Nice thread. It reminded me of a customer who had a 05 Black STR with a plate that read "400HPR" He wasn't exactly right, but who the hell cares, it was cool!

 

hahaha
I love it. Ditto for me 03/04 were best. best styling. Brembos look nice. I like the covers in the engine compartment. But why are people discussing colours other than the British Racing Green, Carnival Red or Black , LOL!

 

I guess that since yesterday I just purchased a 2004 STR, a 2004 is the best model year. (LOL) It is in fantastic shape considering its age and has a strong heart. Now I will have something to compare to if I ever finish up my 2000 S-type LS3 swap.

 

Pictures?

 

Awesome Tijoe! Congrat's and welcome to the STR club. Yeah let's see some pics!

Oh as for best model year: All of them. That's my opinion. I like em all.

 

So spoke to a Jaguar Main Dealer today about a 2005 STR I was thinking about buying, this is there thoughts about the 2005 (I don,t agree with this opinion I may add) they said run away leave it alone 2005 not a good year. So why would they have this opinion.
This does not put me off purchasing as most Jag service engineers do not and will not own a Jaguar anyway!

 

No idea. Ignorant, I think. Maybe he likes fog lights, which were deleted from 2005.
Maybe it means he'll sell it cheaper. (As if.)

 

The main dealer was not selling the car I was looking at, but they had serviced the car. The comment he made was general about the Model and the year.

 

I assume you spoke with someone in the service department at Leith Jaguar in Cary. I know those folks quite well. Some of them I respect, some of them I question. Whom did you speak with?

 

No it was not in Cary, it was another state. I cannot say who as I do not want to fall fowl of the Moderators. Leith Cary service our XK and have a different view of the STR but still not 100% praise.

 

I can't imagine why he would single out the 2005, the changes were minimal from the previous years.

 

Maybe he didn't like the Brembo brakes. Or some other oddball thing.

 

Actually in 2005 Jaguar was 3rd from the top in quality, behind Porsche and Cadillac. By that time they had plenty of practice building the S-type. That was one factor why I wanted a 2005 or newer version.

When the XF came out they dropped significantly as most companies do when a new model is introduced.
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The dealer hasn't a clue as to the 2005 S-TYpe R. Let's just chalk up his remark as anomaly of a clueless rip-off dealer.

 

Hi, new to this forum i recently bought a 2003 jaguar S-Type R and wanted to buy a lower mesh grill to go with the top main mesh grill. Was wondering if anyone here knows of a site that sells them.

Thanks in advance.

 

You'll want to contact Mina Gallery.

www.minagallery.com

 

The Mina stuff is about all we have but it's way overpriced. I have the Mina grilles on my 2005 STR and they are not worth $175!!!

Search for my thread on the install. The mesh is of good quality but the installation parts are junk.
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+1. My STR had a mina gallery front grill in the trunk when I bought it. Didn't bother installing it as you have to utilize the stock grill's frame in order to mount it.

Pros - It's quality stainless steel weave very similar to the stock grill, which means it doesn't rust and has a factory appearance.

Cons - It's just a piece of stainless mesh and zip ties. Not quite what some expect, at least at the price of $175.

With that said, I'll sell mine for $60 if anyone is interested.

 

good to know, thanks.

 

The 2009 JD Powers "Most Dependable" catagory had Jaguar and Buick tied for 1st for most reliable. The study was on three year old vehicles which would make them all 2006 models. It was the first time Lexus got booted from the #1 spot. When I was researching my '06 STR I ran across this article J.D. Power and Associates .