New owner Greetings & Basic Questions S3 2+2 '72

[JoeLondon]

Howdy good folks

I've recently found myself to be the owner of a beautiful green machine. Honestly, I was looking for a Mercedes Pagoda (cue hurling of rotten veg) but came across this nice looking cat and didn't manage to step far enough away from the keyboard to stop myself buying it.

So, never having owned or driven an E-Type, haven't even seen this car in the flesh yet (picking up on Friday)! I find myself with a couple of queries. I tried searching for answers, but the search terms "oil" & "type" understandably bring up a mountain of results.

She's a 1972 S3 V12 2+2 FHC and I'm curious about the following:
1) Type of oil to use
2) Type of battery
3) Coolant
4) Any other fluids or additives
5) Tyres
6) Wipers

Any advice for a new guy is going to help.

I have to get her from Iver into London and should any of these things fail I'd like to know ahead of time before making expensive mistakes. Not that I expect them to fail!

Thanks in advance.

[rswaffie]

Welcome,
Firstly, this forum is absolutely the right place to get advice etc.
Secondly, there’s nothing wrong with a Pagoda, beautiful styling and great mechanics.
Thirdly, you appear to have committed a cardinal sin - buying a classic Jag ‘unseen’. Was it from a dealer or private sale?

[JoeLondon]

Oh, I did far better than that.... Auction!

My wife works in risk management... I on the other hand....

I agree and I'm not sure it's wise to buy any car like that, let alone a classic.. however, it's how I've bought most of my cars.

[rswaffie]

An exciting way to enter E-Type ownership!
In terms of your questions, I can only answer from a six cylinder S1 3.8 perspective, but they may apply to your V12!
1) Type of oil to use - any classic 20/50 such as Castrol, Millers or Halfords.
2) Type of battery - depends if you are going for concourse or just practicality. I went with a Halfords battery. The spec will be in the Manual.
3) Coolant - I use Bluecol 2year.
4) Any other fluids or additives - Brake and clutch fluid is always a debating point on the forum so the S3 boys will have a preference. I use DOT4 synthetic.
5) Tyres - as above, huge amount of debate. However, go for classic profiles from Pirelli, Dunlop, Vredestein. Longstone Tyres website will give the ‘preferred’ specs.
6) Wipers. They’re marginal at best- blades can be got from most Parts suppliers. I use Rain-X to help with keeping rain off the screen and blades from SNG Barrett.

[mgcjag]

Hi..welcom to the forum...whats your name...try putting it into the signature area with your car model....best advice get yourself a service manual and owners handbook......plenty on ebay....and enjoy the forum...Steve

[JoeLondon]

Excellent advice, thank you both.

I bought the car as a tourer, it's going to be driven plenty, I'll have plenty of opportunities to get to know the hairy details before Le Mans.

It's only covered about 500 miles since an engine out refresh of rubber bits and ball joints etc. A massive stack of history, always at the same classic garage (hopefully they knew what they were doing) Full service and MOT every year.

Sounded like a decent bet.. and the full length sunroof was the all important clincher of course.


Fingers crossed, I'm really looking forward to picking her up and experiencing a childhood hero that I never thought I'd have the privilege of driving, let alone owning.

[Woly64]

Welcome to the source of all the answers to your ownership issues. I'm sure you will not regret your impulse decision and the Webasto sun roof is a must in my view on the 2+2's

I also purchased my Series 3 without previously driving it or any E-type and it was one of the best car purchases I've ever made!

Having changed all the tyres and wheels on my I would highly recommend the Pirelli 205/70 VR 15 Cinturato CN12 tyres as they transformed the handling and improved the ride noticeably. I use Dot4 synthetic for both brake and clutch. May I suggest you manage your expectations on wiper blades as they are all pretty average but SNG Barrett are probably a notch ahead - as per earlier post the liberal use of Rain X significantly reduces the need to use they as water just slides off our weird shaped windscreens!

[JoeLondon]

Hi Martin,

Thanks. It's good to know I'm not the only risk taker

I had hatched a crackpot scheme for using the car for my commute to Liverpool Street...I had even managed to balance the books on the costs using man maths... Dashed by the ULEZ tho

It would have been ridiculously fun. Luckily I live just outside it by 1 street!! Heads up all, there'll be a nice racing green E-Type for sale before the extend the zone

[Gfhug]

ULEZ? Aren't all Es exempt?

[JoeLondon]

That's what I thought, but DVLA search on my reg says no. I'll check again

[mgcjag]

Historic vehicle exemption https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra- ... his-page-4

[JoeLondon]

Steve,

I actually love you.



Now, if you can find me a way around congestion charge I might get down on one knee.

Now there's an incentive

[mgcjag]

Get yourself a Blue Badge.....registered disabled are exempt (im a Londoner..regularly visiting the East end ..

[JoeLondon]

Dad used to have one.

Passed away. Damn inconsiderate all round really.


I'll have to get my abacus out and see if I can find a way to justify a further £11.00 a day 5 days a week...

Would be nice to meet a fellow London E-Type.

[Herzeg]

Hi

Sadly I live one street inside the ULEZ zone, so both our BMW's have to go unless they don't put cameras in the back roads and I can scoot round. As per the previous poster, I thought E-types are exempt, same as they are under the 40+ years Tax and Mot rules?

Which part of London are you, N, S, E or W? Maybe we're near neighbours? I'm N

John

[mgcjag]

Hi John..i posted the historic exemptions above.....residents are also exempt i think up to sept/oct 2021

[Herzeg]

Steve

I missed the link. Just checked it and you have made me a very happy man. I had got it confused, and thought the ULEZ applied out to the north and south circular roads. Now I realised it's only the congestion zone so I do not have to replace two good cars.

I am so happy I am going to defer my isolation until tomorrow and go to the pub!

John

[mgcjag]

Ulez will extend to north/south circular oct 2021.....

[chrisfell]

A friend and owner of a 67OTS is considering replacing his daily driver with a Rover P5 or P6. Both the Rover and the E will be exempt.

[Gravygraham]

Welcome Joe. BRG never really did it for me but looking at your two pics I could be tempted!