Hey everyone, I actually joined the forum to try and get some more knowledge about Jaguars, since I am hoping to purchase an 03' S type R within the next few months or so... hopefully ill receive some good advice and learn a lot while I'm here.

First question: After I buy the S type R... which will most likely have less than 50,000 miles; to increase power and performance, what do you guys suggest I go for? and lets just say $1,000 budget...

Thanks Guys!

 

new rear tires???!!!!!!!

 

I wouldn't do it if I was you! They are a total pain in the ***, slow, hard to work on, ugly and a huge waist of money!

















I am so JOKING! HAHA


I love my STR.....Look and check them out, make sure it is tip top condition when you get it....and enjoy it.....

1k budget will not get you too far w/ these cars.....

Best bet is to do a cat back, K&N filter or cold air, and a upper pulley swap, and do all the work yourself and you will just barely be over 1k.....

Depends on what you want out of the car....

We will also be having a dyno tune event come summer so you can really get good use of the extra hp Jaguar didnt want us to have!

 

Hahaha!... as I was reading at first I was like, oh my god... there's no way someone just wrote this on a Jag forum. Haha! Thanks for the advice man, I'll definitely keep it in mind. I only said 1k budget just to start things off... I'm sure ill be spending much more than that in the future. A friend of mine has an XJR and is about to install a Meth kit on it... I might consider something like that if all goes well.

 

Use the Forums search function to 'bone-up' on the transmission - Time well spent.

My STR is unmodified and a blast however, tax rebate is burning a hole in my pocket and the CAT back & intake are calling me.............Rob, come and buy us.

 

Frankly, an '03 S-type is too old; I don't mean mileage here, I mean reliability and freedom from expensive updates. An '06 would be better, if costlier. If you absolutely HAVE to consider the older model, find out if the owner has proof that all the updates have been done, and that it's been maintained properly with bills as provenance. If it's a dealer purchase, look for a cast-iron warranty for as long as you can get -- if it's a Jaguar specialist, so much the better.
Power and performance? Doesn't it have plenty of that already! I'd keep that $1000 for unexpected bills if I were you. El cheapo mods. only seem to increase fuel consumption and lead to emissions probs. Best of luck on your purchase!
Leedsman.

 

I would save that money for the upgrades and put it towards a newer model. Exterior and interior updates were done 05+, and as everyone would agree, try to find one with a warranty. Either the Select Edition or a good aftermarket one. The R's are a fantastic vehicle, but be smart about it, do the research and most importantly, PLAY the game with the dealers, there are deals to be had even if you have to have it shipped to you. Good luck man.

 

I'm in the same boat. So I definately want to look for an 05 or newer car? I'm also looking for one with around or less than 50k miles.

 

To paraphrase a guy on the .co.uk forum, an STR is easier to buy than to sell so go in with your eyes wide open, knowing the deal you want and walk away until you get it. You'll have to pay a fair price but don't rush or compromise.

See my other reply (about shift points). Take the car you may want for a test drive, with a friend who can watch the tacho.

I'd take an OBD tool and as a minimum check all the supported monitors are complete (shows they've not just cleared the codes) and that there are no codes, then check the fuel trims at idle, but that's me LOL

 

At least get the upgraded S/C pulley. Well worth the cost for the extra horses.

 

Since we're on the topic of budget mods, is it the mufflers that are restrictive or is it the mufflers and the piping? Would a swap of the mufflers help performance?

The pulley swap is cheap and would result in some performance.

A k&n is a cheap performance upgrade as well.

 

Read previous posts on this. Do not use a K&N.

 

note taken. I'll do a search...