Discussion
NDA,
I have been finding a lot of people saying the same thing in regards to the aquaplaning and like you said, the heavy weight up front, the light weight at the rear with massive tyres.
ParanoidAndroid,
I have just recently come across the Aston Martins, lovely looking cars but I can only imagine the running costs for these vehicles.
Mr.man
Thanks Mr.man and I agree, "Just do it whilst there is petrol in the world", is a very good point! It sounds like you are loving the ownership of the Jag.
I think I shall reserve judgment until I have test driven one for now, otherwise I never will.
So far, Jaguar XKR and Porsche are in my sights at the moment.
I have been finding a lot of people saying the same thing in regards to the aquaplaning and like you said, the heavy weight up front, the light weight at the rear with massive tyres.
ParanoidAndroid,
I have just recently come across the Aston Martins, lovely looking cars but I can only imagine the running costs for these vehicles.
Mr.man
Thanks Mr.man and I agree, "Just do it whilst there is petrol in the world", is a very good point! It sounds like you are loving the ownership of the Jag.
I think I shall reserve judgment until I have test driven one for now, otherwise I never will.
So far, Jaguar XKR and Porsche are in my sights at the moment.
Don't discount the Aston, I've been looking and I don't think running costs are *that* bad, certainly more than the Jag but nothing too extortionate. I guess it depends on the miles you are intending to do in it. For me it would be a weekend toy so not too bad. 5.0 XKR would leave it for dust though 
Just got my XKR (Salsa red, black and speed pack)
Everything that the others have said is true. Total rocket ship. Mpg 22 but would be better if I could resist overtaking everything and anything. While playing Civil Wars on the Bowers and Wilkins stereo (which is wonderfully clear). It's an amazing car for so many reasons: power, pace, handling, the fantastic looks from any angle (although I particularly like the rear 3/4), the way it's a big car that looks and feels small but most of all the sense of occasion I get driving it. Automotive satisfaction at last...
Everything that the others have said is true. Total rocket ship. Mpg 22 but would be better if I could resist overtaking everything and anything. While playing Civil Wars on the Bowers and Wilkins stereo (which is wonderfully clear). It's an amazing car for so many reasons: power, pace, handling, the fantastic looks from any angle (although I particularly like the rear 3/4), the way it's a big car that looks and feels small but most of all the sense of occasion I get driving it. Automotive satisfaction at last...
Do it. You won't regret it.
I went 4.2 XKR (2007) over a year ago (another one bought over an AMV8)
Never looked back. It's been 100% reliable apart from a small hole in an air intake pipe which was dealt with quickly and efficiently by Jaguar (it triggered an engine warning).
It's a wafting, cosseting pussycat when you want it to be, snarling overtaker at the blink of an eye.
It's felt very planted in wet conditions (and I've prompted the TC to step in a couple of times, which it did with no drama).
Also FANTASTIC brakes as I found out on an IAM day testing 70MPH full on anchors to a stop on a track. It stopped a good few yards shorter than everything else including a couple of M3s.
Only downsides (for me). Poor MPG (current average 19.5 mostly on a 20 minutes each way country lane commute). Rather large. Front end take a millisecond to settle into a bend (but that is comparing it to a 993, my previous car).
It also garners more admiring glances (from men and women) and comments than any other car I've owned!
I went 4.2 XKR (2007) over a year ago (another one bought over an AMV8)
Never looked back. It's been 100% reliable apart from a small hole in an air intake pipe which was dealt with quickly and efficiently by Jaguar (it triggered an engine warning).
It's a wafting, cosseting pussycat when you want it to be, snarling overtaker at the blink of an eye.
It's felt very planted in wet conditions (and I've prompted the TC to step in a couple of times, which it did with no drama).
Also FANTASTIC brakes as I found out on an IAM day testing 70MPH full on anchors to a stop on a track. It stopped a good few yards shorter than everything else including a couple of M3s.
Only downsides (for me). Poor MPG (current average 19.5 mostly on a 20 minutes each way country lane commute). Rather large. Front end take a millisecond to settle into a bend (but that is comparing it to a 993, my previous car).
It also garners more admiring glances (from men and women) and comments than any other car I've owned!
Look forward to seeing it on an East Anglia PH run some time! "but the view is of the new 5.0 XKR-S is that the chassis can't really handle the power...."
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with that comment. The XKR-S has revised suspension systems all round to uprate the handling over and above an already fine car. I accept its more of a harder GT than an outright sports car like a 911 GT3 but nonetheless, to be awarded Sports Car of the year 2011 by Auto Bild, beating the Germans in their own back yard must count for something.
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with that comment. The XKR-S has revised suspension systems all round to uprate the handling over and above an already fine car. I accept its more of a harder GT than an outright sports car like a 911 GT3 but nonetheless, to be awarded Sports Car of the year 2011 by Auto Bild, beating the Germans in their own back yard must count for something.
