I am a new Jaguar owner, well, i bought a 2005 S Type Sport Edition 4.2. Its immaculate, mostly. The previous owner did quite a bit of work, but in some cases I am finding out the persons he had do the work, well, really didnt know Jag. Now, I am a BMW owner and you know with German cars, you need to take it to folks that know BMW, same with Mercedes.

I keep reading in some blogs not on here, but replacing the timing chain? is that so, and at how many miles should you do that? And round about cost? I have a chain in my BMW, and no signs of issues, most friends that have the one I have which is the E39 model 2000 528i, say pretty much never. I know the serpentine belt has been replaced, but nothing about the chain in his documents.

So the question is this, what can I expect to have to replace soon, my car has 108k miles on it, I had two weeks and already I had it in the shop. Nothing major, the doggone boot open light came on and turns out the locking mechanism is broken, its a jag part naturally, could not have been a Ford part, but that total including labor is 230.00. And for some reason, the previous owner replaced two tires at a time, and he just replaced the two fronts about 18k miles and the tires are cupping on one side, they checked the front end and no bearing issue thank goodness, but it is that one tire, now maybe coincidence. He was paying 550 for two tires, which initially scared me, but I got good pricing for a full set of Uniroyals for 600.00, and go Michelin which I wished I could but only for 900.00. I can go cheaper, the tires on there are Toyos, dont know why he would put those types of tires on a Jag, but ok.

So, sorry, as mentioned, in everyones opinion, what should I expect to have to fix soon and usual cost. reason I ask, is I know I can sell the car right now, there was another person that wanted it, and I just happened to get it faster. They lived farther away. I told them I would make a decision once I get the title and let them know, they are still interested.

But I will say since I was a kid, I always wanted a jag. One of the most beautiful cars ever. And I love it, but it scares me. My BMW killed me in repairs the past few years, just timing of the car, it being 15 years old I guess.

Thoughts, suggestions and what to expect is appreciated. I want to keep it, but I would like to see what I think I may be up against, i get i may have to spend a couple grand a year. I own the car so no car payments on top of repairs which is great.

I will stop ranting, but thanks anyone and everyone for their help.

Cheers and I live in north Atlanta.

Tim

 

You mean only the 4.0 - and it was the tensioners & guides.

Spark plugs needed changing at 100K. NGK IFR5N10, quite easy, don't touch the electrodes, don't use feeler gauges they're very delicate and pregapped!

Sounds like you need an alignment. Brutal's (a tech) figures probably apply to the 4.2 as well as STR - note warnings that many shops use wrong values so take the good ones.

Not much goes wrong with the 4.2 but it'll save you money to DIY simple things like oil & filter changes.

At 10 yr old 100K miles you gotta budget work will need doing, fact of life for a car. Suspension, for example, inspect the bushes etc!!

 

One thing Tim, and I'm sure most, if not all here would agree with me, make absolutely sure your battery has the right voltage. It should have 12.5 volts, lower is not good, anything under 12.0 is bad.

Low voltage sends these cars into a tailspin, electroniclally speaking, they DO NOT like a battery that is low.

Do a search on low battery voltage, you'll see what I mean.

If you don't use the car regularly, putting the car on a Battery Tender or similar, is highly recommended. ( Also a good digital volt meter to check your voltage.)

One more thing, read JagV8's signature, put your model year, engine size, mileage, etc into your signature. Really helps others help you if you have an issue with your car!


Also read the stickies in the beginning of this S Type forum. Tons of information there.

Congrats on your new purchase!

PS Just thought of something else you should do asap.: At your mileage, definitely a transmission fluid change ( I would use a Jag dealer or an independent Jag specialist for that), they'll do it properly, plus they'll use the right fluid, and why not a brake fluid change and bleed as well.

 

Hello Tim welcome to the forum and congrats on the new to you 2005, 4.2 S Type. Great MY (model year) choice!

