Goodbye to my sweet 2000 Jag S-Type
#1
Goodbye to my sweet 2000 Jag S-Type
Recently, I joined this forum when I used to own a 2000 year model Jaguar S-Type, arena red colored. She was a beauty. Hardly had any issue till about 311,000 miles. I had to replace the transmission, all 6 coil packs and spark plugs, MAF, and some minor parts, besides regular oil, brakes, etc. She ran like a champ and never let me down on the road. Her response was instant, when it was needed. At the local San Diego Jaguar dealership, this car was a hit with the most millage on it … 326,000 miles. A proud owner of a 2000 Jaguar S-Type with perfect body, mechanical condition, and very low maintenance record with such high miles.
During this last Christmas (2012) someone ran into the front driver side corner by the headlights, while it was parked at the mall… of course no note left by the perpetrator. From outward the car looked fine, only that the headlights were a bit off focused and the front hood would not open. So, I took it to the insurance prescribed auto body shop to get it fixed and left her there. A few days after I received a call from the auto body adjuster telling me that the damage, internal, was severe. The frame was severely bent, beyond repair. So they totaled the car.
Perhaps, many of the S-Type owners may have had horror situation with their S-Type. However, I have to say that my Jaguar S-Type was a very hardy car with the least numbers of issues and she outperformed other cars on the highway, even with the high miles on her… 326,000 (approximately at the end). RIP.
During this last Christmas (2012) someone ran into the front driver side corner by the headlights, while it was parked at the mall… of course no note left by the perpetrator. From outward the car looked fine, only that the headlights were a bit off focused and the front hood would not open. So, I took it to the insurance prescribed auto body shop to get it fixed and left her there. A few days after I received a call from the auto body adjuster telling me that the damage, internal, was severe. The frame was severely bent, beyond repair. So they totaled the car.
Perhaps, many of the S-Type owners may have had horror situation with their S-Type. However, I have to say that my Jaguar S-Type was a very hardy car with the least numbers of issues and she outperformed other cars on the highway, even with the high miles on her… 326,000 (approximately at the end). RIP.
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Jumpin' Jag Flash (07-08-2013)
#2
(I've moved this from the New Member Area - Intro a MUST section to the S-Type section so all S-Type owning members will see it)
Sorry to hear of this loss.
Tremendous to learn of any Jaguar reaching such a stellar mileage but dreadful that it should then be destroyed by the action of an incompetent driver in a parking lot. It must have been some impact to misalign the bodyshell.
I hope the insurance covers your actual loss and enables you to get a replacement. What other car could you possibly go for after that kind of track record.
Graham
Sorry to hear of this loss.
Tremendous to learn of any Jaguar reaching such a stellar mileage but dreadful that it should then be destroyed by the action of an incompetent driver in a parking lot. It must have been some impact to misalign the bodyshell.
I hope the insurance covers your actual loss and enables you to get a replacement. What other car could you possibly go for after that kind of track record.
Graham
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wams (02-22-2013)
#3
Condolences to ypu, Wams! RIP X
Likewise as GGG said, that must have been some car!
It makes me sad that many (including myself) look at cars and think "Ooh, the mileage is high in that one", generally thinking the whole world is going to cave in around service time and indeed, when the miles are 130,000 plus!!
I hope you get the insurance sorted with a view to a Worthy replacement and get back on the road soon.
I also hope you enjoy looking back and have some great memories/adventures to pass to other enthusiasts and especially the younger bucks and fillies who say dammit to the square cars and go for broke following their passion, with pride!
Good Luck and Vibrant Dreams to you GGG!
Stu
It makes me sad that many (including myself) look at cars and think "Ooh, the mileage is high in that one", generally thinking the whole world is going to cave in around service time and indeed, when the miles are 130,000 plus!!
I hope you get the insurance sorted with a view to a Worthy replacement and get back on the road soon.
I also hope you enjoy looking back and have some great memories/adventures to pass to other enthusiasts and especially the younger bucks and fillies who say dammit to the square cars and go for broke following their passion, with pride!
Good Luck and Vibrant Dreams to you GGG!
Stu
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wams (02-22-2013)
#6
As we say down here BUGGA.
I also offer my condolences, and trust another Jag follows shortly.
We have only recently aquired our S Type, and with all the HOO-HA down here about them, I wondered why we did it, but that changed on the drive home from interstate. It is the same as ALL my other Jags, awesome. Its no V12, but not far off.
I also offer my condolences, and trust another Jag follows shortly.
We have only recently aquired our S Type, and with all the HOO-HA down here about them, I wondered why we did it, but that changed on the drive home from interstate. It is the same as ALL my other Jags, awesome. Its no V12, but not far off.
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wams (02-22-2013)
#12
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Stuart Beattie (02-06-2013),
wams (02-22-2013)
#13
Mercede, hmm not a Brrrrritish car?
I like your style but... I actually think that Mercedes aren't as good as they were and the S Type is a Great example is how "things could be?"
Just as we'd all like all OUR cars to be!
Good point though, thanks!
