August 2015-4











The Jaguar I bought last November just passed the 10,000 mile mark since I've owned it. 44-54,000 miles. I've owned everything from a Corvair to a Maserati, so different cars are fun to try out. Buying the car with low miles would have problems more related to sitting than anything else. Overall, the reconditioning cost was about $2000 including tires. The rear end was rebadged with new chrome. The performance has been very good. Hwy mileage is 23.2-24.3 mpg. Ride is excellent. Handling is very good. Styling is excellent. The testing when the car was made says 151 mph top end and a 9.6 quarter mile. The power is exceptional for a 4 liter engine with no supercharger. Jaguar would be smart to bring this body style back. It is so much more interesting than the new models that look like Kia, Toyota, Ford, etc. Big oval mouth and boilerplate rear décor. I like the car and I think if you get the right one, it is the best used car price for value on the market.

 

Nice

Make sure the cam-chain tensioners have been replaced!
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

I've got that planned for 75,000 miles. The lowest quote here is more than a good used engine ($2700). That included the chains and tensioners.

 

I agree that they would be smart bring the S Type back and that it's far better looking than the new models but for that matter they could start making a modern XKE again..Imagine that... In my opinion the most beautiful car ever made..

Ahh the chains were mentioned.. I've wondered about those...
I don't know if the chains were ever changed in mine and it has 122k mi on it.. The engine runs very smooth and quiet unless I stomp on it when it sounds great..

When they start to go is there any sounds / noise ?

 

The 2.0 chains last ages. So do the 4.0's -- but it needs its tensioners/guides/etc changing.

 

I've looked at the videos, drawings, etc. Is it possible to change the guides, tensioners, etc. by unbolting one and inserting the new one component at a time? It looks like if you do not move that crankshaft or chain gears, it should be fairly simple.

 

>Is it possible to change the guides, tensioners, etc. by...

I know that I started this line of discussion, but...

Can he figure out if they've already been changed? Take a cam-cover off and see if the upper tensioner is orange plastic, perhaps?
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
Current: '08 S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)
Past: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green

 

Is orange the kiss of timing death?

 

Any plastic-bodied one need to be metal.

 

Nice review. My '06 S type since buying it is nearing 2 years without any issues. Have put about 17k miles on it since getting it at 37k miles. I had the brake rotors and pads replaced (at Pepboys mind you) and a couple of oil changes.

I'm sure once I post this something will go awry , but for the price paid I don't understand why these vehicles are not considered a decent used car buy.

 

As a baseline, I've owned 4 "luxury" vehicles at what would be considered "near end of serviceable life." My ST was more an inheritance, even though I paid near retail price...to fund wife's new car purchase. Overall, in the same "class," these have longer lasting interiors, and can be had at lower mileage than the other ones. This is due to former owners balking at high repair costs, and one last straw puts it on the market.

The key is having a reputable shop that knows these cars. Same goes for the other brands, which had the same challenges. The difference is that 13 year old STs don't look 13 years old. The same cannot be said about like year Cadillac or Infinitis - who's styles are clearly obsolete, and paint jobs that haven't held up.

Bottom line: pay attention to posts here, service at a knowledgeable aftermarket shop when needed, and you have a great, sporty luxury vehicle at a bargain!!!!!!