Hello, I am in the process of looking for an S type R. I would be interested in how you chose the one you went for. Did you go for the later face lift one and I so are there any advantages or are there disadvantages in the earlier 2002 onwards ones? Also on mileage did you set yourself a target on the max mileage. many things to consider. I am aiming for a light colour and if possible wood finish dash, although I think all the later 2005 ones have the black finish. Look forward to hearing from you
Philip Irwin
About To Be New STR Owner
Moderators:GJS-typeR, Montana5
Re: new S type R owner
Hello Philip.
You should attempt, in my opinion to look for as late a model as you can as each model year incorporated modifications that improve areas that get highlighted from a maintenance/reliability stand point or styling aspect.
Reading of the numerous posts on this S-type section is worth your time. That will show you the issues that affect S-type...even though not carried out specifically on the R model. S-type, X350 and early XF models are essentially almost the same build so also perusing the X350 section and perhaps my own postings on my X350R will give you insight into the running of essentially what you are looking for and what you might also perhaps have to tackle if buying a used STR with mileage above 60K. What to look for then...Doug our Assistant Co-ordinator has a cracking STR and he will also be along shortly and will also be able to advise.
Some ideas then. Before buying or inspecting any STR, run a vehicle status check. UK Vehicle offer an online service. Around a fiver paid provides details on whether the car is an insurance write off, has sustained major damage, owes finance, is wanted by the Police as well as chassis VIN details which you can visually check at inspection. Don`t buy any car without doing this fundamental check.
Look for a full service history with the service book showing maintenance at each and every 10k interval. Any "holes" in the history should be treated as "no maintenance applied". also equally important is looking for a great pile of invoices for replacement parts. If the car is low mileage, then the pile may not be that big. That implies a big spend could be just around the corner. If your pocket will stretch to buying an example with under 60k miles, that might be the best buy. However, a major 30k service will be needed at 60k. This should include a very important gearbox oil and filter service (£350) and a supercharger oil change (£30). I would also be early changing the diff oil also at 60k.
Vehicles above 60k should have suspension bushes inspected and replaced as required. By around 85k, almost all of them will need to have been changed. Front wheel bearings are likely to need replacement by 90k miles. Few last longer. Bush and wheel bearing replacement require the use of a hydraulic bench press. If you do your own car maintenance, buy one of these before you buy the car. You will eventually need it! Any car that wanders is a candidate for suspension work. Knock £1500 off the price of the car if the car has suspension issues.
STR, X350R and 4.2R XF have a couple of weak spots. A vac and pressure bypass actuator controller is worked from small rubber pipes, one on the charger pressure manifold and on from the charger elbow at the back of the engine. A length of small bore pipe is only about £8 but fitting new pipes to replace the old ones that rot, is necessary at around 80k. Not a particularly easy job but frequently necessary. In addition there is a coolant valley pipe which should be changed by 90k. Ignore at your peril. The pipe is around £25 but charger removal is an evil job which needs patience and an exceptionally high level of mechanical skill to remove. Expect to pay £500 if you sub this job out to the trade.
Always open the air filter box lid when you inspect a prospective car. Removal and examination of the air filter will give an indication of the quality of maintenance that has been applied to the vehicle. Even main dealer serviced cars can have filthy filters...main dealer service history doesn`t guarantee a well cared for car.
You need to be VERY selective and insistent on the level of car you are viewing. You don`t need to buy one that is a half clapped out heap. Remember even a good example will often need immediate work. Leave £2000 in your pocket after buying to cater for immediate work.
Look on our Jaguar Classified site and also sign into the Trovit Cars site and set your search parameters. Trovit then pings vehicles to your email from all the usual car sales sites and saves you going to individual sites time after time.
Good luck with your search.
Mike K
You should attempt, in my opinion to look for as late a model as you can as each model year incorporated modifications that improve areas that get highlighted from a maintenance/reliability stand point or styling aspect.
Reading of the numerous posts on this S-type section is worth your time. That will show you the issues that affect S-type...even though not carried out specifically on the R model. S-type, X350 and early XF models are essentially almost the same build so also perusing the X350 section and perhaps my own postings on my X350R will give you insight into the running of essentially what you are looking for and what you might also perhaps have to tackle if buying a used STR with mileage above 60K. What to look for then...Doug our Assistant Co-ordinator has a cracking STR and he will also be along shortly and will also be able to advise.
Some ideas then. Before buying or inspecting any STR, run a vehicle status check. UK Vehicle offer an online service. Around a fiver paid provides details on whether the car is an insurance write off, has sustained major damage, owes finance, is wanted by the Police as well as chassis VIN details which you can visually check at inspection. Don`t buy any car without doing this fundamental check.
