My last post (today) was about repairing my S-type 2000 3.0L
I have another car (brand new electric, far different), so no hurry.

But we like (I and my wife) the old "Buckingham" style of the S-type. We won't drive a lot with this cat. We just like it and will enjoy the ride.

And if the old lady will die soon or late, even we know that owning a S-type is generally a love/hate relation, my question here is kind of obvious.

Is it some models to totally avoid (years and/or awd) in the S-type ? And for what reasons (increased rates of failures, poor electrical circuitry, etc) ?
At contrario, do you recommand some S-type ?

I've checked on the net and users reviews are the same: even with pre-purchase inspection, dreams can becomes easily nightmares. So, it's a little bit like casino. Sometimes (rare): jackpot, sometimes (often): you loose money.

Thank you
Mike

 

There are no AWD versions of the S-type.
Some people say that cars built from late 2003 are better built with improved rustproofing and associate this with Ford's ownership of Jaguar.
All the common problems are well documented by now and it will be worth your while reading through the stickies.

In summary, any S-type is likely to be a lottery now, just like any other car of which the youngest version is going to be over 11 years old.

 

This is just my opinion, but I would always go for an S-Type after the 05MY facelift. (made from about January 04) There were some issues prior to that including problems with the front wiring loom, corrosion issues, boot water ingress, but all these were sorted by the time of the 05MY facelift.I would also recommend you go for the 'R' not a lower model in the range.
The main reason is that provided you keep it ok they are going up in price. Also, if you use it as a second car that does under 5k miles a year the cost of running an R with limited miles insurance etc. is not that much more than any other S-Type.
Unless you put your foot down, they are also just as placid as any other S-Type to drive.In addition as the R’s are just so fast it is highly unlikely that it has been driven hard, as there is just not enough road space to do so!The final point is if you do not go for an R you will always regret not doing so when you had the chance! Now is the time to get an R, they are going up in price so give it another 5 years and they will probably cost you quite a bit more and be very hard to find.

Mellow

 

When I bought mine 20 months ago, I did some research and came up with the following specifications -
1. Post 2002.5, I prefer the later console arrangement and the benefits from the face lift.
2. Pre 2005-ish prior to the large increase in road tax on this model during that year. I only do 4k-5k miles per year so felt this increased running costs more than I could warrant.
3. 4.2 V8. Petrol is not an issue for me as my employer funds a large chunk of this on a cash for car arrangement
4. Sills etc uncorroded. Boot dry
5. Well maintained car with service history and Invoices, including proof the transmission oil had been changed.
6. I was prepared to pay up to £4000 for a suitable car

This got me, for less than half my budget limit a 2003MY (first registered just before Christmas 2002!) 4.2V8 SE with Satnav (Though I'd have preferred without so I could have replaced the radio with a modern unit with screen allowing up to date Satnav, rear camera, etc). It came with a sheaf of service history and invoices. It had clearly been cherished, witness the add ons, leaper, much chrome, etc, and was in well nigh perfect condition and had four brand new chinese tyres fitted for the pre sale MOT I guess. The only faults were an O2 sensor (supplier by the seller), the usual DCCV issue with always on hot (a suitable reduction was made to the car price to cover this) and an MOT advisory for a NSF wheel bearing which I had replaced subsequently when I started getting ABS errors. Since then I had the O2 sensor replaced, a new battery to replace the original, the DCCV valve replaced, new front brake hoses after an advisory on one in last year's MOT (unfortunately the bleed screw broke off so I had to obtain a used caliper outer for £20). In addition my wiper mechanism seized, I overhauled a used one (greased, cleaned and fitted new circlips) which had cost me £32 with the motor which I didn't need. Factor in a service with all filters replaced, an MOT and I feel I have had a very cheap 20 months motoring in what I consider the best car I have ever owned. The performance never fails to excite me and the comfort is beyond reproach. Perhaps I have just been lucky....

 

I think you will find that all the 4.2L S-types (including the R's) first regestered up to 22nd March 2006 are the same UK road tax . (£315)

I think it is 23rd March 2006 onwards regestered cars that cost more to tax. (£515)

You can look it up on this web site:

https://carfueldata.vehicle-certific...hicle-tax.aspx

Ideal car I would recommend would be a post 05MY (4.75MY) fascelift STR regestered before 23rd March 2006.
However there is a slight problem with this..... There were only ever about 285 STR's made in that period, so it may be a bit hard to find one now!!

Oh, hang on! That is what I have!!

Mellow

 

Here in Germany the price has exploded for cars post 05.2002. The cheapest 2.5 was 2900 for one with a damaged motor. The decent cars are going for around 10000 whilst a STR starts at 13000. Some are being valued at 20000.

there was only 53 petrol cars and 23 diesels being offered for sale.

I am going to get mine valued as it is virtually irreplaceable being a LHD 3.00 v6 sport with manual gearbox post 05.2002 . According to Jaguar Heritage there were only 391 LHD produced for the whole of the world.

 

OP is in Montreal so the road tax rates in the UK probably won't have a huge bearing on his decision.

