But it's not what you were dreading!
I found myself in the TSB sticky here: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...lletins-10586/
and happened upon "S303-04V2 - NEW OIL LEVEL GAUGE SPECIFICATION – OIL PAN CAPACITY"
It states in-part: "A new style oil level gauge was introduced (from VIN L37178) to signify the oil fill change to S-Type V6 engines from 5.7 liters to 6.5 liters. The new style oil level gauge can be recognized by a loop handle as opposed to the old T-bar design."

Now...my 03 has the loop design...but the 05 dipstick has had a T-Handle from day 1 of acquisition - sometime in 2009. Have I been under-oiling the 05? Or did Jaguar decide after 5-some-odd years it was safe to return to a T-handle design, with the new length/markings? I know, I know...the smart thing for me would be to pull both and compare side-by-side. Unfortunately, not possible at present due to out-of-state location of the 05.

Just curious if others with 05's (Jon? Rick?) have a T-handle or a loop?
FWIW, When I execute an oil and filter change, I put in 6 qts, light the mill, check for leaks, then shutdown and adjust level to the top-of-range after it sits overnight. (5.9L-6.5L = 6.2-6.8 qts, give or take) so I reckon I'm good, but still curious....

 

This is the TSB http://www.jagrepair.com/images/TSB/...20Dipstick.pdf

 

Zane,

My 2005 S-Type 3.0 has the red plastic T-handle style oil dipstick. At every oil & filter change interval (6,000 miles for me) I install the new oil filter then pour exactly 7 quarts of fresh Castrol GTX 5W30 down the hatch and call it a day. After the next drive or two I check the level on the dipstick and it is always right at the top line where it is supposed to be....

 

Yep, Red T-handle is what I've got.

 

Zane, I can even do one better than answering your question. But first, Joyces Jag is on the same lines as Jons '05, 3.0. We have the red T-handle dipstick.

Also at 6,000 miles (Mikey.........don't start, Jon and I have been here a long time and are big boys !), I change the oil (conventional Castrol 5W30) because that's what my 710 fill cap says that Jaguar recommends. I change filter as well. I too, pour exactly 7 quarts down the hatch. Replace 710 cap, close bonnet and live to check a couple days down the line. Presto magico, oil is at the top line as well, another perfect fill. Now if only the ZF was so easy.

Jon, my brother from another mother

Now for the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say. Take a look at the "eight by ten colour glossy photographs with circles"...... in post #4 (by I bet you cannot guess who) from way, way back in 2011:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...e-3-0-a-63902/

And here I thought my memory was supposed to be dwindling... Sometimes I amaze myself at what I have photographed not only on Joyces Jag but also for all the members that have come and gone!

 

Rick, as unbelievable as it is, i must admit it never occurred to me to try the "search" function on this one.

But yes, your pics will allow a direct comparison to the 03 loop version.
FWIW, I'm renewing oil & filter at 7,500 with Rotella T-6 5w-40 syn. I had to commonize across my fleet! With the Exc taking 15 qts @ 5k, and the X300's getting 9+ @ 7,500, both using T-6, it was an easy decision. (and no more 5w-20 for the F-150's, either!)

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...02/#post444665
I rotated this one, but it still came out in portrait





Near's makes no difference: Same same
I may not have been as careful in lining up the tips of the tape and stick, by about 1/16" or so.