Advise please!
Discussion
Hi guys, I'm thinking of opting out of my increasingly mundane company car list choices and taking the cash and buying my own car, as I'm no longer doing big miles (around 15k pa).
I quite fancy an S Type R, as Ive seen them with 60k miles for around 7-8k (daft idea, I know, but you're a long time dead?!) or, more sensibly, a late 3.0 V6 Sport.
I have priced a warranty at around 40 per month (just in case!) and I reckon I would average 222mpg from the R (mainly motorway commute) and 28 from the V6, so, allowing for the increasing costs of diesel and the less reliable nature of the engine, I think I'll steer clear of the 2.7TDI.
Any thoughts and any specifics of what to look out for?
I quite fancy an S Type R, as Ive seen them with 60k miles for around 7-8k (daft idea, I know, but you're a long time dead?!) or, more sensibly, a late 3.0 V6 Sport.
I have priced a warranty at around 40 per month (just in case!) and I reckon I would average 222mpg from the R (mainly motorway commute) and 28 from the V6, so, allowing for the increasing costs of diesel and the less reliable nature of the engine, I think I'll steer clear of the 2.7TDI.
Any thoughts and any specifics of what to look out for?
The warranty price you indicate does not look anywhere near right. I have had two S-Types, a 4.0 V8 for 4 years followed by my current 4.2 V8 SE for the past 8+ years. For the latter car, once the Jaguar warranty expired after 3 years I renewed it every year until the end of 2011. Price started at about 1,100 pa and rose to about 1,350 pa.
From time to time I claimed for work under the warranty and had absolutely no problems, although there's no doubt that having a Jaguar warranty really helps, as opposed to some independent warranty. Overall I was "up" by renewing the warranty. I still have the S-Type, now getting close to 110,000 miles.
Jaguar warranties are available until the end of the warranty year in which the mileage exceeds 100,000. Thereafter, you need to get one from an independent source.
R.
From time to time I claimed for work under the warranty and had absolutely no problems, although there's no doubt that having a Jaguar warranty really helps, as opposed to some independent warranty. Overall I was "up" by renewing the warranty. I still have the S-Type, now getting close to 110,000 miles.
Jaguar warranties are available until the end of the warranty year in which the mileage exceeds 100,000. Thereafter, you need to get one from an independent source.
R.
The Leaper said:
The warranty price you indicate does not look anywhere near right. I have had two S-Types, a 4.0 V8 for 4 years followed by my current 4.2 V8 SE for the past 8+ years. For the latter car, once the Jaguar warranty expired after 3 years I renewed it every year until the end of 2011. Price started at about 1,100 pa and rose to about 1,350 pa.
From time to time I claimed for work under the warranty and had absolutely no problems, although there's no doubt that having a Jaguar warranty really helps, as opposed to some independent warranty. Overall I was "up" by renewing the warranty. I still have the S-Type, now getting close to 110,000 miles.
Jaguar warranties are available until the end of the warranty year in which the mileage exceeds 100,000. Thereafter, you need to get one from an independent source.
R.
The warranty cost was derived from that Quentin Wilson private warranty, as opposed to the official Jag oneFrom time to time I claimed for work under the warranty and had absolutely no problems, although there's no doubt that having a Jaguar warranty really helps, as opposed to some independent warranty. Overall I was "up" by renewing the warranty. I still have the S-Type, now getting close to 110,000 miles.
Jaguar warranties are available until the end of the warranty year in which the mileage exceeds 100,000. Thereafter, you need to get one from an independent source.
R.
My 4.2 was 6 years old when I bought it with 70,000 miles, now at 110,000 miles and nothing spent on it so far would have been 'warranty' work although it did come with one direct from Jaguar which I never renewed. Boring stuff like suspension bushes and brakes which I'd expect at this age but everything else has behaved pretty well (so far!).
I like to fit OE parts to my cars and past experience with a warranty company telling the garage to fit pattern bits rather put me off.
Have a look at a n/a 4.2 rather than an R, mine toddles around town at about 22mpg and will easily hit 30mpg on a motorway run, it's not exactly working hard (see pic below taken abroad!) and who want's a V6 when you can have a V8!
