Newbie Project S-Type 99 3.0 SE

[BobbysfirstJag]

Hello, heros of Jaguar!! 

So I have just bought myself a 99 S-Type 3.0 SE... and I am in LOVE with her! She is a tatty one, but easily brought back to former (skin deep) beauties with a small amount of effort. (Deeper beauties will require more effort)

I flutter with cars, she is my 12th in my juvenile 10 year driving career. But in the month or so of owning her, I no longer want to flutter!! Almost all boxes are ticked, in the driving experience. However, as the title suggests, I want to tinker and play and make her my own. If any of you lovely folks would like to offer advice, warnings, encouragement, or to impart your wisdom, I would be very grateful. I am new to this, have pretty limited knowledge and want to do as much as possible myself. Google and youtube are wonderful - but actual interaction is better.

List of things!!

1. O/S rear window mechanism is broken. Hot day, window stuck to seal, snappy pingy grindy noise. I took the interior door panel off and was greeted with that tiny access window. I have done a search of forums and it seems a door replacement would be the easiest option? Is this cost-effective too? 
2. The whole heating system is haywire! You have full control over everything, other than the tempreture. This sucks as the s-types trademark screen mist needs max heat on full blast to clear. If you try to change the temperature the display jumps to random numbers. (89, 67, 114, 10, -30, 81 etc) Is this a known thing, or do I need to get the professionals on that one? Also, hot days suck too.
3.  The revs bounce drastically for about 5 mins when starting cold. If you re-start the car within an hour of last driving, no issue. I have no clue on this one! If it's just a "character" thing, that's cool.
4. When approaching the 80mph mark, she starts to feel less stable on the road. Its hard to explain but it like the whole car strafes slightly for 1000ths of a second, as if buffeted by strong winds. I think its only noticeable as the driver, but it completely unnerves me. The amount of praise this car gets for its composure on the road, this has got to be a problem. 
5. I want to lower her. These cars look fantastic when hunkered down against the road. Nothing drastic, 30mm or so. HAving looked online, lowering springs for the s-type are a league above the rest when it comes to price!! My next question is not meant to offend, or alienate myself. I imagine a few of you will want me banned for this but, can you put Rover 75 or Ford Mondeo springs on the S-type? Aren't they all based on each other? 
6. Trim and grilles are also uber expensive. Are there any companies I should be going to for cheaper body trim, front mesh grill etc? 
7. N/S rear tyre has inside edge wear. I think this may be a rear tracking issue? 

There is more on the list, but that'll do for now!! Budget is my biggest limiting factor. However, given time, she is going to be a beautiful classic. 

Hope to chat with a few of you going forward 

[BobbysfirstJag]

There is an album called "My pride & Joy." by Golan. Beautiful example!!

[Guest]

Hello Bobby and Welcome to the club.

I am a relative newbie myself having only joined up recently. However, I owned an S Type 3.0 SE for around 9 years and put 120,000 miles on the Cat before trading it in for another makers motorway cruiser. However, the Jag was the only car I have ever missed and, having recently retired I decided to get re-acqauinted and bought another 3.0 SE - low mileage and largely pristine I'm glad to say - a few weeks ago.

There are many others in this forum much more knowledgeable than I regarding the the technical challenges and opportunities big cats bring with them and I will, no doubt be testing some of these guys too in the not too distant future. However, here's my two penneth's worth - indented under each of your items - (and its probably worth about the same): -

