Prospective new owner

[yelnats]

I am considering buying a 2005 2.7 diesel car with 95,000 miles on the clock, the owner tells me it is in superb condition, it has a full service record carried out by a jaguar specialist he has used from day one. I know the chap is trustworthy through a mutual friend, the price is more than fair but before I arrange to go and see the car I wondered if anyone might advise any particular questions I should ask, apart from gearbox oil change that is. All will be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Stan F

[J44EAG]

Welcome, Stan.

These cars are totally unsuitable for short journey work. Problems are legendary. Get a petrol car if your journey use is of a short nature.

There is a load of information about diesels on S-type, X350 and XF Bulletin Boards. Please take the time to research faults that can spoil ones ownership of a 2.7D.

Economically, unless you do 30k miles a year, it will cost you less to run a 2.5 or 3.0V6 petrol. They are a lot easier to maintain as well. Most individuals and general garages can maintain petrol models with ease. The 2.7D takes specialist knowledge and several special tools.

Ask Rob Jenner for his opinions of the 2.7D unit. He will leave you with no illusions.

Mike K

[oldtimer]

Stan,
Through lack of attention many S types are going to the scrappy due to corrosion. Apart from the valid issues raised by Mike K I would not entertain the purchase of a vehicle of that vintage without having the plastic sill covers removed to inspect the integrity of the steel sills beneath.
There is plenty on this Board to confirm this issue -- be warned

[Zennan101]

Stan,

Others will advise on the X Type. My contribution is treat the 'trustworthy' vendor with polite suspicion. He may well be a very nice honest guy but he may also be blissfully ignorant of any hidden problems he is passing on. At the end of the day it's an 11 year old car. Plenty of time for hidden corrosion to set. At 95,000 some components will be past their best. Why is the vehicle being sold?

'Buyer beware'

Rod

[J44EAG]

Never truer words said.

At 95K miles, the suspension will need dampers, wheel bearings, bushes and perhaps ball joints. That is at least a £2k job if you have someone fix it for you. It is a whole pile of work and parts.

In my experience, S-types need a lot of work done after 90K miles. You need to see a stack of bills to ensure much of this work has been done. If no paperwork, walk away or offer £2K less than the vendor is asking.

Mike K

[robv12]

this is the crankshaft, or remains of, from a 2005 2.7 88k mile full history car, beware

catastrophic failure at low speed, no lights no warning, just a failure to proceed, when it snapped it took out the oil pump and front engine cover, the rest of the crank is still in the remains of the block and will remains so!!

[yelnats]

I don't know what's gone wrong but I sent you all a thank you for your input! I can not retrieve it anywhere on the website. I have taken serious note of all the comments made and as a result was about to abandon the idea of even taking a look at this car and rang the owner to give him an explanation. We had a very interesting talk as it happens and I was given every assurance that the car was as good as he claimed, he has had it from new, the gearbox oil has been changed at 30000 and 60000 miles, the body was wax oiled in its early life, a DPF is not fitted, there have been no major issues only the usual wear and tear items. I also rang the garage and spoke to the man responsible for the car's servicing and maintenance, he confirmed everything the owner had said and added that it is a thoroughly sound and lovely motor car. and to finish off the owner prefers the car to go to a good home and will take considerably less than he was offered by webuyanycar.com.

So what do you all think?

Stan F.

[Zennan101]

Stan,

Everyone on the forum will give you well intended advice but at the end of the day you are the buyer and it's your decision.

Rod

[oldtimer]

Stan,
Your last sentence says, " What do we think "

I don't think there is any more to be said, You have been given advise from a range of people with tremendous experience with such things and the S type in particular. As a JEC member we are keen to ensure you avoid a financial calamity !

If you are determined to pursue this purchase I would suggest you seek the owners permission for the vehicle to be independently examined. This would entail having ALL the plastic under covers removed and in particular the sill covers. At the same time the suspension, steering and other equipment can be examined.

Both the owner and the man at the garage have a vested interest in this transaction so it is essential that you select the right independent examiner. This exercise will undoubtedly cost you some money but if the vehicle proves to be as good as the owner says then you have the satisfaction of knowing you have a good deal, alternatively if things are not to your satisfaction you may well have saved a fortune and a lot of grief.

Do let us know the outcome

Oldtimer

PS You may be interested to know that I have from new, a 03 year model S type Sport with no corrosion and 46K recorded miles

[yelnats]

Hi Guys,

Just to let you know I have read and reread all your posts, (sadly all negative) your advise and comment is well intentioned, informed and valuable I would be foolish to go against it, thank you once again.That said, now more from curiosity than anything else I will be meeting with the owner sometime in the near future and taking a look at the car, I will not be discussing a purchase without a professional inspection as Oldtimer suggests, there is no hurry I only began the enquiry because the vehicle was so cheap and I fancied it would be a nice second car to my beloved 2002 X308 sport.

On the subject of my existing car the headlining is beginning to come adrift, does anyone know if this can be repaired rather than replaced?

Regards

Stan F.

[jeff1954]

yelnats You have mentioned one very important thing when describing the condition ect of you'r car' that is that it does not have DPF. I have a 2004 2.7 with 67k on the clock and only do 4-5k a year mostly short journeys and it's been totally reliable. The problems occur with the ones that have DPF so don't worry' if the car is as good as you say it is. Buy it then get it re-mapped and you will have one tasty motor.

Jeff

[J44EAG]

The problems are not when they are running well but when they have a serious issue. Then we see and hear about MASSIVE repair bills which can easily touch 8-10K. Attend any S-type or X350 seminar and hear the dreadful tales recounted by diesel model owners. Issues are not all related to DPF equipped models.

Mike

[davidr]

In the interest of balance, I ran a 2.7 diesel XJ for a couple of years. It was my everyday car and was never anything other than totally reliable. That has the same engine as you're looking at but the DPF and all the other stuff that people will tell you are a nightmare. All I can say is that my experience is that I had a smooth, powerful and enjoyable car that was a real privilege to drive. The real bonus was the economy. People say that the servicing cost is higher but I did it myself so not really.
In other words, despite the negativity you've read here, it doesn't have to end in tears!

[Montana5]

DPF's were fitted from 2005 (probably mid) the seller states that the Car does not have a DPF, however the way to check is to look at the Exhaust Tail Pipes, pre DPF had the Pipes pointing downward, post DPF have the Pipes pointing straight out. It is also possible that the seller has removed the DPF and therefore not entirely truthfull when you asked.

Doug.

[yelnats]

Update

Unfortunately I have not been able to view the car yet as the owner is away for a few days, hopefully we can pickup where we left off a bit later on, I shall keep you posted. Thanks for your thoughts on this Jeff and David cause for optimism perhaps! we must wait and see.

Stan.