I like to fit OE parts to my cars and past experience with a warranty company telling the garage to fit pattern bits rather put me off.
Have a look at a n/a 4.2 rather than an R, mine toddles around town at about 22mpg and will easily hit 30mpg on a motorway run, it's not exactly working hard (see pic below taken abroad!) and who want's a V6 when you can have a V8!
Edited by LFB531 on Friday 16th March 13:12
LFB531 said:
My 4.2 was 6 years old when I bought it with 70,000 miles, now at 110,000 miles and nothing spent on it so far would have been 'warranty' work although it did come with one direct from Jaguar which I never renewed. Boring stuff like suspension bushes and brakes which I'd expect at this age but everything else has behaved pretty well (so far!).
I like to fit OE parts to my cars and past experience with a warranty company telling the garage to fit pattern bits rather put me off.
Have a look at a n/a 4.2 rather than an R, mine toddles around town at about 22mpg and will easily hit 30mpg on a motorway run, it's not exactly working hard (see pic below taken abroad!) and who want's a V6 when you can have a V8!
Barely ticking over!I like to fit OE parts to my cars and past experience with a warranty company telling the garage to fit pattern bits rather put me off.
Have a look at a n/a 4.2 rather than an R, mine toddles around town at about 22mpg and will easily hit 30mpg on a motorway run, it's not exactly working hard (see pic below taken abroad!) and who want's a V6 when you can have a V8!
Edited by LFB531 on Friday 16th March 13:12
Can you get the V8 in Sport guise, as i'm not too fond of the 'traditional' woodalike finishes and wanted a slightly firmer set up?
I've no idea to be honest! Sure someone will come along and tell you soon.
Try one though, if you give it the beans I promise you won't be looking at the woodwork and for motorway use, it's like a carpet! Cracking value as well, a trader local to me has one on the forecourt at the moment, Gunmetal grey, black leather, sat nav, R style wheels, 70k and fsh (he says!) on a 54 plate for 4950. I drive past it each day and it looks sharp.
Too much wood......?
Try one though, if you give it the beans I promise you won't be looking at the woodwork and for motorway use, it's like a carpet! Cracking value as well, a trader local to me has one on the forecourt at the moment, Gunmetal grey, black leather, sat nav, R style wheels, 70k and fsh (he says!) on a 54 plate for 4950. I drive past it each day and it looks sharp.
Too much wood......?
Edited by LFB531 on Friday 16th March 14:20
I doubt you'll get 222mpg from an STR. You might be lucky, but it's a bit more than the book figures 
In addition to what has already been said, there were reports of electric handbrake issues on some of the early ones, although that should have been sorted by now. I'm not a great fan of these handbrakes, as I'm still happy to pull up a lever, but you don't have much choice if you want a later S-Type.
In addition to what has already been said, there were reports of electric handbrake issues on some of the early ones, although that should have been sorted by now. I'm not a great fan of these handbrakes, as I'm still happy to pull up a lever, but you don't have much choice if you want a later S-Type.
LFB531 said:
I've no idea to be honest! Sure someone will come along and tell you soon.
Try one though, if you give it the beans I promise you won't be looking at the woodwork and for motorway use, it's like a carpet! Cracking value as well, a trader local to me has one on the forecourt at the moment, Gunmetal grey, black leather, sat nav, R style wheels, 70k and fsh (he says!) on a 54 plate for 4950. I drive past it each day and it looks sharp.
Too much wood......?
Try one though, if you give it the beans I promise you won't be looking at the woodwork and for motorway use, it's like a carpet! Cracking value as well, a trader local to me has one on the forecourt at the moment, Gunmetal grey, black leather, sat nav, R style wheels, 70k and fsh (he says!) on a 54 plate for 4950. I drive past it each day and it looks sharp.
Too much wood......?
Edited by LFB531 on Friday 16th March 14:20
It's not possible to have too much wood... in a Jaguar - and not your underpants that is... I have a copy of the sales brochure for the 2003 model. As for the V8 engined S Type there are 6 versions:
SE, SE Plus, Sport, Sport Plus, R, R Plus.
Mine is a SE Plus, registered 31.12.2003. 300 BHP and a great cruiser with the bonus of pretty good performance too.
