Help me out here... I used to have an s type and there are definitely things that I miss about it. Now that I have an 05 Super8 ( SAJWA82B15TG39292 ) I have gotten really spoiled with some of the extras that do not seem to be on the s type r (str). To save me a bit of time, and the fact that I am a bit overwhelmed with the copious amount of info on the site, Can you tell me what the super8 has that can be put on an STR, without being a seasoned mechanic. Also, what cant be added(without considerable modification)? What isn't possible at all? What is possible, but too crazy expensive? My lady love really is into the extras the S8 has in the back seat.

 

There are only two 'climate' zones on the S-type, that cannot be changed.
The rear connectivity kit has the screens in the back of the headrests and an input for video, audio, an SD drive slot and wireless headphones, but it is independent of the rest of the s-type audio and it will cost you a small fortune, that is if you can find one!

Electric rear screen blinds were a very rare option on the S-type, but these are controlled from the front, not the rear and were only a factory fit, so would take a lot of work to fit them.

What else does your lady like in the S8 that is not in the STR? (Apart from the extra leg room!)

Mellow

 

i have an 06 str and absolutely love it.....the only car i desire more is a super v8 because of the back seat extras, interior and the extra legroom...I am 6ft 5 in....they are hard to find in great condition....i agree with your wife on the extras, but i would not give up my str for the super v8 unless it was red

 

As Mellow has mentioned above, it's pretty much the Rear Connectivity system that's unlinked to the rest of the cars system and that's about it for entertainment in the back.
I managed to install one years ago but I'm never in the back and my kids have their own gadgets.. It was a reasonable option for the time and still fairly relevant. Comes with a remote control as well. Designed for LHD x204 and x206 vehicles but usable on my RHD x202 as long as you remember the driver section on the remote control is where the passenger is LoL.
There was also another system without the remote control and a few other variances, still looks like a good setup as well. And as Mellow said again, if you can find one.
The 'Travel Bag' was offered which is a handy idea. But leaving the car out in the street with the bag visible only invites trouble depending on where you live. Have one of these also.
There was the twin cup holders that popped out of the middle of the rear seat base, I think this was an early option and by about x204 the factory had started to install the cup holders in the rear armrest.
The x202 on (electronic) rear sunblind can be retrofitted but you also need to find the overhead console with the switch in it to operate; Its a whole different rear parcel shelf that incorporates the rear sunblind but it may be possible also to cut and modify the standard parcel shelf to take the blind if you could find just the blind and were keen enough.
There was also a side manual sunblind option as well, which is impossible to find.
A rear parcel shelf with electronic sunblind and two sub woofers was also available; in conjunction with the 'premium audio' sound system.
For the x200, a manual rear sunblind was an option.

So the new S-Type purchaser would have needed to tick a few option boxes. . The same with the x350/358 buyer as well.

 

She really likes the super 8's VDP custom leather seats. aare the 4.2 l engines interchangeable?

 

Yes I think the stripped 4.2l SC engines are the same, at least they have the same part numbers that is providing they are in the same year/vin range. The engines with the variable valve timming are not the same as the ones without.
The STR change was on vin N52048 in the XJ it was H32732, but you will need to check to be sure.
Obvioulsy the 5.0 is different.

Mellow