Hey guys, have just bought my first Jag. 2003 S type R. 210k in ok shape, needs a couple things. Service history is basically missing up to 140k, brake are new from 150k.

DS window regulator not working, small coolant leak near the DS radiator end tank - any ideas?

Airbag light is on, with passenger in the seat it blinks.

Feels a little floaty, so I am guessing needs shocks.

Rear spoiler is broken, so need one of those.

Is there a modern touch screen upgrade available?

I am aware of the myriad of issues with the transmission, but at this mileage I have to assume the fluid has been changed? Transmission shifts ok I think.

Same with the timing chains, zero noise from them, is it possible they are original?

Familiar with the headlight breakage on the S type, is there a way to prevent?

Also familiar with the console breakage - way to prevent?

Sunvisor fabric is a little loose - what's the best practice on those?

 

These cars are quite reliable if cared for with few different issues to any car of its vintage. Probably also a model with long term 'classic' potential. Even though values don't indicate it as yet, worth investing the dollars, time and effort. A car worth keeping also due to the relatively low production numbers compared to other brands and a lot of other Jaguar models.
All your questions have excellent answers on this forum, a brief reply from my experience below.


"the car brake are new from 150k." - Check the rotor thickness (and pads of course), if 'under' reasonable quality replacements are inexpensive. But look for soft pads and only hand tighten studs, many have had rotor warping issues.

"DS window regulator not working," - Common sliding plastic breakage. Easy enough to change plastic sliders but need to make sure they are exactly the same size as your X202. X204 and X206 the same but earlier X200 I think was different size. Many fleabay sellers are wrong sizes. Make sure sliders and rails are greased regularly.

"small coolant leak near the DS radiator end tank - any ideas?" - Time for new radiator (nothing new there). Requires some patience for the home mechanic. But try not to lose any transmission fluid and make sure all pipes are threaded back carefully. I wouldn't repair old unit.

"Airbag light is on, with passenger in the seat it blinks." - Others may have more experience but sounds like one of the sensors (I think in the roof and roof console)

"Feels a little floaty, so I am guessing needs shocks." - Check for strut leaks. Normally they weep a bit with usually no problems. Likely the upper and probably lower wishbone joints/bushes. If upper wishbones only buy genuine (not from dealers). If lower hydra mount bushes, inserts are usually available.

Rear spoiler is broken, so need one of those.

"Is there a modern touch screen upgrade available?" - No real need unless faulty. It does control many of the cars function so limitations there.

"I am aware of the myriad of issues with the transmission, but at this mileage I have to assume the fluid has been changed? Transmission shifts ok I think." - Transmission also quite robust but probably 'leave and monitor' for now and plan a filter and oil change soon.

"Same with the timing chains, zero noise from them, is it possible they are original?" - Timing chains highly likely original, with none of the previous 4.0 litre V8 engines issues there. The 4.2 V8 was substantially refined an is a very robust design. The supercharged engine pistons are a 'forged aluminium' (instead of the NA V8's cast aluminium) with a two-piece ultra compact oil ring. There's also 4 piston cooling jets injecting oil under each piston. Check carefully for oil leaks around camshaft cover gaskets. A bit of care required to replace.

"Familiar with the headlight breakage on the S type, is there a way to prevent?" - Only way is to pull them apart and lube the gears. Many have replaced the gears. Not a very good design by Hella. Replacement lenses are also impossible to find. I don't like the 'drilling a hole and screw' repair method either - looks cheap and nasty.

"Also familiar with the console breakage - way to prevent?" I think more a problem with the previous X200 but arm rest wire plastic holder does break with rough usage.

"Sunvisor fabric is a little loose - what's the best practice on those?" -Retrim only option as it's the foam backing that deteriorates. Sunvisor mirror doors need really careful handling; break all the time. Roof will eventually come away also; a Ford design.

Big issue to be aware of:
changing the valley hose
AC compressor leaks, needs crucial early intervention
DCCV
Foam around air cabin filter holder needs renewing
Age of battery can present issues

Need to do a search for these.

 

JYA, thanks for the response and hints. I am aware of the DCCV valve, I used to run a side business selling junkyard parts and that was one with a high profit margin. What's the early intervention on the air compressor? AC works fine for now.

I am aware of the valley hose. The one thing the previous owner mentioned was that he thought the older gentleman he got it from had replaced the supercharger - here's hoping they replaced the hose with top quality at that time.

Battery is an Autozone gold but did not spin the engine as fast as I would have expected given the size. When I drove it I noticed the owner did not shut it off and there were jumper cables in the trunk. He said it had been sitting for a while, maybe he was afraid it would not restart due to lack of charge? I will get in to it over the next few days and see.

Luckily when they did the brakes it was rotors and pads, so I think I am good to go there.

 

Can anyone confirm all STR's come with active dampers, I was surprised when I read that was standard because mine feels a little floaty going in to corners at high speed.

 

Also, a little surprised it did not come with factory sat nav, is that normal?

 

Okay I got it up on jack stands and got under it, it has the green front shocks, is that the active dampers? It also has the finned transmission pan, I assume that's normal?

 

the active dampers will have a wire plugged in on the top of each damper. I have active and mine are green too

 

Okay I got under it and I have a small leak coming from what I presume is one of the intercooler hoses right where it comes off of the thermostat housing, the hose routes around the radiator and into the front of the car under the bumper so that's why I think it's an intercooler hose. Hose is a little squishy so I think it probably needs replacing, it just Heather standard hose clamp on it right now but looking online it looks like that should be a quick disconnect hose, is it possible somebody cut the quick disconnect fitting off the end of it? Should I buy the special intercooler hose online or just go to the auto parts store and get standard heater hose?

