Hello ALL!

I am a brand new STR owner as of about 48 hours ago. 2004, STR, 106k.

I took my new ride to the mechanic and not only got a $4k estiamte to bring my ride up to date/repaired but also a good talking to by the mechanic.

He told me pretty frankly that my STR with 100k doesn't have that much further to go and the $4k was just to get it up to standards and to expect with it's age/mileage that more bills are sure to come and next would more than likely be my transmission within a few years.

The mechanic claimed my STR had high miles and eluded the vehicle would prob. see around 150 - 180k miles before it's done. The car wasn't engineered to go much more. Is this true?

He also said that the trans on the STR can't be rebuilt and a new one would run my about $7k, OUCH!

Is all this true? Is there anyone out there with a higher mileage S Type especially and STR that can tell me other wise? He stated an S Type maybe, but STR not soo much, the heat and power in the engine wouldn't hang in there long term.

When purchasing this vehicle I was expecting if well taken care of to get 200k plus miles on her.

I'm all for investing some money in to a quality vehicle but I def. don't want to inherit a money pit that will die on me in two years.

Right now my estiamte is as follows:

100k service, spark plugs, lube/oil filter, air filter, fulel filter, ac cabin filter replacement, clean throttle body, clean PVC system and safety inspection = $815.00

Replace engine and trans mounts: $970.00

Replace driver air bag clock spring: $450.00

Replace brake booster: $1081.00

Replace engine driver belts: $444.00

Replace lower oil pan gasket:$165.00

Total: $4173.27 = OUCH!

Do these prices seem legit? The mechanic seems honest an upfront but I wouldn't know being a first time Jag owner.

I'd love to hear your feed back, suggestions and thoughts if you would be soo kind. If this is the truth and hurt as it may, so be it, but I'd atleast like to take off my rose colored glasses and brace myself for what's to come.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

 

I'll leave it to the S-Type experts to go into the detail but would ask - does your mechanic:

1. have large alimony payments
2. expectation of college bills to pay

A weekend here spent reading could make you a lot happier and wealthier.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum!

As an owner of one of the most poorly designed S-Types ever (2000-2002 years w/ 4.0 V8 engine) I have over 200K miles on the clock, which proves if you keep up w/ maintenance - you'll do just fine. Your STR is a much better constructed automobile...

I will be the first to say if you take proper care of your STR you can expect to get more miles out of her - 100K miles is not that high now...

As far as those estimates for repairs - that's a crock of s*&t... plainly put... most of those repairs are DIY.

Good luck with your new ride - you'll enjoy it... Keep searching the forum for great DIY tips, etc

 

After trying several mechanics I finally found a good, competent one. If you do not mind driving up 80 miles north from Miami I can suggest Jupiter Performance in Jupiter, Fl (just north of West Palm Beach). They are awesome, honest, and their prices are great. When I used to own a Mercedes, I would use a shop in Delray Beach that I can also vouch for called Eurotech Automotive. They repaired something for less than $1000 that another shop said would have been around $3000 and they did a great job. My parents even used them and liked them but we all use Jupiter Performance now because it's much closer to where we live.

Another place you may want to look at is Jaguar Doctor in Boca Raton. I have never used them so I can not vouch for them but as is obvious from their name, they are Jaguar specialists and are recommended by the South Florida Jaguar Club. I had to replace my motor mounts nt too long ago, I will dig up my receipt and edit this post to tell you how much it was. Your mechanic is ignorant saying Jags are unreliable. That's 80s. I guess Kia's and Hyuandais are still unreliable cars too, and Mercedes are still bullet proof since we are talking with an 80s mentalities here.

 

Thank you, thank you for the great replies. My heart is beating a few less times per minute!

I will def. look in to another more reasonable mechanic and also online for the DIY projects.Would love to hear back from you UnderPressure on the cost of your motor mounts too.

Keep the feed back and suggestions coming, you guys ROCK!

 

First: don't panic. Do: read the forum, a lot

There's a major(ish) service due at 100K - see forum stickies / JTIS for schedule - including spark plugs (which are not cheap but then they do last 100K).

It's now quite a common trans (ZF 6HP26) and can of course be rebuilt if need be but better to do fluid, filter & sleeve change etc - again see forum stickies. Time spent reading = $$$ saved. If you don't DIY it then find a good trans shop or jag indy but for now leave trans alone. (Plan on at least fluid, filter & sleeve change, though.)

Motor mounts: could need changing but get another opinion.

I'd leave TB & PCV alone. Easy to cause problems where none now exist.

Clock spring is DIY - see stickies / use Search.

Brake booster - is it really faulty?

Belts - well, it's done 100K and probably a good idea but they're (only a bit awkward) DIY.

Be honest with yourself, surely you expected some work would be needed on a car at that age & mileage.

Oh, and edit your sig (SRT to STR)

 

KWM, ditto to all above. Your cat is likely in better shape than the mechanic wishes to admit. Though I'm not a betting man, I bet she only needs basic maintenance. Now...why did you feel she needed to see the mechanic?

 

Thanks again for the help, you're putting me more and more at ease with every post.

I brought her to the mechanic because A: I have no history report for her and have no idea what she needs. B: My air bag light blinks on and off at times and a DSC not available light has now come on C: At first start up in the morning when I put her in to reverse I hear a loud rapid clicking when not moving (mehcinc claims engine/trans mounts), D: She has 100k and I wanted to get her serviced.

