F-Type buying advice please

[Adenauer]

Hello Everyone,

I have recently sold my SL350 (R230) Mercedes, as, although it was a very nice car, it was just too lazy for me, at the tender age of 61 I just felt I wasn't old enough for it. It was boring.

A replacement is immanent and I really like the look of the F-Type, my daily is an F-Pace 3.0 S diesel so I am fully aware that some people deem modern Jaguars as unreliable, but I have never had a problem with it and am very happy with it.

I'd like to get myself an F-Type Coupe as I just love the look of it, it doesn't need to be a V8 and the one I have my eye on is a 2017 3.0S with 381PS. Just 30,000km on the clock, full Jaguar dealer service history and two owners.

It would be my fun weekend car, it needs to make a nice noise, go reasonably well, and please my eye.

Anything I should be careful of or look at very closely please?

I am fully aware that people might throw eggs at me.

This is 'the one', possibly.

[Hoofy]

The one thing I remember is that the bonnet slats on the top that look cool are supposed to have a cover underneath that stops rain water getting right onto the engine. These covers can fall off and mean the water runs into the dips where the spark plugs go. The spark plugs rust in place as a result. So you need someone to check that water hasn't accumulated in this area.

I would hit YouTube and search "F-Type buying advice" for various videos. PH do a guide https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/... but I don't think it's comprehensive.

Nice cars and I think the V6 is the sweet spot between performance and value, with a great soundtrack to boot. Kinda like the modern TVR (since TVR aren't selling anything at the mo) - performance at a vaguely affordable price. Also, as an aside, I'm wondering if buying a model without extra slats, wings and spoilers means you have a car that ages well. Having lots of vents/wings/spoilers/slashes is very current.

Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 23 July 09:38

[scz4]

As a current (2021 V8 P450) and previous (2013 V6S) F-Type owner my advice would recommend going for at least a 2015 car if budget permits. The early cars had so many parts superseded over the first couple years of production, especially coolant pipes, supercharger coupler, water pump, sticky steering wheel buttons to name just a few.

My V6S was never unreliable in that it never broke down on me, but did cost a small fortune to maintain and fix. I got fed up with £800 bills every 6 months so sold it.

A good warranty is invaluable\essential.

[Adenauer]

Thanks chaps, the one I'm looking at is 2017, so that's good.

I had read about the bonnet vents and water ingress, seems a bloody awful design fault it that really is the case. I'll keep my eye on it.

What was the 800 quid bill every six months?

[scz4]

Adenauer said:

Thanks chaps, the one I'm looking at is 2017, so that's good.

I had read about the bonnet vents and water ingress, seems a bloody awful design fault it that really is the case. I'll keep my eye on it.

What was the 800 quid bill every six months?

I think it's the injectors that get corroded and when fail are a nightmare to remove.

You should be fine with a 2017 then. Although just check which year it was manufactured as quite a few sat around for a while.

My main issues in 3 years were:

New Supercharger due to rattle (warranty thankfully)
Rear Subframe bushes (clunked badly)
Leaking coolant pipes
Water Pump
Various O2\Lambda sensors
Corroded chassis braces
Replaced two crackling speakers
Squeaking exhaust valves
Failed spring isolator
Sticky centre heating vent (which sorted itself in the end)

I'm sure there was more, that's just off the top of my head. Great car though, don't get me wrong, so much fun! But if you're used to German quality and engineering be prepared!

Remember and factor in annual servicing compared to your Merc which was probably every 2 years.

[Hoofy]

scz4 said:

my advice would recommend going for at least a 2015 car if budget permits.

Interestingly, there's not much difference in the price on AT between the first ones to come out and a 2016/17 model!

[limpsfield]

Hoofy said:

scz4 said:

my advice would recommend going for at least a 2015 car if budget permits.

Interestingly, there's not much difference in the price on AT between the first ones to come out and a 2016/17 model!

They also don’t seem to be shifting that quickly either.

Within the last month I bought a 2013 V6S for what I think was a good price so have been watching AT for a few months. I think there are deals to be done as these cars are hanging around.

As did my 987 Boxster S which took the best part of a year to sell! Despite being one of the cheapest.

