Jaguar S-Type 3.0 V6 - what to check / look out for?

Gibbo

Gibbo

Gibbo

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Hi there


Considering a Jaguar 3.0 V6 S-Type, this is not replacing the 911, just a second car.

Anyone here have one or know what to look for on one, are they reliable or just pits?

Or is there a decent Jaguar forum?

Are they chain or cam belt?
 
flibbage0 said:
The auto box is known to be jerky on earlier models and the electrics can be a bit iffy, such as electric windows.
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Can cope with stuff like that, just needs to keep going. :)

Looking at a 2000 model with 140k on the clock, thinking of offering £600
 
If I remember correctly some had water leaks into the boot compartment so check that out.

Is it an automatic?

If so then the 5 speed is prone to failure at 60,000 miles.

Also when test driving it, make sure the rev counter doesn't fluctuate, it's a common problem.
 
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Early 2k or late 2k as the early ones had a tendency to start running rough then go bang, Summit to do with the bore linings.

I do like them though & think they are as cheap as chips for what they are.
 
They are cheap because they are crap. It took Jaguar until 2002 to sort it out at which point it became a half decent car but the pre 52 ones suck.

600 quid sounds worryingly cheap as well.
 
4T5 said:
Early 2k or late 2k as the early ones had a tendency to start running rough then go bang, Summit to do with the bore linings.

I do like them though & think they are as cheap as chips for what they are.
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It's a June 2000 car, vin ends in 7668
 
Hi there

Had a look around this today and it's very very clean. It's infect done 130k miles so bit less than originally thought. It's a manual and car sounded very smooth.

Only issues are drivers side electric window does not work, unfortunately according to owner it's not just case of a fuse but a regulator so circa £100 fitted for a reconditioned part. Plus it's tax runs out tomorrow. Apart from that very clean, gonna test drive tomorrow.

For the money it seems a he'll lot of car, the guy has been recently made redundant and hence the price as he needs cash fast.

My thoughts are get car, fix window, tax it, fully service myself, give the car a thorough cleansing inside and out and use it during winter months and if it runs well it can stay and if it breaks and becomes money pit it can go.

From what I can gather the engines are reliable they just have minor issues. Oh it's recently had brake pipes and clutch done too. :)
 
I would check for excessive ugliness :p

on a serious note, neighbour had one, put galactic mileage on it with no bother
 
600 is incredibly cheap for what it is, you'd really need to stretch your budget to get a facelift (post 54) or as Fox said an updated (post 52) plate car. The V6+manual is meant to be the pick of the bunch to drive also. My dad has a 05 3.0 auto and see's mid 20s MPG normally but this goes to low-mid 30s on the motorway. Manual should be better over all.
 
Its a lot of bang for buck, I'd say go for it.

If it lasts the winter, job done, if it does go bang in a big way, what have you lost? the cost of one and a half tyres for the Porker?



Personally, I think you need to man up & enjoy the 911 in the snow. ;):p:D
 
They're pap in the snow... the traction control kicks in very abruptly and early, even in the dry.

You might want to check it's had the coil packs replaced. The early ones cause the car to stutter if they get wet.

The B pillar trim pieces can rust from the inside, but are simple enough to replace.

Personaly I can't get comfy on a long journey, no footrest for your left foot and the soft seats have me bouncing around too much.
 
Herminator said:
They're pap in the snow... the traction control kicks in very abruptly and early, even in the dry.

You might want to check it's had the coil packs replaced. The early ones cause the car to stutter if they get wet.

The B pillar trim pieces can rust from the inside, but are simple enough to replace.

Personaly I can't get comfy on a long journey, no footrest for your left foot and the soft seats have me bouncing around too much.
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Well shall check coils and replace myself if required. If I get it I shall change the plugs, inlet gaskets, filters, oil etc. myself to keep the engine sweet. :)
 
realscot said:
Aren't these the ones that are prone to needing rear bushes and are only available from jaguar at almost £400 a side?
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Balljoints that is. Yes £400 per side fitted as they normally sieze so you can't just change the balljoint but the whole section and hence the price.

Drove the car tonight and inspected it thoroughly.

Checked for all the possible tell tale signs:-

No water in boot, bone dry, toolkit, spare wheel, jack all in place.
Check both front wheel arches and wings for header tank leaks, again bone dry.
Checked all electrics everything works except drivers side window regulator has gone, so an £8 repair kit may do the trick or a £50 replacement regulator.
No suspension knocks or steering place so seems current balljoints are all OK.
No crunching of gears, engine silky smooth, plenty of traction even in damp so assumes differential is fine.

Yes inside its a bit dated, its not Audi or BMW quality but it seems to drive very well, engine is very smooth, pulls very strongly in all gears and the suspension/dampening seem all very good.

What I did notice:-
Gear stick seems a bit floppy, not very good return to centre, I know this is a cheap fix and as all gears select very easily and feel very positive I know the gearbox is fine, just be nice if anyone knows how to cure that?

Apart from the drivers side window well that was all.

Car is on its 4th owner, he's owned for 18 months, previous owner before him had it for 8 years, its not had a service for 2 years, but recently had new front brake lines for MOT 6 months ago.

Got him down to £700 which I'd be very happy to pay as on the whole its a very clean car, no marks on body, no rust, no knocks, basically a very clean genuine car and a lot of car for the money. With my thoroughness of cleaning, servicing and looking after cars I feel I could get it looking stunning considering its condition and running very nicely with a full service and a few tanks of vpower. :)

Overall am amazed at what sub 1k gets you, now just time to mull it over.
 
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