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marcosgt
6,199 posts
45 months
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V8Triumph said: XKR, XKR, XKR   Much more special than a tarted up 3 Series, even if said tarted up 3 Series has a rather special engine, still it's not as special as a supercharged V8! I'd disagree personally, but heh ho. I'd love a good E46 M3, but wouldn't ever consider an XKR. M.
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300bhp/ton
26,483 posts
59 months
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marcosgt said: V8Triumph said: XKR, XKR, XKR Much more special than a tarted up 3 Series, even if said tarted up 3 Series has a rather special engine, still it's not as special as a supercharged V8! I'd disagree personally, but heh ho. I'd love a good E46 M3, but wouldn't ever consider an XKR. M. I guess it depends what aspects you are looking at or want. Personally I can see the appeal of the M3 and have a huge amount of respect for them. But there is no denying they look like a 3 series inside and out, which I think diminishes their 'special' appeal. It of course has an appeal all of it's own, more sleeper/Q car to the average Jo. With the XK is has a somewhat unique interior with all wood and leather. Really to domain of Aston and Bentley rather than anything Jag priced or pitched. The XK while probably an accepted sight today, does have those semi supercar looks. It really does look as good and as special as a DB7 or one of the newer Aston's. I think this makes it very special indeed. Also in the UK I think there is something special about owning and driving a V8. I know the M3 has a cracking motor too and it's anything but ordinary. But it just isn't a V8.
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monthefish
15,713 posts
100 months
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I would happily have both cars, but for very different purposes.
For sprited driving and the occasional track day, it has to be the M3.
For general driving, and overall ownership 'experience' I'd probably have the Jag.
The M3 is just a BMW 3 series (albeit a very, very good one) whereas the Jag XK is an XK that looks great with a classy interior.
The J gate/transmission in the Jag is perfectly suited to normal driving and cruising, but is not great for spirited driving (the transmission in the new XK X150 is worlds apart), but at least the power of the XKR (vs the XK8) overcomes the failings in the transmission to a degree. I am shocked that someone has said the J gate is good for quick driving. It really isn't. Even on upshifts (and therefore no real reason for any delay), you're in third - select 4th - pause - pause - pause - pause - there it is.
The relentless power of the XKR is addictive, all the way to 100mph+. It just doesn't stop. The sound is great too, but then again, the metallic rasp of the straight 6 on the E46 M3 is one of my favourite car sounds ever (especially on a CSL)
I think you need to be clear about what your intentions are with the car, and that should make the decision very simple for you.
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SWoll
4,426 posts
127 months
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300bhp/ton said: The XK while probably an accepted sight today, does have those semi supercar looks. It really does look as good and as special as a DB7 or one of the newer Aston's. I think this makes it very special indeed. I know styling is a very subjective topic but I have to take issue with this statement. The XK has always been the less attractive sister of it's comparible AM model. The original XK was never as attractive as the DB7 and the current model is a long way behind the DB9 in the looks dept IMO.
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Harry Flashman
9,360 posts
111 months
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SWoll said: 300bhp/ton said: The XK while probably an accepted sight today, does have those semi supercar looks. It really does look as good and as special as a DB7 or one of the newer Aston's. I think this makes it very special indeed. I know styling is a very subjective topic but I have to take issue with this statement. The XK has always been the less attractive sister of it's comparible AM model. The original XK was never as attractive as the DB7 and the current model is a long way behind the DB9 in the looks dept IMO. I actually agree with 300 - the old XK is a great looking car, and easily as nice as a DB7. It's just that over familiarity has made it less special. The new one, again, looks as good as a DB9, IMHO. It just isn't as special. V8 Vantage kicks them all into touch for looks, though.
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theironduke
6,195 posts
57 months
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Harry Flashman said: SWoll said: 300bhp/ton said: The XK while probably an accepted sight today, does have those semi supercar looks. It really does look as good and as special as a DB7 or one of the newer Aston's. I think this makes it very special indeed. I know styling is a very subjective topic but I have to take issue with this statement. The XK has always been the less attractive sister of it's comparible AM model. The original XK was never as attractive as the DB7 and the current model is a long way behind the DB9 in the looks dept IMO. I actually agree with 300 - the old XK is a great looking car, and easily as nice as a DB7. It's just that over familiarity has made it less special. The new one, again, looks as good as a DB9, IMHO. It just isn't as special. V8 Vantage kicks them all into touch for looks, though. And I reckon the XK is a far prettier car than an E46 whichever way you cut it. Not that an E46 is ugly, it's just bland IMHO, I personally don't "notice" them, however whenever I see a XK it tends to stand out.