She has no really issues for the most part. No lurch or trans issues, a knock here and there from the suspension I was told it was the fluid filled suspension going bad and would need to be replaced to get rid of the knock when going over bumps etc. but that's it. She drives like a dream for the most part.

I believe my next plan of action is to try and get some estimates for the 100k servicing and engine mounts to see if I can come up with better pricing.

JagV8: What's the priority level on the trans fluid, filter & sleeve change?
Also, the mechanic wants to change my brake booster because he says it's part of the issue with my DSC not being available. He said some type of sensor was bad and both sensors were not available independently only one and I would have to replace the entire brake booster to fix the issue. True/Flase?

This weekend is my first Saturday off and I'll finally be able to give her a good scrub down, wax and detail. I'll dig a little deeper to find out what else she might need and what I'll be able to do myself when it comes to the DIY projects.

Thanks again everyone, I love hearing your feed back!

 

I wouldn't rush to do the trans. It hasn't broken yet so why should it any time soon. But, fluid is only good for a while and it's had quite a while. So, do it when you get a chance just not urgently.

This may not be the cause, but many DSC faults (& other faults) are falsely flagged due to a failing battery - so it's worth checking its age and condition / replacing. You'll find weird faults all over the forum due to batteries that start the car but actually are on their way out. The computers (in the 10-20 modules) do not like that situation.

He'd need a specialist jag tool to read the DSC codes. Was it a jag dealer or the like because hardly anyone else has the tool.

 

StypeR305, do not despair. Instead, be excited about the future. There is a ton of info on this forum to help you bring your STR up to scratch.

For a start, read this: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...t-forum-69737/

My DIY abilities are kinda limited, but by reading everything about STRs on the forum, I appear to be a knowledgeable owner in the eyes of the local Jag dealer and also my indie (independent mechanic).

Finally, those prices are high! Maybe the guy really does have an alimony problem.

 

"Mechanic has an alimony problem"? LOL!

 

I will say it again. The STR was an expensive car to purchase new and it is expensive to maintain. It gets no cheaper as the car ages.

The only way to make it work is to DIY. So I would think for a minute how good your skills are. It certainly the most complicated car I have ever worked on but in the end it still has 4 wheels and all the standard engine, transmission, suspension and brakes stuff like any other car!

Also get the JTIS and the JEPC for free on this site. These are the factory parts catalog and service manual. You will want and need both of these. Look at the sticky topics at the top of the list on how to do it.
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I didn't make it up!

 

Hello ALL! Thanks again for all the replies. The mechanic is not a dealer but specializes in Jag's and Range Rovers. he has a ford tool to read the codes and program keys, but he told me he calls it like he see's it. I will def. have to become more of a DIY-fer going forward, at least for the basic parts.

I will keep you posted on my progress!

Best,

KWM

 

Go to an auto parts store and get a hygrometer. That will test each battery cell, I'm bettin one or more are weak. If so, you should replace the battery since it's already been stated that these cars are sensitive to the condition of the battery. Lot's of gremlins are fixed by a new battery.

 

KWM, though the mechanic may profess he's a "good guy" by "Calling it as he sees them", doesn't mean he means it nor is capable to do so. It's ultimately up to you to learn from us and other reliable and proven resources to "Call it as you see them". Feed us as much objective information possible, then "we all" will be able to work together to resolve mechanical and electrical issues as efficiently and economically as possible. So far, from the information garnered, I've recieved the sense your STR is halfway to good health. Hopefully, not too far off "Good health".

 

KWM

By taking the advice offered and the information stored in this forum, I have just completed about UK £2,400 (approx US$4,000) worth of work on my recently acquired STR with a total expenditure of about £300, my time and some tools.

The advice I have taken came from the same good people who are commenting on your thread - you are in good safe hands.

Good luck with your purchase - the effort of repair is well worth the trouble: While I was repairing my STR I drove an Audi TT which is one of the quickest vehicles on the road. Taking the Jag for a test-drive made me realise instantly that it is in another power category altogether, and luxurious too. Do your repairs carefully and well, use the opportunity to learn your vehicle so you feel confident in your own knowledge, and enjoy driving a truly awesome vehicle.

Gordon

 

Hey Gordon that's great!!

Can you list what you repaired? Hopefully the most common things?
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As promised, I have dug up the receipt and this is what I paid for engine & trans motor mounts a few months ago:

Motor mounts: $130.00 each with labor installed

Trans mounts: $115.00 each with labor installed

And that was from an overpriced shop that I have since quit using.

P.S., I too would like to add that by reading this forum I have saved an estimated $4k by doing my own minor repairs (I am a car guy but by no means a mechanic, not even close)

 

Didnt have the time to read all the replys so perhaps someone has already mentioned this but some of those repair you can do yourself, i changed my own gas filter in 20 mins, did the cabin air filter in 15, havent done oil yet but shouldent take more the 30 mins. Spark plugs are a bit more complicated, tight working spaces etc, but the best thing you can don is some reading up. Alot of detailed pics and even videos showing how to replace filters, brakes etc. That mechanic is out of his mind with those prices. Also a well maintained STR will do 180k miles or more.