First Jag for me. Researched the cars for awhile all over the interwebs. Lot of the research was done here. Thanks fellas for posting!

After my research I decided I wanted a low miles 2003 and up and in the 4.2 v8 if i could find it. Well I picked it up Friday. It's in great shape and was a 1 owner car. Just needs a little TLC here and there. Minor issues that are easily fixed. For instance the center console has a crack down the side and I have already sourced a replacement from a pull. Mechanically it runs excellent.

Here are some pics. Looking forward to being here. Going to tint the windows ASAP and buff the headlights.

 

Nice color on the car and tinted windows will look nice.
Upgrade the grill will really change the look.

 

Congrats on the new to you S Type. Enjoy the ride.

 

Looks great! I'm also new to the jaguar world but learned quickly that preventive maintenance is key as well as the knowledge found in the "how to" section of this forum. 99% of my questions have already been answered (including my latest post about parking assist.....should follow my own advice). In any case, my 2003 S-type 4.2, just passed 132k. So, enjoy the car....they're great!

 

Congrats, my 03 STR has 71k and running strong. Enjoy your new baby.

 

Sweet, my '08 has 56K so it is great to see a nice looking S-Type with
fewer miles. Should be good for years

Recommend that you replace the original two-piece lug nuts if they are still on the car. Search the list for discussions about those, the chrome cover comes loose and will just spin in the wrench if/when you need to change a flat...
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons

 

Here's my car in Zircon color with tint and rotated. Looks like same color.

 

Congrats!

Enjoy the ride!

 

Congrats ! We share the same beautiful color !

 

Congrats! Best of luck and welcome to our forum. Ignore the post on changing the grill unless you really care that your '03 looks more like an '08. There are more important service items that will need your time, attention and $$.

As Pab suggested, change the lug nuts if not already done. Also, I think the V8 guys will recommend that the plastic timing chain tensioners get your immediate attention too.

And, after dark, check that both headlights point straight ahead. Often, one or both headlights may have broken adjusters that won't be noticeable until you operate the car at night and find that a headlight is pointing straight at the ground in front of the car. There's a terrific post in the forum by Brutal on how to fix this problem inexpensively.

Good luck! Steve

 

^ Thanks fellas. I'm really enjoying this car. Rides so smooth and the power delivery from the v8 is like butter. Not the fastest but it sure does a nice job out on the highway. It was really hard to pass on the STR Lol. Already have one fast car so I wanted this one more for cruising and better MPG. So far it's the perfect fit for my needs.



Thanks for the advice! Yeah I saw the screw and headlight mod during my researching. I think the timing tensioner issue is with the 4.0 v8s right? I think I read that the 4.2 has it fixed as well as a better water pump?

 

I can't answer that question with certainty as I have the 3.0 but I'm sure JagV8 or one of the other V8 guys will chime in with the correct info.

 

The tensioner issue is 4.0 only.

 

Beautiful car, good luck with it! I am the new owner of an '03 S Type too, although mine is a 3.0. Already prepping for some work to do on it. Sway bar links, power steering additive for steering squeak, noisy idler pulley, and all filters and fluids! Bought all the right fasteners for the undertray as well. Its all part of the fun !

 

I have 03 S type r,amazing speed,alpine sound is incredible,mine is identical to yours except black leather int,turk9763 enjoy

 

Thanks for the warm welcome fellas.


Ha. I was looking under mine yesterday and noticed the undertray sagging in the front. Looks like I am missing some fasteners. I plan to put the car up on my ramps soon and see if I have some bolts that fit. I have a whole bin of bolts saved from various cars throughout the years. Usually I can find some that work. Do the OEM bolts just vibrate loose and come out or do oil change techs half *** put them back?

 

Mine haven't vibrated out in 5+ years and 45K miles...

Mine has (I think) 3 bolts (10mm hex head) and 2 screws (posidrive type) at the front. Anything that fits will do of course.

About half way back there are 2 captive bolts (studs) with hex nuts (mine aren't OE) and at the rear are... hmm, not sure but I think 2 more bolts.

Bit hazy on the recall, sorry.

 

I've added what my two use, only sure that the ones I've had to replace aren't original, but no idea otherwise. Screws are sheet-metal-type, maybe a #8? Both cars in excess of 100k mi now, and yes, sometimes you drop one here and there - no exposure to quick-oil-change apes since I obtained 'em - it's a fine line between enough torque to keep them in-place and too much causing the tinnerman to rotate and tear the plastic - either on installation or next un-install. The studs are on little sheet metal brackets that have a locator pin and screw for attaching to the crossmember. That screw is...foggy memory here, but I think an M4 by "short" and think it takes a 6mm hex. They also sometimes come loose or the M4 breaks.

 

^ Thanks for the fastener info fellas.

Yeah this weekend I got under there and took care of it. Also installed a new cabin air filter and did some other small maintenance items. Also removed the hand painted pinstripe....that **** had to go pronto. LOL.

This is my first British engineered car and so far I am impressed. Spent a lot of time under the car and in the engine bay and I can tell it's a solidly designed car. Of course I found some weird stuff that made me chuckle. For instance the lowside AC service port in the driver's side fender well. HAHA!

 

nice score