Am curious as to members thoughts on S-Types with 3.0 vs 4.2. Was looking for a car that had a timing chain & was easy (not too complicated) to maintain & repair. Stumbled across a 2006 S-Type 3.0 from original owner (garaged, etc) 117K on the clock. Bought it especially for the 3.0 Ford Duratec based engine & because of Ford parts interchangeability. I'm in Newport Beach, CA, so just about all cars are really nice & really well maintained.

Have had a MG Midget, B-GT, TR-6, 76 XJ coupe & 87 S3 XJ, so I have a feel for British cars. Bought S-Type because my '01 Acura CL-S had 226K & was heading South. S-Type feels like an older car whereas Acura seemed really modern. But I digress...am interested to hear thoughts on 3.0 vs 4.2.

 

I've had a 2003 S Type with a NA 4.2 engine for 8 years now. I think that the engine is great, very durable, pretty quick, very smooth, about same gas mileage as a V6, hasn't leaked a drop of oil, and is easy to maintain. The NA 4.2 was a $5000 option, I believe. A V8 model might have been hot rodded around and abused a bit more than a V6 too. If you don't care about driving fast and the V6 was maintained and had 100,000 mile service and you like the way it looks, go for it. Original owner cars are getting rare too.

 

I recently bought a 2008 4.2 making me the second owner. About 50k miles on the clock. Car walked through California SMOG, and everything just plain works as it was cared for and properly serviced. On the road mileage is surprisingly good. But honestly, I wasn't looking for a 4.2 vs 3.0. I was looking for a well-cared for, great car. Sounds like you have one too.

 

I have the 3.0 V-6. Performance is more than adequate and I find that on the highway, the car's "happy place" is well in excess of the 80 MPH speed limit here in Montana. Thus, the cruise control gets used, a lot...

The most significant downside of the 3.0 V-6 is that the intake manifold curves over the right hand bank of cylinders, making coil-pack/spark plug replacement a hassle on the back two cylinders.

I have 145K on the clock and the engine burns no oil. My S-type is far more reliable and less expensive to run than the Mercedes E-class cars that preceded it!

 

From what I have read, the V6 is slightly more robust than the V8, although not as powerful.
I chose the V6 and it’s quick enough. I like power, and it has plenty for road use. In the real world you aren’t likely to drive much faster than 140mph.
However, it doesn’t have a V8 burble. Still sounds nice though.
Whichever you choose, get a good one that has been well-maintained and hasn’t been to the moon and back. If you get a V8 make sure it has had the timing chain modification kit fitted.

 

Correct me but didn't all the 4.2L engines have that modification?

 

Yeah. I think you are right. I was thinking of the 4.0 ones. My mind is muddled at the moment with women troubles. I need more sleep, love, and a little less heartache to function nearer 100%.

 

/)
All Jaguar owners have women problems! (That wasn't very woke of me, was it?)

 

Nothing against Honda, but I'd rather be driving and admiring a 2006 S Type than most Honda's. Mind you the TR6 and XJ Coupe are wonderful drives and both beautiful cars.
You won't have a problem with the 3.0 litre S Type, other than making sure you've a good selection of metric tools and spare bolts compared to the other lovely cars in your garage.
Plenty of great advice on here. Make sure you cover off on all the usual requirements for a used S Type.
The 4.2 is just as robust an engine and no timing chain issues.

 

Nothing that a good whiskey wouldn't fix in your part of the woods. Oh, and you've Eurovision this week to look forward to which should cheer you up immensely as well!
If that doesn't work, take a trip to one of the Greek islands!

 

I should be able to help. Let me send you a brief timeline of the life choices I've made. Just do the opposite of everything I've done and you'll be fine.