Can someone tell me the actual difference between the s-type 3.0, 4.0 and 4.2 as far as body wise? or is it only the size of engine that is just different? is the body style of the 4.2 bigger than the 4.0 and 3.0? i know that the 4.2 has the biggest engine but is it also a bigger car?

 

They're all the same size (apart from how much spare room there is in the engine bay).

However, there were a few changes to the external contours, lots of changes to cabin trim etc, and major changes to improve the suspension (that one was 2002+). If you can, get the version with newer suspension - but get the newest you can manage, anyway

There are also versions with CATS (probably explained below, else google for it).

Some quite good info if you browse here:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/modern/s-type/

And of course see the stickies (threads locked at page top of this forum).

Plus here http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=16

 

Just to elaborate and the most minor correction.

The S Type was introduced in 1999. It was listed (at least in North America) as a 2000 model. This is where it gets a little confusing. Since European cars on on a slightly different model cycle as the United States, European new models are released earlier than the equivalent for the US. It is not tied to who makes it either but more to model regulations and tooling. A good example is the 2010 Chevrolet Cruze, the replacement for the Cobalt. It is already for sale in Europe, Australia, and Asia but not North America until next year. It gets confusing and will take up too much room here. So, back to the S Type.
The next major change occurred with the 2003 models. That is when the suspension and interior were updated. Along with those changes the 3.0 V6 was updated and re-tuned for more hp. The V8 changed displacement in the Jaguars, from 4.0L to 4.2L, but was also re-tuned for more hp. The Ford application of the V8 in the LS and Thunderbird got the tuning updates but displacement remained at 3.9L. They also replaced the Ford 5 speed auto for a ZF 6 speed box. The 2003 update was pretty extensive, this is where a lot of the Ford shared components were dropped. They went as far as modifying how the car was assembled, to net a more rigid and premium vehicle. Also, 2003 saw the introduction of the supercharged S Type R.
The next major change came for the 2005 model year. This change was basically a refresh of the exterior sheet metal. They tweaked the look of the front and rear of the car. Some changes are obvious, others are more subtle. The funny thing is the only shared panels from 2004 to 2005 are the roof, front fenders, and doors.

Also, JagV8.. Just a little thing..Please don't take it the wrong way..But... One of the things our "little buddy" got in trouble for with the moderators was posting links to other forums. I just wanted to give ya a heads up just in case you get a "no no" message from a moderator. The Jaglovers link is cool though, I think.

 

Thanks Jeff. Lots more detail than I coulda done, too!

I hope I'm not treading on toes. (I also hope they'd warn me, if I am, not just ban me lol. I like it here so I'd have to conform. But I'm for sure not constantly naming just one other forum.)

 

Yea... I'm sick with this "stupid spec stuff". It's not just Jags either... Want the history of the Mustang, Camaro, Monte Carlo.... Gee, how about the VW Passat / Audi connection.... God my head is gonna explode!

No problem on the post. I think you add a lot of valuable info and good natured discussion to this place. I just didn't want a valued contributor to get a spank from the mods. I actually think it was OK, but decided to err on the side of caution, given the recent heated issues.... You know what I mean.

 

I'm grateful for the hint, though.