Thinking of buying S-Type V8...
Discussion
4.0 model.
I need something cheap and comfortable/entertaining to drive. I live in Surrey, and work in the midlands, and stay there during the week. Commute takes in 30 miles of M25 and 80 miles of M40 - am I going to lose my shirt in fuel costs driving this?
Any horror stories with regard to these cars? I gather the S-Type wasn't Jag's finest hour, but considering the prices of them now, I figured as long as it was a nice, smooth drive with a bit of grunt and didn't break the bank with the fuel (would like to see average of 25mpg?) then it was probably worth a punt...
Obviously you guys are the experts - I'm looking to spend no more than £2 - 2.5k, and would like this to be relatively hassle free for the next year or so...?
Any advice you can give me?
I need something cheap and comfortable/entertaining to drive. I live in Surrey, and work in the midlands, and stay there during the week. Commute takes in 30 miles of M25 and 80 miles of M40 - am I going to lose my shirt in fuel costs driving this?
Any horror stories with regard to these cars? I gather the S-Type wasn't Jag's finest hour, but considering the prices of them now, I figured as long as it was a nice, smooth drive with a bit of grunt and didn't break the bank with the fuel (would like to see average of 25mpg?) then it was probably worth a punt...
Obviously you guys are the experts - I'm looking to spend no more than £2 - 2.5k, and would like this to be relatively hassle free for the next year or so...?
Any advice you can give me?
I'd be planning on putting an LPG conversion on the one I purchased as soon as possible. I have to say, as much as your car sounds great, it's more than double my budget, so unfortunately counts me out...
But I'm interested to hear about your experiences - you've not had any issues, or sizable bills from running a high-miler, then? I'm currently focusing on trying to source a sub 100k one, and am nervous as this will be my first jaunt into Jaguar ownership.
What I don't want to do is to shell out for this motor and suddenly find that the cost of the car pales to insignificance when it comes to the cost of keeping it on the road...
But I'm interested to hear about your experiences - you've not had any issues, or sizable bills from running a high-miler, then? I'm currently focusing on trying to source a sub 100k one, and am nervous as this will be my first jaunt into Jaguar ownership.
What I don't want to do is to shell out for this motor and suddenly find that the cost of the car pales to insignificance when it comes to the cost of keeping it on the road...
I have looked after the car for the past 60,000 miles now showing 162,000 it's had two water pipes, a water pump, thermostat , two front bushes ( the only two it's ever had ) and the rest is just service stuff !!! Fantastic car LPG has been perfect and goes like stink can't rate it high enough get one brought
I've got a 4.2 on a '52 plate, owned it 3 years and done 35,000 miles in it since then.
I gather the belt tensioners need to be checked on a 4.0 and suspension bushes can cost on all models. Mine has been very easy to live with and goes like the clappers when required even with 'only' an official 300bhp. Gearbox oil change is a good thing and they can leak badly into the boot causing all kinds of electrical gremlins. Mines now on 115,000 miles and feels spot-on.
Looking at the prices, you're at the top end of a 4.0 and possibly into the early 4.2's now which have the better dash and 6 speed auto. Mine can break the 30's mpg on a run and rarely gets down to 20 mpg even if hauling around town all day. With your motorway run should be fine, I've put a pic on of mine on a foreign motorway, look at the dials, you can see it's not working hard!
HTH
Duncan
I gather the belt tensioners need to be checked on a 4.0 and suspension bushes can cost on all models. Mine has been very easy to live with and goes like the clappers when required even with 'only' an official 300bhp. Gearbox oil change is a good thing and they can leak badly into the boot causing all kinds of electrical gremlins. Mines now on 115,000 miles and feels spot-on.
Looking at the prices, you're at the top end of a 4.0 and possibly into the early 4.2's now which have the better dash and 6 speed auto. Mine can break the 30's mpg on a run and rarely gets down to 20 mpg even if hauling around town all day. With your motorway run should be fine, I've put a pic on of mine on a foreign motorway, look at the dials, you can see it's not working hard!
