3 litre x type or v8 s type?
Discussion
This is a problem question. I recently tested over a long period an X-Type 3.0L Sovereign with 4WD. The performance was pretty good and the roadholding was great. I have run an S-Type 4.2L for three years which I think is just great for me, because I like sports saloons and do a lot of motorway cruising. In fact I think the SE is better that the type R: the SE delivers more than I expected whereas the type R feels it should be better.
The X type AWD is limited in performance enhancing not by the engine (see what NOBLE can do with the duratec) but with the 4wd transmission, a number of jaguar sites have stated in the past this is a potential problem, another is the brakes, many consider the Mondeo based units not upto the job so any extra oomph may require you to spend money on stopping the car! The S is probably easier but if you buy a 3.0 save on the upgrade and buy a 4.2.
Agree with Dominic, the diff on the X is the achilles heel to any power upgrade (hence no 'blown' version of the X, this was ruled out due to it not being able to take anymore power). I can also agree the brakes on my X are absolutely shocking! Anyone know of a brake upgrade, heard of different pads but thats not a real solution.
It is however a fab car...........
G
It is however a fab car...........
G
I love my 4.0 V8 to bits and have had it from new (six years and counting, Mr Bond...). It is a bit of a pig to heave around on country lanes and is quite heavy - not a "chuckable" car. Its best environment is long distance cruising and I have just returned 25 mpg between here and Bordeaux. Its chief achilles heel however is the Ford gearbox: the 5-speed unit is frankly just not very good and works best left constantly in Sport mode. If I were in the market for a V8 I would make sure I bought a later car with the 6-speed ZF auto box.
Fenderbender, if you love you're "old" S-Type 4.0L with its old 5 speed gearbox, you'll be blown away by the ZF 6 speed that comes with the 4.2L. I have had both cars in succession for three years and there is just no doubt the later 4.2L is better, not because of the engine but because of the gearbox, and less so because of the improved suspension and the far better interior. However, I have had some bad luck with gearbox in the 4.2L. They are prone to inner seal wear which manifests itself as a "whoosh" noise on changedown (not kickdown). Performance does not seem to be affected. Jaguar used to replace faulty gearboxes, but then switched to an oil refill as a fix. More recently, Jaguar have modified the part. I had a gearbox replaced at about 20,000 and then again at 45,000, this latter with the modified box, both under warranty. The second incident was interesting: when Jaguar UK was told about it they specifically asked for the gearbox to be sent back to them because it was the first incidence of the modified type producing the familiar problem. I think the price for a new box is around £3500 and another £1500 to do the switch. I have to say I was impressed by the way the main dealer and Jaguar UK stepped up to the plate on this problem without any effort from me.
The Leaper said:
Fenderbender, if you love you're "old" S-Type 4.0L with its old 5 speed gearbox, you'll be blown away by the ZF 6 speed that comes with the 4.2L. .
R, I know. I've driven them all but I still love the old lady! Even so the iffy Ford box which shackles her performance was replaced under warranty at 50,000 miles. Would not change up into 5th. Nobody would tell me what caused the problem but they flew in a new box from the US and fixed it at nil cost to me.
You are dead right - the ZF box is excellent and transforms the car's driveability.
Lone granger, remember forums are a magnet for airing 'issues' with cars, you never really find a post soley to praise a particular car. All cars are machines, I bet there is not one car on the market which someone hasn't had some kind of problem with. Yes, the S type can have a gearbox issue, the early S's I would avoid (all those with the Jag badge on the bonnet) the later cars are brilliant esp. with the ZF 6 Speed.
As for the X, well its auto'box can have problems too, but few and far between, the manual AWD 2.5 and 3.0ltr X's are very reliable, just see how many are on ebay with over 100k on the clock.
G
As for the X, well its auto'box can have problems too, but few and far between, the manual AWD 2.5 and 3.0ltr X's are very reliable, just see how many are on ebay with over 100k on the clock.
G
triple7 said:
Lone granger, remember forums are a magnet for airing 'issues' with cars, you never really find a post soley to praise a particular car. All cars are machines, I bet there is not one car on the market which someone hasn't had some kind of problem with. Yes, the S type can have a gearbox issue, the early S's I would avoid (all those with the Jag badge on the bonnet) the later cars are brilliant esp. with the ZF 6 Speed.
As for the X, well its auto'box can have problems too, but few and far between, the manual AWD 2.5 and 3.0ltr X's are very reliable, just see how many are on ebay with over 100k on the clock.
G
As for the X, well its auto'box can have problems too, but few and far between, the manual AWD 2.5 and 3.0ltr X's are very reliable, just see how many are on ebay with over 100k on the clock.
G
cheers Trip
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