I am looking into purchasing a 2004 STR and became curios as to what the forum members think is the best Model year S-type Supercharged?

In your opinions, what is the best model year STR and why?

 

In terms of styling, 2003-2004 were the best.

2005 they did the refresh, which added some chrome and incorporated less aggressive front and rear bumpers, but there were other improvements made. I think 2005 could be considered the best year of STR.

2006-2008 similar to 2005, but they got rid of the big brembo's, which to me is one of the major selling features of this car.

For me personally, 2003-2004 STR's are the best.

This thread is very good.

 

2005 of course. the newly updated exterior and address cooling issue of the 03-04 model. The last year of big BREMBO brake kit

 

The 2005 STR had an aluminum hood and Brembos? Does seem like the 2005 was the best of the rest.

 

Which cooling issue?

 

I have a 2005 STR but the differences were pretty small overall. In fact I have a real hard time seeing the body updates on the 2005 unless a 2003/3004 is right next to it.

For me removing the Brembo's was a big step backwards but Jaguar claimed that the 2006-2008 front brakes were better than the Brembo's!
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03/04 (ok I'm biased and have an 03) differences are relatively subtle, only cooling issue I had was some hardening of the old rubber hoses hardly unique to this car. as much as a pain in the rear it has been on a few occasions it would take ALOT for me to part ways

 

Have any of you actually had an 06 sitting next to a Brembo caliper 03-05
The difference in size is almost nothing. The Brembos might be a little prettier but the Jag calipers are also huge, most people who see my Jag and don't no the difference always mention how big the front calipers are. The 06-08 brakes are much simpler and cheaper to work on and the price of pads is lower, no added parking brake caliper to worry about and the added cost of those little pads is crazy.
The 06-08 also had 20 more HP. Most guys will debate that as some Government wizardry but it was added none the less. VVT was also added which might be where the extra horses comes from.

 

I prefer the front fascia and the wheels of the 2005+ models, but like the rear bumper/tail lights of the 03/04's. Did the 2005's have the short shift issue? My 03 definitely does. 2006 and up are out of my price range.

I wouldn't necessarily hunt for a specific year, I think it all depends on whether or not the owner took care of the car and if for whatever reason the car is holding together really well. Best of luck and happy hunting.

 

Another biased review... I did my research here among other sources and chose my 05 for all the previous reasons mentioned. The Brembo brakes are a snap to service, no need to remove the calipers. The only concession would be the 08 models got 19" wheels.

 

They had variable valve timing even in the 03 models (see links to road tests and car reviews below confirming same)....

2003 Jaguar S-type R - Road Test - Car Reviews - Car and Driver

2003 Jaguar S-Type R - Road Test & First Drive - Motor Trend

And in 2005, the SAE Certified Power went into effect which revised the way horsepower output was measured, and according to the below linked Wikipedia article, Cadillac's V8 jumped from 440hp to 469hp under the new test (with no changes to the engine)....

Horsepower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I read on this forum that higher shift points were introduced in 05 or 06, but I have yet to see anything that confirms that. Under sport mode in the 03-04 models (just like 05-08 models), you already get a higher shiftpoint and using J gate you can take it well into the redline. Would anyone have anything that confirms any claims of Jaguar increasing the shift points?

As far as I can tell, the changes throughout its entire glorious reign were cosmetic only.

 

Read the reviews very carefully but armed with the knowledge the 4.2 NA did have VVT yet the STR did not. It really didn't. (Easy to check from JTIS and of course just look at where the wires are on the later STR and the blanks are on the 03-04 STR.) Motor Trend get it wrong

The HP was I believe not changed except due to the SAE change. Had they added 20HP Jaguar would have made it VERY clear and they do not or at least I've not found it even by searching their many brochures.

Some people want front fogs so don't want the 05+ as they were removed.

I think the shift points are in the calibration (software version) but would love true (factual) details, preferably from Jaguar.

Buy whichever you can afford and like - they're great

 

I'm not so sure . I think Motor Trend is a very reputable publication, and I am pretty sure they get their specification information directly from the manufactorer. Besides, variable valve timing is ancient technology, even in 2003. For instance, back when I was younger and a bit more handsome (lol), I used to have a 1993 model year Honda Prelude VTEC. The "VTEC" is an acronym for "Variable valve timing and Lift electronic control."

And one can't help but to ask, why would Jaguar have the non-performance, naturally aspirated variants of the S-Type come with VVT, yet elect to forego having it in their performance oriented S Type R? Would seem odd if they want to compete with the E55, M5, and S6 to give their S Type R the handicap of an inability to change the timing of the intake/valves while under throttle.

 

I actually have one of the cars from the 03-04 years and it does not have VVT.

As I posted, it's easy to check.

Further, the Jaguar Technical Guide for the later years specifically details the changes which added VVT. You can get the various Guides from Jaguar e.g. from TOPIx (I did).

Just look in a few engine bays.

 

Maybe the 2005+ cars were just simply cooler?

 

Wasn't it in 05 that they changed over to the double ribbed belt? I thought that actually created ~10hp due to less belt slippage

 

Hey Tijoe, great thread, nice to have a friendly debate on here from time to time,with no right or wrong answers. All STR's are great.. get one FAST.

My question to you.. What happened to your project of throwing a new Camero engine in a 2000 S Type? You seemed to have thrown tons of money at it and I am hoping that you have not given up. Or is the STR part of the mix now?
You had mentioned suspension and brake upgrades to the old car but are you now going in a different direction.
Let us know.

 

It was to fix a squeal on cold starts. It doesn't create 10HP (as if!!)
See JTB00045v4

 

Ya but I could have sworn I read somewhere that the increased grip actually created a bit more horsepower since it wasn't slipping anymore on the supercharger.

 

Hey John, great points. No VVT until 06 Those car magazines sure can make tons of mistakes and oversites.

I have my 06 factory brochure in hand as I write. No mention of 20 extra HP but they do say 400 HP on the page with the large words EXHILERATION midway through the brochure.

Also instead of saying VVT in the specs section at the back under Stype R they state Variable Cam Phasing. This is also mentioned under all the S type engines. Don't know if this is the same as VVT or some other feature.

Just more mud to muddle things LOL.

As as side note on the Exhileration page the photo of the STR is a indigo blue color and states that is a special order only car.

I have seen an 03-05 STR in my hood in this color and it is spectacular looking color.. maybe because it is so rare?? I keep an eye on that car and if I ever see a for sale sign I might go after it.