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Dec 17, 2019 23:48:40 GMT
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Soooo I've never owned a V8 and it's an itch I really want to scratch. I've noticed that S types are about as cheap as they are likely to ever be.
Looking for some insight... The good the bad and the ugly of the model in general and then anything V8 specific.
On a scale of 1-10 how likely is an S-type to obliterate me financially until I'm forced to turn tricks on the streets?
Muchos thanks in advance.
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The Merc or BMW aren't a bad shout but if you want value for money, reliability & longevity the Lexus is probably the best of the bunch. Jag V8's are made out of balsa wood & putty. I found the S-Type quite cramped. ~ Wildcard ~Audi A8 Quattro  Audi S8 Quattro  ~ Double Wildcard ~ VW Phaeton ( V8) ( V6 Diesel, V10 Diesel, W12)   |
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Last Edit: Dec 18, 2019 1:15:59 GMT by MkX
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Used to drive new s- types when i worked for a demonstrator company
Never actually owned one, but the s-type R is one of the nicest cars I've ever driven, followed closely by the XJR.
Of course these days if you buy a diesel you're the antichrist ( like me!)
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Mine wasn't a V8 but I absolutely loved it and was gutted when I had to part with it. Which leads on to a piece of advice - look at the sills and the edges of the floor of any potential purchase. The sill covers are a really tight fit so you can't see the metal (or lack of) but you can just about see the flange and just fiddling with the clips will hopefully tell you if they are still attached to metal. A couple of mine had fallen out because there was nothing left behind them.
The climate control is unbelievably complicated and can become a law unto itself. Blowing hot all the time is a favourite. This might be the control valve, the module, or the wiring.
I personally prefer the interior of the facelifted (identifiable by the badge being at the top of the grille instead of on the bonnet) cars and they say they were more reliable, though they may just have been a bit newer.
Apart from the sills and the A/C, the only issues with mine in 2 years were:
1. the shifter cable becoming unattached from the gearbox (the tiny bolts fall out), approx 50p and a moderate amount of swearing to fix.
2. warning light bingo on the dashboard twice when the battery voltage was low. Transmission fault/limp mode/ESC fault/handbrake fault all at once scared the **** out of me the first time it happened.
They aren't massive inside but then they don't feel big and unwieldy to drive either. When you've had a long day, you're knackered, and everyone has been getting on your wick, they are a very pleasant and soothing place to be.
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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
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Hadn't thought about the Lexus, like MkX says, certainly round me they've started to race them, because nobody wants to run a V8, so can probably be got for decent money too |
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All good advice as usual chaps. Leaning towards the Lexus so far! Read some horror stories about the V8 lump in the S type.
Also... Why have LS400s and V8 Soarers shot up in value recently? Really should have bought one a few years ago when they were silly cheap.
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Ah well, scrub my last post then!🙄
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A good D2 A8 in 4.2 flavour is a wonderful thing. Not so many good ones left though and prices are going up. They are not issue-free. Gearbox failure (the 5 speed one, not the earlier 4 speed) being the main reason why there are so few left. Don't be put off by mileage if there is good history. They can do mega miles if cared for.
Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend)
1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing)
1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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Can't help with the V8 S-Types, but I ran 2 X200 V6s each to around 150k miles. The facelift S-type is very nice interior, but quite cramped in the back. Think BMW 5 series not 7 series. Each needed replacement header tanks after c. 3 years - common failure. Sub £100 replacement and less than an hour's work. Both needed replacement heater valves - a Ford part. Common failure. Fiddly job made worse in the V8 due to even more restricted access. One ate its power steering pump for no obvious reason. The other had a pressure switch failure on the power steering. That was fun as the tiny leak made its way into the wiring loom and appeared well away from the source. Who ever heard of an oil leak in a wiring loom! Otherwise just filters/fluids/tyres/brake pads & discs/wiper blades. One set of anti roll bar links. Bushes all held up in my ownership. You already know of hidden rot behind the sill covers. I ran the X358 SV8 to 220k miles and it's now with youngest racking up more miles. It replaced his Lexus LS 420. The Lexus had more toys and felt more 'robust', but is just a cruiser. The X358 will pick up her petticoats and RUN! Like the Aston Martin 'A Thug in a Dinner Jacket'. Other than routine service items all bushes replaced around 150k miles. One lower front wishbone bush needed replacement at around 200k. May need to revisit them soon - it's a big car and heavy on bushes. Fan control module and driver's door module died and got S/H replacements. Header tank failure - is there a theme there? Handbrake control module spent some time having a hissy fit to the point I fitted 'permanent' bypass wiring in the boot. Once I finally admitted an 8 year old battery needed replacing I had no more trouble. These cars are very sensitive to battery condition.