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wams (02-22-2013)
#19
Hi All,
Thanks for the supportive words. I am in so much love with the S-Type that I found another 2001, same color (arena red) with only 74K miles. I would like to get that as the price seems reasonable and waiting on some other things to fall in its place. For the present I bought a 2011 Toyota Camry. Camry is nothing compared to the Jag. It’s ok for now, considering that I have a couple of kids and they need transportation to their school.
Now here are some details on what I kept up on the Jag:
1. Regular brake pads and rotor wear and replacements, headlights and tail lights replacements as needed.
2. Regular tire replacement. I always used directional and “Z” rated tires.
3. Regular oil (Pennzoil) change in between 5000 to 7,500 miles. Sometime, I added motor honey, can’t remember the brand name.
4. Add Chevron Techron fuel additive/cleaner once every 10K to 15K mile for fuel system cleaner and injector cleaner.
5. Replaced transmission fluid at approximately 94K miles.
6. Replaced one of the radiator hose as it sprang a leak after some million miles of driving (sorry, don’t remember the exact mileage).
7. Had to replace right lower control arm, as my son drove through a speed bump in excess of 35 MPH (by mistake as he pleaded to me!) So, I also replaced the left lower control arm, both at approximately 270K miles
8. Replaced both the front struts (at the time the lower control arms were replaced).
9. Had to replace the radiator at approximately 150K miles.
10. The coolant reservoir at approximately 150K.
11. Replaced 6 spark plugs and 6 coil packs at approximately 305K miles.
12. Replaced transmission at approximately 311K miles with a used transmission with 110K miles on it.
13. Re-imaged ECM computer at approximately 313K miles. Kept on receiving misfire on cylinder 5, even after cleaning the throttle body, replaced upper and lower manifold gaskets, cleaned the fuel rail, replaced MAF. Still was chasing the misfire issue. Dealership recommended the re-imaging of the ECM. Nothing happened. So, removed the 5th coil pack and took out the spark plug. I found a very thin hair line crack (longitudinal) on the ceramic stem of the plug. I guess it was a manufactures defect. Replaced the plug, after inspecting the new plug, reset the computer. The car ran fine and no issue with misfire.
I don’t think I missed any other maintenance items. Since I live in San Diego, Ca – I took the car most of the time to Lee’s Japanese Car repair shop on Mission George Rd., San Diego. Mr. Lee has an Automotive Engineering degree from San Diego City College and he is one honest person. I liked his philosophy of “don’t fix it if it is not broken”. Any dealer specific job was done at Cush Jaguar (when they were alive) and later at Jaguar of San Diego.
The Jaguar was the best, as I could go fast with this car and also a family of 4 could easily ride together.
Thanks for the supportive words. I am in so much love with the S-Type that I found another 2001, same color (arena red) with only 74K miles. I would like to get that as the price seems reasonable and waiting on some other things to fall in its place. For the present I bought a 2011 Toyota Camry. Camry is nothing compared to the Jag. It’s ok for now, considering that I have a couple of kids and they need transportation to their school.
Now here are some details on what I kept up on the Jag:
1. Regular brake pads and rotor wear and replacements, headlights and tail lights replacements as needed.
2. Regular tire replacement. I always used directional and “Z” rated tires.
3. Regular oil (Pennzoil) change in between 5000 to 7,500 miles. Sometime, I added motor honey, can’t remember the brand name.
4. Add Chevron Techron fuel additive/cleaner once every 10K to 15K mile for fuel system cleaner and injector cleaner.
5. Replaced transmission fluid at approximately 94K miles.
6. Replaced one of the radiator hose as it sprang a leak after some million miles of driving (sorry, don’t remember the exact mileage).
7. Had to replace right lower control arm, as my son drove through a speed bump in excess of 35 MPH (by mistake as he pleaded to me!) So, I also replaced the left lower control arm, both at approximately 270K miles
8. Replaced both the front struts (at the time the lower control arms were replaced).
9. Had to replace the radiator at approximately 150K miles.
10. The coolant reservoir at approximately 150K.
11. Replaced 6 spark plugs and 6 coil packs at approximately 305K miles.
12. Replaced transmission at approximately 311K miles with a used transmission with 110K miles on it.
13. Re-imaged ECM computer at approximately 313K miles. Kept on receiving misfire on cylinder 5, even after cleaning the throttle body, replaced upper and lower manifold gaskets, cleaned the fuel rail, replaced MAF. Still was chasing the misfire issue. Dealership recommended the re-imaging of the ECM. Nothing happened. So, removed the 5th coil pack and took out the spark plug. I found a very thin hair line crack (longitudinal) on the ceramic stem of the plug. I guess it was a manufactures defect. Replaced the plug, after inspecting the new plug, reset the computer. The car ran fine and no issue with misfire.
I don’t think I missed any other maintenance items. Since I live in San Diego, Ca – I took the car most of the time to Lee’s Japanese Car repair shop on Mission George Rd., San Diego. Mr. Lee has an Automotive Engineering degree from San Diego City College and he is one honest person. I liked his philosophy of “don’t fix it if it is not broken”. Any dealer specific job was done at Cush Jaguar (when they were alive) and later at Jaguar of San Diego.
The Jaguar was the best, as I could go fast with this car and also a family of 4 could easily ride together.
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Stuart Beattie (02-26-2013)