Hi, Just trying to learn about Jaguars in general. Always loved the cars and now maybe a new owner?? Family friend has a 2001 S Type V8 with 164,000 miles and is tired of paying someone to work on it. I "enjoy" tinkering as long as I don't have to open the engine or transmission and have been told if I really want to learn how to work on cars, buy a Jag. Drove the car home and discovered it pulls hard to the right from under breaking, has a definite clunk over something like a speed bump and eventually the front started to wander to the point of being scary above about 40 mph. Right front wheel will move about an inch forward/backward when pressed. Has a sunroof that doesn't want to open or close completely. Doesn't seem to blow cool air on the driver or warm air on the passenger, and never really gets hot or cold. Check engine light is on showing a small evaporative system leak. Boot shows as open while closed, looks like part of the switch is missing. Has a receipt listing an oil & filter change, an oil treatment, 2 front struts, 2 rear struts, 2 shock mounts, 2 ball joints, and 2 engine mounts 4 years/14,000 miles ago at a cost of $2400.00. The engine seems to want to play, and the temp gage stayed just a shade over 1/2, even going up a steep grade. Shifts smoothly, but maybe slipping a little at take off. Hard to tell for sure as we live in the foothills and that tends to exaggerate any issues. I decided to pull the front wheels off and look at the control arm bushings for the problem. Found someone had severely overtightened the lug nuts, needed to get a 28" breaker bar to get them off. The passenger strut looks like its done. Also found one of the strut mount studs broken off. Again, looks like it was overtightened. Upper control arm has a lot of play, but looks new. Lower strut seems to give on the front bushing area, but driver side seems similar. Friend is asking for $750.00 for the car and while it seems a mess, I really kind of want it. Wife wants me to show him what I found and offer $500 or less. I need to find out what experienced owners think about it. Frankly, even with the issues, it seems like for a few thousand invested, I might have a fun run around/play car. My main weakness is I tend to choose OEM or better parts. It just pains me to put cheap parts on a car I may be driving at 75 and have my kids as passengers. But it makes repairs kind of expensive. Open to thoughts and suggestions from all. Thanks.

 

Welcome to the Forums.

Quite a list there, and nothing out of the ordinary for any brand of neglected car that is 19 years old.

Most of that is DIY tasks.

Plenty of Info on that in the S Type (X200) Tech Section, with the "stickies" at the top being a good 1st point.

Good luck.

 

Welcome to the forums kennyg,

I also believe in using OE parts. Our forum Sponsors who are aftermarket parts specialists can save you a lot of money there.

Follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ed-v8-x200-15/ to the S-Type forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for information on regular issues. You can also use the US Western Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/us-western-38/ to find other members in your region.

Please add vehicle details to your Signature to help others to give relevant advice. Go to the User CP button on the left of the top menu bar, then Settings & Options under Your Control Panel. Select Edit Signature and enter the details.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Kennyg,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!

 

From one S-type owner to another... Welcome. The S-type forum is populated with a very friendly group and contains a wealth of knowledge.


Frankly, I would keep an eye out for a 2003 (X202) or newer (U.S.) model. Jaguar parts tend to be expensive and the forums are filled with tales of woe written by folks who purchased no-name parts on eBay and have had problems; so, your inclinations are not wrong. The X202 has revised (and improved) engine management systems, a significantly improved 6 speed automatic transmission, improved rear suspension and a vastly improved interior, bringing it into parity with the rest of the Jaguar line (and banishing the "Darth Vader" middle dash section).

The ham handed repairs already completed (and in need of re-doing) together with reduced appeal of the original X200 in the marketplace would motivate me to move on to a different S-type, now that the Jaguar seeds have been planted.

Take a look at this video:


You are in California, so rust-free, clean examples are out there, particularly in Sacramento or the San Francisco Bay area. Take your time and pick a good one.

 

Hello,
I hope it goes well.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Welcome to the forums.