Good advise above. Only thing to add is to change the fuel filter as well. Simple to do, you will need a fuel line tool to remove quick connects.

Don't worry about the Toyos unless there is a problem. As JagV8 mentioned use Brutals specs for the alignment. I personally only use the local Jaguar dealer for this purpose, they are comparable priced.

 

Rick,

How often do you have to do an alignment on joycesjag?

 

Once in the past almost 6 years of ownership Jon. When we purchased Joyces Jag the tires were about 60% life left.




If you recall about 4 years ago, I replaced the rear sway bars and rear tie rods (not because of wear) because of torn dust boots. I wrapped that job around the time we needed new booties (Michelins) knowing that the vehicle would need an alignment after. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...80/#post356251


Following Brutals advice of having a Jaguar dealer do the alignment as they have the current specs (Brutal's revised alignment specs). IIRC we paid in the area of $120.00 for the alignment (the first and last time Joyces Jag has been to a dealer of any sorts). I will be honest I haven't really driven the vehicle in awhile, last time I did, it tracked just perfect. As for the 4 year old Michelins they still have plenty of life and the wear is even across the treads!

 

Greatly appreciated.

One last question, the timing chain business, at how many miles or age is it best to replace it?

The previous owner did the 100K on it, but I do have to change out the fuel filter, got a price on that from a place here locally that works on Jags for 125.00. Land Rover/Jaguar of Alpharetta is down the way a little bit, so from what I am reading better to have them do the alignment if I get new tires which almost certainly I would.

So far the battery seems to be fine, the previous owner did say at some point this year it would need replacing, it was replaced just over 4 years ago. And possibly the alternator as well.

This car has all the bells too, the sat nav and DVD player which I dont know why anyone would want to watch TV on that small screen but OK, Its slick I will say that. My concern is that electrical issues may pop up, but thats with any of these cars no matter if they are BMW or Jaguar or Mercedes.

ONce I get it back from the shop to fix that doggone trunk latch I will upload the pic of it.

Thanks everyone for helping out. I changed my sig line, hopefully it will show up on this.

Tim

 

Only one alignment in over six years of ownership for my S-Type as well, Rick. The tires continue to wear evenly all around with my 6,000-mile rotations and the car continues to track straight as an arrow. I've been pleasantly surprised. I will need to put a new set of tires on it by mid-year if not sooner, though. My January 2011 Dunlops are nearing their end-of-life and will probably end up doing about 36,000 miles, same as the original Hankooks that came on the car when I purchased it in December 2008. I've got a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty on the Dunlops so I'll be getting a substantial adjustment refund that I'll apply towards the new rubber when the time comes....

 

Tim do not fret about the timing chain business, the 4.0 motors are the ones that are effected NOT your 4.2!


You may want to reconsider paying $125.00 for the fuel filter. The replacement filter is under $10.00 and simple to replace. Here is a video that a fellow member made a while back:
(part 1)
(part 2)

 

Tim, I just saw that you are in Atlanta, there is a meet there this afternoon. I believe that there are a few members heading there. Get in that new ride and have fun:


https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...-pizza-135872/

 

Timing chain business? forget it. You have the 4.2 L V8, not an issue, never has to be replaced. ( The 4.0 V8's had the issue).

Are you mechanically inclined? If so, considering doing most things DIY, for example the fuel filter. Very easy to do, do a search, there's a video on YouTube from Vance, he shows you step by step how to do it. Like JagV8 said earlier, DIY on the maintenance at least. Oil changes, etc, alot cheaper in the long run instead of paying someone else to do it. If you can't, then it takes the fun out of having one of these older cars as it will be bleeding you of money every time you have to get something done to it.

As for the battery, I'd be sure and check the actual voltage now.

 

Ahh, you beat me to it as I was typing! lol (About the timing chains and fuel filter DIY!)

 

heh heh heh Jimmy, faster fingies.........


