jaguar s type buying

[mrggg123]

Hello Im a new user here. I would just like some advice on purchasing a jaguar S type. They seem to be going cheap on autotrader and wanted to know what the pros and cons are of the vehicle. What are the servicing costs etc.

Note I am looking at the 2004/2005 facelift, which are going at around the 4k/5k mark

Edited by mrggg123 on Sunday 29th December 19:39

Edited by mrggg123 on Sunday 29th December 20:15

[321freeflow]

Good info/guides here:

http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/forum.php

or here - more US-based though:

http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/

[POORCARDEALER]

balljoints are common problems and not cheap

[MarJay]

What sort of S type are you after? V6, V8, R?

[mrggg123]

MarJay said:

What sort of S type are you after? V6, V8, R?

2.5 v6 or the 2.7d

[anonymous-user]

My experience of the diesel on a 54 plate was not good. Fragile and overcomplicated, and also I felt it to be rather underpowered. Fuel economy never came close to the headline figures and was little better than I'd have expected from the 3.0 V6. Mine had turbo problems, EGR problems and torque converter and autobox issues. The car also had plenty of niggling faults due to the quality of the fixings, fittings and ancillaries - the quality really was only skin deep. Lovely thing when it worked though, but it always felt like it needed another 50bhp.

I'd have another, but it would have to be a 4.2 V8.

[kiethton]

Had a 2.5 V6 sport plus from new (2004) to 85k (2011)

Biggest issues were:

Poor quality trim
HG went after 30 miles (factory fault) - engine HG bolts not torqued correctly
A/C climate control system went - wrong external temp and therefore heating etc.
Gearbox plying up - limp mode/not changing (on and off fixed)
Boot seals played up - water in bootwell
CD changer broke in warranty

Wore tyres unevenly (and they didn't last long)
Servicing (jag indy) wasn't the cheapest

Other than that very comfortable and a decent enough steer, very well dampered. Just check it has been serviced correctly, tyres are ok and that all electrics work.

[anonymous-user]

kiethton said:

Had a 2.5 V6 sport plus from new (2004) to 85k (2011)

Biggest issues were:

Poor quality trim
HG went after 30 miles (factory fault) - engine HG bolts not torqued correctly
A/C climate control system went - wrong external temp and therefore heating etc.
Gearbox plying up - limp mode/not changing (on and off fixed)
Boot seals played up - water in bootwell
CD changer broke in warranty

Wore tyres unevenly (and they didn't last long)
Servicing (jag indy) wasn't the cheapest

Other than that very comfortable and a decent enough steer, very well dampered. Just check it has been serviced correctly, tyres are ok and that all electrics work.

The A/C climate control thing happened on mine. I changed the exterior temp sensor (actually a ford coolant temp sensor!) twice and it didn't fix it. It'd suddenly decide the external temp was -40C or so and thus flood the car with scorching hot air. I forgot how much that pissed me off.

My boot leaked too, had forgotten about that. To get to 150k miles it needed two new turbos, at least one new EGR valve and a new gearbox and torque converter. It would also randomly loose coolant and nobody could ever find out where it went!

[TommoAE86]

Make sure with the 2.7d you check all the usual diesel things, but remember that the S is a nice heavy Jag, so you're going to be averaging 30mpg ish in normal driving... Wish i'd bought the V8 now

[V8forweekends]

The 2.5 V6 is a bit pointless - real world economy is the same or worse than 3.0 and it's less powerful.

I had a 2005 XJ with the 2.7 engine - same as the S Type one. In two years it had continual problems with the EGR valves, and various other gubbins. Spent a fortune with Jag trying to get it to stop going into "restricted performance" mode (dangerously slow - esp on motorways) every few weeks - never entirely solved.

S Type (post facelift) shares some of the chocolate suspension bushes with the XJ. They are an MOT item, don't last and the Jag officially sanctioned way of replacing a single bad bush is whole arm at hundreds a go - although there is a "grey" market of indies pressing bushes into existing arms.

I see a lot of 2.7s for sale at around the mileage the cam belt is due (105000 miles or 10 years) it's a big (expensive) job so factor it in if it hasn't been been done.

IMHO these and subsequent Jags are very well engineered to last the 3 year warranty without Jag having to do too much - after that they are a nightmare (although nice when going).

