S-Type R - my third supercharged Jag...

[blackflash]

After 5 happy years taking my X308 saloon from 70k to 130k miles, and an 11 month fling with a fast and gorgeous-looking XKR-S which was just too firm a ride for an everyday steed on its 20" wheels, I have settled on (well, for now - you know what I'm like) a spotless 2005 S-Type R with (genuine) 28,500 miles, in silver with light grey leather and carbon fibre interior. Now I'm more of an ivory-and-walnut man, and I prefer my darker exteriors, and I would like premium sound and bluetooth... but I'm being picky - this is a gorgeous car to drive. Feels as fast as the coupe but is far smoother and quieter which is what I was looking for. I strongly recommend driving an ordinary car (mine was a Rover 75) for a couple of weeks and you will never take your jag for granted again! The power, the interior quality, the sound the doors make when you close them... I'm a happy bunny with wiggly ears and tail.

I did try to find a 4.2 normally aspirated but they're as rare as hen's teeth, certainly with low-medium mileage.

If anyone ever spots (or has) for sale a sub-40k miler in a dark colour with cream (ivory on this model or not?) and burr walnut then drop me a line and unsettle me... otherwise, I look forward to a long-lasting and beautiful relationship.

Nigel

[TABBEII]

Come on Nigel - How about some pics of your new beauty?

the paw

[blackflash]

Grabbed these from eBay - not brilliant quality so shrink your viewing window or sit back from your screen!

http://www.flickr.com//photos/funnyturn ... 9966/show/

[blackflash]

Ownership report Day 5

Really enjoying this. I'm now loving the clean lines of the carbon fibre interior and the silver exterior, which was never a colour I would have actively sought out. The bodywork is absolutely mint.

The driving experience is superb. Seems a little twitchy on damp A roads but the front tyres are on the legal limit - replacements being fitted on Tue 27th and I will get all wheels balanced and alignment checked so I expect this to help.

Power is as effortless as the XKR-S. Extraordinary what difference there is between a 4.2 litre engine on 6-speed box and 4.0 litres on 5-speed: it certainly feels much faster and more willing than the 0.1 second you see on paper. I need to watch my speed more than in the coupe as it's just too easy to go too fast...

The sports seats are excellent, best I've had.

Overall, the interior feels like a much more up to date design than the XKR-S, though their lives overlapped substantially. Touch screen satnav, radio etc is a joy to use, simple design etc. I just wish I didn't have to "agree" every time I get in the car! I'd prefer it to go straight to the satnav or the Jaguar logo screen.

I don't like the dials as much as the X308 XJR or the XKR-S - green and orange. Will post separately to ask what the second (right) info screen is used for as everything routine or warning appears on my left one.

I like the aerial being built in to the rear screen rather than a telescopic one.

That's it for now. I will get it into David Marks for a thorough check-over and service. I know I need a couple of discs and am not surprised on a car which has only done 28,500 miles and only 2000 of these in the last year.

This is my everyday car so I'm afraid that mileage is going to go up by the usual 12k per year from now on.

[blackflash]

Forgot to say: the supercharger whine on my XKR-S was intrusive and not a nice sound - it said "strain" not "power", particularly after the lack of fuss on my 4.0 XJR.

Same engine, different car: on the S-Type, kicking down is a real pleasure: huge burst of power from the 4.2 and you can hear the supercharger but it augments the engine noise rather than dominating it. Perfect.

[latebreaker]

Hi Nigel,

Glad your enjoying your STR, I feel the same about mine. A joy to drive and so so comfortable...I dont think I will ever own another car that will be as comfy...unless I get an XJR or any pre 5.0L Jags.

Mine is booked in for its first MOT end of the month so I'm hoping no surprises, its my first MOT with the STR so it's always a nervous time...finger crossed.