Hello - New STR Owner
#1
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Hi everyone. I have been lurking around her the past month and it’s time to introduce myself. I have a 03 STR 95k on the odomiter. I am loving it. I came from a 02 M5 so there have been some handling differences but the STR is a step up in comfort and ride. I see a break job in the near future with a possible stuck front caliper so I will be looking for any advice. I also have a weeping oil cooler hose that will need attention. Other than that I have put 2500 on her and I love it. I included the mandatory photos ![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
P.S.
I read somewhere if the SC pulley is black it is aftermarket. Mine is black, how do I tell if it is the 1.5 or 3 psi increase?
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
P.S.
I read somewhere if the SC pulley is black it is aftermarket. Mine is black, how do I tell if it is the 1.5 or 3 psi increase?
#2
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#4
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Well on the brakes all of us STR guys really like the Akebono ceramic pads. The stock Brembo pads (Which with the age and miles of your car have probably already been replaced) dusk like demons and you will be cleaning the wheels daily!!
Also don't delay on your brake work because the STR has a kind of rare rotor and if you can avoid replacing them it will save you some money. Don't forget the parking brake pads because they can ruin a rotor to and the pads are hard to find.
As with all cars there are a few things that will most likely go wrong or hopefully have already been replaced on your car.
With your miles if it has not been done really consider changing the transmission fluid/pan/filter/sleeve/pan bolts. As well as re-flashing the TCM with the latest software. Our 6 speed ZF's suffer from the Lurch. Look that up for full details.
Do a lot of reading on this list to see the other common stuff. If you are coming from that year M5 I assume you do your own work? Because that's the only way you can hold the cost of ownership down. We have the factory parts manual (JEPC) and the factory service manual (JTIS) for free on this site. Get and download both them right now. That should be your first action on this forum!!
Any chance you have a list of service/maintenance done to your car?? You should be able to get a list from your local Jaguar dealer but with an old car they sometimes are not to helpful. Remember that Jaguar used the last six digits of your VIN to identify the car more than just the model year.
Be sure and use the forum sponsor for factory parts. We get 15% off list and free shipping on any order over $25.
Jeff is a great guy!
I forgot to add that your color Zircon is my favorite STR color.
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Also don't delay on your brake work because the STR has a kind of rare rotor and if you can avoid replacing them it will save you some money. Don't forget the parking brake pads because they can ruin a rotor to and the pads are hard to find.
As with all cars there are a few things that will most likely go wrong or hopefully have already been replaced on your car.
With your miles if it has not been done really consider changing the transmission fluid/pan/filter/sleeve/pan bolts. As well as re-flashing the TCM with the latest software. Our 6 speed ZF's suffer from the Lurch. Look that up for full details.
Do a lot of reading on this list to see the other common stuff. If you are coming from that year M5 I assume you do your own work? Because that's the only way you can hold the cost of ownership down. We have the factory parts manual (JEPC) and the factory service manual (JTIS) for free on this site. Get and download both them right now. That should be your first action on this forum!!
Any chance you have a list of service/maintenance done to your car?? You should be able to get a list from your local Jaguar dealer but with an old car they sometimes are not to helpful. Remember that Jaguar used the last six digits of your VIN to identify the car more than just the model year.
Be sure and use the forum sponsor for factory parts. We get 15% off list and free shipping on any order over $25.
Jeff is a great guy!
Parts Manager
Volvo Jaguar Porsche of Greenville
Work (864) 288-5555
Cell (864) 270-1365
Fax (864) 281-9180
I forgot to add that your color Zircon is my favorite STR color.
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Last edited by tbird6; 04-03-2013 at 03:08 PM.
#5
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A fellow Minnesota STR owner! You have indeed purchased a rare auto for these parts. Enjoy being able to drive it without seeing another but perhaps one time per year. I work in Minneapolis, live in the northern suburbs, and rarely see another STR. I can literally count on one hand all that I've seen, and one was a repeat!
If you think a piston in your front caliper is stuck, get that looked at ASAP. Replacing the Brembo caliper is very expensive. I had to do one of mine last year and could not get a hold of a comparable non-OEM Brembo caliper in a reasonable amount of time, so I ended up buying an OEM one. There are piston kits available, but given that the caliper housing is aluminum, certain damage may make it impossible to fix.
This website is a great resource for the Brembos: Link
If you think a piston in your front caliper is stuck, get that looked at ASAP. Replacing the Brembo caliper is very expensive. I had to do one of mine last year and could not get a hold of a comparable non-OEM Brembo caliper in a reasonable amount of time, so I ended up buying an OEM one. There are piston kits available, but given that the caliper housing is aluminum, certain damage may make it impossible to fix.
This website is a great resource for the Brembos: Link
#7
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#9
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Did you ever get the ecu tune?
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#13
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Agree. OP, inspect the pulley for flat black paint (stock) vs glossy black paint (Mina or Eurotoys). Check if it's aluminum (Mina) or steel (Eurotoys) by taking a utility knife and gently try to cut into the pulley. If the knife easily makes a cut then it's aluminum, thus it's likely a Mina 1.5 lb.
#14
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Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. It seems my to-do list has grown a bit but that’s ok, it gets me out from behind my desk
My first order of business will be to get the front breaks done. Thanks for the Pad recommendations. I get a shudder when light on the breaks so I am thinking that I will order up new rotors and a rebuild kit for the left front caliper with the pads.
Doryphoros86 I live in northern suburbs of Minneapolis too and commute to Edina. It’s about a 70 mile round trip three days a week. Curious where you get service work done. I had Jeff Flynn at Special Interest Auto look at it before I bought it and he replaced a diff seal. It’s close to my work but far from home. He seams very knowledgeable. I will probably stick with him since I have had a good experience so far.
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Doryphoros86 I live in northern suburbs of Minneapolis too and commute to Edina. It’s about a 70 mile round trip three days a week. Curious where you get service work done. I had Jeff Flynn at Special Interest Auto look at it before I bought it and he replaced a diff seal. It’s close to my work but far from home. He seams very knowledgeable. I will probably stick with him since I have had a good experience so far.
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nitti (04-04-2013)
#15
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Rockauto.com has rebuilt (by centric) OEM brembo calipers for relatively cheap once you return them your core, I found it cheaper quicker and easier to go with their reman calipers and return mine for the core, comes loads with centric brand pads, banjo bolt, washers, spring clip, pad pins,
Do the numbers on your end and decide if it works out better,
Do the numbers on your end and decide if it works out better,
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bfsgross (04-04-2013)
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