Jim Elston

I just read an article on the S Type on the excellent ARO online. A repository of all things Austin Rover, they also have great articles on other marques and some really in depth articles on prototypes, concepts, what might have beens...This article however states that the pre 2003 S types were disappointing to drive, having bought a sixteen year old example and loving it, I don't think that statement is quite right? Does anyone else disagree?

Some better pics will follow...

Thanks for all the replies! I will definitely take the advice on where to go for the Air Con Re-gas. I have a couple of trusted mechanics, JR Motors in Ryde and Tom Hitchcock, also in Ryde. In answer to one question, I have an almighty grin! My last car was an MX5, which caused a lot of grins, before that a Ford Cougar - very underrated, but the Jaguar is everything I wanted. Not too much tech as I don't particularly want to be a mobile hot spot and don't feel the need to be connected! This is an S so does not have cruise or remote controls for the stereo but has has enough for me and I feel involved in driving it. Handles better than the Cougar although that was front wheel drive. It gets around the corners very nicely without shaking my fillings out like the MX5 and of course I can take the dog and the grandkids. This is the subjective bit, to me it looks like a jaguar should, I prefer it to newer models, I too have to catch the reflection of it in shop windows. The niggles? part of the ownership and "bonding" with it! Pictures tomorrow!!!

Lovely car, of course you all knew that already. Roof lining needs attention and the air con doesn't work. I will try a re gas and service at Halfords for £49.00 and see what they come up with. Living on the Isle of Wight we have many boat trimmers and upholsterers so I will ask if any of them can do the roof lining, oh and the near side door mirror is a later one, so I will get one off of E-bay, chrome covers may be cheaper than getting it painted. Car feels solid and planted on the road, took it down the Military road, the longest road on the Island, and the car handled very well. It is a beautiful coastal road with stunning views and a good surface, the acceleration on kick down was fantastic, better than I thought it would be, I can only imagine what the V8 and Supercharged versions would be like. This is enough for me...This one is a keeper, as I am sure they will achieve classic status.

Got it, too busy driving all day to take pics....Loving it. Few minor things to attend to...nothing major. Dealer did ARB links, front wheel bearing, exhaust mount and play in steering inner arms...Very pleased indeed. Only advisories were screen and front suspension bushes...More later!

Well, I haven't collected her yet! She went for the re-test but the examiner went home early, That was a Friday, On The Monday o the way for the re-test the ABS warning light came on, dealer ordered one, supplier went to deliver but there was a bonb scare on the ferry so was again delayed. When it arrived it was the wrong one, dealer located right one on E-bay which arrived Saturday, Fitted it this morning and as a good will gesture replaced the front wheel bearing. All good? No! The new hub had a faulty speed sensor, he ordered and Wightlink cancelled a load of ferries which means the courier couldn't get across...Still at least the wheel bearing will be done saving one job. Russ, I have paid for the car so I am a bit committed! Are you saying that because of the covers the sills would not be looked at on an MOT? I rejected some cars I looked at because of previous advisories mentioning corrosion, but this one never has had any mention. I know a guy on the Island who is an absolute genius though and it will be going to him for a dintrol treatment and there is a small patch of lacquer peel above the N/S/F door so I will get him to investigate thoroughly.... I know this is an old car, but it is one I will probably keep, so fingers crossed. Even if I spend a couple of grand on her, what else could you get for the money that is anywhere near as good? Hopefully tomorrow and I can post some pics!

