Lord Sladacre

Hi Dave, I think you are right. i called them at just after 0700 this morning - all very well received, they want the invoices for work done, spreadsheet and everytging that I have since ownership - which is massive since 2017 !! All very impressive. Booked in from 1630 hrs on Tuesday 05 Dec - for Wednesday / Thursday. Today the n/s headlamp jet washer cover fell off whilst washing the car. The previous garage obviously had broken the flimsey clips which fit it to either the original jag part or the cruciform (missing) that attaches between the jets - when they removed the bumper to fit the n/s headlamp. i have a suspicion that the washer system has become u/s. If it doeas not push the covers off (I shall try it tomorrow) i am tempted to glue the cover back on. Will I be banned from the S- Type Club ????? Is this sacrilidge? Just not sure i can afford the upcoming EML , DSL bill - as well as this on top ! The joys of motoring.............. Thanks Dave for your input - i really do appreciate it. Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, Thank you - there is i am convinced much in what you say. My strategy is to speak with the garage tomorrow 0700 - book it in. i can relate the story so far and provide work sheets / invoices - purely for the history. i think it is key that i start with rectifying the constant appearence now over many mnonths of the EML. It is the cat / lambda sensors i had removed and cleaned - didnt do the trick some month back. Bite the bullet replace the cats and see what the codes / DSC issue is. i think lioke you it is in layers - resolve one better expose the other or next issue !! I will keep you posted, have a good week. Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, I'm very grateful to you - you really shouldnt have spent the time on locating this !! Today driving from Dorchester to Beaminster (visiting our son, partner and 11 mth grand daughter) all was well and then, yes, the "DSC Not Available" light illuminated - and remained on. As i had had a new "ABS Fault" sensor fitted to the code identified wheel (o/s rear) last week, the lights did not progress to "ABS Fault" or "Gear box Fault" - so the sequence was broken. I swill book the car in to Crossways Garage (Woodsford) on Monday, with a list of current / update on work as it is a new arrival for them. They come very well recommended - although not Jaguar specialists. Thank you for your advice and patience ! I will keep you posted. Regards Dominic PS: Southwold - I believe you are right !

Hi Dave, You are a star - I wish you were my neighbour, you would have free drinks for life ! Flying and boating. (in truth you would probably look to move !) The previous owner of our current boat owned her for a few years and is in Suffolk and enjoyed the boat -not sure which, port.. Not relevant - put it down to cold / flu fever. I circumvented the EML light by getting the garage to switch it off - just prior. Illustratres what a nonsensense the MOT is.! I shall certainly keep you informed on the outcome - and need to buy a code reader, pronto. I need to ask / clarify more details upon the use, cost and reasons, from you please - as presumably the garage wish tioo activate their own decoder reader and charge accordingly. Pathetically still in the grip of the plague - however, forced myself out with 10 month old grandon and and my wife, feel it was okay.................. Thank you Dave, have a good w/e Regards Dominic

Hi Dave, That is all very scary. The original garage was owned by Andy Mason, a good friend of mine for the years of business (!!) . He recommended the S- Type to me, as he launched the car as a leading memeber of the Jaguar team in the USA (LA - Cal) back in the day. He assured me - when the light came on after three / four years of the cause and the importanct fact that it has no other effect on performance / fuel etc. In fact the figs i have quoted you are since the light. However, given you advice I will now book the car into the "new" garage, for their thoughts and actions. Thank you Dave, i shall keep you informed. Kind regards Dominic

hi Dave, Thank you. Today feeling much better and drove from Dorchester to Ridge (Stoborough) - checking out the boat, no unwanted lights on the Jag dashboard. 24 mile round trip. My only constant illuminated companion is the EML. This is persistent inspite of me having it regurlarly "switched off" - the code tells the garage that one of the two cats is not operating at a higher enough temperature. These are £345 each from SNG and time consuming / awkward to fit, suggesting fir the pair and not singularly. In my effort to preserve £1k I continue to run the car with this light on. Cat aclean, Wynn's and other soultions in the tank appear to work albeit briefly. Other than replacing the cats, would you have any thoughts please Dave? Thank you in anticipation, Kind Regards Dominic

Thats all so well researched by you - and very interesting. Thank you Dave, No doubt once recovered I shall be in touch. Your depth of knowledge on these and no doubt many other "S" issues are enormous. Kind Regards Dominic