I think your problem is going to be searching out the model you want in the condition you want. There were not that many 4.2 V8s made, 1 in every 14 of all S-Types I read somewhere ages ago.
By the way, don't be tempted by the earlier 4.0 V8: the later 4.2 models are a major step forward in terms of BHP, interior ambiance, suspension, gearbox etc.
R.
SE, SE Plus, Sport, Sport Plus, R, R Plus.
Mine is a SE Plus, registered 31.12.2003. 300 BHP and a great cruiser with the bonus of pretty good performance too.
I think your problem is going to be searching out the model you want in the condition you want. There were not that many 4.2 V8s made, 1 in every 14 of all S-Types I read somewhere ages ago.
By the way, don't be tempted by the earlier 4.0 V8: the later 4.2 models are a major step forward in terms of BHP, interior ambiance, suspension, gearbox etc.
R.
I've had a 4.2 v8 for just over a year. The S-type is a great car from mid-2002 onwards. The 4.2 is fast, makes a wonderful noise and on a run, is surprisingly economical. I average 27 mpg but got 32 mpg on a fully loaded 2000 mile trip around europe, cruising at 85 mostly.
It really is the sweet spot, the 3.0 is not quite quick enough and lacks torque, the supercharged one is great but a fair bit thirstier and the noise is better in the standard 4.2
The standard spec is odd on them, mine is just an SE but had nearly every option ticked. For example on an SE, an electric steering column is standard but auto wipers are an extra!
Watch for thermostats and that the xenon headlights (if fitted) aren't drooping.
It really is the sweet spot, the 3.0 is not quite quick enough and lacks torque, the supercharged one is great but a fair bit thirstier and the noise is better in the standard 4.2
The standard spec is odd on them, mine is just an SE but had nearly every option ticked. For example on an SE, an electric steering column is standard but auto wipers are an extra!
Watch for thermostats and that the xenon headlights (if fitted) aren't drooping.
I am also looking at S-Types. Its going to be either the V8 SE or type R, I just cant decide which is the best option. I did read in a buyers guide to avoid type Rs with high (over 75k) mileage but they didnt give a reason why.
Any known issues with high mileage R's ? I am looking to pick something up with ~ 70k miles either 2003 or 2004 vintage then bang another 70k on over the next 3 years, am I going to be hit with some silly bills if I do ? Would I be better going for the V8 SE instead of the R ?
Also, is the fuel consumption really that bad on the R ? My mileage is around 90% motorway , wandering along at 70 as I'm not usually in a rush, I would have though I should get more than the stated 22mpg at that speed shouldnt I ?
My head says get the V8 SE but my heart and pistonhead passion for driving says get the R type for those 10% of miles not on the motorway
Any known issues with high mileage R's ? I am looking to pick something up with ~ 70k miles either 2003 or 2004 vintage then bang another 70k on over the next 3 years, am I going to be hit with some silly bills if I do ? Would I be better going for the V8 SE instead of the R ?
Also, is the fuel consumption really that bad on the R ? My mileage is around 90% motorway , wandering along at 70 as I'm not usually in a rush, I would have though I should get more than the stated 22mpg at that speed shouldnt I ?
My head says get the V8 SE but my heart and pistonhead passion for driving says get the R type for those 10% of miles not on the motorway
Dodsy said:
Also, is the fuel consumption really that bad on the R ? My mileage is around 90% motorway , wandering along at 70 as I'm not usually in a rush, I would have though I should get more than the stated 22mpg at that speed shouldnt I ?
My head says get the V8 SE but my heart and pistonhead passion for driving says get the R type for those 10% of miles not on the motorway
Sounds like a 2.7D and a TVR is what you need My head says get the V8 SE but my heart and pistonhead passion for driving says get the R type for those 10% of miles not on the motorway
Simpo Two said:
Sounds like a 2.7D and a TVR is what you need
I already have the TVR and I need a refined cruiser to waft me over all those motorway miles. My current Omega is a 3.0V6 and does the cruising thing very well but get off the motorway and its no fun. I want something that can cruise and give me a bit of fun when the opportunity arises.Dodsy said:
I am also looking at S-Types. Its going to be either the V8 SE or type R, I just cant decide which is the best option. I did read in a buyers guide to avoid type Rs with high (over 75k) mileage but they didnt give a reason why.