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300bhp/ton
26,483 posts
59 months
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SWoll said: 300bhp/ton said: The XK while probably an accepted sight today, does have those semi supercar looks. It really does look as good and as special as a DB7 or one of the newer Aston's. I think this makes it very special indeed. I know styling is a very subjective topic but I have to take issue with this statement. The XK has always been the less attractive sister of it's comparible AM model. The original XK was never as attractive as the DB7 and the current model is a long way behind the DB9 in the looks dept IMO. In 96 the XK8 was probably one of my favourite looking cars. It looked a little high on the ride height front, but I reckon it was every bit the DB7's equal in the looks department, if not more so. I think familiarity has probably tarnished the looks and they simply don't appear as striking today. That said I'd still rate the XK8 (always preferred the grille over the XKR's). Not the greatest quality image, but one that I think shows it's lovely lines. 
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NIX325
Original Poster
24 posts
25 months
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monthefish said: I would happily have both cars, but for very different purposes.
For sprited driving and the occasional track day, it has to be the M3.
For general driving, and overall ownership 'experience' I'd probably have the Jag.
The M3 is just a BMW 3 series (albeit a very, very good one) whereas the Jag XK is an XK that looks great with a classy interior.
The J gate/transmission in the Jag is perfectly suited to normal driving and cruising, but is not great for spirited driving (the transmission in the new XK X150 is worlds apart), but at least the power of the XKR (vs the XK8) overcomes the failings in the transmission to a degree. I am shocked that someone has said the J gate is good for quick driving. It really isn't. Even on upshifts (and therefore no real reason for any delay), you're in third - select 4th - pause - pause - pause - pause - there it is.
The relentless power of the XKR is addictive, all the way to 100mph+. It just doesn't stop. The sound is great too, but then again, the metallic rasp of the straight 6 on the E46 M3 is one of my favourite car sounds ever (especially on a CSL)
I think you need to be clear about what your intentions are with the car, and that should make the decision very simple for you. Thing is I'd like think I'd be doing track days a lot but realistically I'm just not sure how often that will happen. Other than that I will probably use it in much the same way I use my current pride and joy - occasional blast during the weekend or when I've had an arguement with the mrs and want to get out of the flat! I currently live in North London so not much room for spirited driving but hoping to move closer to the countryside at some point. The car I really want is a 993 911 (boy-hood dream car) but they still start at circa £20k and that's for a Targa. Basically I want something that will keep me happy till I can afford one.
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SWoll
4,426 posts
127 months
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300bhp/ton said: SWoll said: 300bhp/ton said: The XK while probably an accepted sight today, does have those semi supercar looks. It really does look as good and as special as a DB7 or one of the newer Aston's. I think this makes it very special indeed. I know styling is a very subjective topic but I have to take issue with this statement. The XK has always been the less attractive sister of it's comparible AM model. The original XK was never as attractive as the DB7 and the current model is a long way behind the DB9 in the looks dept IMO. In 96 the XK8 was probably one of my favourite looking cars. It looked a little high on the ride height front, but I reckon it was every bit the DB7's equal in the looks department, if not more so. I think familiarity has probably tarnished the looks and they simply don't appear as striking today. That said I'd still rate the XK8 (always preferred the grille over the XKR's). Not the greatest quality image, but one that I think shows it's lovely lines. Got to admit (although I stand by my original assertion) that having just done a google image search for the original XKR it really was a lovely looking bit of kit, especially in black. I'm really not a fan of the current one though. Very nice from some angles but doesn't hang together all that well for me as a cohesive piece of design (nose and rear end don't do it for me) in the same way that the DB9 does. Each to their own of course. 
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300bhp/ton
26,483 posts
59 months
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SWoll said: Got to admit (although I stand by my original assertion) that having just done a google image search for the original XKR it really was a lovely looking bit of kit, especially in black. I'm really not a fan of the current one though. Very nice from some angles but doesn't hang together all that well for me as a cohesive piece of design (nose and rear end don't do it for me) in the same way that the DB9 does. Each to their own of course. I would tend to agree. I don't dislike the current XK but I don't think it looks as good as the previous one. I've got a pic somewhere of new and old side by side and it's amazing how much taller at the front and less pretty the current one is.
