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Comments
A contributor to Jagtalk that lived in Finland with an S-Type has a write-up on his personal homepage, including a detailed description of winter handling in Finland. He referred me to it to answer the same question when I asked it before I bough my S-Type. Check it out at http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/hub/1000/jaguar/stypeobs.htm.
Craig
While my parents did not buy it just for me, I'm happily driving a much appreciated hand-me-down 1996 Mercedes-Benz C220, amongst the sea of X5's, A4's, RX300's, 3-Series, and the likes buzzing around Cornell University.
Thanks.
My parents came up to visit me this weekend...in a Mercury Sable rental car. The S-Type at the dealer getting some issues fixed. It's getting a new transmission cable since the car has gotten stuck in PARK on a couple occasions. They're also fixing the loose chrome trim and the rattling dash.
And after driving the Sable, I don't know how anyone could say the S-Type is a prettied-up Ford. A universe of difference separates the two. At least I got to try out adjustable pedals (my parents did not opt for them in their S-Type). I really like that feature, and it's fun to play with...you can accelerate the car by bringing the pedal to you (not the smartest move, but I had to try it out). And by the way, the switch to adjust the pedals is the same as the window switch in the S-Type. I'll get over it.
It is our business what we do for each other in my family and please do not comment on my work ethics when you do NOT know me.
Further messages that ignore my request will be removed.
Ppower
When the car is turned on about 40% of the time the screen will say "emergency service only" and when I hit the phone button it will say "phone not fitted". Jaguar has replaced the fiber-optics and the transceiver unsuccessfully. Alpine (they make the phone and radio parts) has made a new transceiver that is supposed to fix this problem but the part has not come in yet.
Other than these two problems I love the car. Plenty of power, good ride, good handling and unique looks.
FYI, this is the same transmission that is in the new BMW 745, and as I understand it the BMW is having far more difficulty with this problem than is Jag.
Craig
Craig
While the '03 interior re-design doesn't mean too much to me, the new suspension might. I've seen in this string reference to a common front-end shimmy problem in the pre-'03 models, likely (as reported) associated with wheels slightly out of balance. I'm wondering if anyone knows:
1) Has this problem persisted in the '03?
2) Is the problem exacerbated or mitigated by any stock combination of suspension (sport/non-sport) and engine weight (6 vs. 8), or by tire choice?
3) What is the magnitude of the problem, and at what speeds and conditions does it occur? For instance, how often are folks balancing the front wheels, does it completely solve the problem when they do, and if so, typically for how long?
4) Are there any other common problems or characteristics associated with the pre-'03 S-Types of which a prospective buyer should be aware?
Thanks for your help.
I have had a wonderful experience with my Jag. I have not had major problems and even the minor ones were small. White Plains Jag has been excellent with respect to service.
So...do I want to continue driving a Jag. The answer here is Yes. The big question is to either buy the one I have or lease a new one.
I have read some of the recent threads and see a few really bad experiences. Anyone out there with a happy 2003 or 2002 Jag.
One observation, Edmunds does not list the Invoice price on the 2003 Jag S types....Why? Other like cars are listed...Did I miss something.
Thanks for any help here.
The biggest and the only problem i have had in my car is the fact that it gets dirty all the time!!!(its black)
PS: i would be glad to answer any more questions as i know how eager one can be....if you scroll back i was asking questions the exact same way as you are about 2 months back...get the Jag man!
Craig
I get a barrage of pleasant communications by mail from the dealer, as well as a couple of phone calls. Looks propitious!
Happy motoring!
My parents just bought a 2003 3.0 in July. My parents are in love with the car, at least with its looks. They're not thrilled that it's going in for service for a third time. Not that more problems keep springing up, but the dealer was unable to fix certain problems each it was brought in (i.e. parts were not received). They're minor problems, though one is extremely annoying: (1) the dash rattles; (2) detaching chrome trim; and (3) a defective shifter cable, which prevents the car from shifting from park every now and then. Problems 1 and 2 were fixed on two successive visits, but the car is going back soon to get a new shifter cable (the first 2003 to get this work done at the dealer, so we're the guinea pig). But they love the way the car looks!
On the 2000 model the dealer replaced wheels, tires, suspension parts and also sent the car to a specialty shop for wheel balance. Nothing worked to stop the vibration and shimmy. Balancing the wheels with a machine that mounted the wheel on the balancer through the lug holes instead of the center hole removed about 90% of the vibration, but did not eliminate it.
The 2000 was a lemon but Jaguar stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam by replacing the car with no hassle. The 2001 had just one significant mechanical repair: The steering column was replaced. At the time I got rid of the car the wood inside had faded. These were the only significant repairs needed.
We loved the look of the S-Type and found the replacement car reliable with a comfortable ride, great handling, and enough acceleration. We took it on one trip but found the rear seat and trunk too small (rear knee room and trunk height) for long trips, but ride and front seat comfort were very good.
Craig
Doesn't the 4.0 have 17" wheels?
it did shimmy but not until it reached 80 mph. the asking price was $25000 which i thought was pretty good for a retail dealer. How does the local Jag dealer think they can move 3.0s asking $30000 and up? Just because they're certified? Since many stypes are now coming back off leases i'm finding there is a significant disparity in the condition level of each unit. really low mile units are rare and many of the 2000s willbe off warranty this year. Anybody have any thoughts about the q45 versus the s type? thanks.
If the car is right FOR YOU, what does it matter who else also realizes that it fits their needs?
I purchased a 2003 S-type two weeks ago. The car has 551 miles. As I was exiting the interstate The steering locked up and failed causing me to lose control of the vehicle and nearly colliding with on-coming traffic. Needless to say it scared the stuff out of me and the family. The car was towed to the dealer, no word on the problem yet. We have lost confidence in this vehicle, wife say's she does not want to get back in the car. Has anyone had similar problems? What can I expect from Jag? Thanks for any suggestions. Worried the car is not safe!!!
Best of luck
I think it depends on what your dealer finds. If it's a broken part and it's replaced and the dealer inspects everything then it should be fine.
OTOH if they can't definitively say what caused it and prove that it's been fixed then I would definitely be worried.
This is the first I've heard of this type of problem on any of the DEW98 cars (Stype, Lincoln LS, T-bird) so I don't think it's a systemic problem and is probably an isolated failure of some kind.