Look for a full service history with the service book showing maintenance at each and every 10k interval. Any "holes" in the history should be treated as "no maintenance applied". also equally important is looking for a great pile of invoices for replacement parts. If the car is low mileage, then the pile may not be that big. That implies a big spend could be just around the corner. If your pocket will stretch to buying an example with under 60k miles, that might be the best buy. However, a major 30k service will be needed at 60k. This should include a very important gearbox oil and filter service (£350) and a supercharger oil change (£30). I would also be early changing the diff oil also at 60k.
Vehicles above 60k should have suspension bushes inspected and replaced as required. By around 85k, almost all of them will need to have been changed. Front wheel bearings are likely to need replacement by 90k miles. Few last longer. Bush and wheel bearing replacement require the use of a hydraulic bench press. If you do your own car maintenance, buy one of these before you buy the car. You will eventually need it! Any car that wanders is a candidate for suspension work. Knock £1500 off the price of the car if the car has suspension issues.
STR, X350R and 4.2R XF have a couple of weak spots. A vac and pressure bypass actuator controller is worked from small rubber pipes, one on the charger pressure manifold and on from the charger elbow at the back of the engine. A length of small bore pipe is only about £8 but fitting new pipes to replace the old ones that rot, is necessary at around 80k. Not a particularly easy job but frequently necessary. In addition there is a coolant valley pipe which should be changed by 90k. Ignore at your peril. The pipe is around £25 but charger removal is an evil job which needs patience and an exceptionally high level of mechanical skill to remove. Expect to pay £500 if you sub this job out to the trade.
Always open the air filter box lid when you inspect a prospective car. Removal and examination of the air filter will give an indication of the quality of maintenance that has been applied to the vehicle. Even main dealer serviced cars can have filthy filters...main dealer service history doesn`t guarantee a well cared for car.
You need to be VERY selective and insistent on the level of car you are viewing. You don`t need to buy one that is a half clapped out heap. Remember even a good example will often need immediate work. Leave £2000 in your pocket after buying to cater for immediate work.
Look on our Jaguar Classified site and also sign into the Trovit Cars site and set your search parameters. Trovit then pings vehicles to your email from all the usual car sales sites and saves you going to individual sites time after time.
Good luck with your search.
Mike K
X350 Co-ordinator
2004 XJR
2004 XJR
Re: About To Be New STR Owner
Hi Phil and welcome. I moved your Post to this new thread, as I guess you will have lots of questions and its where you can show pictures of your Car.
I bought my STR in April 2011, it took me over 16 Months to find the right one, yes I'm fussy and spend far too much time researching Cars before purchasing. I wasn't too bothered about which year of STR to go for, though I did much prefer the 2002-2004 (1st facelift) Birdseye Wood Dashboard and Spitfire wing overlapping Rear Bootlid Spoiler. I had set my heart on an Ultraviolet Blue with Cream Interior, which was available 2004 onwards, however they were like the holy grail at that time and when my Zircon Blue Car came up for sale in a Leicestershire Garage, it ticked all the boxes, 64K, great Service History, newish Tyres, new Brakes and Racing Green Quad Exhaust. The first thing I had done was to get the Gearbox Serviced, at that time people were quoting 80K for Gearbox Service, however it seems to have come down to around 60K now, I believe this is due to the good relationships ZF and its approved Service Agents have with Members of various Forums.
I hope this helps for now, I would advise getting as many test drives as you can and choose a Car with as low a Mileage as is possible. The STR is increasing in value, which may make it harder for you, however there are still some good ones out there. I attend many Classic Car Shows with mine and with the values going up, I'm really glad I went for one of the early 2002 models.
Doug.
I bought my STR in April 2011, it took me over 16 Months to find the right one, yes I'm fussy and spend far too much time researching Cars before purchasing. I wasn't too bothered about which year of STR to go for, though I did much prefer the 2002-2004 (1st facelift) Birdseye Wood Dashboard and Spitfire wing overlapping Rear Bootlid Spoiler. I had set my heart on an Ultraviolet Blue with Cream Interior, which was available 2004 onwards, however they were like the holy grail at that time and when my Zircon Blue Car came up for sale in a Leicestershire Garage, it ticked all the boxes, 64K, great Service History, newish Tyres, new Brakes and Racing Green Quad Exhaust. The first thing I had done was to get the Gearbox Serviced, at that time people were quoting 80K for Gearbox Service, however it seems to have come down to around 60K now, I believe this is due to the good relationships ZF and its approved Service Agents have with Members of various Forums.
I hope this helps for now, I would advise getting as many test drives as you can and choose a Car with as low a Mileage as is possible. The STR is increasing in value, which may make it harder for you, however there are still some good ones out there. I attend many Classic Car Shows with mine and with the values going up, I'm really glad I went for one of the early 2002 models.
Doug.
Assistant S Type Model Co-ordinator
S Type Forum Moderator
S Type Forum Moderator
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