2003 S- Type Jaguar 2.5 V6 Sport – Mr Cat - One Year on - Mileage now 153,000

[Ladams]

2003 S- Type Jaguar 2.5 V6 Sport – Mr Cat - One Year on - Mileage now 153,000

One year ago the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club magazine ran a three page colour spread on my S-Type, “Mr Cat”.
He is a much loved Jaguar which has had no expense spared to maintain it in pristine condition. This cat has had a complete Auto Transmission rebuild, new head gaskets, Radiator, Air Con, airflow meter, heater control valve and just about every conceivable fault common to the S-Type has been fixed. I also fitted Adamesh lowered sports suspension, front upper and lower mesh grilles and tailpipes, new TSW “Silverstone” 18” alloys with polished rims, a customized piano black interior, any tiny car park dings professionally repaired and a 2kwatt audiophile grade audio system with sat nav and DAB. The total cost of all this work was circa £15,000

For the last year or so, there has been one thing troubling me. Despite all the excellent advice in the forum and magazine, I had never removed the plastic sill covers to see what rust there may be hidden underneath. To be honest, I was too scared to look.

Mr Cat had to go into the body shop last week for repairs to a minor rust bubble on the front wheel arch, a similar bubble on the rear n/s wing and a scratch on the rear bumper which appeared while parked. I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and I asked the body shop to remove the covers and report their findings. I had already decided that whatever they might find had to be fixed at any cost, so I was expecting to possibly shell out a significant sum to save my cat from the scrapyard. One glimmer of hope was that there was no mention of rust on the last MOT last February, so I had my fingers crossed that it wasn’t going to be too serious.

The car went to the body shop on Saturday morning. Monday morning my mobile rang... it was the garage. I can tell you my heart was in my mouth and I was very nervous when I answered the call, this was the moment of truth I had been dreading for over a year. So... imagine my delight and relief when the garage told me they had the covers off and there was no rust! They also checked all the known rust traps around the car and there was nothing!

This begs the question, why do some S-Types rust and others don’t? The garage believes it is down to keeping the car clean and jet washing the sills regularly. Even though they are behind plastic covers, the jet wash will get at least some of the mud and dirt out from behind or, more importantly, stop it building up in the first place.

Before replacing the covers, the garage rubbed down and cleaned the sills, coated them with primer, then applied stone chip paint and a liberal quantity of waxoil. This should ensure that the dreaded tin worm will be kept at bay for many years. Cost for the sill work - £100

Two lessons are to be learned here. First, not all S-Types rust and second, don’t put yourself through hell wondering... get those sill covers off and check for rust... it may not be as bad as you think. I wish I had done it a year ago.

Les Adams.

[J44EAG]

Well done, Les. Preventative maintenance at its best.

My old early model S-type V8 started to crumble at the rear ends of the sills about three years ago, so the decision was made to change the car before I landed in a load of patch up welding repairs. One has to decide whether to stay with it or move on. My view was that I`d had my particular car eight years and fancied not only the X350 but and R at that. Being alloy bodied and with a known reputation for being able to resist corrosion, for me, the choice was a no brainer. I also wished to zero a tax liability and spending out on a new vehicle was an obvious and legal way of avoiding giving hard earned money to the Government by way of taxation. So that`s the way it went for me.

A while since we hooked up in Fareham.....Now local to you in Sauf London! Give me a call some time for a beer if you wish. I`m now located at Warlingham just off the A22 left turn at Whyteleafe.

Cheers, Pal.

Mike

[Ladams]

Hi Mike, yes it has been a while.

I haven't been to any shows this year because they have fallen on days when I have been otherwise occupied. Also Jackie spent a few weeks incapacitated after an operation, so I was unable to book the car into any shows as we weren't sure how long she was going to be laid up. I'm pleased to say she is on the men now and back on her feet.

I would have liked to have displayed the car at a JEC event but I think I'm too late for this year ... unless there's anything down this way that I've missed and can be squeezed in at the last minute!

A beer sounds good!

Les.

[jeff1954]

My train of thought on this sill issue, is that the really bad examples could live or have lived near the coast or in northern regions where where a lot of salt on the roads is used in the winter months.
Did anyone see the top gear program where Jeremy Clarkson was throwing that XKR about on a beach somewhere. I bet that car is now well and truly dead.