 

i would get both intercooler hoses that go to the coolers. I did the fix as they blew two times then just replaced both with oem

 

These 2

 

Forgot to welcome you to S-Type/STR ownership, a car that not every second person is driving! Also not a lairy hard riding noisy hoon car like its European opposition. Certainly not as powerful but no ***** either.

All STR's came standard with the computer controlled electronic Bilstein dampers (usually green colour). They are fairly long lived. Normal for them to weep a bit but if leaking a lot maybe time for a change. Have a good look around that area. Still available to buy and same part number I think as the early F Type so may be a cheaper price? Probably more all 4 lower wishbone hydra bushes that will need doing as well as lower front lower control arm bushes - all fairly reasonably priced now. Plus check for movement in all 4 upper wishbone bushes - boots commonly deteriorate but bushes (and ball joint) may still be okay.
Be in your interest to post photos of whatever concerns you as many experts here, and easier for them to quickly diagnose.
Odd that a supercharger would be changed, its a rare failure issue. You may be lucky as it may have actually been the valley hose that was done. Not really a huge issue anyhow; I changed mine fairly easily.
Cam cover gaskets do need to be changed - check closely for leaks but not a big job either.
Leaking AC compressor is a problem, especially for the LHD cars. More time an effort than a big cost but a big cost if you're not doing it yourself! The STR has an additional crossmember so can't just drop compressor like regular V8. Need to raise engine, remove engine mount and on LHD vehicles drop steering column and pull out from behind. Crucial you have a very close look for leaking PAG oil - usually green colour. That would be compressor leaking. If left it will **** itself and infect the whole system..
For the first run STR (X202) sat nav was usually an option in most markets. It was the dearest option on the list here in Australia in 2003, a whopping $6,000 which was a shitload; you could have bought a reasonable second hand car back then for that money! Should have been standard from the onset as the car looks a bit dicky without it but many have come up with a fantastic solution.
Same Transmission is found in BMW, Bentley, Audi, Range Rover and many more. Even a variant in the last locally made Ford Australia Falcon. So easy to get pan/filter, as well as replacement oil now.
Flat battery can do some weird stuff as well.

 

Thanks for the reply. I did take some pics today.

Looks like at least one coil was changed recently.




Little bit of moisture around water pump area - maybe a leak there, but hard to tell.




Small drip on the bellhousing but not a lot of oil.




Bottom front of engine is really wet, will clean it tomorrow and see what comes back, the leaking intercooler hose could have coated everything.

Did not take a photo of the shock tower but I would characterize it as weeping, not blown. Lots of years racing dirt bikes so very familiar with blown shock level of oil.

Did not see any green PAG oil, will check tomorrow to see if the compressor looks new. Strange thing, '03 Disco compressors are damn near bulletproof, wonder why the STR's gave problems..

There is a totaled STR close to me, currently trying to buy the touchscreen off of it, anything else I should buy?

No excessive silicone gasket maker poking out anywhere, valve covers not leaking, tiny bit of cream colored gasket material off one valve cover. I am at least hoping the valley hose was done. I find it strange zero service history up to 150k, car came out Charlotte NC area, was leased for years. No service other than inspections, I am guessing it went only to dealer. Going to call the dealer Monday.

No signs of worn suspension bits but will inspect closer tomorrow, but no unusual noises. Just a little floaty at speed but I am wondering if I am just expecting more BMW like stiff handling.

 

The 'lower front control arm-forward' large bushes are not possible to see if torn unless removed. Same I think with the 'Lower control arm-Lateral' bush. May be reason for float?
These are fairly well planted machines. It's an 1800 kg car so no Mazda Mx5 but they should handle very well. From X202 on the car had quite an extensive suspension update. The lower control arms (or 'A' arms) I mentioned were a new 2 piece forged aluminium design and also new upper A arms, again in forged aluminium. There was also a new stiffer squeeze cast aluminium upright as well ('Swan neck wheel knuckle'). So a classy, premium well engineered set up and most of these new components shared with the newer XK and XJR's.
Tiny bit of cream coloured material is normal if close to where the cam cover meets the timing case cover. Perfect that there's no cam cover leaks - at that mileage, must have been done. Perfect there's no full silicone either. You could be very lucky and valley hose may have been done also.
Definitely lucky totalled one close by to you. I'd be hovering around that car like a hawk!
Warning that you'll need more than just the touch screen, there's a whole myriad of cables and looms required to be removed from that vehicle if you want to update to touch screen. Including the now dated D2B cables.. But despite older tech I would definitely do it. Makes the car look more modern and complete.
Look for the CD stacker, complete premium sound system and rear electronic sunblind as well as rear and front coffee cup holders. Maybe even 'Jaguar Voice' and any other option that car's got. Buy the front headlights as well, mud flaps, R badges, front indicators, heated seat and rain sensor modules (plus stalk), both front window regulators. I could go on. Always handy to have spare suspension pieces as well so that as yours fail you can just easily swap over repaired components. Waste of time buying old used struts.

Its a Visteon brand compressor, found in lots of Fords. Longevity is luck of the draw.
Hard to tell what that oil is on the bell housing, could be engine. Just maintenance.

One thing you're going to need is that convulated engine breather hose. Its pathetically attached with a cable tie! You may need the smaller diameter one as well. Maybe best to buy new if used ones are ****. Need to remove and install them very carefully as plastic would be very brittle by now. Nice to have a spare supercharger also! If it were me I'd be buying the whole bloody car!