Right on Jon, tire rotation is a must while doing the oil change in my book. I am guessing that Joyce may be has put 20/25k on the present Michelins over the past 4 years, I would have to go back and check. But as you mentioned, with Brutals Alignment Specs and proper rotation, us S Type owners should be able to get close to the recommended tread mileage out of a good brand name. I wonder what's up with the Dunlops.

 

Rick,

The problem with the Dunlops may be my right foot. I drive the car much, much harder than Jan ever did. Or, it could be Goodyear's purchase of Dunlop years ago and cheapening the brand (don't get me started on the multiple lousy sets of Goodyear tires I had through the 1990s - I'll never purchase Goodyear tires again). Or, it could be that no matter what decent tire you run, 36,000 miles is about all you can expect on these wider, lower-profile tires (235/50/17) that my S-Type calls for. I check the tire pressures weekly and have always kept them at 33 to 34 psi year-round and I rotate them every time I do an oil & filter change (6,000 mile intervals). I think I'm going to try the Continental PureContact with Ecoboost Technology tire next. Relatively affordable and a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty. The pro-rated refund from Dunlop (through Discount Tire) on my current tires should pay for at least 40% of the cost of my new tires....

 

Ditto to everything already said. I'd add (or repeat from above for emphasis):
*fuel filter
*spark plugs, check pcv hose and check around for oil and vacuum leaks while things are disassembled
*anything rubber in the suspension (ball joints, CV sleeves, etc.)
*power steering fluid (sorely overlooked by previous owners of both my S-Type and X-Type)
*cleaning your MAF sensor when you first change your air filter is often a good idea

Since you're in Atlanta (greetings from TN):
*the plastic around the defroster vent can crack after enough years of hot/humid summers
*the headliner can sag with enough open windows highway driving and humidity

*listen to the wisdom of the forum elders (not me)

 

THanks a ton. Thats seems easy enough, and a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

What part Tennessee? I am a native Tennessean. From Johnson City. I was born there. Grew up out west, far west, Hawaii and California, but my home and heart are the mountains. Love it up there. Thinking of moving to Chattanooga, one of my favorite places to visit.

Tim

 

Doggone it, I missed it. I was out all day. I work for Northside Hospital and got called in. Do they meet often? I would love to head over and meet up with other Jag owners and learn. BMW, I know inside and out. One, dont buy one unless its new . I used to say nickel dime you, now its hamilton and benjamin you to death.

 

I'm on BMW #4, never run into any of those massive repair bills (DIY keeps costs way down). Jaguars can go the same way as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, or any luxury vehicle as far as repair bills if you let things slide for too long. Staying on top of maintenance is key. I had my Jag for about 3 years and likely drove it harder than anyone else around here. Road courses and a lot of time at the drag strip and the only real repair I needed was a power steering pump that I destroyed while spinning donuts. Make sure the tranny fluid is good and do the scheduled maintenance on time. I would stick with Michelin or Bridgestone tires if you are replacing them; the ride and handling will suffer greatly with bargain brands like Uniroyal or Kumho, etc.

 

I am very OCD on my cars. I stay on top, just my BMW went through that age thing. It wasnt horrible, but like you said, its staying on top. I changed the oil every 3-4k miles vs the 5k miles. Always garaged and just whatever it took. Now, about to sell it since I am going to end up keeping the Jag, its just so hard to sell such a beautiful car and I have always wanted one since I was a kid.

Now on the tires and alignment, question there. I got quoted for Uniroyals, Michelins, and Sumi's. I cant put a grand on tires just yet for the Michelins, which is what I really want, but what I may do is wait and drive on the tires it has, the right front tires is cupping, the prev owner always had some place do the alignment that really doesnt do jags. So my question is this, if I get maybe some bridgestones, or I wait and get the michelins, I buy the tires there, better to have Jaguar do the alignment is what I keep reading. Dont let anythone else do it. Is that really the best thing?