Hello All,

In the few days I have owned this 03 STR, I have found the biggest asset has been the forum. The gift of experience by many has moved this along quickly and help keep the costs under control. With this help this will be a driver for me likley replaceing a SUV and my Lotus.

• Yesterday, fresh front rubber at Firestone ( Primwells for $96.00 + mounting, balance and taxes) $10.00 to rebalance the very new rear Firehawks and check the new acquired alloy wheel, these things,can crack when first put into service. Oil change and some small items.
• Tomorrow the brakes ( rotors and pads will be replaced by a local shop with Wagner OEM that priced at $55.00 for rears, $80.00 for fronts and about $150 for all pads, labor will be $160.00. If the brake fluid looks old, drain and replace
• the same shop will replace the serpintine belt ( $22.00 for belt and $15.00 for labor)
• if there is time a fresh thermostat and spark plugs

Open Issues:

1. Next the current Jaguar brand battery is 4 years old so a fresh battery and ground cable..any suggestions for a practical replacemnt? ( $400 for an Optima is not likley) looking for at least 700 CCA
2. The transmission "lurch"..this may be inherient and no real solution..local Jag expert ( former dealer tech) will reflash the tranny ECU and we hope that smooths out the down shift in to first. He quotes $750 to change the fluid and filter.I read the proceedure and it is a pain to do along with what ZF gets fror the fluid. $200 for the pan/filter!!!
3. I need a replacement key and a reprogram/replace the key fob transmitter..probably be forced to see the dealer...frankly they are a snoobish bunch. I arrived in my Lotus and half the sales staff comes out to ask about when I can make an appointment to drive a new XK, but mention some issue with a 03 S type and they act as if I was a poor country cousin.
4. a chipped windshield to be addressed by a local repair
5. a couple of parking lot dings..we will ask the Dent X guy if he can improve these w/o a trip to the paint shop.
6. when is it changed and where is the fuel filter?
7. Next week, I hope to replace the "lowered" springs for stock to improve the ride as an accommodation to the wife.

May I offer the following to any other newbies:
A maintained STR or S that has not been abused or badly molested can be a relatively trouble free and great fun..these are used cars but having owned several british cars, Ford made huge strides in improveing the contemporary Jags. Brakes parts and service can be had from conventional sources ( NAPA, Advanced etc) and the local Firestone or small shop can performe the job for a lot less than the $1100 the dealer needed for just the front.
This is a great car and worth the time to get it up to speed..

 

Let me know what springs were in there and what you plan on doing with them once they are out.

Sounds like a decent plan. Are you sure the pads are that cheap for the brembo calipers? That's a great deal if they are.

I put the biggest Optima Yellow top I could find in my car. Granted I have a ton of aftermarket stereo crap. You can get it for about $260 online. Reg batt (Interstate, and I think Die Hard from sears (rebranded interstate), both made by Johnson Controls are around $140-160.

Thanks,

George

 

The fuel filter is easy on these cars. $10 from Advance and it is located in the driver side wheel well behind the plastic.

 

Vance580 has a video on doing the job. I think he has brake pad replacement videos as well if you want to save the $$ of labor and learn more about your car.

Take care,

George

 

Bosch battery 3 year @ Pepboys $99 in NJ. Check locally.
This is what I used. It works fine.
They have Optima too.

 

My battery has been replaced, but is there a way to tell how old it is? Is there some sort of stamp on there like tires have?

 

You can order the ZF kit here for about $250 shipped. Oil change kit for 6HP26/28/32

I paid my local shop to change it, should be a few hundred less if you can do it this way. My car has all the latest updates and the only lurch I have is a 1-2 lurch under certain acceleration conditions. Otherwise it's smooth as butter. As this car is already 8 years old and paid off I can live with things that I wouldn't on a newer car under warranty.

 

Go to my youtube channel in my sig for the fuel filter and front brakes. Sorry guys Ive been slacking I have a rear brake one too I just dont have it uploaded yet Ill try and get that done this weekend since it will be storming my plans for the whole day are shot.

 

I'm about two months into my first STR, but I lucked out with a 2004 as close to mint as I could imagine (18,000 miles, not a nick, and complete service records), but it's good to know some of the routine wear items can be done outside the dealership.