I remember these cars when I was in highschool and wanted one. Really never though serious about them though as they just don't show up in the area for sale. So in place I've been looking at the E39 540's which has (sorry guys) been my main fancy for a while now.


Well it seems though there are no 540i's around this area that have the 6 speed stick and the ones that are auto have high miles, or a M5 but does so happen that a STR came available in the area. It's black inside and out with about 82k miles on it. I know it does have the nav option as well. They currently are asking I believe 11k for it.




My question is how does this sound for price and what is it like owning one of these. I prefer to try to do most my own work if I can but it still concerns me what the cost of fixing stuff would run. How much does it run you guys to fix these cars and how much work do you really have to do?


What are the common problems


Is there anything I need to look at before I go ahead and make the purchase on the car? Things that are common areas that are known to have issues? I know at least pulling codes with a ELM327 checker I have came up clean at least.

 

I might put mine up for sale in the next week or so. Just replaced two coil packs, new plugs, reflashed transmission, oil changed two weeks ago. Recent continental tires (z rated). I'm the 2nd owner, it has 45k miles on it. Black on black, at this point the car needs nothing and has completely gone through a thorough inspection. Interior is perfect as is the exterior, it could pass for a new vehicle on a showroom floor (no joke). The previous owner was a pilot and rarely drove it. Clean car fax, no accidents, no stories.

 

That's too bad, why are you selling it?

 

Decided I need a larger car; thinking of the Audi A8L. I'm not 100% certain that I'm unloading the Jag, but it is a pretty real possibility.

My previous A8L was awesome but it was an 04; so I'm thinking of looking for a 2006 this time.

Love the STR though, but I think I jumped the gun when I got it. Who knows the wife might make me keep it

 

What do you mean jumped the gun? Is there something about them that would be helpful to know? Anything I should look for before I make the purchase?

 

DIY maintenance and repairs is the way to keep Jaguar running costs down. Professional specialist shops can be at a distance and costly but the forum can help with almost anything that can go wrong.

Follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...-guides-41364/ to the FAQ's for details on regular issues.

I see you've already had a code reader and found no DTC's. There should always be either:

P1000 : all engine management OBD diagnostic monitor drive cycles HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED since last memory clear.
OR
P1111 : all engine management OBD diagnostic monitor drive cycles HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

Code P1000 shows a recent code clear and could be an attempt to conceal something. P1111 is more a clean bill of health.

A full and continuous service history is essential with any Jaguar. Any gaps should be closely questioned.

Graham

 

They're not exactly snow cars like that Audi would be.

Coolant leaks are common due to crappy plastic parts like the tank. MY replacement @ 22K miles a few years ago and another 20K miles appears to have a leaky nipple again. Maybe it's time for a fabricated metal tank?

Then there's the under the supercharger hose failure. That's a huge job so find out if that's been done already. I don't know that they all do it but enough do.

They are a great drive just not all that big inside.

Like any car there are know issues. Read about some on here but every car won't have all of them.

At that mileage I'd suspect suspension bushings could be an issue. Some of them aren't available from Jaguar, they make you buy and entire arm. But some folks have gotten them elsewhere.

Good thing is some Lincoln LS stuff fits.
The bad thing is Jag only stuff is stupidly expensive.

Self leveling HID headlamps fail frequently and there's an entire bible (old testament) on here devoted to various levels of DIY fixes to them. I think they're about $900 each from Jag. Mine got two new ones at 5 years & 22K miles under warranty.

I have a friend with an 8L about 5 years old and I hear similar crap from him. His tire pressure sensors continually drive him nuts. That's a nice but very complicated car. Much more car there too. This Jag is much simpler.

The interior is OK but nothing to blow your socks off like the Audi will.

No LSD in this car.

I'm still stuck by how beautiful this car, particularly the STR) is when detailed and strikin' a pose. The STR design is over ten years old and it still gets looks. It's replacement not so much even if it does have a much nicer interior.

You might want to think about the one mention coming up for sale in this thread if black on black works for you. That's the most durable interior too. My white seats have not held up all that well.

 

>I think they're about $900 each from Jag.

Ha, last summer I paid ~$1400 for one at my local dealer... =:-0
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons

 

As a former 540i/6 owner that went to a STR I like to tell myself I am qualified to answer questions about either.

The Jag is cheaper to work on parts wise. The Bimmer is better in the corners and has the best manual of any car I've ever driven. The STR eats up the highway with no issues where the bimmer felt like it always struggled (S/C vs NA).

You will like the STR, I have had my car since 2010 and Im not planning on selling it anytime soon.

 

I NOW have both..... an 06 STR and an 06 BMW 550i........the beemer is a beast in the corners but in my opinion the jag gives you a better seat of your pants feel with the S/C and i think the styling is cooler...and hardly anyone has one.....the beemer has way way way too many sensors that are always telling you to change this , do that replace something..... wife drives the BMW i keep the Jag..

 

I suggest you check out this post in another thread, where i outline some of the most common trouble spots to look out for,

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...74/#post770622


Consider printing that list out and bringing it with you when reviewing a potential STR purchase,

good luck, and keep us updated!

 

I just joined this forum because I'm looking for one just like that. I'm not allowed to PM you yet I don't think, but if you are selling, PM me.