S Type 4.0 / 4.2
Discussion
Hi, I am finding myself drawn to an S Type 4.0 or 4.2. The power / £ is pretty attractive.
The biggest worry I have is whether they are a bit rotty. I've read that the sills are known to go. Are the S Types particularly bad for rust, or is it a reasonably safe purchase?
All experience welcome, thanks.
The biggest worry I have is whether they are a bit rotty. I've read that the sills are known to go. Are the S Types particularly bad for rust, or is it a reasonably safe purchase?
All experience welcome, thanks.
They don't seem any better or worse than other cars of their vintage.
I helped a mate change some brake lines on his old S-Type, a 2000 3.0. Other than a little surface rust around some of the jacking points, it was fine. Depends what life the car has had I guess.
If you can, try and up the budget for a low miles 4.2, they really are decent cars and the engines are strong. Make sure the gearbox changes smoothly and there's no untoward noises or hesitancy.
We had a late (2007) 4.2 for three years and 30k miles and it never put a foot wrong.
HTH
I helped a mate change some brake lines on his old S-Type, a 2000 3.0. Other than a little surface rust around some of the jacking points, it was fine. Depends what life the car has had I guess.
If you can, try and up the budget for a low miles 4.2, they really are decent cars and the engines are strong. Make sure the gearbox changes smoothly and there's no untoward noises or hesitancy.
We had a late (2007) 4.2 for three years and 30k miles and it never put a foot wrong.
HTH
I had a 4.0 for 3 1/2 years (78,000 miles) followed by a 4.2 (130,000 miles) for 10 years. Both were extremely low mileage demonstrators bought from nearest JMD when I paid cash for them. Both good cars but absolutely the 4.2 is far better: it has a much nicer interior, better suspension and a much more effective 6 speed gearbox. Also 4.2 has the latest tensioners etc.which need replacing on the 4.0 before 100,000 miles, cost around £1200.
These are heavy cars so brakes, suspension parts etc are really consumables.
Never had any engine problems with either car.
The 4.2 had 3 gearbox changes all under warranty, no quibble. The key to the gearbox is regular oil changes: disregard the sealed for life build, it doesn't work.
Followed these cars with an XF 5.0 V8 n/a. Really lovely car but missed the Jaguar ride quality which is the biggest problem with all later Jaguars in my experience.
R.
These are heavy cars so brakes, suspension parts etc are really consumables.
Never had any engine problems with either car.
The 4.2 had 3 gearbox changes all under warranty, no quibble. The key to the gearbox is regular oil changes: disregard the sealed for life build, it doesn't work.
Followed these cars with an XF 5.0 V8 n/a. Really lovely car but missed the Jaguar ride quality which is the biggest problem with all later Jaguars in my experience.
R.
I've had two, a n/a 4.2 of 2002 vintage and a STR from 2004.
The STR suffered badly on the sills (nicely hidden behind the covers) and the rear subframe mounts.
Without the rot, a fantastic value package in whatever form you look at. Nice STR's are starting to make strong money but a n/a 4.2 is likely to be a proper bargain. Unless you want/need more than 300bhp, that's the one to have.
The STR suffered badly on the sills (nicely hidden behind the covers) and the rear subframe mounts.
Without the rot, a fantastic value package in whatever form you look at. Nice STR's are starting to make strong money but a n/a 4.2 is likely to be a proper bargain. Unless you want/need more than 300bhp, that's the one to have.
Thanks for the replies.
Replacing the sills doesn't sound like the end of the world, but the subframes going South, doesn't sound funny at all. I'm disappointed they seem so badly protected for a premium car to be honest.
Particularly since the engine and mechanicals seem to be really good.
Replacing the sills doesn't sound like the end of the world, but the subframes going South, doesn't sound funny at all. I'm disappointed they seem so badly protected for a premium car to be honest.
Particularly since the engine and mechanicals seem to be really good.
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