02 facelift S type - V8 or V6?
Discussion
TS,
I had a first series 4.0L V8 SE for 3 1/2 years, did about 70,000 miles. In March 2004 I then got a facelift 4.2L V8 SE which I still have and I am planning to keep for the future. So far done around 71,000 miles.
There is no doubt the S-Type was much improved by the facelift. This introduced a much better interior, a bit more rear leg room, a far better 6 speed gearbox, improved front suspension, all of which dramatically improved the S-Type in my view.
I favour the V8 over the V6 obvioulsy. It's not so much about power, more about drive and ride. Also the V8 is more of a Jaguar than a Ford product (I will duck incoming corrections from other PHers!)
I get around 22-24 mpg normal driving, ie without trying to be careful. Sometimes when I go on long journeys I have tried to see what I can get and I can get to 33-35 at a steady 70. I get less going to Le Mans each year! This info is as per the on board computer and it could be optimistic!
I've replaced tyres, all 4 this year, and I seem to get around 24,000 a pair. Black Circles are great for replacements, incidentally.
Must haves....sat nav, not only for the directions but because with it comes touch screen for the sat nav, audio, A/C etc, well worth it when new, although I doubt if the price changes when buying second hand. Also, a sun roof: my first car had it but this one does not and I do miss it. Sun roofs are a rare addition however. Also reverse parking assist: you cannot see any of the rear when reversing/parking.
Now for the not so good news. These are quite heavy cars and have a reputation for brake and suspension wear. However, mine has been OK in these matters. I had the rear wheel bearings go and replaced at around 60,000 miles. The gearbox has a great reputation for its operation (deservedly) but it is problematic. Elsewhere on the PH Jaguar thread you can read about the lurch etc. I have had another problem: a "whoosh" noise on changedown (not kickdown). I will not go into the whole story (e-mail me if you want it) but I am now on my 4th gearbox and this one seems fine. I have to say that Jaguar and the JMD I use (HA Fox, Guildford) have been really good about solving my gearbox problems, all done under warranty so it has not cost me anything. I have extended the warranty, however, in case of reoccurances. Oh, and the boot is small!
I think the S-Type is a great car, and I also think that the V8 non R is the ideal model: good performance from 300 bhp,super high speed cruiser, not bad when hustling, reasonable running costs, insurance cost acceptable etc. I make several trips to France each year and down to Falmouth too, and the car is ideal for this.
Hope this is useful.
R.
I had a first series 4.0L V8 SE for 3 1/2 years, did about 70,000 miles. In March 2004 I then got a facelift 4.2L V8 SE which I still have and I am planning to keep for the future. So far done around 71,000 miles.
There is no doubt the S-Type was much improved by the facelift. This introduced a much better interior, a bit more rear leg room, a far better 6 speed gearbox, improved front suspension, all of which dramatically improved the S-Type in my view.
I favour the V8 over the V6 obvioulsy. It's not so much about power, more about drive and ride. Also the V8 is more of a Jaguar than a Ford product (I will duck incoming corrections from other PHers!)
I get around 22-24 mpg normal driving, ie without trying to be careful. Sometimes when I go on long journeys I have tried to see what I can get and I can get to 33-35 at a steady 70. I get less going to Le Mans each year! This info is as per the on board computer and it could be optimistic!
I've replaced tyres, all 4 this year, and I seem to get around 24,000 a pair. Black Circles are great for replacements, incidentally.
Must haves....sat nav, not only for the directions but because with it comes touch screen for the sat nav, audio, A/C etc, well worth it when new, although I doubt if the price changes when buying second hand. Also, a sun roof: my first car had it but this one does not and I do miss it. Sun roofs are a rare addition however. Also reverse parking assist: you cannot see any of the rear when reversing/parking.
Now for the not so good news. These are quite heavy cars and have a reputation for brake and suspension wear. However, mine has been OK in these matters. I had the rear wheel bearings go and replaced at around 60,000 miles. The gearbox has a great reputation for its operation (deservedly) but it is problematic. Elsewhere on the PH Jaguar thread you can read about the lurch etc. I have had another problem: a "whoosh" noise on changedown (not kickdown). I will not go into the whole story (e-mail me if you want it) but I am now on my 4th gearbox and this one seems fine. I have to say that Jaguar and the JMD I use (HA Fox, Guildford) have been really good about solving my gearbox problems, all done under warranty so it has not cost me anything. I have extended the warranty, however, in case of reoccurances. Oh, and the boot is small!
I think the S-Type is a great car, and I also think that the V8 non R is the ideal model: good performance from 300 bhp,super high speed cruiser, not bad when hustling, reasonable running costs, insurance cost acceptable etc. I make several trips to France each year and down to Falmouth too, and the car is ideal for this.
Hope this is useful.
R.
cardigankid said:
I have an '06 3.0 S-Type Sport Manual and it is magical. Bigger engine would no doubt be better, and I second everything Leaper has said.
I would be a bit worried about going for the early ones all the same, not from experience, just all the chat you read about problems.
I've got the same model but it's a 2003 car. Maybe I've been spoilt by another car that I own but I do find the 3.0 a little underpowered. Given the choice again I would favour a V8 especially as the mpg figures are very similar to the 3.0 V6.I would be a bit worried about going for the early ones all the same, not from experience, just all the chat you read about problems.
Definitely get a facelift 2002 car though as the suspension was greatly improved.