I miss the V8 burble and supercharger whine! The X350/358 weighs less than the X200 and is MUCH nicer! |
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Last Edit: Dec 18, 2019 10:03:10 GMT by theoldman
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vanpeebles
Part of things
I am eastbound in pursuit of a white Lamborghini, this is not a recording.
Posts: 978
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Dec 18, 2019 10:09:04 GMT
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I really fancy an S Type R, but tales of the autobox put me right off them  |
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Dec 18, 2019 11:21:34 GMT
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Ah well, scrub my last post then!🙄 For some reason the LS400s seem to be way more desirable than the LS430s? |
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,314 
Club RR Member Number: 72
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Talk to me about V8 S-typesbrachunky
@brachunky
Club Retro Rides Member 72
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Dec 18, 2019 11:29:50 GMT
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Ah well, scrub my last post then!🙄 For some reason the LS400s seem to be way more desirable than the LS430s? Possibly because they fall into the lower tax bracket and look a bit more "gangster"! |
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Dec 18, 2019 12:12:01 GMT
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Mr brother has an S-type V8, apparently an ex-police undercover motorway patrol car, so it has a breathed on 4.2-litre engine - it goes very well, though has had it share of issues, such as brakes (the pads seem to wear very quickly, and they have rather brittle ceramic pistons in the calipers, so be careful as you wind them back in!) You also need to perform an E-brake reset after changing the rear ones, which can be awkward.
It also seems to wear out batteries at an alarming rate - he's needed at least three, so far, and they are awkward to fit, being in the boot with a poorly designed bracket. If the battery goes a bit low, you end up with all manner of wacky electrical spasms going on, particularly with the alarm and central locking!
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Dec 20, 2019 18:57:44 GMT
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I had an S Type R back in 2007, they are awesome machines and dirt cheap now on eBay.
It was fairly reliable in the years I had it and it was nice and docile in traffic and went like a scalded cat if you put your foot down!
I would highly recommend one.
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Dec 20, 2019 19:09:26 GMT
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Rot rot and more rot..under sill covers and in the arches they are terrible for. nice car to drive though. My mate is an MOT tester and sends me pictures...every S and X type he gets in is rotten as a pear
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Dec 20, 2019 19:34:41 GMT
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You only live once but you also need some beauty sleep, the Lexus get's my vote but a 400 rather than a 430. Still, a V8 S-Class or the Audi S8 as mentioned by MkX would be nice too...
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Last Edit: Dec 20, 2019 20:44:07 GMT by Woofwoof
Still learning...still spending...still breaking things!
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Dec 20, 2019 20:54:34 GMT
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Rot rot and more rot..under sill covers and in the arches they are terrible for. nice car to drive though. My mate is an MOT tester and sends me pictures...every S and X type he gets in is rotten as a pear My MoT tester actually rang me up to come and look at mine on the ramp. He was cutting out more and more and wanted to know how much money I had. He ended up buying it and eventually stitched it back together.  |
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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
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Dec 21, 2019 18:36:03 GMT
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That is nasty but by no means the worst. Its astounding a relatively modern car can rot so badly.
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Dec 21, 2019 21:35:39 GMT
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The sill cover is a terrible design. It's effectively clamped tight to the pinch weld at the bottom. Mud just sits in there. When removed, mine were full of damp silt like you would find on a river bed.
Apart from a tiny patch on one arch, there was nothing on the body to show it was a complete rotbox. Until the sill covers came off.
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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
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