Hi all,

so, I am considering to buy a Jaguar s-type (2000. model), I am looking for good V6 3.0 model, and I found several models, so now I have few questions.

I always favorited Japan cars, so now I own a Mazda MX-5, no problems with that car at all.

My questions:

1. V6 3.0 engine is realible or has some major problems?
2. Transmission, same quesiton?
3. What can I expect for mpg (l/km)?
4. What is price of spare parts?

General, what kind of car is it? Is it realible and ok, or have some problems?

Thank you, your opinion can very much affect my buying . So I hope that I will become a member of your community.

 

Don't buy a 10-year old S-Type and expect it to be both cheap and reliable. Go for a 2005 or newer.

 

So, common questions from a new user on here....I do find it interesting that you are in Croatia...So that will color my answers... The big question here is have you checked into service shops that can work on it. Jaguars are temperamental and technically complicated cars in general. The S Type has benefited from Ford ownership but they are still complicated. Also, the year you are looking at is the first of the model so it tends to have more things that can go wrong. Think "first technology"..
So here are my answers to your numbered questions....

1. The 3.0 is a Ford Duratech motor, built in Cleveland Ohio. It is a good motor and very durable..Watch for IMT O-rings and crappy early coils...Search the forum.

2. Ford 5 Speed unit. Less expensive to service here in the states just because of cheaper fluid. Has had valve body spring issues. Some units have failed, but that most likely is due to lack of service than anything else....

3. As with any car MANY factors go into MPG. Driving environment, driving style, car's state of tune, etc. Note: I got a couple mpg boost just when the weather changed and I changed the air filter...

4. That too will vary on many things..Again, do your homework on finding a good shop that can actually work on the car and talk to them about parts. There are many parts that are shared with the Lincoln LS but that may not be relevant for you since you are in a market where the LS was never sold.

 

tnx for the fast reply, but I found several good models with low milage, and also good service record.

And they are in range of my financial status.

So is it a big difference between 3.0 V6 engine from 2001. and 2005. ?
thank you

 

Nope....The V6 was retuned to boost power...and later V6's have improved gaskets and coils...The real turning point for the S Type is actually 2002.5 (2003 in the US). The 2002.5 model was when the mechanical items were updated and improved. The 2005 update was cosmetic. So, if your finances allow...get a 2002.5 and newer..Just do your homework on shops that can service the ZF trans if you do..That can be quite pricey just to change the fluid.

 

2JOsworth:
thank you again for this answer, you are helping me.

About service, yes I found a good Jaguar mechanic here in Croatia, and service is good. Also my previous mechanic also has Jaguar certificates (he now service my Miata).

About spare parts, found several good on-line resources, and like in miata case, I will order on-line or just have to find something here in my area.

Also, there isnt a lot of s-types in area, so I found several cheap ones with good service record and relatively low km.

Like this one- http://www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=3807445&show=1

So, it is a 2001. model with 150 000 km, good service record and great price. And my biggest concern is, will it show some problems?

In comparation, I have Mazda mx-5, 2001 model (1.8 6spd), it has 100 000km, and beside regular maintenance, there wasnt any problems.

And this is what I want from car, reliability, I am very precise in handling my car, and I think about myself that I am responsable driver (carrying about car).

Also, addition to my question, how this engine reacts on LPG?

I have Volvo XC90, T6 engine with LPG and drives great.

Thank you again.

 

I'll keep it simple: If you want Volvo reliability, get the S Type, but get one after the 2002.5 updates. You can tell visually because it has a different instrument panel and center console. If you want Mazda MX-5 reliability you are definitely looking at the wrong car. The Mazda is a real basic car with a super reliable engine. There are not a bunch of electronics running every little thing.

My 2005 has needed things that a car it's age shouldn't need. But....It is no worse than other premium brands. These are very complicated cars, just like other premium cars, therefore the odds are greater that something is going to break...

I wouldn't know about LPG conversions. Gasoline is so relatively cheap here that even diesels are super rare. In fact the only companies that currently sell diesel cars here in the US are BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and VW. LPG is only used on the likes of city buses where emissions are a concern.
Maybe some of our users in Europe could answer that one.

 

Thank you for the fast reply.

So this one on link that I post in my previous reply is what model then?

About LPG, we will then wait for Europe drivers .

Well, if it is like Volvo, maybe I will consider it.