Thanks again Dave, I wise man indeed. I shall certainly take the same course of action next year ! i followed, as a lamb to slaughter - I should have relied upon my healthy diet, exercise and a busy summer / winter outdoor life. We have a boat at Ridge wharf and cruise her twice a week 12 months - caught me in a weak moment so jabs it was. I put my Jaguar faith in you. For the mot last month the garage said that the n/s headlamp cluster was u/s and beyond cleaning in order to pass. I found it challenging to ascertain if all S- Type headlamps fit all years of cars. No one really wanted to confirm - even Jaguar / SNG who work of course on part / car vin numbers and were only prepared to to quote "limited year parts! eg: in my case 2003 - 2005. They did however manage a precise quote of £1400 for one cluster !! JagRar (Taunton) - confirmed all clusters fit all S types - except the R S-Type, which has different connections / lens shape. They will be my go to in future. Who do you prefer to use? Most on ebay only confirm the donor vehicle year- might help on likely condition but not on confirmation of fit). However, I got a fantastic cluster (like new) from a breaker specialist in Northants - through ebay (I have the recipt for the name if you would like it?) - for £110. This came from a 2007 donor S - Type, absolutely like new and fitted a treat. !! i will ebay my old cluster on ebay as unrefurbished £30 - not bad. Enjoying a medicinal scotch right now - so please excuse any typos. Have a good week, Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, A very thorough and useful reply to the points Imentioned, many thanks !! LPG food for thought - although unlikely, given the time to recoup costs, food for thought. I encountered similar problems with the front plate and eventually used screw and caps at the top of each corner. The Adamesh back boxes certainly look the part. The logo puddle lamps display - is amazingly cool. Tempted to emulate as the car has its own Jag pad !! Thanks for the photos - great cars. Hope to get out and about next week to test out the gearbox situation. Frustratingly been suffering following the infamous double jab (covid / flu) - i simply must be better soon ! Have a good w/e, thanks for all the info., I appreciate it. KInd regards Dominic

Hi Dave, Good to hear from you - So many topics that are of common interest and experiences to share. I was fascinated to hear that you run yours on LPG. !! Keen to hear more, eg availabitity, performane ,issues, modifications etc - obviously it suits you and the primary reason must be oerating costs. Interesting, but would it suit a daily driver, albeit of no more than 5 - 6k miles per year? Tyres. I bought the car with Avons all round, which were showing signs of age. I replaced them in November 2019 @ 77k miles (4 yrs already !!) after careful reasearch for Falken Ziex ZE-914 Ecorun (£440 for 4 - through Black Circles online). I have found the tyre to be excellent, i have covered 20k miles in that period, no tread wear or wall damage at all. I chose them (in addition to rain, mpg, noise rating - all good) also for the slightly raised profile to wheel rim, ensuring minimum opportunity for damage to the alloys. I think 6 yrs is tyre life max - as you say regardless pretty much of wear. Insurance. Do you have an "agreed value" insurance, perhaps through Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Peter James Classic Insurance. I had been struggling and no one was interested. However, the primary reason I joined JEC was the Insurance deal and have insured mine for a value of £5k, a comprehensive policy including uk/continental breakdown for £210.00. In the day with three children growing up we had a 1987 Volvo 740 GLE estate auto. We covered Holland, UK and Spain. Fantastic car, 180k miles - needed to refurbish the gearbox, in those days (1992) for £1100. if you have a handy pic of the S- Type would be interested to see her. i have attached a pic - ignore the low concave on fnt pax dr - all gone now. Have a good w/e. Dominic

Hi Dave, Many thanks for your thoughts on the auto operation. An interesting one - particularly as autoboxes through evolution, design, sensors and other "refinements" enable a particularly economic outcome. On a regular journey of A303, b roads and towns, over 60 miles I achieve between 29 and 31 mpg. On a run from Dorset to York, with stops etc - mainly main / motorways an amazing 36 mpg !! Given the car is 3.0 V6 petrol, i was delighted. My semi auto driving style is more auto than manual - fear not ! My original thoughts were that as you say it keeps all working parts, working. Thank you again, I shall keep in touch if the dreaded " light display" - together with the notices. Happy motoring with your "S" over the winter. Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, The sensor (rear o/s ABS has been replaced. All warning lights are out and gearbox functioning smoothly. Just a thought it had been my habit of using the box almost like a manual certainly down shifting for junctions, hills etc. Is this okay - or contributory to the gearbox problem? I always understood it was "good practice" to actually use the box rather than just in "Drive" - any thoughts? Thanks Dominic

Hi Dave, Thank you for hyour response. it seems now that the problem is an electrical sensor. Diagnostics show that the "DSC not Available" followed by the "ABS Fault" warning light is then sequentially followed by "Gearbox Fault". The diagnostic shows that the problem in this case is a broken ABS sensor on the rear o/side wheel. I am having it replaced tomorrow and am assured all will be well.......................... I will keep you posted and thanks again for your prepardness to investigate this further with me. Kind Regards Dominic

