03 STR that has been great to me, I love this car.

I am approaching 94k on the car I bought it with around 46k about 4 years ago. I do alot of Freeway driving for my job.

I do get a slight learch when the car is warming up at around 2k rmp in the morning. Other than that I have been really happy with it. I did replace the tranny fluid and pan last year, and did a couple other minor things.

I am nearing some more major events and figured I would see what you guys think I should do.

I would assume the timing chain will need replacement soon, and my front breaks are at about 15%.

All 4 corners of my suspension need new shocks (they are a bit softer than they should be)

Should I sell before the 100k mark and buy another STR? or do I do the repairs and hang on?

I have no idea what the Timing chain repair will cost at a local shop, any ideas? I think the suspension work is like 1200 to 1500 total.

Thanks for the advice!
Cheers

 

Only 90k on her clock? I got 125K and she'll still out-muscle many late model metal. Keep car. No need to change timing chain. The low RPM lurch may be due to worn O2 sensors, worn MAF sensor, worn torque converter, worn throttle body, vaccume leak. Check for codes. Replace worn struts with new stock CATS struts or non-CATS Bilstiens.

 

Thanks for the feedback, I guess I just worry about anything major going before I sell it. Is it common for the timing chain to last longer than 120k?

 

Keep it till it stop's running, just live with the suspension till your tires get very choppy to fast.

 

Better the devil you know! Timing Chains? Never heard of them needing replacing. I change the timing chains on my Triumph Stag (70s technology)at every 50k and they are asingle type! We have even run the car at 80-90k with no problems (on the Germand chains).
sounds like you have a good car. Make sure you regularly change the oil.

 

Here's your breakdown...You'll be hard pressed to get $10K for your car...And you do have some fairly expensive fixes coming up...Under the supercharger leak, new coils and plugs...Then like you said, shocks and brakes...In parts alone, you're at around $1600+...You also have lots of labor so you can expect over a $1000...

Another two issues that may come about the DCCV and clogged cats...

 

Though Bacardi suffers from advanced schizophrenia, delusions with narcassistic rage, he doesn't speak with forked tongue. Keep the bitch, pop on non CATS Bilstiens ($110 each), plugs, filters, etc. She'll do her duty if you do your duty to her (Whoa!?).

 

I guess its settled then, I will be keeping her. at what point does selling and replacing with another STR or XJR make sense? 150k? or would you guys just drive it until a catistrophic issue (motor goes or Tranny goes)? I just wonder If I could get 9500 or 9k It might be better to spend 5 or 6 k more on a low miles STR rather than repairing all that needs fixing on the current STR? I guess is a gamble both ways.

 

A 2003 STR with 90k on the clock may sell privately for $11k max, whilst a dealer may allow $8500k towards a trade for a newer lower mileage STR, which will likely sell between $16k and $20k. It's your call. Your cat will likely run beautifully for another 50+k miles, where at that time you can re-power her. This is what I'll likely do for my 125k mile 03 STR in the near future. She burns no oil, has full compression, and will roast-n-toast many a foe. The blower will be rebuilt, ported, and polished this spring. Complimented by a "Chiller Killer". Keep her pal. You have a very beautiful, unique, and fast car for an insane low price.

 

Sounds good.

Thanks guys for all the help. I will hang onto her and enjoy the ride

When the struts wear out to the point that I can't hanlde it anymore, replacing with non CATS Bilstien is the way to go? what drawbacks would doing that have over spending the extra $ for a CATS compatible setup?

 

I have a similar dilemma, 2003 STR 135K, i have done the brakes all round, under charger leak, DCCV, i am gonna change my o2 sensors as i get an occasional error code from cold.

Fitting new smaller pulley and new gator back supercharger belt. I have fitted a modified air intake and heatshield, replaced the rear mufflers already and she pulls harder than ever even with 135K on the clock.

I change my oil and filter every 5K with 0W 30 and there is not a lot can keep up with her this side of a new 50K sports car, love it more than my M3 and my E Class, still have the backwards glance every time i walk away.... ....keep her and enjoy...!

 

Wonderful! Keep her going. With proper oil and filtr changes these motors will run without oil loss and burn for 200K. You UK guys have the advantage of readily available ECU tunes. Have the TCM flashed with that of an XKR TCM file. Supercedes the STR's stock TCM short-shift trans. file.

 

If that can be done, why can't it be done for a USA car?

 

Looks like someone just volunteered to move from the U.K. to the U.S. for the sole purpose to tune Jags...

 

LOL!

However, I meant it just as posed. If it works / can be done, I don't see why it would only apply to the UK.

(I can imagine IDS might not be especially keen to do it, but if that's true it's going to be the case worldwide. Some renaming of files will likely bypass it, if that's even needed.)

 

Ooh Ooh, back in the room do tell more, more detail please..?

 

Tough to find U.S. shops who have the software to dyno tune the STR, whilst most UK shops have the software and experience with this car. One of our members recently had Jaguar load his STR's TCM with that of an XKR. It now shifts higher up the scale. I'll find it and pass it on. His cat now also turns a Quafe LSD....

 

Someone like Bob (motorcarman) can likely do it if that's all that's needed. Programming a file into a module is commonplace for any jag tech. But Bob knows quite a bit about the computers, too. Whether it's wise to stick the wrong file in..... well, it sounds risky!

edit: you have a rather rosy view of shops here - almost none can tune the S-Type (if you don't count the diesel, which uses a different make of PCM). Really - they can't do tuning