New S Type R owner

Gavsur · February 4, 2015

My first post so please be gentle with me !

Recently aquired my first Jaguar following many years behind the wheel of various 5 series Beemers. Car in question is a 2003 S Type R in gun metal grey. The supercharged engine is certainly very addictive.

The alloy wheels will require refurbing in due course and the rear tyres have seen better days but other than that it is in remarkable condition. Can I ask, what are opinions on brand of tyres, Continental Contisport's are the Jaguar approved choice but any others worth considering.

Old Peter · February 4, 2015

Hi Gavin,

My car will be looking for new tyres in a couple of months, and my research { used to be a Cost Accountant many years ago] points me to Goodyear Eagle Assimetrico XL which is in first place in a recent quality tyre survey. Rolling resistance good, Road noise meeting the oncoming EU standards, and a good acquaintance of mine who has been a tyre fitter for 40 years told me never to touch Continentals.

Have a look on Halfords site which gives very good detail, as does KwikFit,

Regards,

Peter.

knightsmith · February 4, 2015

Gavin,

I had Michelin Pilot Super sport on both my XKR and XJ Supersport, and found them to excellent, even on the cart tracks in Devon !

ATB,

Trevor

Jgstr · February 5, 2015

Hi, mine is fitted with Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's all round. They feel secure, traction is good when pulling away hard, cornering is firm under pressure and progressive in the dry and in the wet. The ride is good, road noise not intrusive, wear looks very good after 4,700mls appx.

Can currently be bought from My tyres at a very good price.

Hope this helps

Taz

Old Peter · February 6, 2015

Hi Taz,

In the survey I quoted, Vredeststein US were just edged out of first place by Goodyear Eagle Assimetrico XL. Basically nothing between them at all. Price is really the arbiter between the two.

Peter.

Jgstr · February 6, 2015

Hi Peter,

Just had a quick peek at the prices:

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta £158.80

Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric XL 140.70

Prices are for rear tyre both with rim protection, in stock and available from My tyres.com, price includes VAT and delivery.

I run the Goodyears on all my other cats, I'm trying out the Vredestein US's because a friend of mine has been using them at a test facility and gave them top marks after testing in a wide variety of conditions (they abuse them really) on a variety of surfaces at the facility of a certain Germanic manufacturer he works for.

I agree with you so far that price seems the only arbiter. I tend to drive all my cats hard when possible. Lol

Old Peter · February 6, 2015

Thanks Jaz.

Both Brands are good tyres. I have been running Pirellis on my S Type, but while they hold the road well in all conditions they are a bit noisy.

The price is the one big reason, after quality. I have never used cheap tyres in 60 years on the road!

Regards,

Peter.

knightsmith · February 6, 2015

Peter,

Same here, i've never skimped on tyres , it just isn't worth it.

But is surprising the amount of people who go for the budget brands, and as long as they have enough tread to pass the the MOT that 's "OK"

ATB,

Trevor

Jgstr · February 6, 2015

Hi Peter,

Interesting you should say the Pirellis are a bit noisy, I thought I was the only who thought so. My R came fitted with P Zero's hated the damn things! Had them off sharpish and just binned them. Awful damned tyre!

Quite impressed so far with Vredestein's and equally so with the Goodyears on my others.

I think it'll be case of Goodyear or Vredestein in future depending on availability.

Seems a shame but I expect they'll discontinue them eventually and replace them with something !Removed! awful as so many other excellent tyres have been.

Jgstr · February 6, 2015

Hi Knightsmith,

Agreed , it's a damn shame about the budget tyres, some are quite lethal. We call them TBD's (tyres By Darwin) in our house.

I've often wondered how often crashes in poor conditions, bends etc can be attributed to TBD's.

There are some very decent budget tyres out there but I wonder about it when I see a tyre that would fit my rims advertised at £45.00!

It just bothers me that out there, is someone in a quick(ish) car with £45.00 tyres on driving in poor conditions, who might have stop suddenly or swerve violently to avoid an incident and end up being the cause of one.

I wonder if there's ever been a survey of crashes and the tyres involved?

knightsmith · February 6, 2015

Christiaan,

I quite agree, a friend of mine (he is the one who is happy as long as his tyres pass the MOT) always says " I wouldn't pay that price", when he asks the price of my tyres.

But as I explained to him, there are just four bits of rubber keeping you on the road, and you can see when they are getting worn, and they should be replaced well before they are nearing their "legal limit" .

Also, I know which car I would rather be in if I were to hit a spot of trouble , mine or his VW Golf with budget well worn tyres on .

I also don't see why I have to pay £475 a year road tax, whilst he gets away with about about a third of that .

ATB,

Trevor

Gavsur · February 6, 2015

Thank you all, I had Continentals on my 530i and to be honest, I did not rate them as well as Goodyear or Michelin's. On another topic, should I consider changing the transmission fluid and filter as a precaution as I have read that many a fine S Type ends up as a breaker because of the prohibitive cost of a new gearbox!The car drives well with no signs of transmission problems. Is this a DIY job, I'm not afraid of working on cars, or can anybody recommend a Jaguar specalist in or around the Epping/Woodford/ east of London areas.

Gavin

Jgstr · February 6, 2015

Hi Gavin,

Google is your friend for independent Jaguar garages, but take care to check their reputation.

There are differing opinions but unless the car has had some hard track day runs or has exceptionally high mileage there's usually no need to change the gearbox or Diff fluids.

What is the mileage car and what's its service history like?

The job can be done DIY, others are better placed to advise on the technique.

If you are at all unsure of its service history then it might be advisable to have the fluid changed just to set your mind at rest.

Some dealerships will give your car a health check and thorough inspection, which might be a good idea.

Good luck with your wee beastie.....enjoy.

Rgds

Taz

Old Peter · February 6, 2015

Hi Gavin,

Many owners have changed their transmission fluid at about 75,000 miles and feel that it has given the gearbox a new lease of life. I think a lot depends on how the car has been driven rather than how many miles it has done.

There is a list of recommended Jaguar specialists in the Jaguar Owners Lounge, which is worth looking at.

I will probably have my gearbox Oil changed in three years time with the presumption that both myself and my s type will still be around.

Regards,

Peter

Drivingdad · February 6, 2015

Hi Gavsur I bought my s type from a private dealer in Epping last April and he had some work done at a Jag indie in Epping sorry don't have a name or number.

Gavsur · February 7, 2015

The car has done 130,000 miles with full service history and as previously said, drives very well. I see that there are transmission oil/filter change kits available which might be worth looking into. I thought I would include a photo of the car, I think the colour is quartz grey although I'm not totally sure.

Jgstr · February 7, 2015

The colour works well with the shape, very nice indeed.

Mike_eng · February 8, 2015

Hi Guys,

I spoke to a technician at ZF last year and they recommend a service at 100000km I had mine done at a local gearbox specialist and including a new sump and switch gear cover the cost was £410.00. money well spent.