Anybody consider a Jaguar S-Type R?
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Member
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: chicago
2003 E500
Anybody consider a Jaguar S-Type R?
Awaiting my E500 but just saw a very favorable review of this Jaguar. Was not aware that the car had been redone. Now I am wondering if I should go drive one to eliminate any doubts. My local dealer has several in stock.
Have looked through most of the forum and never seen this car mentioned. Not looking to start flame against Jaguar, just wondering if anyone had considered it when shopping and why they chose the E series instead.
Have looked through most of the forum and never seen this car mentioned. Not looking to start flame against Jaguar, just wondering if anyone had considered it when shopping and why they chose the E series instead.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
one of seven
A good friend of mine who leases was having all kinds of problems with his new Lincoln and thanks to the lemon law was able to bring it in and get the Jag S type. He loves it but was really unhappy to find that it used the same platform as the Lincoln he had just gotten rid of. He's had no problems yet!! 
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Yes I considered one and a new X/R was about 4G's under what I paid for the MB. I could have also got a corporate fleet discound on it but the car was for the wife and she chose the MB over the X type.
And the X type we were considering was the R
And the X type we were considering was the R
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
I actually owned a Jag S-Type R. It was a 2003 and although I never had any mechanical problems with it, I just wasn't very happy with it. The dash was very Ford-like and it rode very stiff. The power was good (400hp/400tq) but ultimately I opted to sell it for my E500.
Yes, the Jag was a bit faster but I give the nod to the Benz for overall experience. The interior of the W211's is second to none in it's class and the 500 flavor of our cars will get around town nicely. Not to mention the 550's will probably out run an S-type R.
It's worth mentioning that these cars are notorious for having what's called 'The Lurch". Its a very rough downshift from 2-1. They were NEVER able to remedy it in my car.
www.thelurch.com
Yes, the Jag was a bit faster but I give the nod to the Benz for overall experience. The interior of the W211's is second to none in it's class and the 500 flavor of our cars will get around town nicely. Not to mention the 550's will probably out run an S-type R.
It's worth mentioning that these cars are notorious for having what's called 'The Lurch". Its a very rough downshift from 2-1. They were NEVER able to remedy it in my car.
www.thelurch.com
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Dec 17, 2007 at 11:04 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
I don't think there is such a thing a X-Type R. I used to have an X-Type too.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Molde, Norway
C200TCDI Sports Edition
from all the group tests I have read the Jaguar tends to handle better than the E55, M5 et al but is let down by missing about 100hp, with it it should clean up, the chassis is very very good.
The new XF is also getting rave reviews so maybe if you can hang on a while take a look, styling wise it leaves all the germans for dead,wait a little longer and the XF-R will turn upand it promises to be a world beater.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/...Jaguar-XF-SV8/
http://www.topgear.com/content/featu...ries/07/1.html
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...ed-SV8/229638/
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Raleigh NC
2007 E63, 2006 C55
RE: Jag S-Type
I woud tread cautiously with an used Jag S type....a British styled Lincoln LS.
I see the Jags come through the auctions weekly, and IMHO they pretty much fall apart at around 70K miles....which is why they are so inexpensive. These things are FORD through and through, and have reliability issues. Transmission, electrics, suspension, cooling system, and brakes all are common trouble spots and tend to carry big $$ repair costs. The "R" model is rare and pretty fast, but the supercharged engine puts more stress on everything, including the engine itself.
For my money, depending on your taste and priorities, I would go with a used Benz, Beamer, Infiniti, or Lexus over an S type Jag.
If you really want/got to have a Jag, I would consider the XJ8; still temperamental, but a much better car than the S type in every way.
I see the Jags come through the auctions weekly, and IMHO they pretty much fall apart at around 70K miles....which is why they are so inexpensive. These things are FORD through and through, and have reliability issues. Transmission, electrics, suspension, cooling system, and brakes all are common trouble spots and tend to carry big $$ repair costs. The "R" model is rare and pretty fast, but the supercharged engine puts more stress on everything, including the engine itself.
For my money, depending on your taste and priorities, I would go with a used Benz, Beamer, Infiniti, or Lexus over an S type Jag.
If you really want/got to have a Jag, I would consider the XJ8; still temperamental, but a much better car than the S type in every way.
