Im considering buying a 2016 R.

They seem really good value compared to similar cars and I’ve never had a Jaguar.

I don’t know much about f type reliability but I know Range rovers are a nightmare.

Does the engine have any inherent flaws? I can’t find any horror stories but they are relatively low volume.

 

Yes the AJ133 SC in the F-Type R has a few issues but nothing bad enough and common enough to put you off buying one, see here: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...issues-105493/
The most common potentially expensive issues are plastic coolant system hoses/pipes/tubes cracking/splitting/leaking, worn and hence loose and rattly timing chains, and a worn and hence rattly SC coupler/torsion isolator.
Other less common and/or less serious issues include worn out coolant pump, worn out thermostat, worn and rattly SC belt tensioner, excessive carbon build up on the backs of the inlet valves and inlet tracts (because GDI), leaking fuel injectors and/or fuel injectors stuck in the head, leaking diff pinion seal and auto trans acting up due to worn out fluid. All of these are pretty much high mileage issues that usually don't appear until 80,000 miles plus but they have been known to occur earlier.
Overall the AJ133 is a damn good and reliable engine but one thing that really helps to keep it in good shape is to change the engine oil at least twice as often / half the mileage of the specified service interval of 12 months or 16,000 miles whichever come first. The ZF 8HP70 trans is one of the best ever made and is almost bulletproof but the fluid should still be changed every 60,000 miles or so.

 

Nothing too alarming.

Coming from M cars and a Porsche with bore scoring that makes pleasant reading. Im relatively low mileage and change fluids annually. ZF box is becoming almost universal these days.

Injectors are the one thing that seems to be a common issue. Is it possible to upgrade them?

 

Another thing to help hold off injector issues is to add fuel conditioner 1-3 times a year, and to use brand name gasoline, not Bob's Gas and Croissants" type fuel stops.

 

Good point, I add two different fuel system / injector cleaners alternately every 6 months, Redline SI-1 and BG 44K.
I also use only 98 RON fuel (equivalent to your 93 AKI) which contains extra cleaning agents and additives, mainly because here in South Oz it's only a few cents per litre more than the minimum required 95 RON.

 

I am not aware of any upgraded injectors for the AJ133 but others here may know more.
As noted earlier the best thing you can do for the injectors is to add a bottle of fuel system / injector cleaner to the fuel every few months.

 

Injectors are not a common problem. But the water pump and cooling system are dead common. Focus on if the water pump and the failure prone plastic cooling parts have been replaced. We now have nice lifetime Aluminum cooling tubes so if you do replace them use the better ones.

Can you do the work? If not it will be expensive at the dealer for anything.
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I wouldn’t do the work myself but I never go to main dealers if I’m out of warranty. Last time my pick up went into Volkswagen it come back scratched.

I prefer good independent garages. They take much better care and value your custom.

Thanks for the tip re the coolant system. I’d upgrade that straight away.

Is there any other parts that benefit from a upgrade? I’ve read a few people swap out the pulleys on the SC.

 

Injectors are a "known" problem. I faithly put Redline in 3 x per year and use top tier gas and still had failure at 27000 miles. I believe different bosch injectors were used starting in '16.

 

What about Costco Gas???

 

BG44k is your friend.....

 

just replaced my coolant tubes on a 16 . they had a bad seam as did or range rover cost $1600.00 , it's gone now the jag was under warranty

 

Too bad you did not use the Aluminum version?
We are lucky that the after market has decided to supply these.
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Life is filled with decisions. I went from a '17 Coupe, to ordering a C8 Corvette. Cancelled that to buy a '55 Nash Metro convertible(??), sold that to purchase my now current '20 Convertible. Maybe last buy???

 

Costco has top tier gas and is fine.
Their croissants are better than Bob's, also.