Supposed to look at a 1 owner 2003 S Type 4.2L with 81K miles this weekend. Seller says it has been meticulously serviced with records to show. Car looks amazing.

I've never owned a Jaguar (have read multitudes of horror stories) so, I'm wondering what I should be looking for outside of the normal stuff on a car.

Any advice would be appreciated

 

One can certainly read 'horror stories' about any marque.

Use the forum search function as this topic has been covered many times.

 

Here are a few that come to mind:
1. Evidence of water intrusion from sunroof drains (if present) in the rear foot-wells; also from tail lamp assemblies, which can be found in the spare tire well under the carpet in the trunk.
2, Make sure the parking aid system's sensors are working; they can be expensive to fix. If you receive a long warning tone when reverse has been engaged, there is an issue with this feature.
3. Check to see of the automatic transmission has been serviced. It should have been serviced at least once by 81K miles. The dealers told owners that the unit is "sealed for life," but this is nonsense.

 

Thank You. I really appreciate this.

 

Are you planning to do the ongoing maintenance and repairs yourself? These vehicles are quite costly to service at the dealership (many Jaguar dealerships no longer have the expertise to work on these older cars). They are somewhat less costly to service at an independent shop that knows and understands Jaguars. If you cannot DIY the majority of your own maintenance and repairs, I advise you not to purchase an S-Type. I owned my 2005 S-Type 3.0 for 9.5 years and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I did 95% of the work myself with the help of this forum and some of the members here....

 

I can do some minor maintenance myself. Oil change, brakes... I also know of 2 independent shops in the area that specialize in Jaguar. Are these any more expensive or difficult to work on than a BMW or Mercedes?

 

The gearbox is an important item to check before buying. A 2003 model should have the ZF 6 speed automatic gearbox. If it hasn't been serviced yet, at 81k miles it needs one. 70k miles gearbox service interval. Last year I paid £400 to an independent to have the service done. Jaguar prices = no chance.
Can save a lot of money doing it yourself.
Gear changes can be clunky or have the ZF lurch.
Some appear to be characteristics of that gearbox but some are due to overdue service or missing software updates. Its a good idea to have the gearbox computer reset so it can learn your driving style.

Using independents the car is no more or less expensive than a BMW independent. I would say my Jaguar has similar running costs as my last car s 2L Ford Mondeo GhiaX. But the Jaguar is vastly more comfortable, it is much more economical on fuel, its more of a drivers car and it handles a lot better.
Ive had several BMWs in the past, the majority were petrol V8s.

I hope that helps.
There is also a ZF gearbox section at the top of the S type section.

 

The electronics canbus system is quite picky about non jaguar new parts. So everything from light bulbs to large electrical components must be Jaguar canbus compatible.

The climate and heating control valve (DCCV valve) you will see quite often on here. They break down almost guaranteed. If it hasn't been replaced yet then do it ASAP.

The expansion/header tanks fail and leak as standard. The tend to go where the smaller hose connects at the top to a plastic spigot on the tank.
There was a problem with supply of OEM expansion/header tanks for the v8, but the consensus across all s types is to use a pattern tank. I paid £35 for a pattern tank last August.

Original keys and fobs are important. Has it got 2?
Very expensive for a new un and like many cars they need to be programmed by a dealer. You can use a chipped cut key to operate the car.

 

Watch out for corrosion on the cills behind the plastic cill covers and the rear wheel arches. Can be expensive to have them replaced or welded.
The rear arches rust due to being a naff Ford design from the Ford ownership years. I've got slight bubbling of paint on both rear arches. But I have a good paint guy nearby and I'm taking mine down to get a quote in the next few weeks.

The 4.2 V8 SE is a cracking motor! 300bhp.
I almost won one on ebay before buying a 2.5 V6.
But I would have had any of the 3 petrol engine options because I don't do much mileage.


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Last fall I bought my first jag. An 03 4.2L S-Type. I've done all the work myself and here is my hot list:
- DCCV valve
- Water leaking around the rear tailights and puddles in trunk
- Battery voltage (these cars are sensitive to low voltage & its a larger than normal battery)
- Front tire wear on the inside edge.(this happens with "proper alignment")
- Tire date code (mine had the original tires!)
- steering wheel squeaking when turning (easy fix)
- Projector headlights that won't aim properly (easy work around)
- Tranny fluid changed ($280 to DIY)
- normal history of fluid changes
- squeaks in suspension (bushings go bad)
- Radiator leaks (seems to be a bit above avg fail rate)
- AC / heater system works in manual mode but not to good in auto mode
- faded headlights (tells you that it was outside for most of its life)

Otherwise just look for normal wear and tear and paint mismatching which is evidence its had body work.

 

I bought mine around 20 months ago, having done a lot of research and taken advice and was lucky enough to get a good one. When I bought it the DCCV was faulty (Seller reduced the price, and it has since been replaced) and there was an advisory on the MOT for NSF wheel bearing (cured with a hub kit). The O2 sensor was also throwing a fault code, and although the seller provided a new one, it didn't solve the problem when fitted so I bought two decent ones from SNG Barratt which did the trick, problem solved. The first MOT under my ownership threw up an advisory on OSF brake hose/pipe corroded, so I replaced both sides for about £40 + fluid. Unfortunately one of the bleed nipples broke off so I purchased a used (tested/guaranteed apparently) caliper from a breaker for £20, no further issues since.The only other problem I had was the wipers became slower and slower until they seized (a common problem with modern cars I was surprised to learn). I bought a used mechanism for £30, overhauled it (cleaned, greased, replaced worn circlips) and fitted it myself, a bit fiddly but do-able. This probably sounds like a lot, but the cost has been minimal and the car has never let me down. In addition I've replaced the battery, the bonnet gas struts and fitted LED lighting.

So for effectively very little money, and minimal depreciation, what do I get? An extremely fast and comfortable car, albeit a little thirsty thanks to the V8 and a heavy right foot (not an issue for me as my employers have a cash for car scheme, the money from which has more than funded repairs and servicing so far plus running costs), frankly the best car I have ever owned in over 50 years, including the previous four which were various Mercedes models. Personally I love the styling, find the performance and handling brilliant and I constantly find myself looking for reasons to drive it, it is such a pleasure. God forbid anything untoward happened to it and it was written off, but if so I would immediately be looking for another!

I trust you will be as lucky as I have been with your purchase and that you enjoy it as much as I do!

 

Thanks all! Will take your advice.

I'm excited to see it and will report back.

 

You are wise to look at the 2003 and up models. The S Type got a LOT of improvements with that update!
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Sounds like a car for someone able to figure with what could cause that and happy to fix it.

You'll find another if that's not you.

 

As long as its a valve cover or oil pan leak.. I'd use that as a negotiation point. If it were a front/rear main seal or head gasket.. I'd pass or maybe offer 50% of retail.

 

 

Yeah, sounds like she's not used to selling a car. And maybe has emotions tied to it as well.

I know where there are 6 old corvettes that are in good shape. The widow won't even entertain selling them!


Also, as previously mentioned... hold out for a 4.2L (03+) as Jaguar upgraded many things. IMO a later yr would be worth the extra cost.