Lord Sladacre

Hi Dave, Good to hear from you - So many topics that are of common interest and experiences to share. I was fascinated to hear that you run yours on LPG. !! Keen to hear more, eg availabitity, performane ,issues, modifications etc - obviously it suits you and the primary reason must be oerating costs. Interesting, but would it suit a daily driver, albeit of no more than 5 - 6k miles per year? Tyres. I bought the car with Avons all round, which were showing signs of age. I replaced them in November 2019 @ 77k miles (4 yrs already !!) after careful reasearch for Falken Ziex ZE-914 Ecorun (£440 for 4 - through Black Circles online). I have found the tyre to be excellent, i have covered 20k miles in that period, no tread wear or wall damage at all. I chose them (in addition to rain, mpg, noise rating - all good) also for the slightly raised profile to wheel rim, ensuring minimum opportunity for damage to the alloys. I think 6 yrs is tyre life max - as you say regardless pretty much of wear. Insurance. Do you have an "agreed value" insurance, perhaps through Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Peter James Classic Insurance. I had been struggling and no one was interested. However, the primary reason I joined JEC was the Insurance deal and have insured mine for a value of £5k, a comprehensive policy including uk/continental breakdown for £210.00. In the day with three children growing up we had a 1987 Volvo 740 GLE estate auto. We covered Holland, UK and Spain. Fantastic car, 180k miles - needed to refurbish the gearbox, in those days (1992) for £1100. if you have a handy pic of the S- Type would be interested to see her. i have attached a pic - ignore the low concave on fnt pax dr - all gone now. Have a good w/e. Dominic

Hi Dave, Many thanks for your thoughts on the auto operation. An interesting one - particularly as autoboxes through evolution, design, sensors and other "refinements" enable a particularly economic outcome. On a regular journey of A303, b roads and towns, over 60 miles I achieve between 29 and 31 mpg. On a run from Dorset to York, with stops etc - mainly main / motorways an amazing 36 mpg !! Given the car is 3.0 V6 petrol, i was delighted. My semi auto driving style is more auto than manual - fear not ! My original thoughts were that as you say it keeps all working parts, working. Thank you again, I shall keep in touch if the dreaded " light display" - together with the notices. Happy motoring with your "S" over the winter. Kind regards Dominic

Hi Dave, The sensor (rear o/s ABS has been replaced. All warning lights are out and gearbox functioning smoothly. Just a thought it had been my habit of using the box almost like a manual certainly down shifting for junctions, hills etc. Is this okay - or contributory to the gearbox problem? I always understood it was "good practice" to actually use the box rather than just in "Drive" - any thoughts? Thanks Dominic

Hi Dave, Thank you for hyour response. it seems now that the problem is an electrical sensor. Diagnostics show that the "DSC not Available" followed by the "ABS Fault" warning light is then sequentially followed by "Gearbox Fault". The diagnostic shows that the problem in this case is a broken ABS sensor on the rear o/side wheel. I am having it replaced tomorrow and am assured all will be well.......................... I will keep you posted and thanks again for your prepardness to investigate this further with me. Kind Regards Dominic

Hi, Driving from Weymouth to Dotrchester yesterday there appeared to be a "clunk" from the rear underneath of the car. The gearbox refused to change from 6th and the gearstick seemed disconnected to any activity within the box - no effect at all. Can anyone advise me of the cause please? I had a ATF and sump kit done on the box three years ago and 20k miles back. The car currently has 97k and is a 2003 3.0 litre V6 petrol. When i swithc off and restart all is well for about a minute - then the car remains in the gear that it achieved - even when pulling away, in 4th, 5th or 6th not good !! I would be very grateful for the expertise of members on this one, thank you.

Hi Justin, I am only concerned with the fit of the cluster unit compatability - rather than lamp / bulb insertion. Thank you Dominic

Please help if you can........I have a Dec 2003 S - Type and need the n/s head light cluster. Some on ebay list years of fit eg; 2004 - 2007 etc and others show fits all S - Types, presumably this cannot be right.Can anyone tell me what year of light other than the 2003 (if any) will fit please. many thanks Dominic.

My garage tells me that the drivers side camshaft cover is plastic - passenger side is aluminium, It appears to be cracked in two places and leaking oil. The Jag replacment part is £325 inc vat. Is this a known "material combination" on the 2003, 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine? Have other members encountered this problem? Thanks. Dominic

I would be grateful if any members could recommend an insurer / broker who might offer agreed value insurance. Tried Peter best Insurance service last year - sent in photo's as requested, insured car - then discovered that it was not an agreed value arrangement - just ordinary comprehensive insurance. felt conned after sending 6 photo's !!

Hi, I wonder if members can quantify the seriousness of the problem. Obviously the extent of the well known problem will define the cost of likely replacement as will the chosen restorer. I am keen to continue as the car (which I have owned since November 2017) is two owner, otherwise immaculate, as new - (at least topside) and has every conceivable extra a Dec 2003 3.0 litre could have. Seafrost with biege interior and all garaged like new ! The car has been serviced by Jaguar main dealers ever since its build, currently has 79k on the clock and been serviced every 5k. Any, all comfort welcomed - I would like to continue to maintain and keep the car for the long term - 10 yrs plus, there is a lot of sense and experience out there - please share your thoughts......... Regards Dominic

My December 2003 S - Type has a six speed auto box coupled to the V6 3.0 litre engine. The car currently has 78 k miles and i have owned her since December 2017, at which point she had 61 k miles. At what mileage should i change the ATF auto fluid in the gearbox? i have heard rumour that it is a "sealed for life" unit, which is concerning - as it surely under goes wear through heat in long term operation. Any advice would be gratefully received. Many thanks, Dominic

