Jaguar S Type R - Proper Owners Review
Discussion
Hello All,
After recently battling a coolant issue on my 2007 S Type R I set upon looking across the internet for owners with similar issues. Having spent several hours clicking about there was a trend to what I was reading, people who were genuine or people who assumed things and spouted garbage. As such I wanted to send out a proper review of the car I've lived with for 2.5 years and 7k miles.
To start off, the car is absolutely amazing. Having owned several performance cars (there's also a Cayenne in the garage at the moment) this is by far and away the best in every sense. The comfort and drive is second to none, as is the build quality - but most of all the 400bhp is stunning. Many cars these days deliver this sort of number, but from the ones I've been in they don't do it in such a dramatic way. The acceleration is nothing short of brutal. I don't 'thrash' my cars but in the time I've owned it little to nothing has every outpaced it and when certain people have tried it's only ended one way.
In terms of running costs, regardless of the miles you do or the way you drive the fuel consumption isn't great, but then again you shouldn't expect it to be considering it's a 4.2 supercharged V8. With a mixture of city and motorway driving with varying levels of enthusiasm I average 17.9. People who state is does 25+ are either nuns or telling porkies.
My car is currently sitting on 95k miles, I bought it at 88k and in that time aside from 2 full services and a set of tyres the only issue I've had was the valley pipe. I got a nice bill for the pleasure but again, for the money the car costs and pleasure it gives it should be considered peanuts. If this type of maintenance is a problem I wouldn't go down the R route.
My car is in Emerald Fire Green and I've had the front and one entire side resprayed to get rid of any imperfections and when it's polished and sun shines it's impossible to think of anything better sub £25k. The next thing will be a full refurb of the alloys to satisfy my obsession but that can wait until the New Year.
I've put some pics below, would be great to get the thoughts of similar R owners.
After recently battling a coolant issue on my 2007 S Type R I set upon looking across the internet for owners with similar issues. Having spent several hours clicking about there was a trend to what I was reading, people who were genuine or people who assumed things and spouted garbage. As such I wanted to send out a proper review of the car I've lived with for 2.5 years and 7k miles.
To start off, the car is absolutely amazing. Having owned several performance cars (there's also a Cayenne in the garage at the moment) this is by far and away the best in every sense. The comfort and drive is second to none, as is the build quality - but most of all the 400bhp is stunning. Many cars these days deliver this sort of number, but from the ones I've been in they don't do it in such a dramatic way. The acceleration is nothing short of brutal. I don't 'thrash' my cars but in the time I've owned it little to nothing has every outpaced it and when certain people have tried it's only ended one way.
In terms of running costs, regardless of the miles you do or the way you drive the fuel consumption isn't great, but then again you shouldn't expect it to be considering it's a 4.2 supercharged V8. With a mixture of city and motorway driving with varying levels of enthusiasm I average 17.9. People who state is does 25+ are either nuns or telling porkies.
My car is currently sitting on 95k miles, I bought it at 88k and in that time aside from 2 full services and a set of tyres the only issue I've had was the valley pipe. I got a nice bill for the pleasure but again, for the money the car costs and pleasure it gives it should be considered peanuts. If this type of maintenance is a problem I wouldn't go down the R route.
My car is in Emerald Fire Green and I've had the front and one entire side resprayed to get rid of any imperfections and when it's polished and sun shines it's impossible to think of anything better sub £25k. The next thing will be a full refurb of the alloys to satisfy my obsession but that can wait until the New Year.
I've put some pics below, would be great to get the thoughts of similar R owners.
I'd agree on the colour, it makes the whole package in my opinion a proper jag - not that I'm biased.
As for the valley, it went to my local motorsport specialist who looks after ferarri's, maserati's etc and has always maintained my cars. I used genuine jag parts and the total bill was just shy of £400. In total it took a few days but I had some other coolant pipes replaced whilst everything was out.
As for the valley, it went to my local motorsport specialist who looks after ferarri's, maserati's etc and has always maintained my cars. I used genuine jag parts and the total bill was just shy of £400. In total it took a few days but I had some other coolant pipes replaced whilst everything was out.
I have several Jags including a 550bhp XFR-S.
My 2007 S-Type R was my first Jag that I bought one year old in 2008. For many years it was my treasured weekend only car so even now has only covered 26,000 miles.
It is wonderful. Completely different to the more modern cars. I just can't bring myself to sell it especially given that it's now worth under £10k.
So, I agree entirely with you. Very unknown and under appreciated lovely car!
My 2007 S-Type R was my first Jag that I bought one year old in 2008. For many years it was my treasured weekend only car so even now has only covered 26,000 miles.
It is wonderful. Completely different to the more modern cars. I just can't bring myself to sell it especially given that it's now worth under £10k.
So, I agree entirely with you. Very unknown and under appreciated lovely car!
Very nice!
I have a X350 Super V8, love the supercharger sound!
Regarding MPG, I have got my average MPG 34mpg on a motorway run & 29 MPG for a trip to and from Santa Pod running the 1/4 mile 6 times. I average low 20s thrashing it around mixed roads locally. I guess the alloy bodywork makes a big difference?
