I've been a Jaguarguy now for some 35 years, have owned many, member on a couple Jaguar forms but im kinda lost here with what Im asking.

I have a very close friend who wants me to find her an S Type. She has driven both my XJ8 and XKR but in reality she needs a small 4 door and not an X type as she doesnt like how they look but she loves S's. She wants something newer so Im thinking 06-08. Good gas mileage so Im figuring a 6 over the 8 but I need some input as to what I should look for. In the XJ8 and XK8 cars I know all the good and bad but know nothing about the S's except they are great looking IMHO.

So if I could get some pointers I would appreciate it. Again, the body, interior and such I can peg good or bad but I need to know what mechanical glitches to look out for or to check.

Thanks in advance.

 

John, look in the FAQ thread here in the S Type. Loads of useful knowledge, even a "what to look for".

If you or your friend finds one, post up as many pictures on here (S Type) there are many eyes here that will find just about anything wrong.

Good luck to your friend, she will love it!

 

Just a comment about the 6 vs 8. I had an 06 S Type VDP with the 4.2 NA. It got excellent fuel economy. I doubt that the 6 would do significantly better. Before the S, I owned 2 X Types - a 2.5 and a 3.0. Neither delivered the fuel economy of the V8 S Type.

Regards:
Oldengineer
2011 Mercedes Benz GLK350 4Matic
2010 Honda CRV LX
1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Town Sedan

 

Agreed- go for the 4.2

Aside from knowing the accident history of a car, mileage and general condition, there's not many variables to worry about. Extremely reliable cars.

 

The 4.2 can be hard to find so don't rule out the 3.0, though I know which I'd rather drive!

 

I would never put a friend in anything but a V8!

 

Kinda like "friends don't let friends drive V6s"(?) !!!!!!!

 

Im a jaguar tech, dont go for the v6 cause they bring to many problems. A Jaguar owner shouldn't be worried about fuel economy. besides, the 4.2 is the same engine they put on the xks and xjs, so its a proven good engine.

 

Hmm, not sure that I can agree with that, what additional problems do you see with the V6?

 

I think just the part with the "V" and "6".....

Ha - just kidding Norri.

I'd opt for the V8 myself, but the 6 is no slouch.

Refer to the FAQ's for sure, and the idea to post up the exact car under consideration is a good one, someone will usually spot something that is useful for further examination. If we can keep the thread on topic, which is 50/50 at best.

 

Many good points have already been made here, especially Rick's advice regarding reading the FAQ section here in the S-Type forum. There are a number of issues that are common and must be addressed regardless of whether you choose the V6 or V8. But the S-Type remains one of the best bang-for-the-buck rear-wheel-drive sedans on the market today. Stick with the 2003-and-up version to minimize the issues. The newer, the better....

 

Get her an STR and say to heck with the fuel economy! Seriously though if she stays in the 06-08 range it should make her a good car. I would be a little worried getting one with many miles if you could not DIY some things on your own.

 

Sorry Rick...just venting. The V6's are cool too. Muddah? Is that you? Time for my meds? Coming.

 

My 3.0 got 26mpg going to Va and 28mpg on the way back to Md. What you want and expect will dictate what you look for and purchase. The 3.0 V6 will give you a kick in the pants but a 4.0 or 4.2 will do it better. As a side note the 4.2 is from 2003.5 on is preferred by many.

Link http://jagrepair.com/images/AutoRepa...sb_09_2009.pdf Engine Data on page 67

 

We all know bigger is better.

But is there any evidence that there is any reliability advantage of the 4.2 over the 3.0?

 

I have both the 4.0 in my 99XK8 and a 3.0 in my 00S-Type and for the cost of operation both are about the same with the exception of the number of cylinders and the kick in the pants. I am unable to speak for the 4.2 engine but would feel it is about the same as the 4.0.

 

John Fox, you need to trade Tim Tebow and sign Peyton Manning! Back on topic, I agree with a 4.2 or even a STR...

 

I'd like to hear more about this too. First I've heard that there's 'iss-yoos' with the V6.

 

?

 

The 3.0 V6 is a solid, well-proven engine - the most common engine during the S-Type's 1999 to 2008 run (here in the U.S., anyway). The only "issue" it has that the V8 engine does not suffer from are the two substandard IMT O-rings installed at the factory. But that's a $5 fix that you do yourself with the assistance of this forum....

We have the 3.0 in our S-Type and the 4.2 in my wife's XK8. Our 3.0 has been extremely reliable and exceptionally thrifty on gas mileage, and I expect our 4.2 to be just as reliable but not as thrifty. Time will tell....