I would recommend the latest model year you can afford. Finding a V8 might be a bit of a challenge since Jaguar made about 75% V6 S-Types, about 20% N/A S-Types and about 5% STRs. The exact percentages may vary since that's just my off my head thought. I had a 2005 V6 S-Type for about five years and was quite happy with it. I went back to my XJ roots and got a 2006 XJ8L though

 

Hello all,

Just wanted to chip in, not so much with a personal recommendation, because mine is the 2.7L TTD with monster torque etc but which our OP specifically doesn't want. No; I wanted to comment on the quality of the advice on offer throughout this entire thread. All of you are an absolute credit to Jaguar Forums. Everyone has well held and firmly stated opinions, yet there is tolerance and mutual respect aplenty. I'm blowed if I can find anything to seriously disagree with.

Buy the latest/newest you can afford? Certainly, if you are compelled to have it all, then there is plenty of factory evidence that Jaguar started throwing everything they could at MY 2007/8 S-Types. Sales needed to be boosted, because Castle Bromwich assembly lines were already committed to the XF which started getting to customers in March 2008. So, it's possible that many S-Types plated for 2008 were probably built late 2007. Those coming to Australia by that time were badged here as "Luxury" which seems to equate to UK's "VDP" and were fitted with pretty much anything in the factory parts bins not bolted down.

Forget the on-board phone, and perhaps even early B/T. Some good threads here on fitting the later single module B/T phone package. SatNav here is a winner especially because we get to buy AU/NZ maps disks direct from supplier to Jaguar. The onboard TV is analogue so a dodo here . . . but a project is under way to scrap tuner and use feed in from an auto selected rear camera. More on this in the new year.

Prefer the styling of the early models? The mid life series of "facelift" cars? Or is it the late cars that stir you? Styling aside, there is no doubt that Jaguar improved both the design and engineering as the models evolved. Engines? BIGGEST problem you may face here is that there is no sub 2L 4 cylinder nor a 6L Twin Turbo V12. HUGE oversight . . . DISGRACEFUL (LOL). I gather that the final ST-RR-XXX with the 2stage S/C V24 engine, was a real rocket but drivers objected to sitting in the rear seat (LOL). Seriously, everything else is on offer here.

So; a range of models that collectively, are quite brilliant if not all perfect, and hosted here by a fine bunch of people who are highly knowledgeable, tolerant, and eager to help. When you read the entire thread through again, one piece of sage advice stands out and is to be applauded . . .

I'm sure all of us wish you great success in your search. Don't hesitate to return with any specific questions, and we all look forward to pics.
Best wishes,
Ken