Well, the madness passed, and I've decided against a Merc S Class - www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=42318&...f
In my more sober mood, I've decided that I still want a bit of luxury, so I've come the the conclusion that while an S-class might have some disadvantages, an S-type might be sufficient for me. I've read the car-by-car breakdown and still like them.
Couple of things -
The ones I'm looking at are 2.5V6s, 2003, all about 60K miles. Is that cambelt change time for the car? Does it have a belt or a chain?
Anyone got any experience of them in general?
Anyone who is 6ft 3 or greater got any experience of them? How's the headroom?
Any advice appreciated.
V
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No personal exp, but Mr Clarkson looked comfy enough in an S type when he drove the 'ring. Only bashed his head when he went off road, at speed.
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Well, I have serviced one. I'm about 6-3 and I could fit in it OK, but I didn't drive it much, only a couple of miles. I wouldn't describe it as roomy - but then Jags have never been roomy cars relative to their external dimensions.
I'm 99% sure its a chain engine.
I had a devil of a job getting the wheels off - they'd siezed to the hubs. Other than that its OK to service.
There have been a fair few problems with the auto boxes on these - so check it out. Also a fair number of electrical gremlins and software updates etc. I would imagine one with a Jag s/h would be OK though. They seem to be fairly cheap secondhand.
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Does it have a belt or a chain?
>>
see hj's faq no. 15
www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=54
15. Which Engines Have Timing Chains or Gear Trains instead of Timing Belts?
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I've driven one recently, the first Jag I've ever driven.
The enduring impression is one of near claustrophobia. I'm 5'10" and I normally drive one of my old MBs, but even against the W124 Coupé the S-type felt snug, and the contrast with the W124 turbo saloon I used that day was even more marked. The Jag seems to be all bonnet, a shallow and long boot that's apparently not as capacious as it looks, and a passenger cabin so snug as to make me wonder about the comfort of rear passengers, let alone the driver and front-seat passenger in their cocoons.
The other thing I recall is that the ride was firmer than I was expecting, given the Jaguar reputation for smoothness.
Otherwise, a smooth and civilized drive.
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I have an S-type but it's the pre-facelift 3.0 one, so a different beast.
But for what it's worrth, yes, it has little room in the cabin - the storage space in mine is abysmal. Chain engine. Nice drive, although not as quiet as my previous Lexus GS.
I also drove a couple of Merc S-classes before going for this and was a bit underwhelmed with them I'm afraid. I'd have had one all right, but at twice the price of the Jag I bought it wasn't twice the car.
Jag won't last long - already looking for another Lexus I fear, probably in LS430 guise.
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A colleague is on his second. Had his first one for a couple of years then changed earlier this year as the 2.5 V6 was being discountinued and the run out models had loads of goodies. He has had no problems with either model apart from blue tooth compatibility issues. He gets about 20 mpg on a commute, 30+ on a decent run.
I've driven it and it feels very capable. The only thing I don't like is the switchgear for the climate control and the LCD display looks a bit naff.
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I've just got back from collecting one. It's another one bought for me by Joe Dowd. 2.5SE, 03 plate, 90K miles, £8,200.
What a revelation. First impressions are of massive headroom. Now I'm 6'3" tall with a long back and short legs (cf gibbon) and I've always had a problem with headroom. Well, with the seat at its highest setting I have 4" of headroom. I wish I could tell you what a joy it is.
As a drive, I couldn't believe how quiet it is. At one point on the A303 at 70 I dipped out of the sun, the aircon took a breather, the fan noise disappeared, and I could just hear a ticking noise. I finally traced it to my wristwatch. Which was nice.
I was also VERY surprised to get 37mpg out of it.
The only problem is that the driver's mirror is cracked, which I suspect is going to cost a squillion pounds to repair. Ah, me.
V
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As a drive, I couldn't believe how quiet it is. At one point on the A303 at 70 I dipped out of the sun, the aircon took a breather, the fan noise disappeared, and I could just hear a ticking noise. I finally traced it to my wristwatch.
Maybe it's time to get a better wristwatch ;-0
Enjoy the car (though I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that!) ......you also seem to be a regular customer of Joe Dowd, so far, so good, I assume?
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"......you also seem to be a regular customer of Joe Dowd, so far, so good, I assume?"
And recommended him to more than one person - all very happy.
V
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Maybe it's time to get a better wristwatch ;-0
I was thinking that !. Mind you it's a nice motor, I know someone who had one (he's bought an old shape XK8 now, and had a bargain to boot), he swore by his S type and hardly ever at it.
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If I remember correctly the 2.5 engine is the same one out of the Mondeo which is a chain cam according to HJ's CBCB
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Don't worry about a light tappets type noise at the top of the engine (as i did when i bought mine 4 years ago), as it is apparently the 'variable valve timing' (whatever that is) and according to a main dealer's service technician (i.e mechanic to the rest of us) 'they all do that'. Just give the engine a brief rev and the noise goes away. That was four years ago and although occasionally it makes the noise, nothing else has ever happened.
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