HTH
Duncan
Edited by LFB531 on Wednesday 20th June 15:52
Colvette,
I had a 4.0 S-Type for 3 1/2 years and did around 80,00 miles, then followed it with an almost new 4.2 S-Type in early 2004. I've had it since then and its now up to 112,000 miles.
My first piece of advice is that the 4.2 is a substantial improvement on the 4.0. It's far nicer inside, has a better 6 speed gearbox (the 4.0 is 5 speed) and better front suspension. It also has the latest timing chain tensioners; if you go for a 4.0 make sure its tensioners have also been done whatever the mileage or be prepared to have the work done immediately, budget £1200 or so.
I have had significant gearbox issues with the 4.2 but all fixed without question. Had no problems since 57,000 miles. I am thinking on having the gearbox oil changed soon. Had some othere issues of course but nothing disastrous.
Annual service is around £500.
Tyres: usually manage 30,000 with the rears and about the same with the fronts but somehow the fronts are up to 40,000 and I'm having them renewed shortly.
MPG: depends how it's driven. It's a heavy, high capacity V8 so I cannot be too optimistic, but I get about 23 poodling around town, 30+ on a long leisurely run (did 380 miles last wekend, got 33), and when pushing on such as going to Le Mans I get around 25-28.
Overall, I think the 4.2 is great and a substantial improvement on the 4.0. I have no plans to change it but if I did I may look for a XF SV8.
You and I live in Surrey. We could have a chat. If so, e-mail me your number and I'll give you a call.
By the way, both cars were bought as ex demonstrators with mimimal mileage (only 14 on the 4.2) from HA Fox, Guildford, and have always been serviced there. For a JMD I think they are very good.
R.
I had a 4.0 S-Type for 3 1/2 years and did around 80,00 miles, then followed it with an almost new 4.2 S-Type in early 2004. I've had it since then and its now up to 112,000 miles.
My first piece of advice is that the 4.2 is a substantial improvement on the 4.0. It's far nicer inside, has a better 6 speed gearbox (the 4.0 is 5 speed) and better front suspension. It also has the latest timing chain tensioners; if you go for a 4.0 make sure its tensioners have also been done whatever the mileage or be prepared to have the work done immediately, budget £1200 or so.
I have had significant gearbox issues with the 4.2 but all fixed without question. Had no problems since 57,000 miles. I am thinking on having the gearbox oil changed soon. Had some othere issues of course but nothing disastrous.
Annual service is around £500.
Tyres: usually manage 30,000 with the rears and about the same with the fronts but somehow the fronts are up to 40,000 and I'm having them renewed shortly.
MPG: depends how it's driven. It's a heavy, high capacity V8 so I cannot be too optimistic, but I get about 23 poodling around town, 30+ on a long leisurely run (did 380 miles last wekend, got 33), and when pushing on such as going to Le Mans I get around 25-28.
Overall, I think the 4.2 is great and a substantial improvement on the 4.0. I have no plans to change it but if I did I may look for a XF SV8.
You and I live in Surrey. We could have a chat. If so, e-mail me your number and I'll give you a call.
By the way, both cars were bought as ex demonstrators with mimimal mileage (only 14 on the 4.2) from HA Fox, Guildford, and have always been serviced there. For a JMD I think they are very good.
R.
I'm also looking for one, although I'm after a 4.2 - as above, they're supposedly a marked improvement in lots of ways other than just the engine.
I've found a very tempting one on just over 130k - is that just a disastrous bill for a new gearbox waiting to happen?! It's all very well saying I'd rather get a lower mileage example, but I don't really have a handle on how long these things should last! Never owned an auto of any description & my current daily is going strong at about 220k.
I've found a very tempting one on just over 130k - is that just a disastrous bill for a new gearbox waiting to happen?! It's all very well saying I'd rather get a lower mileage example, but I don't really have a handle on how long these things should last! Never owned an auto of any description & my current daily is going strong at about 220k.
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