Thanks Justin for your recommendation - I appreciate your comments. Others have also said Avon's are not what they perhaps used to be - certainly mine wore unevenly, parished on walls etc. They were 6 yrs old it transpires !! I have gone to Falken Ziex - 914 Ecorun 235 / 50 R17 - a complete set all done at £439.44 (Black Circles). Terrific write up, excellent reviews. I'm delighted with them - seem quieter and excellent in the wet. Thanks again, Dominic

Hi Richard, Okay great - I will have a look for these particular Pirelli's, your recommendation is very much appreciated as tyres can make a world of difference, as you know !! Thanks again, Kind Regards Dominic

I have a (Dec) 2003, S-Type 3.0 litre SE, currently on Avon 235 / 50 ZR 17 96 Y tyres. They still have plenty of tread although the last MOT in October "suggested" - (Advisory) that they needed replacement due to uneven wear (potholes / road conditions) and side wall perishing. i am trying to find a low noise, fuel efficient, effective wet grip / braking tyre (aren't we all ?) that will not break my slender purse. I have read good (Jaguar owner) reviews and located at a reasonable price (£109 - Black Circles) a tyre that comes pretty close, it is; Falken ZE 914. I would be very grateful to hear of what fellow members prefer or think of this particular choice, thank you. Dominic

Gentlemen thank you. I have replied in full to the notification on my email - I trust you have or can see that. Thank you all again, much appreciated. Dominic.

The shaped plate looks a bit over the top - almost an omelette !! However it does cover the fixings on the boot area. Anyway, I've gone for this shape apprehensively - what do other members think? Not of my choice (!!) but of the plate size and shape. The later S - Type plate is better, but not conducive to the 2003 boot / plate shape.

Hi, The offside lower wheel arch bracket has corroded to nothing on my 2003 S - Type. This effectively leaves the bottom part of the wing / skirt free to vibrate with potential to crack the laquer finish. What I wonder were jag thinking about when they had the bright idea to provide a metal bracket to fix two plastic components together.............. Does any member know where i would be able to purchase both the n/ side and o / side brackets please? very many thanks Dominic

Good Afternoon, I have reviewed the membership Car Insurance service provided by Adrian Flux. The Company offer a total loss protection adding 25% onto the likely value of the car, assessed as trade value - in the event of a total loss event. What i am looking for is an "Agreed Value" insurance which Adrian Flux does seem to mention in the response to another enquirer. I would be very interested to hear from fellow members regarding insuring the actual value of their Jaguars. many thanks Dominic.

Hi Kris, Beware the remote "boot button" - why did jag put it on there? I locked my keys in the boot because I left the car doors locked and ONLY opened the boot in the rain and dark last September - placed a bottle of wine and flowers in, put my keys down - and closed the boot !!!!!!!!!!!!! Took the RAC 2 hours to open the car - could not open the boot at all !! Took 4 days - weekend included - to receive the spare keys from my wife, at home 300 miles away !! Forget you have a remote boot key ...................please !

Hi, I would be very grateful to hear from members that have taken the bold step of fitting a front and rear dash cam to their S - Type. (Mine is a December 2003 3.0 litre SE Plus with additions) I am very nervous about the whole procedure. I foolishly mentioned that the thought had passed my mind to our daughter, sensibly discounting it when I considered the implications regarding the potential horror of "wire concealment" in the headlining to entering the top of the centre armrest (to access the aux power socket) - hard wiring being totally out of the question given my lack of knowledge and the complex wiring of the S - Type. My daughter may have misread my comments (or was setting me a challenge?), bless her, as for my birthday last week presented me with the Nextbase 322gw front and rear dash cam set !! My dilemma is clear - I plan to fit tomorrow !! Members I await your wisdom.........................please..... Many thanks, Dominic.

Hi Nick, Thanks for your recommendation - I will certainly check out this tyre it is on my shortlist from my own research - so you have confirmed it ! Kind regards, Dominic.

My December 2003, S - Type 3.0 Ltr - SE + will shortly require new tyres. The car currently has a set of Avon 235 / 50 ZR 17 tyres which I like, they give a smooth run, excellent fuel economy and have a fit that is slightly proud of the rims of the alloy wheels, thereby affording some protection to the alloys from kerbing - not that this has occurred of course !! My garage suggests a change from Avon's - which surprised me as I understood early Jags were all made with Avon's pretty much as a standard fit. They suggest a variety of manufacturers from Goodyear, Pirelli, Bridgestone etc., - saying that a tyre must have "Jaguar Fit". I have concluded that the best way to unravel all of this is to ask you - S - Type owners, what you run your cars on. it is likely that you have considerably more experience than I. I would very much welcome and appreciate your recommendations please.

Hi Nick, Apparently valet button doesn't open the boot. Although i could (RAC assist) get into the car - couldn't get into the boot where the keys were !! Regards Dominic.

Hi Mark, Many thanks - sound advice, I have decided to follow the advice of the wise, whom appear to be many. Premium only from now on !!

My thanks to Old Peter and Jon for your excellent advice gentlemen. I'm sure that you are right and I will feel more comfortable in the sense that I'm doing the right thing for the car is always using premium grade fuel. As I have said I think for a 3 litre petrol engine (six speed auto box no doubt helps) the fuel economy is fantastic. I manage between 34 - 37 mph on a good run. It will be interesting to see what the car achieves from Dorset to Northumberland via Lincoln and York !!