I understand you want the car right but the headlight problem will most likely happen to your replacement light too.

Both of my head lights were perfect but after 3 years both of them broke so I think it's a matter of time before most of the head lights will need the screw fix.

Do it now and use that money for something else.
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I understand your purist pursuit and no one loves their car more than me, I've
had it since it was new. But I got past that pain when I priced it out and realized that even the new ones would fail due to bad engineering on the part of the manufacturer. I even sent a pointed complaint to the manufacturer regarding their "head in the sand" approach to the problem. No answer, of course.
tbird6 has it right also but spend if you must, I fully understand the drive you
have to keep it pure. I wish you the best in that pursuit.

Best Regards,

 

>I got past that pain when I priced it out and realized that even the new ones would fail

Well this a one-time only deal!!

I'll make sure to get the core from the dealer (with both working bulbs, thank you). I will then carefully inspect the construction and will also practice the "screw-fix" to be ready for next time...
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons

 

The deed is done, $1307.78 for the headlamp assembly and $270 labor.

But boy are those lights pretty (but they better be)

I've got a "spare" assembly to practice the screw trick on, though... ;-)
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons

 

Just one bit of additional information. Maybe Trivia?

The STR uses unique HID headlights that have a black plastic surround inside the clear lens.
Standard S Type HID's have a chrome surround.

This made it much more difficult to source a used drivers head light when I hit a deer last year.
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Nice, nice S type you found.

I did the 'screw' fix on one of my headlights and it's like new again and it was not that difficult. They were not the self-leveling ones however. I'm not sure if it works with them or not. Maybe yours has the self leveling headlights.
Best of luck with your new cat! Love these cars.

 

Screw fix works fine for the auto level head lights.
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>Screw fix works fine

Got the old headlamp assembly from the dealer after they installed the new one ($$$...). Unscrewed the access cover behind the main beam and can clearly see the "mounting" plate holding the main and high beam and how it rotates forward and back freely as I tip the assembly back and forth.

Can clearly see how the screw fix can be used to prevent the mounting plate from "falling" forward and leaving the lights pointing downwards.

But, I'm wondering, after installing the screw, what keeps the plate from "bouncing" around? Seems like it should be free to rotate backwards and if so, then you wouldn't you expect it to move when the car hits pot holes, etc.? While that might not have a visual effect on the beam pattern, you'd think that after a while the bulbs would begin to fail because of the impacts they've had to withstand.

Do the people who've done the screw fix find that they have to replace the bulbs in either the main or high beam frequently?
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar

 

Belated welcome to the S-Type forum, Pab! Beautiful car. Wishing you much luck and happiness with it.

 

>Beautiful car. Wishing you much luck and happiness with it.

Thanks, the wife likes it, too... :-)
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar

 

I put a rubber hose behind to hold light up. absorbs any movement. left side still works fine Paul

 

>I put a rubber hose behind to hold light up. absorbs any movement.

Ok, I'll take a look at my old one and check that out.
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar

 

Hi Pab, Welcome to our forum and good luck on your STR. They're great cars with superior performance as I'm sure you will see. Nice looking car BTW. Enjoy!!

 

Hi Jeff, I just picked up my second S-Type, A 2008 Satin Edition with no front fog lights.
Will you please expand on what parts I would need to upgrade to the rare fog lights and is this worth doing..
I'm guessing from any "R" with the round fog lights.
Thanks, jon

 

If it's an STR you can't fit fog lights as they would block the airflow to the (moved) coolers.

 

It doesnt look like an STR. Its a regular S type. I have one out in the yard so I can take a look tomorrow

 

If it is an str it will have the r logo on the body and front seats and of course the supercharger under the hood

 

Doesn't need to have any body markings (e.g. mine hasn't, from factory). Seats could be chosen non-R. Trust the SC under the bonnet (hood).

 

Congrats!! -- stunning automobile. On my bucket list . . . someday I hope