The Leaper said:
TS,
I had a first series 4.0L V8 SE for 3 1/2 years, did about 70,000 miles. In March 2004 I then got a facelift 4.2L V8 SE which I still have and I am planning to keep for the future. So far done around 71,000 miles.
There is no doubt the S-Type was much improved by the facelift. This introduced a much better interior, a bit more rear leg room, a far better 6 speed gearbox, improved front suspension, all of which dramatically improved the S-Type in my view.
I favour the V8 over the V6 obvioulsy. It's not so much about power, more about drive and ride. Also the V8 is more of a Jaguar than a Ford product (I will duck incoming corrections from other PHers!)
I get around 22-24 mpg normal driving, ie without trying to be careful. Sometimes when I go on long journeys I have tried to see what I can get and I can get to 33-35 at a steady 70. I get less going to Le Mans each year! This info is as per the on board computer and it could be optimistic!
I've replaced tyres, all 4 this year, and I seem to get around 24,000 a pair. Black Circles are great for replacements, incidentally.
Must haves....sat nav, not only for the directions but because with it comes touch screen for the sat nav, audio, A/C etc, well worth it when new, although I doubt if the price changes when buying second hand. Also, a sun roof: my first car had it but this one does not and I do miss it. Sun roofs are a rare addition however. Also reverse parking assist: you cannot see any of the rear when reversing/parking.
Now for the not so good news. These are quite heavy cars and have a reputation for brake and suspension wear. However, mine has been OK in these matters. I had the rear wheel bearings go and replaced at around 60,000 miles. The gearbox has a great reputation for its operation (deservedly) but it is problematic. Elsewhere on the PH Jaguar thread you can read about the lurch etc. I have had another problem: a "whoosh" noise on changedown (not kickdown). I will not go into the whole story (e-mail me if you want it) but I am now on my 4th gearbox and this one seems fine. I have to say that Jaguar and the JMD I use (HA Fox, Guildford) have been really good about solving my gearbox problems, all done under warranty so it has not cost me anything. I have extended the warranty, however, in case of reoccurances. Oh, and the boot is small!
I think the S-Type is a great car, and I also think that the V8 non R is the ideal model: good performance from 300 bhp,super high speed cruiser, not bad when hustling, reasonable running costs, insurance cost acceptable etc. I make several trips to France each year and down to Falmouth too, and the car is ideal for this.
Hope this is useful.
R.
...So it would seam that both the X type and S type suffer from chocolate gearbox sydrome?! - surely not same box used on 2.5 v6 x type and 4.2 v8 s type?!I had a first series 4.0L V8 SE for 3 1/2 years, did about 70,000 miles. In March 2004 I then got a facelift 4.2L V8 SE which I still have and I am planning to keep for the future. So far done around 71,000 miles.
There is no doubt the S-Type was much improved by the facelift. This introduced a much better interior, a bit more rear leg room, a far better 6 speed gearbox, improved front suspension, all of which dramatically improved the S-Type in my view.
I favour the V8 over the V6 obvioulsy. It's not so much about power, more about drive and ride. Also the V8 is more of a Jaguar than a Ford product (I will duck incoming corrections from other PHers!)
I get around 22-24 mpg normal driving, ie without trying to be careful. Sometimes when I go on long journeys I have tried to see what I can get and I can get to 33-35 at a steady 70. I get less going to Le Mans each year! This info is as per the on board computer and it could be optimistic!
I've replaced tyres, all 4 this year, and I seem to get around 24,000 a pair. Black Circles are great for replacements, incidentally.
Must haves....sat nav, not only for the directions but because with it comes touch screen for the sat nav, audio, A/C etc, well worth it when new, although I doubt if the price changes when buying second hand. Also, a sun roof: my first car had it but this one does not and I do miss it. Sun roofs are a rare addition however. Also reverse parking assist: you cannot see any of the rear when reversing/parking.
Now for the not so good news. These are quite heavy cars and have a reputation for brake and suspension wear. However, mine has been OK in these matters. I had the rear wheel bearings go and replaced at around 60,000 miles. The gearbox has a great reputation for its operation (deservedly) but it is problematic. Elsewhere on the PH Jaguar thread you can read about the lurch etc. I have had another problem: a "whoosh" noise on changedown (not kickdown). I will not go into the whole story (e-mail me if you want it) but I am now on my 4th gearbox and this one seems fine. I have to say that Jaguar and the JMD I use (HA Fox, Guildford) have been really good about solving my gearbox problems, all done under warranty so it has not cost me anything. I have extended the warranty, however, in case of reoccurances. Oh, and the boot is small!
I think the S-Type is a great car, and I also think that the V8 non R is the ideal model: good performance from 300 bhp,super high speed cruiser, not bad when hustling, reasonable running costs, insurance cost acceptable etc. I make several trips to France each year and down to Falmouth too, and the car is ideal for this.
Hope this is useful.
R.
If expensive gearbox failure is common who will warranty them on privately purchased cars -- and for how much?!
I really want one of these cars (3 litre X or 4.2 S) however I am not in the market for bills of more than a few hundred on sub £4k cars - presumably there are a lot of scrapped £1.5k X Type autos?!
Bernard Barnett said:
If you can find a post-facelift diesel I would go for that. It is seriously fast.
Hmm, I have to say having borrowed a Pug diesel lately i am smitten by the fuel savings....What sort of overall mpg can you get on diesel and what is best achieved on motorway cruises?
Anyone doing any reputable chip tuning for this car to omprove economy and performance?
Also interested in X-Type diesels - all and any info appreciated
I take it autos are still best avoided (same expensive 'chocolate box?!')
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