Thanks for all the help, it is much appreciated. I have messaged the dealer I am sure he will come through as he is just a few yards down the road from where I live, I know his mechanic extremely well and I also know where he lives! There are some advantages to living in such a small community! Word soon gets around as well! I will let you know how I get on and post some pics of her when I collect her. The main reason I chose this one was the MOT history, never a mention of corrosion or needing welding on any advisory in the past, so I have a solid base to work from. Thanks once again Jim

Hmm She failed her MOT on Headlamp aim and O/S and N/S rear tie bar/ball joint dust covers. There was a knock from underneath during the raod tests but the dealer thought this would be a front anti roll bar drop link.Nothing like this showed up. I ma sure that the dealer will find and attend to the knock. The advisories were: Reason(s) for failure Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b) Nearside Rear Outer Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2) Offside Rear Outer Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2) Advisory notice item(s) Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d) Nearside Rear exhaust mount missing Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2) Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2) Nearside Front play in wheel bearing Play in steering rack inner joint(s) () Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b) Anything I should be too concerned about here?. I realise that I am not buying a new car so expect some items and she will be brought up to scratch! Thanks for any advice.

Thank you Peter and Russ. I am sure I will have many questions and yes I am glad I wasn't talked out of it. The Renault 25 was a complete disaster...I am sure I would still have the XJC....Still I have the S type. I am jumping every time the phone rings in case it is the dealer saying come and collect....

Thank you Peter and Russ. I am sure I will have many questions and yes I am glad I wasn't talked out of it. The Renault 25 was a complete disaster...I am sure I would still have the XJC....Still I have the S type. I am jumping every time the phone rings in case it is the dealer saying come and collect....

Well, I did it. I have bought the S type I was interested in. It is a 2001 3.0 in Aspen Green with biscuit Leather interior. Dealer is getting thew MOT and service done and then I can collect it. It drives beautifully (How good must the facelift ones be?) MOT history is very good, it has done 97,000 miles and is in very good condition. It all works as well, windows, air con, seats..... After all these years, finally I own a Jaguar. I have nearly taken the plunge before, many years ago I nearly bought a XJ6 Coupe, but my wifr talked me into a Renault 25...Years later, but still a long time ago I went for an XJ12, but owing to a mix up the dealer sold it...At least I got my deposit back, I ended up with a Granada 2.8i " Huntsman" Estate (Half leather, fitted leather luggage, roof bars...) Pictures will follow as soon as I have collected her. Plans are to have her treated with dinitrol, a gearbox fluid and filter change (5R55N ford box) and a bluetooth double din unit, although I will keep the original if I want to put her back to original. I can't wait to collect her! I feel like a little kid with his first bicycle....

Thanks to all for your comments. I will be enjoying my Jaguar experience! As regards the man who was told to enjoy his "Mondeo" when parking his X Type, Jeremy Clarkson summed that up by saying that 98% of our DNA is shared with Chimpanzees, it's the 2% that is important. And of course if it's good enough for the Queen then... With the S type, development was shared with Ford, and Jaguar technicians were involved in making the Mustang handle, no-one calls a Mustang a Jaguar. The Bentley uses a VW platform, Ford Ka is Fiat 500 as is the Panda and Alfa Mito, Saab used Vauxhall platforms..and so on across the motoring spectrum. One of Fords engineers said that a platform is only a set of numbers... I will definitely try to get to a breakfast meet at Gaydon. Thanks once again.

Hello! Just thought I would introduce myself. I am Jim aged 57 and live with my long suffering other half on the Isle of Wight. I will collecting my (New to me) Jaguar S type in a couple of weeks from a local dealer. I have always wanted a Jaguar but for varying reasons it has never been the right place or time. I had a limited (Very!) budget to replace my car with, but was amazed at the prices that you can pick an S type up for. The one I chose was well within my budget. It is a 2001 3.0 automatic in Aspen green with a cream leather interior, 10 spoke wheels and is in immaculate condition. The reason I chose it was because of it's condition. Mileage is 97k which is very reasonable for its age, It all works! All of that leather, air con, the V6 and so on for virtually banger money. There were some Xj's available but I personally love the s type styling and I feel it is a more involving drive. I have read all of the "It's a Ford", "Its a Lincoln not a Jaguar" "You should buy a German car" posts that are all over the internet, but totally disregard them. This drives so well, I can't imagine how the later models drive! I will post pictures and hope to share experiences with other S type enthusiasts who enjoy the car! Thanks JIm