Love my Ftype - great noise. Good luck with the search.

[Adenauer]

scz4 said:

I think it's the injectors that get corroded and when fail are a nightmare to remove.

You should be fine with a 2017 then. Although just check which year it was manufactured as quite a few sat around for a while.

My main issues in 3 years were:

New Supercharger due to rattle (warranty thankfully)
Rear Subframe bushes (clunked badly)
Leaking coolant pipes
Water Pump
Various O2\Lambda sensors
Corroded chassis braces
Replaced two crackling speakers
Squeaking exhaust valves
Failed spring isolator
Sticky centre heating vent (which sorted itself in the end)

I'm sure there was more, that's just off the top of my head. Great car though, don't get me wrong, so much fun! But if you're used to German quality and engineering be prepared!

Remember and factor in annual servicing compared to your Merc which was probably every 2 years.

That's quite a list of faults

I'm still getting one though

[Adenauer]

limpsfield said:

They also don’t seem to be shifting that quickly either.

Within the last month I bought a 2013 V6S for what I think was a good price so have been watching AT for a few months. I think there are deals to be done as these cars are hanging around.

As did my 987 Boxster S which took the best part of a year to sell! Despite being one of the cheapest.

Love my Ftype - great noise. Good luck with the search.

Yes, I've been looking for about a month now and all of the ones I've ear marked are still available and haven't changed in price. I plan on buying around the middle of August so will choose my favorite and try a little haggle.

Thanks

[scz4]

Adenauer said:

That's quite a list of faults

I'm still getting one though

Yeah was painful and there was more I've forgotten. To put it into context it had done around 45k miles. However couldn't resist another after a 18 month gap. As I said to a mate, it's a bit like getting back with a crazy ex, you know it's not the right thing to do, probably won't end well, but it's at least fun!!!

New on seems great though, fingers crossed.

Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 23 July 13:09

[limpsfield]

scz4 said:

As I said to a mate, it's a bit like getting back with a crazy ex, you know it's not the right thing to do, probably won't end well, but it's at least fun!!!

Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 23 July 13:09

That’s a great description! The noise - never had a car like it. Lots of drama if you want it and quiet-ish if you don’t.

[Greshamst]

On the flip side of the coin, I’ve had my 2016 V6S since 2018, it’s on 35,000 miles now, and the only cost I’ve had outside of regular servicing has been a faulty wheel sensor which was about £160 to fix. Other than that it’s been great.

It’s a wonderful car, good for touring but also good for getting on the paddles and having fun. Motorway slip roads are brilliant things in it.

I think they’re also a bit of a bargain to pick up now. I do slightly wish I’d got the V8 as it’s just that much nicer sounding, but the V6S gives you a real kick in the back with the supercharger.

[Hoofy]

This video did it for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J1m3oOqtqc

[Adenauer]

Hoofy said:

This video did it for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J1m3oOqtqc

That video, plus the two comments above your post. Okay, close the thread, I'm spent. I have to have one, NOW.

But it'll have to wait until the middle of August. Christ.

[Hoofy]

Adenauer said:

Hoofy said:

This video did it for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J1m3oOqtqc

That video, plus the two comments above your post. Okay, close the thread, I'm spent. I have to have one, NOW.

But it'll have to wait until the middle of August. Christ.

That means 3 weeks of test driving cars and then making an offer.

[Adenauer]

Hoofy said:

That means 3 weeks of test driving cars and then making an offer.

Yeah, that's what a sensible chap would do isn't it?

I, on the other hand, am stupid.

[limpsfield]

This is always a cheerful watch!

[Hoofy]

Adenauer said:

Hoofy said:

That means 3 weeks of test driving cars and then making an offer.

Yeah, that's what a sensible chap would do isn't it?

I, on the other hand, am stupid.

You've just bought two, haven't you.

[Hoofy]

limpsfield said:

This is always a cheerful watch!

Those rear haunches are even more eyecatching with the roof down.

[Adenauer]

Hoofy said:

You've just bought two, haven't you.

Not THAT stupid

Going to see my favorite on Saturday.

Bearing in mind that it's only done 30,000kms, do I need to check that anything like a timing belt has been changed or stuff like that? Or is that no longer a thing these days?