Any known issues with high mileage R's ? I am looking to pick something up with ~ 70k miles either 2003 or 2004 vintage then bang another 70k on over the next 3 years, am I going to be hit with some silly bills if I do ? Would I be better going for the V8 SE instead of the R ?
Also, is the fuel consumption really that bad on the R ? My mileage is around 90% motorway , wandering along at 70 as I'm not usually in a rush, I would have though I should get more than the stated 22mpg at that speed shouldnt I ?
My head says get the V8 SE but my heart and pistonhead passion for driving says get the R type for those 10% of miles not on the motorway
I had an indentical crisis when I bought mine, looked at a couple of R's before I went for the n/a version. Would be wrong to say I've never regretted the decision because now and again I do but not for any really good reason. Service parts like brakes and tyres are probably a bit cheaper I guess with the plain one but it's still mighty quick for a sofa. Had the same problem years ago with a Mk2 Golf, 8v or 16v? Got a 16v but in reality, an 8v would have been the better option for 95% of the time.Any known issues with high mileage R's ? I am looking to pick something up with ~ 70k miles either 2003 or 2004 vintage then bang another 70k on over the next 3 years, am I going to be hit with some silly bills if I do ? Would I be better going for the V8 SE instead of the R ?
Also, is the fuel consumption really that bad on the R ? My mileage is around 90% motorway , wandering along at 70 as I'm not usually in a rush, I would have though I should get more than the stated 22mpg at that speed shouldnt I ?
My head says get the V8 SE but my heart and pistonhead passion for driving says get the R type for those 10% of miles not on the motorway
Nice dilemma though!
My good lady wife bought an 07 plate V8 Sport with her company car allowance, almost 2 years ago now, and it's been a terrific car in that time. It has the sports suspension, bodykit and rear spoiler, and the aluminium interior trim. She's averaging 24-26mpg over her working week, and fully loaded on the last two holidays, it averaged 35mpg on 300 odd mile journeys.
It's our first Jaguar and certainly not our last. A nice XF 5.0 Portfolio may well replace it next year, as her company rules state that the car must be under 5 years old.
It's our first Jaguar and certainly not our last. A nice XF 5.0 Portfolio may well replace it next year, as her company rules state that the car must be under 5 years old.
I have a 2003 4.2 R.
It does not have the adjustable suspension, but rides better than my A4 and handles superbly.
Mines has 19" BBS wheels, and on Vredestien's it a bit noisy on rough tarmac, but then it is the R!
And Vred, reckon 49psi front and 46psi rear!!!
At 70 on a flat M-way the MPG is indicating high 30's mpg.
Avg' since I got it has been 23mpg.
The supercharged R is just.. well just super.
Max Torque from 3,500 rpm all the way to the red line.
And the noise the superchager makes give me that smile.
I swapped out my Cerbera for the R, and you would ALWAYS miss a Cerbera, but not as much as I feared!
When I replace this one, it will probably be with a later R, but with only 70k on mine, that could be a good few years away to be honest!
THey are big cars, but don't feel it from th einside unless your in the back as leg room is a bit tight for 4 adults.
Which ever one you go for, I don't doubt you will enjoy driving it! I do!
It does not have the adjustable suspension, but rides better than my A4 and handles superbly.
Mines has 19" BBS wheels, and on Vredestien's it a bit noisy on rough tarmac, but then it is the R!
And Vred, reckon 49psi front and 46psi rear!!!
At 70 on a flat M-way the MPG is indicating high 30's mpg.
Avg' since I got it has been 23mpg.
The supercharged R is just.. well just super.
Max Torque from 3,500 rpm all the way to the red line.
And the noise the superchager makes give me that smile.
I swapped out my Cerbera for the R, and you would ALWAYS miss a Cerbera, but not as much as I feared!
When I replace this one, it will probably be with a later R, but with only 70k on mine, that could be a good few years away to be honest!
THey are big cars, but don't feel it from th einside unless your in the back as leg room is a bit tight for 4 adults.
Which ever one you go for, I don't doubt you will enjoy driving it! I do!
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff