I am waiting already for some years for a V8 S-Type, built in 2004 or later (so X204 or X206) to be listed for sale somewhere in Australia, but I newer saw one listed.
This makes me wonder: Were they ever imported into Australia?
I can find S-Types V8 from 1999 till 2002, maybe even 2003, but not 2004 onwards.
The X204 and X206 I saw here for sale are all V6.

 

Most members of this forum would be from the US. So maybe I can at least clarify, if there were any S-Type V8s produced after 2004 at all (this would be all X204 and X206 V8s), by asking, if those exist in the US (because if they were ever produced, they would surely have been exported to the US)...

And a related funny - but true - story about V8s - and I may well be the only one alive, who remembers this story:
Location: Germany.
Time: Late 1960s, early 1970s.
There was a man, who basically lived and breathed V8s - his whole life revolved around them...:
He could not afford one, thus he stole one and drove it until the police picked him up.
He was sent to prison, spend his time there, was released, and then he nicked the next V8, drove it, until the police picked him up again and brought him back to prison.
This went on and on.
Each time he was brought back to prison, the boss of the prison asked him: "Back again?"
...and he would reply: "Yes, boss!"

 

Funny story Peter!
I know I'm old but there's a desirability factor for me about any V8.
I cant see a time in the future when anyone is going to be having the same nostalgic yearning for a sexy lithium battery or a lovely looking washing machine motor...

We got the X204 and X206 V8's here for sure but always in very small numbers. They were made to the end.
To memory I believe we only had 70 STR's reach here, making this model probably one of the most rare modern Jaguar sedans in Australia.
Would be a similar story with the XJR and XKR's.

 

Hi, jya,
I agree, and since we all love Jags, I reckon that we all appreciate the art-form of beautiful designed cars (at least in regards of the Jaguar- and Ford/Jaguar-time-period).
I for one cannot recognize an attempt by the designers of the modern washing-machines-on-wheels (in reference to your washing-machine-motors above) to provide food for the eyes, where they could (i.e. not even a stylish body design).

Thanks for letting me know that X204 and X206 with a V8 do exist in Australia.
So there are just 70 STRs (S-Type R / supercharged) in Australia? And quite a number of those would be pre X204, I assume?
I don't suppose anyone has a number for standard V8s with a X204 or X206 design?

 

😂😂Probably because they wouldn’t sell them. Would you want a top-loading spin tub with a mangle attached in your modern kitchen?
But I agree with the sentiment that a lot of modern machinery is too sanitised to be attractive anymore.

 

Im in Australia, I have a 2004.5 V8 4.2, however I believe it was a private import.

 

OK, so there is hope that I find one of those one day, thanks.
I see that there is a wire-mesh in front of the air-inlet under the number plate matching with the radiator grille - did you do that yourself?

Btw.: I am located 90km south of you in Port.

 

I dont see many 4.2 V8s ever come up for sale, but with a bit of luck and patience you will find one. I bought mine in October last year from QLD. Yes I installed the mesh grill and mesh under the number plate myself. Have you seen any S-Types near you? I have only seen 2 others in Port but never been able to chat with the owners. Even though we have a Jag dealer here I dont see many Jags at all.

 

Yes, I have seen S-Types "near me"... I have 2 metallic racing green X204 3L
Yes, I know the Jaguar dealer in Port - "very sterile" was my impression.
Yes, Jags seem to be centered around Brisbane. 2 of mine are from Brisbane, 1 from the Gold Coast.
And I also did the beautification under the number plate:

 

Nice, I like the green too

 

Is your S-Type on its best behaviour or does it make problems?
I don't know, if you noticed already: I am fixing all my Jags myself and I am posting a lot of DIY guides about it here.
The 2.5L AWD X-Type in the picture above (left) keeps me busy these days: After replacing all fluids, the cam-cover-gaskets and the sparks, I replaced the headliner and removed the carpet to clean it. The S-Type V6 in the picture above needed two all new cam covers, as the originals are made of utterly unsuitable magnesium, which dissolves over time due to electro-corrosion. And the water-pump inlet had "holes", but this part can normally not be bought, as you can only buy "half" a pump (less the half, which is damaged). But I found myself new replacement parts anyway...

 

Where do you find that black leaper on the hood? Look sharp

 

I blacked it myself, with gloss vinyl wrap

 

So far been good behaviour, previous owner looked after it well and had spent s few $ just before I purchased. There is an annoying oil leak to be rectified and a coolant leak also, otherwise runs smooth and sweet. There is knock in left rear shock, will look at suspension upgrade soon

 

Maybe it is that same coolant leak that aarcuda mentioned he had on his STR in another thread. I kind of assume it if the same coolant leak I had on my 3L S-Type - I mean I had many at once (just after I bought it), but I think the one in question here might be the one that no one would suspect in a long time: Between - I think it is called - "the valley" and the short bit of bent pipe facing towards the front... - see from 7th picture onwards:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...aks%94-263540/

I do not know what kind of valve covers a STR uses - is it the same plastic covers as on standard S-Type V8s and on X308? Then my suspicion regarding the oil the oil leak would be cracks in the plastic of those covers, as plastic really should not be used in a hot engine environment. So normally one would buy (if that's the reason for then leak) new covers, or do something just as crazy as the designers, who used plastic in the first place: hammer the plastic back together with nails:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...covers-266148/

Knocks on shocks are had to find. I gave up on finding the reason for the knock on my Fairlane - it just knocks...

 

Peter,
Early last year I purchased a 2006 4.2 V8. I had been looking for about 12 months and had a look at a few V8s but most were too dear or tired. While this one was not perfect it is still pretty good and as late as I had seen at a reasonable price. I paid 18k it had about 140k on the clock which corresponds to the log book. It needs some work on front and rear bearings but passed road worthy ok.
I live in Jan Juc in Victoria, I am the fourth owner (I believe!!) previous owner only had it for about 2 years and lived in Ballarat. He had spent some money on repairs particularly the air conditioning.
I will post a picture shortly. It does have the mesh grill and more than enough go to get into trouble with Mr Plod!!!

 

Well done Kelvin16, you bought a nice stylish car. What other premium car could you buy for those dollars that has some grunt and not every man and his dog is driving one.
It's likely that over time the S Type will have greater desirability than the XF. I don't mean that in a bad way as both the designers of these cars were extremely talented but to my eyes the S Type is a prettier car.
Your V8 engined 2006 is very rare here as well. Look forward to some photos.