HOW RARE ARE S TYPE R'S

[tonye]

I recently brought a 2004 S type R and was wondering how scarce this model is, my question is prompted by the fact that mine was the only STR a the recent Goodwood Vee Power Sunday, it was strange being out numbered by far more supposedly exotic cars. The other point I noticed even among what I assume are avid petrol heads, was the fact that most people don't give the S type R a second glance, an awesome & very understated car.
This is my 6th Jaguar and this is by far the best, it goes from quiet comfortable saloon to raging animal in a blink of an eye definitely worthy of "Grace, Space & Pace"
Thanks
Tony

[J44EAG]

Apparently 1274 produced for the UK market. Very small numbers indeed and will become fairly rare in coming years. Worth getting hold of several as prices are now cheap and there are loads around for sale. Ebay is the obvious place to look to start with. See this link.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... WgQ3WIi49A

Definitely a best kept secret is the STR. I suspect that the S-type in general has not quite achieved a high classic following yet but that will come in time. The understated appearance which does not look that much different to any other S-type does not help it stand out from the crowd. Just a couple or three R badges don`t really allow it to visually get going. Drop the suspension a tad and the looks change completely. Just look at my old 4 litre S-type to see what a change lowering does visually. Mine has always attracted people and it was not unusual to come out of the paper shop to find people standing by the car and wanting to talk about it.

Supercharged engines are great. I have one in my XJR. Perhaps my only gripe is that to get the best from the supercharger at low speed is not so easy. It comes in fairly far up the rev range in standard cars. Fitting a smaller supercharger pulley is well worth the effort with action beginning much lower down the rev range. I`ve done the mod together with fitting a K&N filter and blocking up the air trunking noise attenuator system.

My S-type should be going to its new owner tomorrow. It will not be lost from the Club as my Regional Treasurer has bought it and I shall continue to do the service work. Vince had a grin from ear to ear when he drove it the other day. I`ve just got the new MOT for him this afternoon so have done my last miles in the car after some nine years of ownership.

I thought long and hard about buying an STR but after nearly eleven years with this Jaguar model, I felt I needed a change. So many happy memories but I`ll not be loosing touch with the car.

Enjoy your STR and watch its value rise as it becomes a car of classic status.

Mike K

[Montana5]

Tony, I know what you mean about the STR not being given a second glance, it didn't help when in 2004, 2nd S Type facelift models had the R badge excluded from the front wings, though many owners have retro fitted. 107 total made in 2004, which was the fewest built in any year 2002-2007.
The Cars are even rarer in Scotland, in my almost 5 years of ownership and the preceding 18 months of looking for one I have only ever come across 5 or 6 Cars based up here. Having organised two STR Events at JEC Shows, I know there are quite a few southern based Cars about, although the majority of Cars that attended these Events were from the Jaguar.com forum.
I show my Car at possibly 10-12 Shows every year and mostly the reaction is pretty poor, I think the general non Jaguar enthusiast really doesn't know the difference between an S or X Type, never mind an STR, its quite funny watching peoples reaction at Shows when they read the laminated spec sheet I leave in the window, you can sometimes see them turning to their friends and reading out loud in amazement... '400BHP' then the ones that do speak to you come away with the usual cliches...'these are real sleepers mate' and 'bit of a wolf in the sheeps' etc. Although I've won a few Trophy's at Car Shows over the past 5 years, the latest one a few months ago gave me the greatest pleasure, 'Best Future Classic' the competition was several Porsches, TVR'S, Maserati's etc and a very newish Mercedes SLR...that Judge had taste

Doug.

[tonye]

As you say Doug the judge had good taste, to spot the subtle changes on a R you have to park next to a regulars S type. Mine is a 2004 in Jaguar racing green with ivory & black interior so clearly one of the few.
Cheers
Tony

[J44EAG]

Any images, Tony?

Mike

[tonye]

Here's a photo.

[SteveKK]

As per this website, which I think uses DVLA data, only about 1,000. Mine needs body work, mainly due to rust and is being serviced to keep it on the road.

I personally prefer the car without the chrome trim, so happy with my 52 model. The power delivery is effortless and just keeps pulling - would love to fully open it up on the autobahn.

Regards,
Steve

[Montana5]

Agree Steve, so what about a picture of yours, lets make this an ongoing show your STR thread.

Here's mine...



Doug.

[SteveKK]

My STR with an XFR (also belongs to a JEC member Chris, who Mike knows) at the Silverstone Classic this year.



Back in 2013 it went on a Welsh tour with the Quantum Owners Club.



Regards,
Steve

[oldtimer]

Certainly some very smart motors there

[BrizzleJag]

Thought I'd revive this thread as I took a look at 'How many left' and indeed numbers for the 'R' are now below 900 in the UK and also below 900 for the V8 SE as well.
Jaguar S – Type V8 R Auto (823)
Jaguar S – Type V8 SE Auto (861)
Jaguar S – Type V8 Sport Auto (135)
Jaguar S – Type V8 R A (1)
Jaguar S – Type V8 SE A (4)

Pleased now that I purchased a 4.2 SE in January.

[J44EAG]

The 4.2 V8 is a masterpiece. It is also very easy to work on and the new injectors, revised timing gear and thermostat revision just add cream to the cake.The supercharger adds another dimension but can be a bit of a nightmare to remove from the car. It also tunes exceedingly easily as does the N/A model. It is pleasing to see the tractorial Ford 5R55N gearbox replaced by the ZF6HP26. Given oil and filter changes at 60K intervals, the ZF box is a superb addition with its seamless changes.

As everyone knows, I love a well modified car. Many STR cars have had some of that type of treatment and it all just adds to the fun.

If the car has one major flaw, it shares the issue with the whole S-type range. Its the sills and their ability to corrode badly. Its essential to get the sill covers off and monitor and address those issues in good time. It is such a shame when such special and otherwise good cars end up in a scrap yard. As we know, only around 1200 STR models were produced for the UK market. Those that are still with us need to be snapped up by enthusiastic owners or the breed will slowly start to disappear. If you see one at a good price, I`d suggest you grab it whilst prices are still reasonable. The STR and also the ali X350R are two examples of the best modern cars to have recently been made by Jaguar.

Mike

[BrizzleJag]

I agree Mike I'm definitely appreciating the virtues of the AJ V8 having the supercharged version in my XKR and the n/a in the S - Type and the ZF gearbox is spot on. Thanks for the advice on the sills by the way, I'll be looking at these soon as spring is just around the corner. I suspect that they need attention as I have a tiny bit of rust on the driver side front wheel arch which will also be tackled soon.

[Powerband]

Here's mine ......not seen many in blue to be honest. Has a few issues which I'm sorting one by one but fortunately my place of work is a great place to be if you own any jaguar.

[Montana5]

Looking good, thanks for posting a Picture.

Doug.