Hi, Driving from Weymouth to Dotrchester yesterday there appeared to be a "clunk" from the rear underneath of the car. The gearbox refused to change from 6th and the gearstick seemed disconnected to any activity within the box - no effect at all. Can anyone advise me of the cause please? I had a ATF and sump kit done on the box three years ago and 20k miles back. The car currently has 97k and is a 2003 3.0 litre V6 petrol. When i swithc off and restart all is well for about a minute - then the car remains in the gear that it achieved - even when pulling away, in 4th, 5th or 6th not good !! I would be very grateful for the expertise of members on this one, thank you.

Hi Justin, I am only concerned with the fit of the cluster unit compatability - rather than lamp / bulb insertion. Thank you Dominic

Please help if you can........I have a Dec 2003 S - Type and need the n/s head light cluster. Some on ebay list years of fit eg; 2004 - 2007 etc and others show fits all S - Types, presumably this cannot be right.Can anyone tell me what year of light other than the 2003 (if any) will fit please. many thanks Dominic.

My garage tells me that the drivers side camshaft cover is plastic - passenger side is aluminium, It appears to be cracked in two places and leaking oil. The Jag replacment part is £325 inc vat. Is this a known "material combination" on the 2003, 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine? Have other members encountered this problem? Thanks. Dominic

I would be grateful if any members could recommend an insurer / broker who might offer agreed value insurance. Tried Peter best Insurance service last year - sent in photo's as requested, insured car - then discovered that it was not an agreed value arrangement - just ordinary comprehensive insurance. felt conned after sending 6 photo's !!

Hi, I wonder if members can quantify the seriousness of the problem. Obviously the extent of the well known problem will define the cost of likely replacement as will the chosen restorer. I am keen to continue as the car (which I have owned since November 2017) is two owner, otherwise immaculate, as new - (at least topside) and has every conceivable extra a Dec 2003 3.0 litre could have. Seafrost with biege interior and all garaged like new ! The car has been serviced by Jaguar main dealers ever since its build, currently has 79k on the clock and been serviced every 5k. Any, all comfort welcomed - I would like to continue to maintain and keep the car for the long term - 10 yrs plus, there is a lot of sense and experience out there - please share your thoughts......... Regards Dominic

My December 2003 S - Type has a six speed auto box coupled to the V6 3.0 litre engine. The car currently has 78 k miles and i have owned her since December 2017, at which point she had 61 k miles. At what mileage should i change the ATF auto fluid in the gearbox? i have heard rumour that it is a "sealed for life" unit, which is concerning - as it surely under goes wear through heat in long term operation. Any advice would be gratefully received. Many thanks, Dominic

Thanks Justin for your recommendation - I appreciate your comments. Others have also said Avon's are not what they perhaps used to be - certainly mine wore unevenly, parished on walls etc. They were 6 yrs old it transpires !! I have gone to Falken Ziex - 914 Ecorun 235 / 50 R17 - a complete set all done at £439.44 (Black Circles). Terrific write up, excellent reviews. I'm delighted with them - seem quieter and excellent in the wet. Thanks again, Dominic

Hi Richard, Okay great - I will have a look for these particular Pirelli's, your recommendation is very much appreciated as tyres can make a world of difference, as you know !! Thanks again, Kind Regards Dominic

I have a (Dec) 2003, S-Type 3.0 litre SE, currently on Avon 235 / 50 ZR 17 96 Y tyres. They still have plenty of tread although the last MOT in October "suggested" - (Advisory) that they needed replacement due to uneven wear (potholes / road conditions) and side wall perishing. i am trying to find a low noise, fuel efficient, effective wet grip / braking tyre (aren't we all ?) that will not break my slender purse. I have read good (Jaguar owner) reviews and located at a reasonable price (£109 - Black Circles) a tyre that comes pretty close, it is; Falken ZE 914. I would be very grateful to hear of what fellow members prefer or think of this particular choice, thank you. Dominic

Gentlemen thank you. I have replied in full to the notification on my email - I trust you have or can see that. Thank you all again, much appreciated. Dominic.

The shaped plate looks a bit over the top - almost an omelette !! However it does cover the fixings on the boot area. Anyway, I've gone for this shape apprehensively - what do other members think? Not of my choice (!!) but of the plate size and shape. The later S - Type plate is better, but not conducive to the 2003 boot / plate shape.