may need a new box. The X350 jag has the same gearbox so head over here , they will have all the answers you seek http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/f32/ I am sure they have an S type forum over there as well.
ETA: There are also a load of things that show as gearbox faults or appear to be faults but are not so you really ned to know what exactly the seller is describing the fault as. In some cases just topping up the gearbox fluid or changing it and a software reflash has solved the problem.
ETA: There are also a load of things that show as gearbox faults or appear to be faults but are not so you really ned to know what exactly the seller is describing the fault as. In some cases just topping up the gearbox fluid or changing it and a software reflash has solved the problem.
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