looking at abeauty with 95K on it in super condition . Owned by detail shop owner---------i have had the S-type and liked it---have sold my XJR--did not care for it--------------the cam chain tensioners are no issue on an 03?????-----------what tranny does this car have??? my XJR had the AMG mercedes tranny-----------ANY common issues???????? thanks doug bkrdoug@yahoo.com

 

Get it checked out by a mechanic...Make sure it has ORANGE coolant and not GREEN coolant...If there's a coolant leak locate the source...It could be a cheap $130 fix with a tank replacement or very expensive under the supercharger leak which will most likely set you back $1000...Other thing to listen out for is the "GRUNT GRUNT GRUNT" sound and shutter from the trans when driving between 55MPH-70MPH...It's pretty loud; if it does this you'll know...

 

They have the ZF6HP26 auto box.

I have an 03 STR with ~ 153k on the clock. Have had a handful of various things.

3 complete sets of tires, turned out to be a suspension problem.
Replaced the entire OEM suspension as the struts were leaking, (age, wear).
New plugs NGK Iridiums.

Currently mine is somewhat out of comission as My gear box is acting up, am fairly certain that it's 1 of 5 issues.

1. The torque convertor has given up the ghost (as they have a tendancy to fail in this model year)
2. Low on transmission fluid from possible leaks which I cannot locate.
3. Failed spring in valve body, requires new pan with integrated filter + fluid change.
4. Bizarre as it may sound, the battery while checks out OK could have a bad cell which can cause strange issues in these cars.
5. Gear box is dead.

I would hesitate to believe anyone that says the transmission is sealed for life, I think this is technically incorrect.

Either way, be proud of your purchase, there aren't that many of them in the US something like 1200 or so between 2003-2008. So take care of it, respect it by driving the pants off it, but put it back to bed dry

 

Check to see if it has factory lug nuts and change them immediately. They will break and it can get expensive.

Check the power steering fluid resevior to see if it has a white rectangle sticker on it with a series of numbers. There is a common squeaky steering wheel fix and the sticker means it has been done.

Ask if it ever went into safe mode from water leeking onto throttle body.

Search the f.a.q. For plenty more. It's a solid car but still requires 'luxury' upkeep.

 

03 STR? One thing for sure; a damn fast luxury-sport sleeper! Worth it.

 

My biggest problem is spending lots on gas.

 

I take it the tranny on this model is a ford ??????-----i was hoping the R had the AMG mercedes tranny --------------should say that the owner has been known by me for some time and is quite ****.------suspension just aligned and new tires put on.-------and i dont beleive there is an obvious problem at this time------i am more concerned about issues like cam chain tensioners---A drum issue on tranny on XJ------nicasil engines----plastic water pumps etc, etc------------ALL mechanical things fail!! sometimes,unfortunately, on your car.--------I am looking for an established issues with this car------------thanks doug

 

Doug the gearbox is a ZF6HP26, for the most part bullet proof. They do have a tendency of the rubber sleeve that seals the electrical plug of leaking, not really abig deal if you DIY.

 

Also the 2 bolts that are in the shifter cable plate that attaches to the tranny can come loose and fall out making gear shifts hard. Make sure they are both there and not glued in like mine....

 

Mike. How'd the STR hold up against the Shelby? Please try not to laugh, just answer the question.

 

Shelby is quicker off the line, but the STR can run it down on a highway. The Shelby is a rough ride that punishes you, where as the STR is much more plush

 

To compare with the XJ mechanically (engine/trans-wise) you'd need to compare with the recent XJR. The one with the 4.2 not 4.0, with the ZF box not Ford/Merc/whatever, with CAN bus, advanced 32-bit PCM etc etc. Nikasil is irrelevant on those just as it is with the STR. You're sort of an entire car generation behind (sorry).

For the STR's problems, read back on the forum. I know it's work but that's how you can balance the likelihood of a failure and its severity with your fears. You won't find the things you've mentioned because they are really 4.0 issues of yesteryear. You'll find others - mostly pesky and fairly cheap, with the hose under the SC being the biggest expense (if it occurs).

With an 03 you can reasonably expect to have all manner of suspension parts which need changing just because they're now aged and worn. They're not cheap but you can in places save quite a bit if you read the forum's threads. You'll find other things that people say you should do or have needed to do. The FAQs are a good place to start

You'll also find that electronic (rather than electrical, mainly) issues are now an area you need to consider. True for all modern cars (due to clean air laws etc). The STR isn't any worse - it's quite good - but this is a whole topic I'm guessing you know less than a lot about. Many engine/trans/brakes/lights/aircon/etc problems can be diagnosed using a laptop and in many cases can't otherwise adequately be diagnosed without expensively swapping parts and hoping. (But help on here can save you time and $$$ as others have usually had the problem before you.)

 

THANKS GUYS!!---that really helps------i think JAGV8 is right on----the problems i mentioned are a generation behind------i preciate all your responses---doug

 

Excellent post JagV8.
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I taught you (jagv8) well grasshopper.... Mike, so the STR can run the Shelby down...cool. This a.m. my STR taught a 2010 or 2011? Jag XF who's boss.

 

Just to give you an idea





Sorry to hijack!

 

F&^k-n- nice Shelby Mike! R U rich or just spoiled? I can barely afford a wife, four kids, a house, one dog, a turtle, three Hermit crabs, and three s*&t box cars...and this is on a doctors salary?

 

A wife and 4 kids are your biggest expense right there!

 

Very good info, but just in a case a noob reads this thread...If the car has OEM lugs or doesn't have a white rectangle sticker, while the lugs especially should be addressed after it's purchased, it's not a deal breakers.

OP...Be advised you may need to spend a $1000 after you get it for preventative maintenance (coolant tank, dccv [climate control valve], revised-non-tire-eating alignment, transmission fluid change, lugs, new lug wrench and lock tite those those tranny to shifter bolts...Take into consideration that you may need new tires, brakes or an air filter. Then further down the line there's the throttle body cleaning, new plugs, new 02 and about $500 in coils.

 

eds1234, 10-4 on that one. If high schools showed movies of the real world of raising a family...that should help? Now back to the crux of the thread.