Afternoon,

I have started working on parting out the car, haven't had the most interest in the car parts. I started down this road due to being told the Title was a rebuilt and branded, then the engine problems and leaking oil made it seem like this car was destined for the part bin.

Well I got the title back and it appears clean. I will call and verify but I was told it would be branded and the title came in with no brands or damage listed. That changes the value of the car from a 3k running car to something maybe worth fixing.

Is this car worth saving? Blue S Type R with 89K? So far the only part that I have parted with is a single piece of trim. IF it is worth saving how hard is it to swap a motor in these?

 

i think the STR look's stunning in that blue ,
i thought when i saw it shame i'm in NZ - thought it would clean up nice ,
was going to hit you up for your EGR tube for inventory .
If you can find an engine at a good price ,
the car has no rust , and you have tools the skills and the time required .
then yes it's worth saving .
And would make a great picture thread also .
it wold be a big job,
I'd drop the whole front subframe engine and trans in one go .

 

Check this out .... eBay item 192938217465

 

I'd save it, just for the rarity, compared to the rest of the S-Type production run.

 

IMO... part it out. It'll never be worth what you'll have in it. Then use those funds towards a newer / better one.

IMO... owning a Jag is something you loose $$ on but its worth it to you because you simply enjoy the car.

 

Worth saving the car for what? Personal use, reselling, collecting?
These are quite lovely cars, the late Geoff Lawson did an excellent job of designing the body. Also then owners Ford invested very heavily in modernizing the Castle Bromwich plant which this design benefited from; at the time the entire body side in one pressing (from the A pillar back) of around 13 feet (4 metres) was quite impressive. The model's more complicated body pressings seemed to be cheapened a bit in the just as good looking later updates. Gone was the 'fold' of the metal above the rear lights, missing were the lower fog lights and dumped were the standout Brembo brakes; the Jaguar bean counters at work again?
Ian Callum's efforts were very ordinary by comparison on the succeeding XF. The awkward looking front lights certainly detracting from the model's reasonable lines (I believe he was limited by some regulations) and the quite safe and almost anonymous design (even though a current model) has not dated as well as the S-Type.
Jaguar's compact sedan was definitely a success for the company with over 291,000 units sold. A reasonable effort at that point in it's history.
Other than the last XK (and that market of 4 seater GT's seems to have fallen by the wayside) and perhaps the quirky XJ there is not much that appeals in the current range if you want 4 seats,, The company thrashing of coal powered cars (read electric) and mundane designs (okay the F Type has some sex appeal but somewhat lacking inside) probably has isolated some of the Jaguar purists and may sent it now into the mass produced premium mundane. I could name a few other brands with little product differentiation as well..
Anyhow I had the pleasure of driving the outgoing Bentley Flying Spur for several days (V8 model) with this car having all the luxury options fitted. Certainly a beautiful machine and hardly an area in the cabin not covered by leather. A different class of car for sure and beautiful to look at. But when you walk away after you've pressed the key to lock you cant help but look back and admire the shape of the S-Type, just as beautiful a car.
So yes worth saving the rare S Type R. I would be buying that engine immediately.

 

Excellent post....amazing knowledge.....you just convinced me to keep mine forever and possibly look for another ....they are out there, but getting harder to find.....i would love an 05 with the brembos .....my 06, after 2 years, now only needs the rear bushings replaced and the front strut mounts to be cherry.....it has been a great learning and very satisfying experience.....and all repairs total about 1200 dollars, including tires....i know i am very fortunate and knock on wood ....i would drive this car anywhere

 

After discussing with my wife, I have the ability to pull the motor and work on rebuilding the car. Though we are going to continue to part out the car.

While I have the skill to replace a motor, the time, space and tools are lacking at the moment. We just relocated and during that move I downsized some of my tools and my garage space. Running the numbers and seeing good examples selling in the range we would have in the car after an engine replacement it makes more sense to strip this one down and recover the funds.

Then we will be on the hunt for another one. Happens, roll the dice on a auction car and while I was excited this one is going to help others live on.

 

Very pleased to hear scottjh9 and my sentiments exactly. Whilst they are certainly not a Bentley its hard not to admire these cars. It shows there has been great effort from the designers; plenty of flair and a classic style, in and out. I just cant find the same admiration for the XF's interior or even its body.
I know Jaguar needs to be profitable and sell plenty of units but I also know as much as I admire the German brands for example that driving a Jaguar has a degree of exclusivity.. Mercedes Benz sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles last year. Everywhere I look here everyone is driving one.. Jaguar passenger sales were around !80,000 I believe.
Unfair to knock Callum as he is a gifted designer and did a terrific job on the S-Type updates and the last of the x350's as well. He's gone now so very interesting where this great brand goes to design wise. Even though Callum mentioned while he was there that they were not going to do 'Retro', this may need a rethink.
You have been fortunate in a very low cost to run this car but for what the STR is its no different to other modern cars.
Enjoy

 

Well if you part it out, I would be interested in the plastic engine pan and the plastic cver that goes across the top of the radiator. Mine are gone