2004 Jaguar S-Type R Questions

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SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
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Is anyone familiar with the S-Type R's? There is one for sale near me (at a dealer) for $15,800, 63,xxx on the odometer.

I'm really only interested in the S-Type R, I like the styling, the interior, and who doesn't like supercharged 32valve V8's? :)

I am curious about reliability, if anyone has one or had/has drivin one, what is your opinion of the car? Does anyone try and drive in the snow with one? Major issues to look for, etc.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
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It's a Jag...it isn't going to be trouble free and it isn't going to be cheap to fix. It is a beautiful car but I wouldn't want to have to pay for all the repairs you're likely to encounter with Jaguar ownership.

Some reviews:

"The S type will make a person financially poor there is always a problem fuel system, a/c system. Every time I go in for an oil change there is a new repair problem.You can never get an assistance from the service department there a charge to tell you what is wrong with the car. The car is pretty and that is the only good things I can say. I will not purchase another Jaguar."

"My 2004 s-type spends far too much time in the shop. The car has 57,000 miles on it, but it seems to be falling apart. In the last 6 months my car has been in the shop 4 times. One time for 7 weeks because parts had to be made in Britain. Problems have been with the entire AC unit, radiator system, cooling leaks, catalytic converter, some kind of crack in the engine. Thank God for the extended warranty, however it is about to expire. I will be getting rid of this lemon next week as soon as I pick it up from being repaired yet again. It looks good, but runs terribly!"

"Superb car. Bought it in Nov 08 with 83K miles. It still had 1 yr/17K miles left on original factory extended warranty and I only paid $8,500 for the car at the dealer. Fantastic ride and quality. I've had $4,000+ of warranty work already to fix all problems (trans/motor/radiator leaks, and rear door lock, and transmission computer software reload). Highly recommend getting at least 6 months of warranty coverage to initially fix problems. Antifreeze is $17 per liter (Jag fluid only). New front brake pads and rotors will cost $700, so this car is not for the timid budget. Overall reliability has been very good though and a GREAT car overall. No regrets!"

"I and everyone else who rides in the car love the styling, inside and out. It is very comfortable and cruises great on any highway - smooth, fast, quiet, and 30+ mpg. My spouse really loves it in every way. But I pay the maintenance and repairs!! And at 30000 miles it has had a lot of repairs - radio (several times), transmission, heater valve, upper radiator hose, trunk, front wheel well, etc. We have 5 vehicles and drive a lot of miles a year 85,000+. I love to drive this car - it is my favorite, but the repairs are very disappointing."
 
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punjabiplaya

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2006
3,495
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Yeah, I was going to say to be ready to get it worked on. New Jags have been very good in reliability. Pre-2008ish, get used to the loaner car.
 

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,002
126
I generally do my own work and am ok with parts being on the expensive side. But, I'm not ok with parts being expensive and the car being very unreliable. I guess one of those might be a good second car, but not a great daily driver...

Thanks for digging up those reviews.
 

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
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i think this is one those dual AC condenser cars that have GREAT cooling but fail often. One of those over-engineered cars that technology kills.

The older MB 300E/240D can be said the same but technology wasn't there back in the day so they pretty much bulletproof.


I really do like the Jag's styling but thats about it. for $16k you can get other high end decently quick cars that can be somewhat higher in reliable field. 540i and this should be on par with each other, but a LOT more 540's out there. being a DIY is great for cars like this. Or a MB with similiar eaton blower on it.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
nded warranty and I only paid $8,500 for the car at the dealer. Fantastic ride and quality. I've had $4,000+ of warranty work already to fix all problems (trans/motor/radiator leaks, and rear door lock, and transmission computer software reload). Highly recommend getting at least 6 months of warranty coverage to initially fix problems. Antifreeze is $17 per liter (Jag fluid only). New front brake pads and rotors will cost $700, so this car is not for the timid budget. Overall reliability has been very good though and a GREAT car overall. No regrets!
"overall reliability has been very good"

<- the fvck?

Anyway, really, DO NOT WANT. This car will be a hassle to maintain.
i think this is one those dual AC condenser cars that have GREAT cooling but fail often. One of those over-engineered cars that technology kills.
Like Jag's silly idea to put 12 cylinder motors in their cars some years ago?

Having a part made from England to fix the car is utter fail. I'd definitely go for a BMW over this. At least when it breaks you know you can get parts this year.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
"overall reliability has been very good"

<- the fvck?

Anyway, really, DO NOT WANT. This car will be a hassle to maintain.Like Jag's silly idea to put 12 cylinder motors in their cars some years ago?

Having a part made from England to fix the car is utter fail. I'd definitely go for a BMW over this. At least when it breaks you know you can get parts this year.

Maybe they've owned nothing but British, French and Italian cars prior to this? Or even worse, Russian cars?

Smokekit2.jpg
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,385
821
126
Almost bought one of these back in 2007.

Major complaint from owners was the big brakes would eat pads/rotors. Jag ended up doing away with the monster brakes at some point but I'm not sure the change-over was.

Electrical gremlins happen with all cars, I would visit a Jag forum and see what issues they are griping about.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Almost bought one of these back in 2007.

Major complaint from owners was the big brakes would eat pads/rotors. Jag ended up doing away with the monster brakes at some point but I'm not sure the change-over was.

Electrical gremlins happen with all cars, I would visit a Jag forum and see what issues they are griping about.

:confused: I've never had any electrical gremlins with any car I've ever owned...then again, I've never owned a Jaguar...or a Jeep or a Land Rover either.
 

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,385
821
126
:confused: I've never had any electrical gremlins with any car I've ever owned...then again, I've never owned a Jaguar...or a Jeep or a Land Rover either.


Should rephrase that to all makes & models - no car make or model is immune from being a lemon. People rarely go online and say great things but they always seem to bitch & moan when things go wrong.

Reading what the enthusiat forum has to say about common problems will get you a better understanding of how frequent a given problem is.

As an example, I constanntly hear people bitch & moan about electrical gremlins in VW's but have never met a person who experienced them first hand.............
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
:confused: I've never had any electrical gremlins with any car I've ever owned...then again, I've never owned a Jaguar...or a Jeep or a Land Rover either.

I had a Toyota that was a nightmare until I figured out the fuse box somehow was on the fritz. It happens with other cars, just not as much.

Also, the jeeps and land rovers worth owning are the ones with as little electronics as possible :awe:
 
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