Any plans for performance mods?
I have a X350 Super V8, love the supercharger sound!
Regarding MPG, I have got my average MPG 34mpg on a motorway run & 29 MPG for a trip to and from Santa Pod running the 1/4 mile 6 times. I average low 20s thrashing it around mixed roads locally. I guess the alloy bodywork makes a big difference?
Any plans for performance mods?
I love that and have much respect for it, that's coming from an XFR owner.
Re ride, I find the ride on the XFR on a gentle cruise like a magic carpet, I'm not sure if that's because of the adaptive dampers loosening off or the fact my previous car was an M Sport BMW on Runflats!
It's so much more composed I can't even put it into words,
Re ride, I find the ride on the XFR on a gentle cruise like a magic carpet, I'm not sure if that's because of the adaptive dampers loosening off or the fact my previous car was an M Sport BMW on Runflats!
It's so much more composed I can't even put it into words,
Best car we have owned to date
redstuff pads made brakes far better
caldoofy intake pipe
and new exhaust boxes for sound.
sold on and still miss it,
platinum wheels refurb'd our Barcelonas
only had 27k IIRc when sold.
replaced battery and Handbrake mech
fitted front parking sensors
that was it.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5fpmnch2e9v8r98/2012-05-...
redstuff pads made brakes far better
caldoofy intake pipe
and new exhaust boxes for sound.
sold on and still miss it,
platinum wheels refurb'd our Barcelonas
only had 27k IIRc when sold.
replaced battery and Handbrake mech
fitted front parking sensors
that was it.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5fpmnch2e9v8r98/2012-05-...
Recently sold my S Type R - owned for 2 years, cost peanuts to run and was always a joy to drive. I had the rear silencers removed, the noise was epic under load but no noisier than standard when cruising
Seriously underrated car but values have definitely started to creep up - I know one day I will regret selling mine
Seriously underrated car but values have definitely started to creep up - I know one day I will regret selling mine
Previously owned an S Type R, now own a 4.2 XKR with some tasteful modifications under the bonnet.
S type R was a fantastic way to travel, and i love my XKR ( running approx 450-460bhp and sounding terrific with better back box ) and my next car is going to be either an XFR or XJR.
S type was costly on tyres and fuel (no s
t sherlock) , 18-20 around town, 25 on a long run realistic. Ride/handling balance was good but it was no hot hatch in the bends. Ludicrous amount of smiles to the £.
My XKR is also Emerald Fire Green - and other than a stone through Air con condensor radiator it's been perfect and reliable for 18 months now, it's just tipped over 71k miles on a 07 plate.
S type R was a fantastic way to travel, and i love my XKR ( running approx 450-460bhp and sounding terrific with better back box ) and my next car is going to be either an XFR or XJR.
S type was costly on tyres and fuel (no s
t sherlock) , 18-20 around town, 25 on a long run realistic. Ride/handling balance was good but it was no hot hatch in the bends. Ludicrous amount of smiles to the £.My XKR is also Emerald Fire Green - and other than a stone through Air con condensor radiator it's been perfect and reliable for 18 months now, it's just tipped over 71k miles on a 07 plate.
I've got one as well, a 2006 4.2 supercharged V8.
Bought 1.5 year ago for about £ 7.500, at 60.000 miles.
I haven't done much to it, apart from a different exhaust (and it sounds awesome now, if you've got a V8 and need to hear a V8
), a grille in the front and i've changed the orange reflectors to black so it matches the body colour.
My favourite part is the way it sounds, i always wanted a V8 and it does sound really nice.
I get about 13 - 14 MPG but that's all around town driving, work is only a few miles so i don't really do much motorways or A roads.
Worst MPG i had was on a track day and that was 4.9 MPG
Performance wise it is very fast, but i find, even with good quality tires if the roads aren't nice and dry it loses grip when trying to accelerate fast and can take a good second then before it goes.
I've come from a frontwheel hot hatch (Renaultsport Clio 182) and a 500 BHP twin turbo 3000GT with 4x4 drive so it was a bit getting used to in the beginning, with the Jag being RWD, automatic and heavy, so i found that when for example on roundabouts if i put too much power down the back would come out, which is fine when you're trying that and want it too, but not when you're chatting to the wife with only 1 hand on the wheel...
It's also not a car that i'd take for just a spin along the small country lanes here, that is far more fun in the light and nimble 182, and i am currently looking for a similar type of car for exactly that driving sensation (thinking along the lines of VX220, Elise etc) and i do miss having a manual transmission a little bit.
But for an all-round daily driver it's a great car and probably hard to replace for a similar grin factor.
Bought 1.5 year ago for about £ 7.500, at 60.000 miles.
I haven't done much to it, apart from a different exhaust (and it sounds awesome now, if you've got a V8 and need to hear a V8
), a grille in the front and i've changed the orange reflectors to black so it matches the body colour.My favourite part is the way it sounds, i always wanted a V8 and it does sound really nice.
I get about 13 - 14 MPG but that's all around town driving, work is only a few miles so i don't really do much motorways or A roads.