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unpc
896 posts
82 months
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So it's a repmobile or this?  
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Prof Prolapse
7,416 posts
59 months
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As pointed out I don't think the cars are directly comparable really. The M3 is a sports saloon, the XKR a GT.
I'd go for the XKR because its not my money and I've owned an XJR which used a lot of the same components and was quite simply, wonderful.
I think its a valid point about reliability. Not sure I'd trust the suspension, gearbox and resistance to corrosion on the Jag. Even with VANOS and [insert internet generalisation here] failures, I'd still be more worried about bills on the Jag.
You do have tuning potential on the Jag though... If you want to be an absolute hooligan.
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Prof Prolapse
7,416 posts
59 months
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300bhp/ton said: I would tend to agree. I don't dislike the current XK but I don't think it looks as good as the previous one. I've got a pic somewhere of new and old side by side and it's amazing how much taller at the front and less pretty the current one is. New XKR was best summed up by, "like a startled pervert pouting through a gimp mask". ETA: to correct as it's funnier, can't find who said it. Chap from EVO I think! 
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jagnet
1,004 posts
71 months
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Prof Prolapse said: New XKR was best summed up by, "like a startled pervert peering through a gimp mask".  I'll never be able to look at one in the same way again.
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monthefish
15,713 posts
100 months
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NIX325 said: monthefish said: I would happily have both cars, but for very different purposes.
For sprited driving and the occasional track day, it has to be the M3.
For general driving, and overall ownership 'experience' I'd probably have the Jag.
The M3 is just a BMW 3 series (albeit a very, very good one) whereas the Jag XK is an XK that looks great with a classy interior.
The J gate/transmission in the Jag is perfectly suited to normal driving and cruising, but is not great for spirited driving (the transmission in the new XK X150 is worlds apart), but at least the power of the XKR (vs the XK8) overcomes the failings in the transmission to a degree. I am shocked that someone has said the J gate is good for quick driving. It really isn't. Even on upshifts (and therefore no real reason for any delay), you're in third - select 4th - pause - pause - pause - pause - there it is.
The relentless power of the XKR is addictive, all the way to 100mph+. It just doesn't stop. The sound is great too, but then again, the metallic rasp of the straight 6 on the E46 M3 is one of my favourite car sounds ever (especially on a CSL)
I think you need to be clear about what your intentions are with the car, and that should make the decision very simple for you. Thing is I'd like think I'd be doing track days a lot but realistically I'm just not sure how often that will happen. Other than that I will probably use it in much the same way I use my current pride and joy - occasional blast during the weekend or when I've had an arguement with the mrs and want to get out of the flat! I currently live in North London so not much room for spirited driving but hoping to move closer to the countryside at some point. The car I really want is a 993 911 (boy-hood dream car) but they still start at circa £20k and that's for a Targa. Basically I want something that will keep me happy till I can afford one. An XKR wouldn't embarrass itself on a trackday - quite the opposite in fact - It's just that it's not particularly suited to the task.
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irocfan
1,496 posts
59 months
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300bhp/ton said: -Trans Am (sister car to the Camaro) 'Merkin vulgarity but oh so much fun and reliable to boot!! 
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irocfan
1,496 posts
59 months
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unpc said: So it's a repmobile or this? sold all day long - that just looks glorious vs something that could, at a glance, be mistaken with this (or thought of as a tarted up one of these) 
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rev-erend
17,903 posts
153 months
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Both are nice cars - just research each and see plenty before you buy.
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NIX325
Original Poster
24 posts
25 months
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Cheers guys. I actually have the pic of the black xkr (old one not the gimp one!) saved on my phone along with some m3 ones... guess which one I've been admiring more.
Just not convinced by an auto, even with the J-plate...
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Prof Prolapse
7,416 posts
59 months
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NIX325 said: Just not convinced by an auto, even with the J-plate... Its a very good AMG automatic box but its still an automatic (it is bizarre seeing a mercedes badge down there). You're usually in the wrong gear in my experience and I found the J-gate awkward when making progress, so much so I didn't use it even when driving like a hooligan.
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