Hello all!!...
I'm slipping over here from the XK8 section to ask a couple of questions... Do the S-type have the usuall gremlins in the 4.0 engine and the ZF 5HP24 tranny's as the XK8? Or do they have a different tranny. I've been takin' a squint at the "R's" and noticed that some are right reasonable. Or perhaps it's best to go with MY 2003 or newer?
Thanks for the info
Fast Freddie

 

2003 is when the R was first introduced in the US. All R's and 03+ use the ZF 6HP26 trans. If you go pre-03 you will get the Ford trans. 03-04 R's have a little bit different of a body then the 05+. The front and rear bumpers are different and few other differences. The 06+ looks like the 05 with the added chrome trunk trim and the VVT. Not sure what year but 06+ also has a package that would allow you to have chrome trim on an R. A few guys have them so they could post more on what all is involved with that package. 03-05 were the years for the Brembos on the R's. I believe in 03 they went to the 4.2 instead of the 4.0 but not entirely sure as I know more about the R's then the regular S types. From what others say its best to go with an 03+ with any S type as the bugs were starting to go away then. I'm sure more people will post with more info then I have given.

 

Vance got you pointed the right way. If you're thinking of a 4.0 then it would not be an STR. If would be a 2000-2002 car (with Ford 5R55N trans). If you ARE after a 4.0 please say which gremlins so people can comment

 

Ditto to Vance580 and Jagv8. The 4.0 was know to smoke due to poor engineering of the cylinder linings and gremlins of the 5 speed auto. box. Go for an 03-08 STR or XKR. Here the power increase is noticeable. I hope to procure an 05 up XKR when finished paying off the 03 STR.

 

Isn't the 4.0 the one everyone talks about replacing the chain tensioners on??