I have a 3.0 Jaguar S Series 2005 Jag. I like the car but haven't been able to drive it much since we have been getting so much snow here in Colorado recently.

The other day I was getting gas at Costco. Next to me in line was an S Series Jag, white. And it looked like a new car. So when I got to the pump and the Jag was just in the row next to me
so I engaged the young man driving the Jag about his car. He told me his car was a 2005. He also told me it had 260,000 miles on it. Wow! And, as I mentioned, the car looked like it was new. But I wanted to ask the accumulated wisdom on this forum about these two vehicles. There is a difference. The white Jag at Costco had small channels in the body along the side. That's the best I can. describe it. My car's body is smooth along the side and forward to the headlights. I did a brief search and suspect the car the young man was driving is an R. That's the 8 cylinder engine, right?

 

The front fenders as well as the front and rear doors are the same metal panels in all S-types.
The rear fenders (rear 1/4 panel) and rear panel as well as the hood, trunk and the bumper covers were changed for the 05 model year. These cars were made from January 2004.

My guess would be that the other car was an X-type not and S-type.

Here is a link to a photo of an X-type:





https://ssl.caranddriving.com/cdwebs...aguarxtype.jpg

Mellow

 

Yes, Mellow. I believe that’s the car. I didn’t realize Jaguar made the two models. How do the cars compare?

 

The X-type is based upon the Ford Mondeo. It has the engine mounted across the car. In my opinion they are good cars, but not quite as nice as the S-type to drive.

The S-type still feels like an XJ, only smaller and lighter. The X-type feels like a Ford Mondeo with a slightly nicer interior and better looking body panels. They are sometimes called the poor man's Jag. Some even say they are not a proper Jag at all. Perhaps this is a bit unfair. Jaguar have sold many of these cars and they have proven to be reliable, comfortable transportation at a price your average salesman can afford. The diesel version is also very frugal and has plenty of pep.

Would I have one? Yes, quite gladly.
Would I trade my S-type for one? Probably not.
Would I recommend them? Yes, definitely. Parts are cheap and plentiful and they are a nice practical car to drive.

 

Thanks for the info. I am still a relatively new Jag owner. I walked to breakfast this morning and saw an X type parked in a driveway.

 

So am I. I've lusted after them for years, but only got one recently. I must say, I love my S-type, but I wish they hadn't made so much of it out of plastic. I have found it gets a bit brittle under the bonnet after 22 years.

 

Both cars were beautiful penned by the Director of Design (and his team) at Jaguar, the late Geoff Lawson.
Ian Callum, who took over the role in 1999 handled the x204 and x206 S Type updates as well as the x400 (X Type) update; all very well done.

Fair to say the S Type was a different class of car to the X Type.
Not to take away from the X Type as it was a very successful (and competent) model for Jaguar, aside of the Front Wheel Drive 2.1 V6 which was an embarrassing (and overpriced) slug compared to the lovely 3 litre V6.
Plastic, yes like any modern car but likely future classics.