So I took my 3.0 petrol to my local independent jaguar specialist for a service this weekend just gone thinking I only needed a new indicator stalk....only to be told it has severe corrosion underneath and the car would require a new shell if I wanted to get it through the next MOT. Although my pride is severely dented and I'm gutted about it, I'd like to move on and a diesel appeals to me.

Today I noticed a very nice 2.7d for sale near me. Now there are some really informative posts on here for help with buying an S-Type (so I can hopefully get one that hasn't been neglected this time) but the thing that is holding me back is the words of the mechanic.....he told me to avoid the diesel model. Why would this be? Are there reliability issues? I wish id of questioned it at the time because what I'm seeing here is the prospect of better mpg, lower running costs, a newer car and some chrome finishing in slightly different places that I think I prefer.

The plot thickens because the 2.7d I'm looking at is for sale from a different independent jag specialist in my area!

I just wondered if any diesel owners, or those with experience with the diesel could give me some solid feedback on life with this car.

This would be most appreciated so I can decide what to do!

Thanks guys.

Hi Brandon,

I have had a late model s type 2.7D SE for over three years.  The 2.7 Gemini Diesel was built as a joint project between Peugeot and Ford and is a fine piece of engineering.  It is quite quick with great acceleration and belies the fact that diesels are slow and noisy.  The V6 engine has twin turbo chargers, and two EGR valves, the latter needing a clean out now and then.  The clean out can be achieved by a good blast on a dual carriageway, or a can of EGR cleaner costing under £10.  Easy!

The Diesel Particular Filter has some horror stories, but most of them are apocryphal.  I have never had a problem with mine even though I don't do a big mileage and mostly short runs.  Again a drive of about half an hour when the engine is at normal operating temperature at over 40 mph will regenerate the DPF, and again there are additives that also do the job.

The engine has a cam belt which needs changing at 105,000 miles or ten years, so ask that question if the car you are thinking of buying is close to that mileage.

I get over 45 mpg on a long run, and have on one occasion returned 50.6 mpg.  Driving around the city gives me on average about 35 mpg.

I use premium fuel as I think it gives me a better performance, but there are many other drivers whose cars perform well enough with standard fuel/

A good test drive will surprise you.  It certainly did surprise me, even though I had has two diesels as company cars previously.

Regards,

Peter.

 

What Peter said........

i have a diesel manual on an 06 plate, had it about 18 months now, and I get a little more to the gallon, 40-42 round town and 50-55 on a run.

as long as you treat it to a good run now n then you won't go wrong with the dpf.

if the one your looking at has turned down exhaust tips and is on a 55 reg or so it won't have a dpf.  

 

Good luck. 

I have never really liked diesel cars until I bought a S-Type, no smoke comes out the back, it is a quick car, and very quiet . Cambelts  will cost £375 from a main dealer so factor that into your price if they haven't been done.

i have got 35.6mpg average over the last 1000 miles using a brim to brim method, although dash says I got 38.3 mpg. Mpg is not bad for a V6 auto! 

Peter, Gary and Andy thank you so much for this golden information, its encouraged me and really put my mind at ease as well. Its done 102k and just had the cambelt changed recently. It's an 05 so has the downward facing exhaust pipes and there are lots of other goodies like winter pack and sat-nav. This particular independent jag garage are saying they've been looking after it for 6 years as well.

- I will definitely go and see this at the weekend!

Hi Brandon,

That sounds rather good.  Just ask the dealer to check the sills under the covers for signs of rust.

Regards,

Peter.

 

Just had a look online, that car has a lot of extras and looks well looked after, best of luck. 

Cheers guys!  I'll let you know how I get on this weekend when I go and see it. And of course will post some pics if I make that all important purchase!

Hi Brandon ---As I have said in the past to others thinking of buying always check the past MOT's on this link --

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ga=1.167145726.1398065124.1463749831

its a good indication of the past history of the car .???

 

Check the top hose barb on the coolant tank isn't leaking - common to snap and you'll have orange coolant around the black rim of the tank.

Hi bdog I have just bought a 57 plate s type diesel and it is lovely mate If the price is right and you have done your home work MOTs Service history and so on I dont think you can go wrong That engine is a cracker if you look after it So best of look mate

Hi Brandon, as Woodsy says the 2.7 V6 Diesel engine is great - I have a 2008 XF with the 2.7 V6 Diesel engine and it has now 184,000 miles on the clock and still gives me 48mpg on a long run, so if it has a good service history and you check the MOT history as O.T.H recommends you won't go wrong! 

Good Luck!

I have a automatic 55 plate diesel...the one with the down-turned exhaust pipes.  I have had diesels for years now, a series of Vauxhauls, Citroens and Skodas and the S-Type beats them all into a cocked hat in terms of performance, smoothness and noise etc.  You can barely tell it's a diesel and it has bags of grunt.

Interesting to see the fuel economy people are getting.  Maybe I have a right foot made of lead because I get around 33mpg on average with maybe 35 to 36 on a motorway run.

Hi Adam,

I think a Terraclean service - cost about £125 - would do your car a lot of good.

I noticed a big difference in performance when I had my car done.

Regards,

Peter.

15 minutes ago, Old Peter said:

Hi Adam,

I think a Terraclean service - cost about £125 - would do your car a lot of good.

I noticed a big difference in performance when I had my car done.

Regards,

Peter.

Hmm...might just give that a go.  I think my car has actually suffered from doing low mileage...only 63K over 10 years.  It had one owner prior to me and I get the feeling he was a "steady" driver.  Looking at the service book, it did very low mileage over the last few years and I'm willing to bet it didn't get a good blast on the motorway much.

Hi Adam, that Terraclean might be a good idea, low usage isn't great for these engines, I do less than 10 miles a day now in mine and that gives me about 20-22mpg, I am going on a 'long-run' on Sunday to Gatwick, I will see what it does on that run and report back.

With the low mileage the DPF warning light comes on and I have to take it for a 'burn-up' to clear it, but with over 180,000 on the clock it does well :-)

I have a automatic 55 plate diesel...the one with the down-turned exhaust pipes.  I have had diesels for years now, a series of Vauxhauls, Citroens and Skodas and the S-Type beats them all into a cocked hat in terms of performance, smoothness and noise etc.  You can barely tell it's a diesel and it has bags of grunt.

Interesting to see the fuel economy people are getting.  Maybe I have a right foot made of lead because I get around 33mpg on average with maybe 35 to 36 on a motorway run.

I also get around 30 to 33 with mine, best was 37 mpg on the motorway.[emoji33]

I will definitely give an update after my next long journey (Sunday), I would have thought that with my engine being worn more (184,000 mileage) the mpg would be worse.................update to come

Car is booked in for Terraclean on Monday so I'll let you all know if it makes a difference.

Mpg will always differ from car to car.

it all boils down to whether you've come out with a pump and a clog on!!

 

Hello again Gents. 

Thank you for all your points this week on the post!

A 2nd s-type diesel appeared near me today. An 07 plate with 104k on the clock. My girlfriend's dad kindly helped me inspect it over and it drives beautifully, like many of you said the diesel would. The garage said they will do the cambelt change and service which it's now due and I'll be picking it up next week! 

Congratulations Brandon - It looks Great!

Very nice car

 

make sure urge you read and understand the section of the handbook that refers to the pdf regen cycle.  

Hi Brandon,

Car looks great!

Wheels are in better nick than mine!

Regards,

Peter.

bradon a nice looking purchase, hope it puts a smile on your face every time, please what is the colour i just love it. anything you may consider changing or upgrading ?