Greetings Jaguarians,

I'm about to buy my first Jag, a 2004 S-Type 2.5L, I read somewhere on the eBay buying guide that newer models (2004 and over) have most of the pre-2004 models issues fixed.


so here are the pics of the one I'm trying to get.. is it the one they are talking about in the eBay guide? is it less prone to danger than the 2003 model, or is the 2005 model the revised model?


eBay snippet: http://imgur.com/seUXxH5

The car in question: http://imgur.com/a/Zmnhu

 

Ignore the not-very-knowledgeable ebay thing.

Major fixes came in 2002.5 and the 2.5 was not made till then.

Body panel tweaks came much later, some prefer them others don't.

 

So you think the car in the pics has the major revisions in question?

 

As JagV8 said there was big changes for what is known as the Facelift versions.

Yes there were some more things fixed/changed with the later 2005 and up S Types but the 2004 has most of the major improvements. The 6 speed transmission, Much improved front suspension and and a more pleasing and modern interior.
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a follow up...

how many miles per gallon does it go? (2004, 2.5L)

 

Well that always depends on you!!

My STR is fond of gasoline.
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Models from october 2004 are revised ones. They have a little bit different shape, mostly at the rear. Also some issues were adressed so it is basically a very nice vehicle.

 

@nikolai do models after October have serious reliability (mechanical) improvements over pre-october 2004 , or is it just cosmetics?
Can you tell (from the pictures) if it is made after that date?

Kindest regards.

 

It's quite early - chrome strip on rear.

Fairly poor spec - small wheels, no touch screen sat nave, etc.

There are many thousands of images on the net you can compare against.

 

+1 good advice from [JagV8] to which we might add . . .

It's a pity that of all the nice pics, there is not one from outside of the lower corner w/screen area because there (and the pillar label) you will find the VIN.

• With that number, you can decode all the information it contains by referencing the JTIS resouces in the FAQ & Downloads section of the S-Type Stickies here;
• Also, by providing that number to your local Jaguar agent, you should be able to access the factory print-out of full specs of the specific vehicle "as shipped from factory";
• Note that the latter will not reflect any additions or modifications done after shipping - these being more reliably identified by any vehicle service reports/invoices/receipts etc that collectively are referred to as your vehicle's ownership, service and maintenance "history" - or lack thereof.

Hope this helps Tarik, and best wishes,

Ken

 

Thanks all for your time trying to help me out.

I really don't care about the looks or the sat nav or other additions, after all its still a Jag, what I really care about is mechanical reliability, and I don't really know if this one is the one with 'mechanical' issues fixed, or is it more prone to danger than newer models.


The reason I'm asking about this car specifically is because I'm from Jordan (a country in the middle east) and these S Type models are quite rare and I cant find any one else on sale.

 

Tarik, I suggest we put this whole concern into context. No motor vehicle, especially one of complex mechanical and electronic technology is going to come with cast-iron guarantee of future reliability - let alone one with an unknown 10year life prior to its current presentation for sale - hence my point about service history. Most of the changes effected at 2002.5, then again from 2005, were more cosmetic than critical - although there were many mechanical and electronic improvements brought into the earlier upgrade which, as pointed out, this vehicle has. The later electronic upgrades, irrespective of features fitted, this car will not have.

Words such as "danger" in regard to mechanicals evoke emotive worries that are beyond any logical basis. I say this while trying to be sensitive to different interpretations that arise from different language and idiom. As far as I am aware, from reading TSBs stretching back to 1999, there were no "dangerous" issues generally reported, and no factory recall. The sole issue that has been revealed as a major design flaw, was the use of plastic timing chain tensioners in early V8 engines. This is of no concern to you.

I can only speak for myself when I say that I noted your location in Jordan. Your isolation and the relative rarity of Jaguar vehicles and support is not unique, as many of our members throughout the Indian, African and Asian regions will confirm. I too live 500Km from anyone with specific Jaguar trained skills with these machines, but I know of and have driven several impeccable S-Types far earlier than this 2004 model. I also know of an even later example than mine, that I would never touch because of the "wait until something breaks" attitude of the "from new" owner. Is it any surprise that they are now breaking fairly often?

Ultimately, it's your judgement, and your decision,

Ken

 

Not quite true.

For clarity, there are three 'generations' of modern S-types.

-1999-2002

-2005.5-2004

-2005 to end of production.


NONE of these cars were 'dangerous' or had 'safety' concerns. The various mechanical and reliability issues of the 1999-2002 cars were taken care of, along with a major interior upgrade, with the introduction of the 2002.5-2004 version.

In 2005, an external 'face lift' was given to the car with very minor mechanical and interior changes.

The car in your pictures appears to be from the 2002.5- 2004 generation.

 

Alright Ken, that was very helpful of you.

Thanks guys! will keep you posted.

 

I would say that if you cannot DIY then no rare, originally expensive, car is for you. You're likely to have to take it to people who also do not know the car and while some mechanics are good many just think they are.

Your questions suggest to me that you can't DIY and probably can't risk large costs from dubious mechanics.

In case I've got the wrong impressions then your next step is to read a lot of threads and see which of the common issues you could DIY. Only some will likely occur but it's not likely to be none of them.

There's not much difference in terms of numbers of issues between the early or later 3.0 cars (the 2.5 is roughly the same car). Yes the later cars got some improvements but mostly the number of potential issues didn't change much.

Every car I've ever met has issues, and so does the S-Type. I'd say S-Types have very few serious ones but if you can't DIY then expect pain and expense.