I know that I cant expect Mazda reliability, but in general can I expect reliability from S model?

Thank you again!

This is uncharted teritory for me, so I am very careful, if you know what i mean

 

There are people with LPG cars on the .co.uk forum and they're fine if properly converted. Search on there for details.

As stated, the S-Type is like many modern cars full of complex electronics. Expect some hassles or don't buy. You want a 2005 or later, but not one before 2003 unless you DIY and are good at it.

 

As previously mentioned, go with a 2005 or newer if your budget allows. The more do-it-yourself maintenance you can handle, the better off you'll be....

 

That is a 2001 from what I can gather...I don't know any other languages other than English.... Bad side effect of being an American...

Again...the 2003 is the key year for the mechanical updates...a 2005 is no better than a 2003 just looks a little different and is
newer....

I muddled through the site and found some others....

Here is a 2004. I can't really read the add so I don't know if it is any good...Just used it as an example of the year
http://www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=3173113&show=1

Here is another 04...

http://www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=2394747&show=1
It looks like the cosmetic update (new nose, and tail) was done in 04 in Europe.... Hey local US guys..Look at the links if you want to see an S-Type with cloth seats! One of them is a stick as well.

zaczg-- See, the US market never got the base S-type nor did it ever get any diesels..

 

Thank you all for help.

Well, the problem is that there is any 2003./2005. models, I would pay even more money, but there isnt any one.

Only several 2003./2004. X-types models.

S-types are only 2001. models, is this so bad?

 

check out the links I just added...

 

zaczg - Those posted above are 2004 I think. What's wrong with them?

 

My research in mid-December 2008 showed that the 2005 models had fewer reported problems than both 2004 and 2003 models. 2002, 2001, and 2000 models were off the charts and I wouldn't even consider purchasing one of them....

 

Thank you guys, but these two are sold, I checked two days ago .

So, I am now thinking do I wish to buy 2001. model if it has so manny problems

I found this one http://www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=3807445&show=1 and it is real beauty.

Drove it, it is more than fine, very nice car.

also this one is fine http://www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=3796256&show=1

these two are not sold...

but now, I dont know what to do tnx guys, you are the best community which I found.

US import? to complicated here in Europe, and I dont know where to look, also i dont know anybody in US, so it is to complicated for me

 

Remember....most problems don't manifest themselves until the car is 4 or 5 years old...The difference in data was due to age not components. Nothing really changed from 2003 to 2005...That's why a bunch of 05's now have leaking o-rings; failing compressors, bad DCCV valves...the list goes on...Not that the 05 is bad, it's just no better than an 03....

Oh, and honestly, the 1999 (in Europe) to 2002 cars aren't that bad. Just not as good as the refreshed 2002.5 and up....

 

I would hold out for a 2002.5 if it was my money... But of the two you listed the dark blue(I think) one looks good. I would be a little leary of the silver sport model (the 2nd one). It has aftermarket wheels and from the angles of the pictures the back doors don't match the fronts. Looks like it has had paint work done...
The first one seems to have a service history as well. Again, I'm just looking at pictures and really don't know what the add says.

If you do go for one of the early cars, be sure to have it gone over by a mechanic before you buy. I would also read up on the forums and be prepared to fix some of the common issues for the first generation cars. Some that come to mind are the shift linkage; spring in the trans valve body, IMT O-rings, cam cover gaskets; dual climate control valve;window regualtors; coils, plus I'm sure there are a few I've missed...

 

Well thank you, now I dont know what to do... you listed several big problems with 1. generation and now I am thinking hard..

 

Well, I didn't mean to scare you....

The IMT O-rings, DCCV valve, and for some years the coils are still issues with the, what I call, second generation.... these are all minor headaches.. And since the issues listed are the most common there is a good possibility that some or all have been done already on the ones you are looking at..Service history will tell you that...

Remember, take it as a good sign that there are lots of higher mileage cars out there..If they were really that bad they would end up in the scrap heap vs being for sale in the used classifieds....

That said...Again..I would just keep scanning the ads for a 2002.5 or up car... Since US ads are much easier for me to search I'll post one below for a 2002.5 so you can see what we've been talking about...The ad will say it's a 2003 since the North American market runs a bit behind Europe..hence what we call the 2005 refresh was actually a 2004 in Europe....

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

As you can see the 2003 looks just like the earlier cars except the instrument panel is totally different....