So I've had my S TYPE manual 3.0 V6 for about 2 months now and the problems are just one thing after the other..
First it was a misfire so replace all coilpacks an plugs
Next the waterpump went
Then a split hose
Then belt keeps squealing
Also the tracking needs doing
Temperature coolant sensor has stopped working
The gearbox seal is leaking
Needs new balljoints
Bad Rust on the chassis
And now the shocker has gone!

What the hell have I got myself into!!
My old jag had double the mileage on without any problems apart from fitting a new radiator

Are these problems prone for around the 80k mile mark or is it just my bad luck and I've got a heap of sh*t!!?

Suggestions lol?

 

Welcome to the world of the Jaguar S Type's...

 

What year? As you would expect, the newer ones tend to have fewer issues than the older ones as long as they have been properly maintained....

You really have to do your homework and research the service history of your vehicle before you decide to make an offer. Our 2005 S-Type has been everything we wanted and more during just over four years of ownership....

 

Ditto to Jon. Stanners, what year? Most of us have performed similar repairs/refits. You're almost there chap.

 

A pre-purchase inspection would have revealed this. Your other problems are part of owning and old(er) that you probably bought for pennies on the pound.

 

Welcome to the world of pre-2003 S-Types

 

A list if things that have been done in my 2002, and I've only had it since November 19th last year

Timing tensioners replaced to metal ones
Rocker cover gaskets both replaced
New spark plugs
ball joints
New spark plug seals
New rear brake caliper
New coils x 4
Headgasket and valve stem oil seals
Tonight my drive belt has come off and needs to go back to garage on monday

I'm hoping soon it will drive ok without visiting the garage for at least 6 months. Maybe someone can tell me if these S-types are ok once all these things are sorted?

 

It's a 1999 80K miles

 

It was inspected and everything seemed fine apart from the misfire which i was aware of when purchasing the car. Everything went downhill from here

 

All I can say is you should have researched your purchase, the pre-2003 cars are far less reliable than their later model cousins. Are they managable? Yes. Are they a generally smart buy for the un-informed? No.

 

1999 - expensive MY to own...

 

If it was professionally inspected, I would be having a word with the inspector.

Things like rust, worn ball joints, etc would all have been apparent if you bought it only 3 months ago.

 

Any ideas how to stop the aux belt squealing? I've tried WD40 but to no avail!

 

WD is a seriously bad idea.
The best (assuming tensions are OK and there's no mechanical problem like a shot pulley bearing) is rosin.
The powdered stuff athletic types use for gripping is fine or (being Cheltenham) borrow the little block violinists use on their bows.
You'll need to wash the WD off with washing up liqiud + water first.

 

I feel bad for anyone in an 99-02 S-Type. There should be a forum sticky at the top warning any potential buyers of these particular models to stay as far away as possible. Glad the 03+ cars are a little more robust...

 

Maybe a good buy if you get one cheap and DIY a lot. But then you don't have it inspected because you DIY that too. They're cheap for a reason... well, multiple reasons.

Still, faults can be fixed but DIY skills would save a lot of money.

 

I paid £750 for it. Cheap enough but it's nearly costed me that alone in parts and labour! Thinking of fixing it all and flogging it

 

This a joke, right?

 

Dude that's a little harsh. Remember £750 may be a lot of cash for some and not a lot to others.

And maybe the OP has wanted this type of car for a long time. So go a little easy on him.

OP you've got to think about the fact that your buying a car which originally was in the high 20-40 thousand pounds.

The fact you have got one for under 1k is good but with this type of luxury car things will be wrong with it at this price. And things will be expensive.
I paid almost 3k for mine and have spent the same getting it back up together.
You have to think once all the bits are fixed you'll have a great car for the money. And even if it's cost you a couple of thousand to get the car up together what kind of other car could you get for £2750 to match the comfort, luxury and performance of these cars there are a few sure. But it's a lot of car for not a lot of money in the car world.

Hope things work out for you dude.

 

'Dude', 750 quid for a used S-type is not much higher than scrap value. Irrespective of whether the OP has money or not, a car at that low a price is bound to be in poor condition. Buying such a car uninspected and then complaining about it not being in perfect condition (to me) is a joke.

I would expect a decent '99 S-type to sell for 3 to 5 times that price.