I'd advise going for the newest and best maintained one you can find / afford post 2003 face lift , as for 3.0, 4.2 or R choice that's a personal decision I don't think any of them are more or less troublesome but the R is more complex. You certainly don't want to look on any S Type as an investment.

 

^^ What he said....

 

I'd lean towards the early models, myself.

The engine electronics are less complicated, for one thing. Consider an O2 sensor, a normal wear and tear item. The early models use narrow band sensors, about $30 each. Late models use broad band $ensor$, which aren't cheap.

I'm also leery of the screen display, if so equipped. That seems like an expensive part just waiting to fail. I guess we don't hear too much of that, but it would still make me nervous that one day it would all go blank and rend my wallet asunder.

Same goes for the electronic parking brake, found only on later models. Lots of well-documented grief with that system. Makes me really appreciate the 100% reliable hand lever on my '02, especially since I learned to drive by watching The Rockford Files:



All of this is.probably a moot point, as I bet the repairs to OP's car will be fairly simple.

 

The cat is now in the garage, waiting for its estimate. Will know more tomorrow (I hope).
For the "new" "future" replacement, I'm really mixed, between the older but easier to fix vs the younger but more difficult to fix (for Jaguar, difficult = $$).
I'm now browsing several s-type on the net, while waiting for the bill.

Mike

 

Yes the heated oxegen sensors are more expensive on the later cars, these were changed in 2002 ( starting from vin M45255)
That said the later type do last well, 100k or more is not unusual in an STR.

I do not think the STR's have the electronic handbrake issue, not anything like as much anyway. I think this is because they use different parts to the rest of the range.
From the 05MY the parking brake control box was also updated to help with issues.
I can not recall an 05MY or newer STR with a handbrake issue?? But I may have missed them??

I do not recall any reports of failed touch screens? But as this was an option from new you do not have to have it fitted in the car you purchase.

Mellow

 

The 2 upstream sensors are a bit more than the other 2 - I paid £42 (about $55).

So far it's the only one I've had to change and was quite easy DIY.

Not something I'd consider as relevant when looking to buy any car.

 

Oops, is my face red.

Several years ago we were discussing the differences in oxygen sensors for early and late models. At the time (I swear!), the wide band sensors for late models were considerably more expensive. Working from potentially faulty memory, it was something like almost $300 versus about $30 for the early narrow band sensors. I was shocked at the difference.

Of course, having checked today, there isn't much difference at all now. There are only two possible reasons:

1) Without using the W word, I was less correct than usual. Not very likely...

2) Manufacturing supply and demand has caught up, and the wide band sensors are now very reasonably priced. This is the only explanation that makes any sense.

 

Ooh, very interesting. I'd like to learn more about this. Is it possible to retrofit the updated control box?

 

Don't worry about it.

I suspect they're cheap because they're now used on every modern car I've encountered - probably to meet the more recent emissions laws.

 

Yes later cars still have the issues - commonly due to lack of maintenance and no cleaning.

The only change I know about was that the module moved to CAN from SCP. That makes sense as CAN is used more and more in the newer cars.

 

"Pray" with me guys !

Yesterday, I was working for an old lady (IT) I know for a long time.
While working, talked about a lot of things, as usual.
Was also talking about my Jaguar and the strange problems I have with it.
Then she told me: "come with me in my garage..."
I found there an immaculate all black 2000 S-type V6 3.0L And when I say immaculate, trust me, it is immaculate.
She explained then: "I tried to sold it one week ago on an auction site because, you know, we have 3 cars, my husband's Mercedes and my Jetta. I tried to sell it but the site refused it !"
I replied: "why the auction site refused it ?"
She replied: "Because it has only 60000 kms and for that old car, they suspected an odometer fraud... So I was unable to submit it. And you know, that car is following every maintenance schedule, of course by Jaguar in Montreal..."
(...)
You can imagine the story now. I politely told her that I would really interested to buy her car when she's willing to do so in the near future.
Guys, this car is in wondeful state, not a single scratch on the leather seats, no rust whatsoever, a hidden jewel in her garage !

So, pray (metaphorically) with me to let her sell her car to me. I don't know the price yet, but it will be a bargain, I'm positive about that.
Thank you for your intense cooperation ;-)
Mike

 

Which auction site would that be?

It should be cheap - an early 3.0 is just about the least desirable S-type ever made. If it has some curiosity value as a low mileage example that will be rapidly eroded by use and miles so I wouldn't get too carried away and pay much for it.

 

the site is kijiji
I know that the 3.0 is the oldest one and proned to problems but a well maintained jag with few kilometers can be a good bargain. I obviously won't pay a lot for this, but as a second car (<3000 kilometers/year), it will be a good looking one to replace my actual problematic/rusty one.
But thank you to took the time to give me your advice !
Mike

 

Hi there neighbor...
How did it go with the "new" jag ? I personally would avoid anything before 2002.5 MY... Having said that - if the one you found is in as good shape as you are saying, then go for it...
Cheers;
Jan