S Type Buying Advice

MKDugan · September 5, 2015

Hi Forum, I'm in the market for an S type after coming away from an E60 5 series, I've looked around for buying advice but not found anything specific.

I have about £3500 to spend give or take a few hundred quid.

Must be auto and preferably with nav, a sport version would be nice.

Need to get 40 m.p.g on a run but no preference as yet between diesel or petrol, though will prefer the most reliable of the two.

So if you'd be able to guide me with regards to which models, years and engines to avoid and problems to look out for I'd be very grateful, thanks.

Old Peter · September 5, 2015

Hi Mark, and welcome to the club.

The s type is a nice car and a pleasure to drive. There are plenty around.

I would have a look at the Evans Halshaw website -- they are main dealers and partners with Stratstone and will give a warranty.

Before I bought my S type I researched the car very thoroughly before I plumped for the 2.7 Diesel which will give somewhat over the 40 mpg on a run.

The petrol versions of the S Type all have good engines, although you will not get the same mpg as the diesel, naturally.

The diesel has a cam belt instead of a chain, and will need to be replaced at 105k miles, so if it is a higher mileage car you go for check that this job has been done.

The auto gearbox is the 6 speed ZF gearbox quite common in many top cars,including Rolls Royce.

Look at the sills which can get some rust [under the plastic covers] and check for water ingress in the boot, which is easily remedied.

Other owners will give you some opinions, but I have had mine for over two years without problems.

Regards,

Peter.

Raistlin · September 5, 2015

Hello Mark, welcome to the Jaguar Owner's Club :D

I'm not going to get involved in the petrol versus diesel debate. My advice is simply to consider your situation and see if there are any big plusses for either. If not, then try driving both petrol and diesel cars to see what you prefer. The 4.2 supercharged V8, if that's your taste, is in supercar performance territory. I drove one and it scared the willies out of me However, don't expect 40 mpg. There is only one diesel engine in the range. It is a 2.7l V6 bi-turbo. DPF and cat problems are often raised but so far I think probably a little more exaggerated than they should be.

One thing to watch for though is the upper exhaust flexi mounts which can and do crack. Standard repairs to these are to replace the whole thing for eye-watering amounts of money. There are cheaper ways to do it of course.

I can't comment on the petrol engines because I own a diesel but I'm sure some of the petrol heads will advise you

If you do want a diesel you'll be after a post face-lift car of 2004 and later. In addition, as you are keen on an auto, the later cars have the six speed transmission which I believe is superior to the earlier version.

The sills on these cars are actually concealed under a fascia and the sills themselves can suffer horrendous rust whilst looking perfectly fine on the outside. I quick look underneath the car will give you a good indication as to their state.

If you like toys, there are plenty out there with most of the options but it has been my experience so far that retro-fitting is quite easy on these cars, the parts being available quite cheaply. Most of the optional wiring looms are also in place as far as I've been able to determine which is a major bonus.

As an inveterate retro-fitter, roger your plan to go for nav equipped car. Initial retro-fit of nav is one of the few that isn't particularly simple but, if nav is fitted, all the other audio visual toys are a doddle.

Don't buy the first one you see though Mark. There are plenty about and if you decide on a certain spec all it takes is a little time before that spec appears,, although you may have to travel. There are some poorly looked after dogs out there though. So much so that my initial enthusiasm for buying an S Type was wiped out for a while until somebody took pity on me and allowed me to drive a well sorted beast.

I would have to say that you are unlikely to get much of a warranty,, if any, at the price you are intending to pay but then again, warranties are not all they're cracked up to be. I didn't get a warranty with mine other than a "gentleman's agreement" but a thorough examination of the car convinced me she was worthy and I haven't had cause to regret my choice so far.

I think it unlikely that you'll find a suitable car at a Jaguar dealership so Auto Trader is your friend :)

What will pay enormous dividends is to nurture a relationship with a local Jaguar independent garage. Worth their weight in gold, reasonable prices, lots of specialist knowledge and access to the correct diagnostics.

Maybe that will help to start with?

Maca44 · September 5, 2015

Hi Mark,

Just purchased a S-Type Sport from a independent Jag dealer after weeks of looking at dog's or overpriced rubbish, got what I wanted but as above, be patient & be prepared to travel. I had 3 to choose from at the dealers 2 diesel & one petrol, as I was not worried about fuel costs, I was told that the diesel might have filter clogging problems as I do not do many M-way miles so went for a 3L V6 otherwise I understand the diesel unit is very good.I waited for a Sport to come up as the others I looked at had horrible plastic wood dashes which is not my taste but the sport has a real metal dash lovely seats & very sexy 18" wheels. This is all just my taste I just don't like light leather & plastic wood but understand others do so I'm not knocking it.

