Russ68

Mine is the 2001, 3.0 Sport (petrol) with the rare manual box, so lighter, faster and more economical than the autos, but not to everyone's taste. I can appreciate it would be nice wafting along with an auto box, but on balance I'm very happy to have found a good manual. I looked for nearly a year and then travelled for her and I'm very glad I did . I'd like my next Jag to have a supercharger and can't stop thinking about an XKR X100 coupe! I'd still want to keep the S-Type though even if I was lucky enough to get an XKR. One day soon hopefully now I've learnt I can add the tiptronic steering wheel gear shifters as a retro fit . PS. Apologies that this is a bit off topic, but Amal did ask

Very nice Amal, here's ours next to an original 1967 S-Type and an XJ8 at last year's local Jag show. Looking forward to going again this years show on the 24 July when we'll hopefully have some other work done including fitting the leaper and refurbishing the wheels. I thought I may be at the younger end of ownership, but then I remembered I'm not 25 anymore, I'm actually 48, which put's me about average I think!

Hi Paul, Looks quite smart, thanks for the tip Cheers, Russ

Joe is not completely wrong, but the 240bhp engine in our S-Types never went in any Ford! While it's based on the Ford Duratec, which was developed by Ford and Mazda, with some assistance from Porsche and Cosworth, the Ford unit never got variable valve timing, after which it became a Jaguar AJ-V6, not a Duratec. I understand also that the glorious AJ-V8 engine, as in Joe's STR, was used in other cars including Lincolns and Ford's, more info below and in this link: Ford Motor Company used this small V8 in other products as well, including the Lincoln LS the 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird as well as in several Land Rovers and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. While I'm sticking up for the V6, the STR is the Daddy, and if you can find and afford one, get it

I generally wave / flash other S-Types, I like to see them and it's good to to be noticed in return. Not sure they all realise why I'm doing it, but if I carry on, the local ones may get the message! One of my other cars is an MGF and the F'ers do this quite a lot, I even got a wave from an MGB driver quite recently, which means the F may finally be becoming a proper MG (only took 20 years!). Not sure I'd wave or flash all Jags though, while I admire nearly all Jags, I think the camaraderie is model specific...

For a supercharger you're looking at the R, which is a 4.2 V8, a seriously awesome piece of kit with fuel bills to match. The diesels are twin turbo and can be remapped to have power around that of the 3.0 petrol (or more than the 2.5). I went for a 3.0 Sport on a manual box and it's awesome, surprisingly quick and sharp handling, but most have auto boxes so are more relaxing but also, slower and less economical than the equivalent manual. Cheers, Russ

Ha ha, up yours Mercedes !!!

You could just fit new rubber blades to the existing wipers...

50 miles on my 2001...

The manual is a fair bit more efficient then, c26mpg overall for the 5K I've had her for, but closer to 29mpg on a recent 450 mile round trip to Devon. At steady speeds on a motorway it can be 30+, but I generally prefer speed over efficiency, especially in the Jag Interesting what Steve says about mileage on the R, I did have a real hankering for one of these, but think I would find this consumption off putting. So I think I'll stick to my 3.0 Sport and wait until I can afford an XKR with sequential shifting. This may take awhile and I'm keeping my S-Type in any case

I own a laser cutting company and could cut some in clear / silver mirrored acrylic or similar. It seems easy enough to pull the orange reflective bit off the base which could be retained for the clips etc. The advantage of the mirror is that you won't see any adhesive used as you would through the clear, although I could engrave an opaque finish on the clear to negate this. If I have a chance to play with this I'll post some pictures .

Hey James, I can think of few things better than driving the S-Type to St Emilion and imbibing Bordeaux with fellow enthusiasts (both of Jaguar's and the wine)! I think I'd need to stay nearby or assign a designated driver that wasn't me if we'e doing it properly! Not sure as to our schedules but I suspect it won't be possible, but I'll check it out and let you know if it's doable. Cheers, Russ

Thanks Simon, that's an option! I'll see how the new repeaters look with the orange reflectors and make a call then

I've had the inlet off mine to do this job and there was no water around the plugs. The plugs are well protected and the poor design comment is not valid IMHO.

Yikes, pretty shocking but obviously someone loved it enough to go to the trouble. Each to their own but not to my taste. Weird that someone would spend a lot of money on a job that actually reduced the value of the car...

Hi all, I've bought some clear indicator side repeaters and I wonder if the 4 orange lenses in the sides of the bumpers are available in clear? I've done a reasonably extensive search but so far have drawn a blank. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Russ

Quick update in that the cars handling has been transformed with the combination of the new tyres, brakes and suspension fixes. I've done a 450 mile round trip to north Devon and I'm she's handling like the thoroughbred I always hoped she was 😎. Exploring her new limits on a local B road the other day, I think I susprised the guy in a Subaru WRX when I appeared on his bumper. He couldn't shake me but nor could I pass, so honours even!

Typical £20 at Screwfix but next day delivery, £33 at Halfrauds, but hopefully on the shelf!

Thanks Andy, I'm new to Jags and it seems the caliper is actually threaded, so my usual method of using a G-Clamp to push back won't work! No biggy as the the local Screwfix have the winding back tool, it appears to be a 2 piece with right and left thread, I'll send a mate to go and get one now and I'll be all set. It turned out the disc was corroded onto the hub, but a few sharp taps freed that up. Hoping the other corners will go quicker or I'll be here all day!

I have the pre facelift, manual handbrake if it helps, for interest do I need to remove the big centre hub nut, c34mm to release the disc? My sockets here go to 32mm, but I'm sure I can borrow or buy one. My big adjustable I'd normally use (52mm max) are fouling on the wheel studs so a socket is required if it must come off. I'll look online now so don't stress about searching re nut removal unless you already know

Hi all, I'm very happy to be doing the discs and pads all round on the S-Type today . I've had a quick look and it seems standard / straightforward, it'll be the 1st time I've done them on the S but I've done plenty of others before. Just before I crack on, is there anything I need to be aware of or look out for? Parts from Berkshire Jag arrived on time and in good order as far as I can see. Not the cheapest but best for quality and value IMHO... Cheers, Russ PS. I'm also hoping to fit the bonnet leaper, but I'll research this before posting as it may all be covered

Really interesting, thanks so much for bringing this to my attention, if possible I like the car even more now :)

Hey Andy, Do tell? What did you have in mind? Although this would've been one of many factories building Spits, the main one Supermarine factory being in Woolston, on Southampton Water pretty close to me. I fancy building a scaled down 2 seater Spit, possibly using a Jag engine, but this pipe dream is some way into the future, depending on many things, not least funds and the fact I have no pilots license! Cheers, Russ

Yup, and I'm not the only person that reviewed them well http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Winrun/R330.htm

Just a quick update as I know Paul (Raistlin) was interested and I saw a post about recommended tyres come back up, I had the chance to do a bit of enthusiastic country lane driving this morning and the grip and balance of the Winruns is amazing, really confidence inspiring. That said I only have the motley selection that were on there before, but currently I cannot praise the R330's enough, as did the others who put them top of a recent review poll. You can pay 2 or 3 times as much as the £216 I paid all in for all 4, but I don't see why you would...