Last edited by NCE500; Dec 17, 2007 at 08:32 PM. Reason: typo
Member
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From: Molde, Norway
C200TCDI Sports Edition
Completely untrue, I'm in the UK everyother week and you see loads of Jaguars all over the place, especially X type estates. Quality to a big step up when ford took over,not the other way around.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Michigan, USA
'05 E320 CDI, '07 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2007 Porsche GT3
By all means, if you haven't driven one of the new Jags, do so!
The X-class "Jaguar" was, in fact, a Ford Mondeo, and was universally panned by the automotive press and owners.
I, personally, work as a performance driving instructor, and my impression of this car (from the Right Seat) has been relentlessly negative. I would not buy one, by a mile!!!
Maybe the new ones have been hugely improved (one would certianly hope so!) !
If you're looking for a Sport Sedan, consider the new iteration of this loser! Othewrwise, be conventional and go with the BMW 3-series w/twin-turbo, or the M-B "C " series with the performance package!
The X-class "Jaguar" was, in fact, a Ford Mondeo, and was universally panned by the automotive press and owners.
I, personally, work as a performance driving instructor, and my impression of this car (from the Right Seat) has been relentlessly negative. I would not buy one, by a mile!!!
Maybe the new ones have been hugely improved (one would certianly hope so!) !
If you're looking for a Sport Sedan, consider the new iteration of this loser! Othewrwise, be conventional and go with the BMW 3-series w/twin-turbo, or the M-B "C " series with the performance package!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450
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From: Los Angeles
2005 C55
I looked into the R type before I bought my E500 and if your 6'2 like me your knees will be 2 inches away from the dash/ ignition keys when in the full back seat position. That was not cool, I mean even civics have more room for the driver. The dash looks soo cheap compared to the benz. If your short I'd say test drive it.
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 146
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From: Earth
E280 W211, X5 F15, X6 F16
if I were to look for luxury midsize sedan, I'd pick lexus GS over Jaguar S type. for type R model, I'd get audi, bmw or merc instead.
jaguar is no longer a luxury car we knew long ago.
jaguar is no longer a luxury car we knew long ago.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: California
i535
I highly consider Jaguar. I only believe that S type is discontinued and replaced by XF. So probably you can find some used S type R quite cheap. I test drove S type and really liked it over E class. It has less shift lag, style is exceptional. It has touch screen navigation as Lexus. I'd never pick Lexus though, too fast aging, no style and performance, just Mom's car.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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2008 Escalade / 1998 SL500
Jaguar got BETTER after Ford's ownership, not worse. Anyone who remembers the Jags of the 80s and the Land Rovers up to 2002 can atest to this... keywords LUCAS ELECTRICALS.
Yes, the cars got a tad cheaper overall, but the reliability of the cars is now unmatched. Jag is now hovering in the top 3 on the J.D. Power surveys every year.
An S Type R is a fine ride, and a cheap one at that. Just dont expect to make your money back on it when you go to sell it, they still depreciate like Jags. It certainly can't be any worse than an 03 E Class.
Now comes the REAL interesting part... Ford in all it's characteristic stupidity finally accepted a bid for Land Rover and Jaguar by INDIAN firm TATA. You want to see Jag and LR reliability tank.... just wait.
Yes, the cars got a tad cheaper overall, but the reliability of the cars is now unmatched. Jag is now hovering in the top 3 on the J.D. Power surveys every year.
An S Type R is a fine ride, and a cheap one at that. Just dont expect to make your money back on it when you go to sell it, they still depreciate like Jags. It certainly can't be any worse than an 03 E Class.
Now comes the REAL interesting part... Ford in all it's characteristic stupidity finally accepted a bid for Land Rover and Jaguar by INDIAN firm TATA. You want to see Jag and LR reliability tank.... just wait.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
You caught me,
It was the S Type R.. been a while since 03 and we are still driving the E500. 
But for us the E500 was the winner over the Jag. even with the discounts available.
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Anyway, the E500 was a winner over the S-Type R for me too. I actually liked my Jag S-T-R for a while. The torque was fun and with 400 ponies under the hood, you could surprise some people who weren't familiar with the "R" flavor.
But the suspension was way to firm for my taste. As a daily driver it kinda beat me up. Once I drove the E500 it was a no brainer. It's not a fast as the Jag but the supple ride and interior made it too good to pass up. The interior of the Jag looked archaic compared to my E500. But the interior on the new XF looks amazing.