1. O/S rear window mechanism is broken. Hot day, window stuck to seal, snappy pingy grindy noise. I took the interior door panel off and was greeted with that tiny access window. I have done a search of forums and it seems a door replacement would be the easiest option? Is this cost-effective too? 
   1. The window lift/close mechanism is obviously busted and needs to be replaced - new and used parts are available check out eBay and some of the specialist suppliers such as Britishparts.co.uk. I have no idea how to complete the repair but I am sure that others will provide the necessary guidance - you could also check out YouTube.
2. The whole heating system is haywire! You have full control over everything, other than the tempreture. This sucks as the s-types trademark screen mist needs max heat on full blast to clear. If you try to change the temperature the display jumps to random numbers. (89, 67, 114, 10, -30, 81 etc) Is this a known thing, or do I need to get the professionals on that one? Also, hot days suck too.
   1. Never heard of this one but I would check out the heater radiator and hoses to make sure there are no leaks and the relevant sensor. Get yourself a copy of the workshop manual available in the forum - it'll be a big help to identify all the bits and where to look for them.
3.  The revs bounce drastically for about 5 mins when starting cold. If you re-start the car within an hour of last driving, no issue. I have no clue on this one! If it's just a "character" thing, that's cool.
   1. Most definitely not a character thing - the S Type is nothing if not smoothly delivered power - albeit a couple of seconds after you hit the pedal as it wants to be sure you mean it! Sadly I cannot help here but I would be thinking about the Throttle Body as a first area of worry.
4. When approaching the 80mph mark, she starts to feel less stable on the road. Its hard to explain but it like the whole car strafes slightly for 1000ths of a second, as if buffeted by strong winds. I think its only noticeable as the driver, but it completely unnerves me. The amount of praise this car gets for its composure on the road, this has got to be a problem.
   1. There is no admission of guilt here but my first S Type managed 130mph with no sign of shimmy but there were no high winds at the time.
   2. I would suggest however that your problem here is related to item seven and could be associated with wheel alignment issues as you suggest but also perhaps suspension issues. The Kwikfit boys can do a check of both and, as they have the equipment, can correct any alignment issues at a reasonable price.
5. I want to lower her. These cars look fantastic when hunkered down against the road. Nothing drastic, 30mm or so. HAving looked online, lowering springs for the s-type are a league above the rest when it comes to price!! My next question is not meant to offend, or alienate myself. I imagine a few of you will want me banned for this but, can you put Rover 75 or Ford Mondeo springs on the S-type? Aren't they all based on each other?
   1. Yes - it will be expensive and yes I would keep my address to myself if I were you as the cost could be in body parts - your's not the car.
   2. If you are absolutely determined though (and after doing your homework on whats needed) I would suggest the best way to do this at the lowest possible cost would be to check out eBay for compatible suspension parts or consider buying a cheap S Type Sport as a donor car - could be a lot cheaper than the parts by themselves - the trouble with this is that you end up trashing what someone else might consider to be a worthy restoration project....
6. Trim and grilles are also uber expensive. Are there any companies I should be going to for cheaper body trim, front mesh grill etc? 
   1. eBay and Amazon perhaps and there are any number of salvage outfits out there that can provide this stuff.
7. N/S rear tyre has inside edge wear. I think this may be a rear tracking issue? 
   1. See 4 above.

Please be aware that there is every likelihood that other respondents will tell you I'm off my tree and point you in other directions - I would listen to them.

Cheers

Steve

 

[BobbysfirstJag]

Hey Steve.

Thank you for the warm welcome, its great to be here!

I think Kwik-fit is going to be my first port of call. With a ring round of local breakers to follow (something that had not even crossed my mind!)

Its great to talk to someone who knows these cars. As a first timer, it's sometimes tough to know whats an issue and what is just age related wear.

I will keep this thread active and post the findings in case anyone else experiences similar scenarios. 

Once again thank you for your great feedback, Steve

Bobby

[Guest]

Cheers Bobby,

Careful - my little knowledge could be a dangerous thing. There are others in this forum who really know what they are talking about and I would make a point of listening to them first.

Have a good one and enjoy the Cat.

[Guest]

Oops, I forgot to add that if you're really serious about dropping the ride height a cheaper alternative may be to consider low profile tyres BUT if you do this you would also need to consider hardening out the suspension a little as the SE is a little soft and you could find yourself 'Ploughing the Road'!