Worst MPG i had was on a track day and that was 4.9 MPG
Performance wise it is very fast, but i find, even with good quality tires if the roads aren't nice and dry it loses grip when trying to accelerate fast and can take a good second then before it goes.
I've come from a frontwheel hot hatch (Renaultsport Clio 182) and a 500 BHP twin turbo 3000GT with 4x4 drive so it was a bit getting used to in the beginning, with the Jag being RWD, automatic and heavy, so i found that when for example on roundabouts if i put too much power down the back would come out, which is fine when you're trying that and want it too, but not when you're chatting to the wife with only 1 hand on the wheel...
It's also not a car that i'd take for just a spin along the small country lanes here, that is far more fun in the light and nimble 182, and i am currently looking for a similar type of car for exactly that driving sensation (thinking along the lines of VX220, Elise etc) and i do miss having a manual transmission a little bit.
But for an all-round daily driver it's a great car and probably hard to replace for a similar grin factor.
wilwak said:
I have several Jags including a 550bhp XFR-S.
My 2007 S-Type R was my first Jag that I bought one year old in 2008. For many years it was my treasured weekend only car so even now has only covered 26,000 miles.
It is wonderful. Completely different to the more modern cars. I just can't bring myself to sell it especially given that it's now worth under £10k.
So, I agree entirely with you. Very unknown and under appreciated lovely car!
I might have to make you an offer on that S-Type R one day My 2007 S-Type R was my first Jag that I bought one year old in 2008. For many years it was my treasured weekend only car so even now has only covered 26,000 miles.
It is wonderful. Completely different to the more modern cars. I just can't bring myself to sell it especially given that it's now worth under £10k.
So, I agree entirely with you. Very unknown and under appreciated lovely car!
Well I'd rather sell it to someone who would treasure it than it just ending up at an auction somewhere.
It's a keeper for now though..... I enjoy it every time I drive it. All's it's lacking is some of the modern gimmicks. I miss having a USB port to plug a stick in to with all my music.
It does have sat nav and a cd changer so not too bad.
My Jag dealer than services it tells me every time they see it to never sell it. It was one of Jags best cars.
I love the supercharger whine. It's the only car that does it!
It's a keeper for now though..... I enjoy it every time I drive it. All's it's lacking is some of the modern gimmicks. I miss having a USB port to plug a stick in to with all my music.
It does have sat nav and a cd changer so not too bad.
My Jag dealer than services it tells me every time they see it to never sell it. It was one of Jags best cars.
I love the supercharger whine. It's the only car that does it!
Brilliant car. Enjoyed mine for over two years but sill covers concealed many problems and I decided to let her go to another enthusiast with more time.
Only let me down once over my 20,000 miles with a blown top hose. Goodyear F1's and a proper geometry check brought the handling into line although she was never a go-kart.
As a mile muncher, hard to think of anything that competes in budget and as everyone says, the noise from the blower is just great!
As for the mundane audio, the best USB/iPod solution I found was a Parrott 9200 which with the correct loom, was fine with the premium audio/sat nav set up. Sure the audiophiles would hate it but it worked for me.
Treated myself to a 911 which softened the blow but still look back with huge fondness. A top motor and deserves classic status.
Only let me down once over my 20,000 miles with a blown top hose. Goodyear F1's and a proper geometry check brought the handling into line although she was never a go-kart.
As a mile muncher, hard to think of anything that competes in budget and as everyone says, the noise from the blower is just great!
As for the mundane audio, the best USB/iPod solution I found was a Parrott 9200 which with the correct loom, was fine with the premium audio/sat nav set up. Sure the audiophiles would hate it but it worked for me.
Treated myself to a 911 which softened the blow but still look back with huge fondness. A top motor and deserves classic status.
wilwak said:
Well I'd rather sell it to someone who would treasure it than it just ending up at an auction somewhere.
It's a keeper for now though..... I enjoy it every time I drive it. All's it's lacking is some of the modern gimmicks. I miss having a USB port to plug a stick in to with all my music.
It does have sat nav and a cd changer so not too bad.
My Jag dealer than services it tells me every time they see it to never sell it. It was one of Jags best cars.
I love the supercharger whine. It's the only car that does it!
That's the only thing that would stop me getting an STR...I simply must be able use my iPhone to listen to music in my car! When I first started looking into the STR, I saw the double din unit and thought I could swap that out for something more modern, not realising it also controls the heating etc.It's a keeper for now though..... I enjoy it every time I drive it. All's it's lacking is some of the modern gimmicks. I miss having a USB port to plug a stick in to with all my music.
It does have sat nav and a cd changer so not too bad.
My Jag dealer than services it tells me every time they see it to never sell it. It was one of Jags best cars.
I love the supercharger whine. It's the only car that does it!
I've read about the ACM but that don't seem the greatest solution as it doesn't give you full access to your iPod/iPhone, only allowing playlists. Bit of a pain really.
wilwak said:
I love the supercharger whine. It's the only car that does it!
One of the main reasons I bought my XJR-100 was the beautiful supercharger whine at full chat so I think that there are others. The 4L V8 SC engine was noted for it. I drove an '05 4.2L XKR and it was extremely muted by comparison and is inaudible in my XK Dynamic R - I do miss it!Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff