Highlights
- High-end executive saloon
- Comprehensive history file
- Excellent inside and out
- New cambelt
- New transmission in 2019
The Appeal
The Jaguar S-type was unveiled at the Birmingham International Motor Show in 1998, and hit the showrooms in January 1999. Its unashamedly retro styling harked back to its namesake predecessor, the previous S-type produced by Jaguar between 1963 and 1968, and the car was aimed squarely at buyers who might otherwise be tempted by BMW’s 5-series or Mercedes’ E-class.
The car was praised on its release for its interior and ride. In particular, the 2.7 V6 twin-turbodiesel engine – as in this example – was described as 'a paragon of refinement, quietness, and fuel economy' by the European automotive press, with enough 'refinement and performance to wean anyone off petrol power'.
WO 06 FFU has clearly been looked after well by successive owners, and is in extremely good condition both inside and out. There’s a reassuring file of paperwork documenting work carried out in recent years.
The History and Paperwork
- MoT valid until May 2023
- Awaiting new V5 and reg plates
- Thick file of invoices
- Original folder with owners’ manuals
- Service history
The vendor purchased the car only recently, from a previous owner for whom the car was part of a large collection, and so it has been used only sparingly for the last ten years or so. The previous owner clearly looked after the car, with little expense spared, according to the invoices that form part of the history pack. However, since acquiring the car the vendor has had a hip replacement operation and has found that the car is too low – he can’t easily get in or out of it – and so he has reluctantly decided to sell it.
Those invoices within the file record major expenditure in the last few years, including a timing belt change and a new transmission carried out in 2019 at 66,000 miles, so a new owner can be reassured that many potential issues have been pre-empted.
The service record shows servicing at appropriate intervals, and all the original manuals are present in their leather folder.
In the photographs, the car is still wearing personalised number plates belonging to the previous owner, while the vendor awaits delivery of the new V5 documents and new plates. The previous owner would prefer not to make public his personal plate, which is why the vendor has disguised the number with tape.
The Interior
- Smart black leather seats
- Carpets in excellent condition
- Stylish dashboard and dials
- Leather-trimmed door panels
Motoring journalists loved the S-type’s luxurious and comfortable interior, and it’s easy to see why; it’s every inch the executive saloon. The seats are supportive and offer a good driving position, and the controls fall readily to hand. The design of the instrument binnacle is clean and uncluttered. It’s a relaxed and refined driving environment.
The interior of this car belies its 69,000 miles, and much of it looks as it would have done when near-new. The black leather front seats show very few signs of wear, and the rear seats look all but unused. The door panels and chrome kick-plates all look remarkably good for their sixteen years. The carpets in the front footwells have been protected by overmats, and again show few signs of wear.
Look closely and there are one or two minor imperfections: the roof-mounted sunglasses receptacle doesn’t close, and there’s a scratch on the metal surround of the gear lever, but really there’s not much to find fault with.
In the boot, the lining is clean and has no signs of wear, while beneath the floor there’s a reasonable spare wheel and all the original tools. The boot-mounted battery has a label suggesting it was installed in September 2019, and it’s connected to a lead for trickle-charging. There is also a Jaguar-branded case for an oil bottle.
The Exterior
- Classic Jaguar styling
- Excellent silver paintwork
- Chrome brightwork and badges, all in first-class condition
The S-type’s designer, the late Geoff Lawson, deliberately incorporated styling cues from Jaguar’s heritage in its lines, and for that reason its looks have stood the test of time better than many of its contemporary rivals. It’s instantly recognisable as a Jaguar, not least because of that iconic ‘leaping cat’ mascot on the bonnet. The styling was given a facelift by designer Ian Callum in 2004
Again, the exterior of this example tells the story; this is a car that’s been cared for. The vendor’s understanding that the car was part of a cherished collection is borne out by its condition. The paintwork looks great but the vendor reports a couple of minor issues – there’s a scuff on the rear bumper and another on the nearside sill. Both of these will quite probably polish out. The boot lid has some light scratches. Elsewhere, the iconic mascot, the badges and the brightwork are all in outstanding condition.
The spoked Jaguar alloy wheels have no sign of corrosion, but there is minor rim damage to both fronts.
The Mechanics
- 2.6-litre V6 diesel engine
- 5-speed automatic transmission, replaced 2019
- Recent timing belt change
The car has the 2.7 V6 twin-turbodiesel engine that attracted so many plaudits when it first appeared in the S-type. As you’d expect of a car that has been so well cared-for, this one starts on first turn of the key and has a healthy engine note. There’s no smoke and no undue noises. The car pulls away as it should and the vendor reports that it drives well, with no issues. Sadly, at present the vendor has only one key; the previous owner hopes to locate the second and pass it on to a new owner.
Changes from the auto ‘box are smooth and quiet, as you would expect of a recent replacement unit.
Worthy of note is that the previous owner had the (notoriously problematic) EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valves removed and the engine remapped to accommodate the change. In the car’s boot are two brand-new EGRs, in their boxes, ready to be refitted if the new owner wishes, but the engine will have to be remapped back to its original state if this is done.
Under the bonnet, everything looks to be clean and in good order – there’s no evidence of leaks or corrosion. Similarly, the underside of the car looks to be in very good condition, as far as we can tell.
Summary
Renowned not only for its refinement and ride quality, but also for its performance and handling, the S-type is fast acquiring ‘modern classic’ status. Residual values are already outstripping those of its German contemporaries. Its timeless Jaguar styling is still easy on the eye, some fifteen years after it was superseded by the XF.
With its modest mileage and reassuring history file, WO 06 FFU offers the new owner a sophisticated driving experience that’s up there with the very best executive saloons.
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