Jeff

[Ladams]

Yes I think the environment it is driven and kept in is important. According to the log book this car has lived in London all its life. The mechanic who checked it over was surprised how rust free this car is.

[J44EAG]

The rear sections of the sills are of "open" design. Any water entering, does no good at all. I would expect cars used in wetter environments to be particularly vulnerable to rot. Cars used in salty conditions will inevitably meet their end that much quicker.

These cars are now getting on in years. What is now frequently seen is the issue that has previously affected X300 and X308 models. Its now caught the S-type out. Steel bodied Jaguar models of the period although being sold at the time as having galvanised body shells are well known to rot badly. In my opinion, steel is hardly the best material from which to build a long life vehicle. Twenty years seems to be the norm with many manufacturers when it comes to a lifespan. As far as a maker is concerned, the thinking is that an indestructible car is not good for future car sales. They don`t want their old products lasting too long!

As my early model V8 hit the twelve year mark, it became obvious to me that the car was beginning to soften. The rear ends of the sills were starting to disintegrate. It rather annoyed me that my investment was soon going to turn on me and start costing money in welding repairs. I didn`t want a car made from steel patches, so the car was knocked on fairly rapidly whilst it still had some value and was sell-able. It was a wise decision and one that I don`t regret. I can tolerate replacing parts but not structural repairs. I no longer have the time, facilities or inclination to undertake the nause of cutting out rotted metal, of welding, grinding or painting. Rot work is an evil business and one that I`m pleased to be away from. One moves on. As a former panel basher and paint man, I had no desire to have to get back into that malarkey, even on my own car. A disintegrated lower lumbar and raging sciatica compound the dislike of this kind of work.

My solution to the issue was to change horses and mount up again on the aluminum X350. The reasons for turning to this model are as defined and detailed in our last magazine, October 2018, page 102. I don`t regret the change at all. Three years ago I bought that X350R and the differences between the S-type and the X350 became very apparent within only driving a mile. The 350 felt lighter, rode in a more controlled fashion and gave me the space I craved for stretching out my right leg. The car appeared to be better developed although using essentially exactly the same suspension wishbones and legs as the S-type. The air suspension probably helped greatly to impart a big car feel. Three years on, I`ve only tackled one very small bubbled paint issue on one of the front wings. The underside of the car is unblemished but in typical Jaguar fashion, the sub-frame corrosion issue that affects even more modern models shows its presence. That is disappointing. There is only one answer to that...remove the sub-frames, shot blast and refinish with some more suitable protective regime.

Technically, the Jaguar marque is up with the top leaders in the industry. As ever, Jaguar lets itself down by not giving adequate protection to the underside of its vehicles. That it doesn`t even acknowledge the issue even though the buying population is well informed about such defects, leads us all to being overly suspicious when it comes to build quality. What a shame Jaguar don`t get their heads together. Great designs let down by poor quality techniques and complete myopia ("my own picture" mentality) obviously being an issue within the company.

Mike

[grumpyjohn]

Hi - great to read of your S type Sport. I ,too, have a 2.5 Sport - 2002 Reg (one of the early ones,) with 155000+ on the clock. BP51 KUA was originally a Jaguar Company car, before passing through several hands, and ending up with me some 8 years ago. She is Aspen Green with Tan upholstery which appears to be an unusual combination. Over the years I have replaced just about every component on the car, including both front wings and both sills. I have replaced the whole cooling system, including pump, all the braking and suspension, the wiper motor and linkage, the head lining - the list goes on. Replacing the head gaskets was a major expense. I reckon that the car is newer now than when I bought it! All money down the drain really , as we know our cars are very undervalued - but what the hell, I have enjoyed rescuing the car and get great please from it. I must say that that without our good friends at S&P Autos at Newton Abbot I could never afforded to keep the car. Well done the Independents! Keep up the good work!

[jeff1954]

Don't despair grumpyjohn it could be money well spent, as these cars get older the price's will stop dropping and start to rise. A lot of people like the old styling of the S Type Mines a 2004 D SE in tip top condition and I have been told more than once "Give me a ring if you ever want to sell it" I've had it eleven years now with 80k on the clock.

Jeff