2003 - S-Type. Underbody Restoration. £2.7k

[Lord Sladacre]

I have owned my S -Type for 7 years and love it. I am sure this is not unique, however, may be of interest to fellow owner members.. My Dec 2003 S - Type, through initial and visually corroded, bubbling lower wheel arches - on closer inspection, more work was required. The outcome is both outer and inner sills to be replaced, both rear arches and the drivers floor pan section. The work is being undertaken by a highly competent fabricator and welder based at Crossways Garage Bodyshop, in High Woodsford, Nr Dorchester. The likely cost is circa £2.6k inc vat.

They are taking photos prior, during and on completion. The emphassis is upon the strength of steel used / pre formed or fabricated (to be confirmed with the welder) , the protection prior to welding and the addiditonal protection after welding, and of course the visual finish of the arches. Others, I know, have faced this dilemma many times - is the car worth keeping? In my case I think yes. i have spent on the services / maintenance of the engine and underside components, over the year,it is three owners (including me) - always previously serviced by Jaguar / specialists, is 3.0 petrol, in seafrost green, heated seat, heated screen and electric lumber supports.............whats not to love?. 

If i can assit others in recommending the bodyshop or with more detail feel free to ask me, i shall do my best to assist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

[mrmike]

My 2005 2.7D is absolutely rust free. Jag life on the Costa del Sol and Costa blanca with 240K on the clock.

There are lots of S-Types around for >2K especially 2.5s and 3.0s. I saw a great one at a local super market which the owner had bought for E500, it had to go and the local breaker would only offer E400, The present owner has put a bit of money into it with every bit of chrome and w.h.y. available.  Some with shot engines and no rust can be picked up for peanuts. Could be a sound basis for a rebuild for someone with an MOT failure with time and space on their hands. No need to go to California!

M

[Russ68]

Hi Dominic,

I had both sills done on mine a few years ago, with a few other bits, for a fraction of that price. £5-600 from memory, inc the price of the sills which are ~£100. 

So I'm sure you're aware you're paying top dollar and possible more than the current market value of the car. If you're going into this with your eyes open, the choice is yours.

At £80ph, that's over 30 hours to make £2600, which seems a bit excessive. But perhaps yours in in a particularly bad way underneath?

Good luck!

 

 

[JustBadly]

The driver floor pan deteriorates if the windscreen drain is blocked. It overflows below the wiper drain and reaches the floor pan. The rear arches go due to water splash from the rear wheels entering the chassis from the cut-aways forward of the rear wheel. I made removable bungs to fill these.

[Lord Sladacre]

17 hours ago, Russ68 said:

Hi Dominic,

I had both sills done on mine a few years ago, with a few other bits, for a fraction of that price. £5-600 from memory, inc the price of the sills which are ~£100. 

So I'm sure you're aware you're paying top dollar and possible more than the current market value of the car. If you're going into this with your eyes open, the choice is yours.

At £80ph, that's over 30 hours to make £2600, which seems a bit excessive. But perhaps yours in in a particularly bad way underneath?

Good luck!

 

 

Hi Russ,

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. Probably over the top - but I have covered just about all the mechanicals so figured it was worth doing. Will never recoup the investment through a sale - but that is true for us all.

I am ascertaining the new panel cost and where the fabricator is not a fan of chinese kits for sills etc he is making them, same for the lower arches. £300 of the cost is wheel refurb - so not all bad !! Thanks again, Regards Dominic

[Lord Sladacre]

1 hour ago, JustBadly said:

The driver floor pan deteriorates if the windscreen drain is blocked. It overflows below the wiper drain and reaches the floor pan. The rear arches go due to water splash from the rear wheels entering the chassis from the cut-aways forward of the rear wheel. I made removable bungs to fill these.

Thanks for that. Useful info of which i was unaware. i shall call the bodyshop and get them to check the drain. Kind regards Dominic

[JustBadly]

The windscreen drain can block 'inside' the vehicle since this can happen frequently it is your responsibility to check this.The rear of the Chassis - forward of the back wheel has cutouts for jig alignment. Due to modern tire width water is not only splashed outward but forward. Meaning water is able to enter the cutouts causing inevitable internal corrosion. I made simple oversized bungs from packing foam and gorilla tape to fill these holes.