hi just joined, looking to buy my retirement car

[dave cullen]

hi,

 

I just wanted to introduce myself as I am a big believer in forums for their help and advice, I am retiring from work in September, I am a real petrol head, (bikes and cars), I currently have a Golf R but have always fancied a nice S type as a luxury car, I have no real preferences except colour combinations but I am looking at a 2002 3.0 V6 Auto petrol, 42 k on clock, faultless MOT history, service history stamped up etc, but before I go any further, I have been struggling to get a definitive answer to the cam belt change mileage/interval, can anybody assist me with this, and any other major issues I should check for?

 

I would really appreciate any thoughts, I had originally thought of a 2.5 diesel, but this car is in the seafrost green with tan leather, and I just love the look of it!

 

cheers

 

dave

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

The 2.5 and 3.0 v6 dont have a cambelt, they are chain driven, so as long as milage is low and there quiet, will last, high milage cars, timing chain can rattle when they stretch with age

the s-type diesel are of tdv6 2.7, v6 twin turbo, generally reliable if well looked after, later DPF models can give more problems, these have two belts which need replacing, cam belt and fuel pump belt

check every thing work, all the electrics, take it for a good run, check the 6 speed auto box, suspension should be silky smooth, any knock or bangs could be a bush, there's a lot of them on the s-type

check for water in the boot, it leaks in above the rear lights, use something like vehicle smart to check cars mot history

one major check has to be the sills, some suffer more than other, not down to year, later ones also suffer, the sill can completely rust away, which are hidden by plastic covers

cheers

Joe

 

[Andy X400 3.0]

Go for it David , low mileage and a 3.0 V6 engine makes a good combination . As mentioned above , should be a cam chain and as for the sills don't let that put you off if they are rusty . My 3.0  x type had the dreaded sill rot ( common problem ) no rust ANYWHERE else and some garages make it out to be a major problem but for  my mechanic it wasn't a problem at all ( he has done quite a few ) and wasn't a massive expense and passed the mot no problem . For the money you can get them for and the luxury car you get it's a no brainer in my opinion .

Regards ,

Andy .

[Old Peter]

Welcome to the club, David.

Joe and Andy have given you some very good tips of what to look for.

The 3 litre Petrol engine in the s type is a well tried and well respected engine, and with 42 miles of the clock it has got a lot more miles in it.

My 2.7 Diesel is a very reliable car, with only a water pump needing replacement in the last 4 years.  While the s type in all its variants is a very quick car, it is also a car that can be driven sedately, and in my opinion is a future classic.

Look for a car that is nice and straight and has plenty of optional extras fitted.

Regards,

Peter.

[dave cullen]

hi, been over a year since i originally sought advice, i ended up leaving the car i was looking at, but going to see another 05 seafrost green 3.0 petrol SE on Saturday, 90 k miles, but FSH, mostly all jag dealer, looks really nice, so will maybe ask for some thoughts after I've seen it and checked it out, MOT history all good