I managed to Squeeze a discounted 12mth warranty which covers everything & full MOT/Service to Jag spec so I'm all ready for the next year. I would say to you if you can just find another £500 or so it would buy you a better car or get a better deal so it might be worth waiting.

Old Peter · September 5, 2015

Hi Mark,

Just purchased a S-Type Sport from a independent Jag dealer after weeks of looking at dog's or overpriced rubbish, got what I wanted but as above, be patient & be prepared to travel. I had 3 to choose from at the dealers 2 diesel & one petrol, as I was not worried about fuel costs, I was told that the diesel might have filter clogging problems as I do not do many M-way miles so went for a 3L V6 otherwise I understand the diesel unit is very good.I waited for a Sport to come up as the others I looked at had horrible plastic wood dashes which is not my taste but the sport has a real metal dash lovely seats & very sexy 18" wheels. This is all just my taste I just don't like light leather & plastic wood but understand others do so I'm not knocking it.

I managed to Squeeze a discounted 12mth warranty which covers everything & full MOT/Service to Jag spec so I'm all ready for the next year. I would say to you if you can just find another £500 or so it would buy you a better car or get a better deal so it might be worth waiting.

The wood is not plastic, though, Mark. It is either Maple or Burr Walnut in some X Type Daimler versions. But the Sport has an aluminium dash, if that is your preference.

Maca44 · September 5, 2015

The wood is not plastic, though, Mark. It is either Maple or Burr Walnut in some X Type Daimler versions. But the Sport has an aluminium dash, if that is your preference.

God, my bad, I thought it looked & felt like plastic that's what put me off.

Mr Lawrence · September 5, 2015

No veneer in 'ere.

I'll get me coat.

Old Peter · September 5, 2015

God, my bad, I thought it looked & felt like plastic that's what put me off.

It is different in each car. Jaguar have used trees for years!!

MKDugan · September 5, 2015

Thanks fellas, really helpful, will be looking at two examples tomorrow just to get a feel for what's out there but I can see that I won't be getting in one as quick as I thought because I want either a grey or black sport with nav and bluetooth, also thanks to what I now know I've upped my budget to £4500 give and take.

Didn't give the DPF any thought (though now thinking about removal and de-cat) and surprised they have belts not chains, the rust issue is a worry and I wonder if it's an inevitable feature of any S type.

I used to have a 4.2 XK8 and I could literally get 33 m.p.g on a fast run so I'm thinking now my choice will be based on condition and spec rather than engine, that said I'm not sure an S type 4.2 could give that kind of economy due to body shape/aerodynamics.

MKDugan · September 5, 2015

Also a pleasant surprise is the ZF box, I know it as it's in my 5 series, great box but suffers from a leaky sump pan as I'm only too aware of, Land Rover metal sump apparently solves any future issue.

Old Peter · September 5, 2015

Removing the DPF is now an automatic MOT failure.

I have never had a problem with mine and I do mostly short runs.

Peter.

Maca44 · September 6, 2015

Thanks fellas, really helpful, will be looking at two examples tomorrow just to get a feel for what's out there but I can see that I won't be getting in one as quick as I thought because I want either a grey or black sport with nav and bluetooth, also thanks to what I now know I've upped my budget to £4500 give and take.

Didn't give the DPF any thought (though now thinking about removal and de-cat) and surprised they have belts not chains, the rust issue is a worry and I wonder if it's an inevitable feature of any S type.

I used to have a 4.2 XK8 and I could literally get 33 m.p.g on a fast run so I'm thinking now my choice will be based on condition and spec rather than engine, that said I'm not sure an S type 4.2 could give that kind of economy due to body shape/aerodynamics.

Sorry just brought the Grey Sport you want :)

Spannerman · September 6, 2015

Hi Mark

you will not 40 mpg from a petrol model, i have a 3L sport, its a great car but like everything not without faults, on a motorway run I can get up to 36-37 mpg which i think is really good for this type of engine, but mixed driving will be around 26, don`t get too hung up on sat nav, the units are now quite old and not supported via updates, far better to get a relatively cheap tom tom or garmen in my opinion, petrol or diesel is a balance between how far you travel each year, Bodywork and service history are probably more important than year, if you go for an auto just check it does not lurch-known problem, it helps if you know a little about cars or you have a fat wallet but buy one because you will not regret it, oh and this forum is really good for help and advice

best of luck

Noel

Old Peter · September 6, 2015

Yes, Noel.

The Sat nav is quite good but there are no updates after 2012/13.

But hey, you are in a Jaguar, and you will find where you are going to!

Peter.

Raistlin · September 6, 2015

One of the things I like about the sat nav is the way it integrates with all of the audio visual toys, including Jaguar Voice Control, bluetooth phone etc and also including mp3 and iPod with the appropriate fitment :)

Plus it just looks so perfect in the car, in my view, without all the extra bits and pieces stuck all over as I've seen in some examples