S Type R Buying Advise
S Type R Buying Advise
Author
Discussion

Med1c

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

222 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
Hi

Looking at an S Type R tomorrow and wanted to see if anyone on here can offer some buying advise ?

Is there anything to look out for especially in the Service history ?

What are the biggest problems that these cars face ?

Thanks for the info.


nonplussed

3,338 posts

255 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
I had one. Given the choice again, I'd have gone for an M5 instead.

If you insist, it's a nice car. Handles well for a big barge, goes well enough, has all the toys. Mine was fine on the servicing front, but tyres etc. are of course expensive. I'd wager doing the brakes would cost a mint too, I didn't have mine long enough to find out.

Main issue with mine was build quality, or at least perceived build quality. It had rattles, creaks and groans all over the place.

Just don't forget, it's a slushbox barge with a powerful engine, not a sports car.

Med1c

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

222 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
nonplussed said:
I had one. Given the choice again, I'd have gone for an M5 instead.

If you insist, it's a nice car. Handles well for a big barge, goes well enough, has all the toys. Mine was fine on the servicing front, but tyres etc. are of course expensive. I'd wager doing the brakes would cost a mint too, I didn't have mine long enough to find out.

Main issue with mine was build quality, or at least perceived build quality. It had rattles, creaks and groans all over the place.

Just don't forget, it's a slushbox barge with a powerful engine, not a sports car.
Thanks for your info :-)

We are looking for a family vehicle which sits the kids in and has a v8 performance.
The cars still look fairly modern in my opinion but I wonder what it is like to live with day to day.
For us it would be the family vehicle with the performance needed as we are upgrading from a small sports car.
It ticks the boxes for space , V8 !, sound but am curious as to what the biggest costs are for say a years ownership ?

Our budget will allow for an older M5 but we are torn between the modern look of the Jag against the old shape M5.
The M5 is a great car though I must admit.




nonplussed

3,338 posts

255 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
Two further points given your clarification above:

V8 sound - none, unless you upgrade the exhaust. You can't hear the engine at all. You CAN hear the supercharger, which you may or may not like.

Room in the back for kids - none. It's pathetic in this regard, although an M5 is not exactly great either. Depends how tall you are and how old your kids are.

Med1c

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

222 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
nonplussed said:
Two further points given your clarification above:

V8 sound - none, unless you upgrade the exhaust. You can't hear the engine at all. You CAN hear the supercharger, which you may or may not like.

Room in the back for kids - none. It's pathetic in this regard, although an M5 is not exactly great either. Depends how tall you are and how old your kids are.
Yes I will be looking at upgrading the exhaust.
Can Adults sit in the back of the car ?
Say for example 6ft tall ?

Cheers

nonplussed

3,338 posts

255 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
Med1c said:
Yes I will be looking at upgrading the exhaust.
Can Adults sit in the back of the car ?
Say for example 6ft tall ?

Cheers
In my opinion, no. I'm 6 foot 1 or thereabouts, so not exactly the world's tallest man, but anyone sat behind me in mine would have had to be a midget. BUT the M5 will be the ame more or less. It'll be OK for kids, but not for tall adults, unless the DRIVER is a midget biggrin

smartie

2,624 posts

299 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
Have you considered a 4.2 sport instead? Still a lovely 300bhp V8 engine but much much cheaper?

pete5570

270 posts

198 months

Friday 1st October 2010
quotequote all
I've sat in the back of an S-type before and i'm 6ft. There wasn't loads of room but it was ok, the driver was nearly as tall as me. I agree with the idea of checking out the 4.2 sport though, they look like a right bargain and things like brakes etc should be cheaper. An XJR would be a better bet than the M5 or S-type, probably not as modern looking, but i like that.

Mick_N

81 posts

237 months

Monday 4th October 2010
quotequote all
nonplussed said:
I had one. Given the choice again, I'd have gone for an M5 instead.

If you insist, it's a nice car. Handles well for a big barge, goes well enough, has all the toys. Mine was fine on the servicing front, but tyres etc. are of course expensive. I'd wager doing the brakes would cost a mint too, I didn't have mine long enough to find out.

Main issue with mine was build quality, or at least perceived build quality. It had rattles, creaks and groans all over the place.

Just don't forget, it's a slushbox barge with a powerful engine, not a sports car.
Neither is a M5 though, it's a big barge not a sports car. No doubt the M5 sounds better but the S Type R would cover ground faster IMO mainly as it rides so well.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/1970...

Brakes are not that expensive, front discs are < 200 for a pair even from a dealer, I've got red stuff pads on mine which were £90 but the OEM ones are cheaper.