[mrggg123]

Oh my I really thought I was on to something nice which was good on insurance etc. But from what I have read here seems like the wrong vehicle. So I now have to think of something alternative, perhaps another type of Jag. I really thought I had found my perfect car.

[mrggg123]

dme123 said:

The A/C climate control thing happened on mine. I changed the exterior temp sensor (actually a ford coolant temp sensor!) twice and it didn't fix it. It'd suddenly decide the external temp was -40C or so and thus flood the car with scorching hot air. I forgot how much that pissed me off.

My boot leaked too, had forgotten about that. To get to 150k miles it needed two new turbos, at least one new EGR valve and a new gearbox and torque converter. It would also randomly loose coolant and nobody could ever find out where it went!

what year was yours? I heard after 2003 the quality improved? Maybe I was wrong then.

[jimmy156]

Remember you only ever hear the bad stories on the internet, so don't write it off completely!

[kiethton]

I really wouldn't worry too much every car of this age and type will have common issues, the above just highlights what they are so you know when you view. Some you may have and others you may not. Buying a car like this at a guess £5k will save you many thousands a year in depreciation over the new equivalent but you will have to expect some repairs along the way.

5 series - autoboxes, cooling system, suspension etc.
Merc E - Electrics, rust

It does help to maybe pick a higher mileage one (where these issues may have already been fixed), that way the problems are gone and you get a cheaper purchase price to boot!

If you do want hassle free motoring for the £5k this should be just the ticket!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

[Matt UK]

mrggg123 said:

Oh my I really thought I was on to something nice which was good on insurance etc. But from what I have read here seems like the wrong vehicle. So I now have to think of something alternative, perhaps another type of Jag. I really thought I had found my perfect car.

Have a look at the XJ. Early X350 models are down to your budget and they are lovely. I ran a 2005 3.0 V6 petrol, no problems to report.

[mrggg123]

Matt UK said:

Have a look at the XJ. Early X350 models are down to your budget and they are lovely. I ran a 2005 3.0 V6 petrol, no problems to report.

I really like those but they are a bit too big and Im in my mid 20s so Insurance is a killer for 3.0+. I have found a decent quote for around 1k for the 2.5 Jag, therefore I would like to buy one with this engine size. However I may stretch to 2.7.

[mrggg123]

kiethton said:

I really wouldn't worry too much every car of this age and type will have common issues, the above just highlights what they are so you know when you view. Some you may have and others you may not. Buying a car like this at a guess £5k will save you many thousands a year in depreciation over the new equivalent but you will have to expect some repairs along the way.

5 series - autoboxes, cooling system, suspension etc.
Merc E - Electrics, rust

It does help to maybe pick a higher mileage one (where these issues may have already been fixed), that way the problems are gone and you get a cheaper purchase price to boot!

If you do want hassle free motoring for the £5k this should be just the ticket!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

Thanks I appreciate that info and will take it on board. And thanks for the suggestion but no more small cars, I've already driven them, and want something a bit nicer now.

[mrggg123]

kiethton said:

Had a 2.5 V6 sport plus from new (2004) to 85k (2011)

Biggest issues were:

Poor quality trim
HG went after 30 miles (factory fault) - engine HG bolts not torqued correctly
A/C climate control system went - wrong external temp and therefore heating etc.
Gearbox plying up - limp mode/not changing (on and off fixed)
Boot seals played up - water in bootwell
CD changer broke in warranty

Wore tyres unevenly (and they didn't last long)
Servicing (jag indy) wasn't the cheapest

Other than that very comfortable and a decent enough steer, very well dampered. Just check it has been serviced correctly, tyres are ok and that all electrics work.

Did you ever get the Ac sorted and if so how much did it cost?
The auto limp mode happens with a lot of automatics, I guess its just luck.

[mrggg123]

So would I be better of going with a manual?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

This is the exact car I would like with this trim. Any suggestions?

[kiethton]

mrggg123 said:

Did you ever get the Ac sorted and if so how much did it cost?
The auto limp mode happens with a lot of automatics, I guess its just luck.

We didn't as we were looking to chop the car in against a diesel (expected mileage to go to 40k pa.) when it packed up so didn't bother, just traded it in warts and all - £4k! at 7.5 years old