S type R

[AWRacing]

Hi guys,

I'm umming and arring over what car to go for when I swap to car allowance in 8months (I know it a fair way off but I like to plan ahead). Anyway I've been thinking about a few cars but each time I come back to an S type R purely for the giggles of 400bhp. At the same time I can't help but think it'd be expensive on parts (ignoring fuel usage), so with that in mind does anyone have any do's and don'ts regarding buying one and what to look out for?

Just for reference the other cars I'm thinking about are the Citroen C6 or possibly a Zoe (which would be purely for commuting and the complete opposite of the Jag)

Adam

[LFB531]

Try one and you'll be hooked!

I've got a 2004 STR. It's only let me down once with a failed top hose, servicing has not been scary, it'll chew tyres if you get heavy handed of course and I'm sure a bad one like any car could be a fiscal nightmare. Suspension can be a bit clonky when tired and gearboxes although sealed for life respond well to a fluid change somewhere around the 80k mark. They hate rubbish batteries and the electrics will throw a wobbly if you ignore that advice!

Super smooth cruiser, mine has often turned in a genuine 30mpg on an autoroute run but that's not really the point is it? What you're buying it for is that bonkers amount of go available all the time and a great soundtrack as the blower gets working. Overtaking is a breeze and other drivers seem to like Jags so there's rarely any aggression/envy nonsense when you're hustling past them.

IMHO, for the money they're hard to beat.

[Andy665]

I bought mine late last year - its a great car, very subtle, hugely comfortable but very quick when required.

Plenty of specialists around, mine is going in for a transmission oil change and software upgrade - £360 which is not at all unreasonable - nothing wrong with the box in mine but at just over 80k miles I believe it will be a wise preventative measure

I did have a misfire a few months ago but once hooked up my my diagnostic machine it showed an iffy plug, all 8 changed and now runs perfectly again

[AWRacing]

Thanks guys, is there anything i need to watch out for bar the top hose (??) or is there a useful buyers guide?

I have looked but the one i found seemed to be from an american site.

[Andy665]

Valley pipe in the V is a known weak spot, cheap part nu expensive to replace - from memory its about an £800 job

Rust in the sills is not uncommon, mine are perfect at 13 years old so not a guaranteed problem

[Tame Technician]

Just do it.

A 55 plate car in which ever colour you like is the car to buy. 55 plate means final face lift but £290 tax instead of £505

A later 07 will likely have the nicer looking barcelona wheels if you can live with the higher tax.

pre face lift
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

post face lift
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

with barca's
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...


more info coments here.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=8&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=8&a...

[P700DEE]

Andy665 said:

Valley pipe in the V is a known weak spot, cheap part but expensive to replace - from memory its about an £800 job

Definitely a weak point that needs to be addressed. I have had two go , both at around 100K miles. However £800 sounds a bit steep even at main dealer prices. The pipe is about £90 and the job takes about 2 hours as you need to remove the supercharger. Had my XKR done about 6 years ago for £200 on the drive by a main dealer technician. S Type (normally asperated) was less than that and included collection from Bristol to Penge and a couple of other minor jobs.

[Tame Technician]

Not sure it can really be done in 2hours. I've done a few and always took about that long just to remove the supercharger.

You can get corroided egr nuts which add to the time also. Trying to undo things on 10 year old cars, that don't want to be undone is the worst thing about owning a car of that age.

If I have do mine while it's off I'll change the supercharger pulley, but Ive decided to leave it unless the charger has to come off.

[ftypical]

If the gearbox is the one shared with various German marques, they recommend a fluid change at 40,000 it seems.

[Medic-one]

I bought one in february this year.



I like it, it's comfy, fast and with a custom exhaust the V8 sounds great.

Just done a trip to Europe last month which was around 600 miles, and had an avery of 19.6 MPG. Around town i tend to get around 14-15, and worse i've had (again only around town driving) is about 9.5 MPG.

It took a bit of getting used to driving it, i've got a 4x4 3000GT twin turbo (instant power) and a frontwheel drive 182 clio sport and this is my first rear wheel drive car (and first supercharged one) and it has taken me by suprise a few times, but once you get to know the car it's great fun.

Obviously it's also a big/heavy car so i wouldn't say it's great for hooning, but it works well as an every day car.

[Medic-one]

Tame Technician said:

more info coments here.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=8&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=8&a...

I used those topics as well when looking for one, and had also opened my own which had some anwsers questioned :

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...