Had mine for 4 years and over 50k miles and it's been brilliant so far, no squeaks and rattle to speak of and mine is a 2002 model.

The ZF gearbox can be troublesome and even though it's a sealed for life unit, people say to change the oil / filter on it before 100k miles, 60k if possible. Lots of electronics on board so potential problems ( mine has been fine ). They are heavy cars so things like wheel bearings bushes etc are worked hard.

Bargain at the moment IMO, just take your time and haggle hard smile

RW774

1,042 posts

249 months

Monday 4th October 2010
quotequote all
My advice is to pay a specialist to carry out a complete check and assessment of the vehicle, based on his experience on the marque. Then get him to service it, build up a relationship with him and don`t skimp on the repairs, otherwise risk being financially disembowled .

nosbigkin

33 posts

191 months

Tuesday 5th October 2010
quotequote all
Hi Med1c,

Ive just bought an S type R (had it 10days now) and although i cant give any information regarding running costs, what i can say is that whenever i drive it, it puts a smile on my face.
What i also like about it, is that it is extremely stealth like, what i mean is that 'it's a wolf in sheeps clothing', as theres only a few tell tale signs on it that indicate the true power of it.
So thumbs up from me

nos

Inverness

556 posts

204 months

Friday 8th October 2010
quotequote all
I would highly recommend one thumbup I've had mine over a year now and all I've had to do is get it serviced. Tyres aren't cheap but that would be the same with an M5, RS6 or E55.

With regards to room in the back, I have two little ones and even with the child seats they have plenty of room.

warnster

115 posts

238 months

Friday 8th October 2010
quotequote all
I've had mine for a few years now and absolutley nothing has gone wrong with it. I have had a couple of geometry issues the result of which was un even wear on the inside of the tyres but other than that i would recommend it. I purchased mine for crunching motorway miles, i average around 1500 per month and the STR is perfect for the job, its taken quite a while but i'm now averaging 25mpg compared to a stint working close to home returning a 16mpg average, to be fair though i dont think you'll buy one of these for economy!

General servicing is quite pricey, i have just replaced the rear tyres opting for conti SP3's and it set me back £400 fitted have also just replaced the front discs and pads to the tune of £500 fitted. Mine is 2003 which i believe uses bigger discs than later models?

All in all its been a good purchase, its fast but no sports car, it could do with a LSD and manual in an ideal world. I'm looking for something else but struggling to find a replacement...RS6, M5 etc...although am thinking of curveball VXR8.

One last thing, its like an inverted tardis, huge on the outside tiny in! Zero leg room in the rear, boot space is rubbish for such a huge car.

S1M VP

949 posts

260 months

Tuesday 12th October 2010
quotequote all
Had mine for about 2 1/2 years now ..., brilliant car.
Yes there's the odd creak which could be sorted with minimal effort but it's a work chariot, family car, fast toy, so covers all bases.

Mine is an 02 has had the full paramount treatment Inc Supercharger Pulley, ECU, Springs, Sports Exhaust and racing cats ... Sounds like thunder/spitfire when opened up, but not obtrusive when driving normally.
Keep them well serviced and they'll be fine. Mine is always in and out for bits and bobs, but it's better to get things done before they go wrong up keep cars on song IMO

May be changing mine though as I'm toting with the idea of getting rid of the Jag and my 360, in place of a DB9 or Vanquish to use everyday.
Would suggest you see a paramount car before buying ... Makes a he'll of a difference. In Nuneaton/Coventry if you want to see one.

Med1c

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

222 months

Saturday 6th November 2010
quotequote all
Car has been bought and pick it up end of month .can't wait!
Thanks for all the advice guys.


Med1c

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

222 months

Friday 12th November 2010
quotequote all
With the Type R would you change the rear boxes ?
Has any owners changed the rear boxes and if so was it better or worse sound wise ?
What would you suggest ?


sgrimshaw

7,582 posts

276 months

Sunday 14th November 2010
quotequote all
I'm looking to change my rear boxes too ...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... S-Type R - RR Sports Rear Box

No replies yet though.

Med1c

Original Poster:

1,127 posts

222 months

Sunday 14th November 2010
quotequote all
Hi Sgrimshaw I have found some links and will message you with them.

Hope this helps ?

Will be interested to hear your views on the exhausts ?


johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

190 months

Thursday 18th November 2010
quotequote all
If you look on the Jaguar owners forum a Guy in South Wales has done a lot of mods including his exhausts it sounds awesome.

sgrimshaw

7,582 posts

276 months

Thursday 18th November 2010
quotequote all
johnxjsc1985 said:
If you look on the Jaguar owners forum a Guy in South Wales has done a lot of mods including his exhausts it sounds awesome.
Any links ?