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Not to mention crunching the speed bumps.     Our '07 S is on 19" alloys with low-profile tyres, and also has the official Jaguar mudflaps fitted.   We need to go quite slowly over car-park speed bumps to avoid scraping these.

There's a racing S in the Gaydon museum, and this is only fractionally lowered from standard.

We'd be careful at least, and although everything is personal preference, our opinion would be to leave well alone as you might end up regretting the mod. 

Reference the suspension wanders etc etc.........look up Lazlo Woodbine's posts which have dealt with all manner of S-type suspension issues in pretty complete manner.

Whatever, enjoy the experience and, as always, happy growling

[BobbysfirstJag]

I had considered putting low profiles on first. Although I think I'll wait until I have fully researched my plans.

I will look up Lazlo's posts, sounds like there will be a wealth of info there, thanks!:) Defo want to firm up the ride a little for more planted cornering. 

One thing I can guarantee you is that the Jag grin is firmly pasted to my face!! 

 

[BobbysfirstJag]

Ok - So there is a thread that completely covers the high speed handling issue I have. "S-type direction change ?" by stypeboyconrwall

Great thread with a few experts discussing the issue. 

 

 

[Suppedraken]

On 21.8.2017 at 3:05 PM, BobbysfirstJag said:

I want to lower her. These cars look fantastic when hunkered down against the road. Nothing drastic, 30mm or so.

Each to his or hers unspeakable own, I guess.

Never been a fan of lowriders, drifters or stancers myself, although I can appreciate some of them. That said, I think 30mm is drastic for a S-Type and I'm not sure it's a "good" car for lowering. But whatever makes you happy.

[Old Peter]

Hi All, 

I would like to echo Carole's comment about "ploughinh| the road.  Only last Thursday I made an uphill  turn into a pub car park with our two grandchildren in the back and slightly grounded.  The S Type is a low car, and when you have seen many pieces of grounding evidence on some speed bumps one could make a decision not to have yours alongside them.

Regards,

Peter.

[BobbysfirstJag]

I get what you guys are saying. Please don't think I'm planning to "boy racer" her up. That is not the plan. (Although I have seen an s type on air and "stanced" that looked mean as a mean thing). 

I have attached pics below of a lowered S type R. This is the exact look I want to arrive at, other than mines not white. This is tasteful and keeps the big cats original classy look. 

But anyway, like you all said,  this is completely down to personal preference ☺️ 

After reading the discussion I linked to above, I am confident that the issue with the rear tyre and dodgy high-speed handling is the same as the gentleman in that thread. Kwikfit, I'll be seeing you soon!! 

[Suppedraken]

12 hours ago, BobbysfirstJag said:

This is the exact look I want to arrive at, other than mines not white. This is tasteful and keeps the big cats original classy look. 

One of my major reservations about lowering cars is the disproportionate space around the wheel on the top and the sides, but I think this is acceptable. I have to admit that it looks nice, and not as extreme as I feared when I read 30mm.

[Claws]

mine has sports suspension fitted (same set up as the S Type 'R' I believe) and also sports seats, she is sitting on 18" rims, I will completely echo both Carole's & Peter's comments, the ride is very stiff, with very little forgiveness over such things as speed bumps. personally I would have preferred a softer ride. something to consider with the ride height, its fairly low as it is, consider trying to get a trolley jack under her for any DIY jobs you will have some fun trying to!

I'll try and pop a photo of mine, I think the height is fine (but as others have said, your car your preference)

regards

Steve

 

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Here's hoping you reach a decision/solution which is right for you; must say, the white S in the photo does look good....wethinks that's a USA export/import (according to where you are!).

One further thing to think about....if you did go down the route of altering the suspension etc in ANY way, you MUST inform your insurance company, otherwise they have an easy excuse to limit, or not pay, any payout.       We know of a couple of folk who fell foul of this, so do be aware, and it might result in a premium increase.

Again, in any event, enjoy!!