Don't forget depreciation on Jags is high and for that reason I would go for a 911 as it will hold its value better. Look at the old XK8s which you can probably get for £4-5k now. Jags just keep going down whereas other classics kinda hit a level and its rare to find one below. e.g. rare to see a 911 below £10k or a SL500.
keith333 said:
Jags just keep going down whereas other classics kinda hit a level and its rare to find one below. e.g. rare to see a 911 below £10k or a SL500.
New XK8's weren't the price of a 911 or a SL500, XKR's go for more moneyI would think service costs for the Jagaur would have been cheeper over a 10 year period
Another thing, I don't mind driving 1,000 miles or more if away, I wouldn't want to do that in a 911
keith333 said:
Don't forget depreciation on Jags is high and for that reason I would go for a 911 as it will hold its value better. Look at the old XK8s which you can probably get for £4-5k now. Jags just keep going down whereas other classics kinda hit a level and its rare to find one below. e.g. rare to see a 911 below £10k or a SL500.
Don't think this is true, actually, I would say the price of X100 XK's has stabilised, particularly good ones that don't need work, and I would say that is north of £10k. I don't think you would lose much on one of those.cardigankid said:
keith333 said:
Don't forget depreciation on Jags is high and for that reason I would go for a 911 as it will hold its value better. Look at the old XK8s which you can probably get for £4-5k now. Jags just keep going down whereas other classics kinda hit a level and its rare to find one below. e.g. rare to see a 911 below £10k or a SL500.
Don't think this is true, actually, I would say the price of X100 XK's has stabilised, particularly good ones that don't need work, and I would say that is north of £10k. I don't think you would lose much on one of those.P-1 said:
"but the view is of the new 5.0 XKR-S is that the chassis can't really handle the power...."
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with that comment. The XKR-S has revised suspension systems all round to uprate the handling over and above an already fine car. I accept its more of a harder GT than an outright sports car like a 911 GT3 but nonetheless, to be awarded Sports Car of the year 2011 by Auto Bild, beating the Germans in their own back yard must count for something.
I was lucky enough to have a drive it day bought for me, 90 minutes in a Jaguar XKRS last month. The day was a little damp,and the A and B roads around Northamptonshire were quite wet and the dual carriageway had large puddles on the outside lane, the advanced driver that accompanied me pointed out the lightness of the rear and to watch out for standing water.I'm sorry but I have to disagree with that comment. The XKR-S has revised suspension systems all round to uprate the handling over and above an already fine car. I accept its more of a harder GT than an outright sports car like a 911 GT3 but nonetheless, to be awarded Sports Car of the year 2011 by Auto Bild, beating the Germans in their own back yard must count for something.
I am happy that it was very surefooted even though I was "pushing" it, like he said "Its your licence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I will tell you where the speed cameras are"
I vowed there and then that the XKRS was my choice, should the lottery come up for me. There are no words to describe the feeling, driving the Jag, all the leather stitched interior. You find your self looking in the mirrors admiring the rear arches, or the tail spoiler or along the bulging bonnet, this car does not have an angle where it looks anything less than stunning. Even when we went to refuel, 65 litres, then the display showed the range on a full tank to be 320miles, based on my right foot so far!
So much fun, thanks to my OH.
NDA said:
I was driving on a dual carriageway, dead straight, on a balanced throttle at 60mph. The car suddenly went violently sideways.... It was heavy rain, but no standing water. My chum had the same experience, but unfortunately totalled his.
As I have had two XKR's and driven at Le Mans and Goodwood (not in XKR's), I'd say I'm an OK driver.... My view and the view of several other experienced drivers is the the 5L has the wrong tyres on for wet weather. No doubt others here will have an entirely different view!
It wouldn't put me off the 5L, I think it's a beautiful and powerful car, very underrated too. But I'd want different tyres on it.
I though I'd resurrect this. I read this thread when I was researching in to 5.0l XKRs before I bought mine. Interestingly I experienced exactly this behaviour on mine yesterday. As I have had two XKR's and driven at Le Mans and Goodwood (not in XKR's), I'd say I'm an OK driver.... My view and the view of several other experienced drivers is the the 5L has the wrong tyres on for wet weather. No doubt others here will have an entirely different view!
It wouldn't put me off the 5L, I think it's a beautiful and powerful car, very underrated too. But I'd want different tyres on it.
Wet road after some heavy rain, car on cruise control at 60mph (b
d average speed cameras), straight line on a good dual carriageway road surface with a very small amount of standing water (like literally a couple of mm). Had been driving for 100 miles already so tyres were as warm as they were going to get on this journey.So all calm and cruising along when suddenly the steering wheel jerked violently to the right with absolutely no input from me and under absolutely no acceleration.
Instant correction from me and all was fine but bloody hell it was not confidence inspiring. It felt like it was the front playing silly buggers rather than the rear losing traction. Kind of like massive tramlining but with no major deviations in the road surface, and on a car that does not tramline.
Controlling 510 bhp and all that torque when pushing on is one thing but this is not a characteristic that I enjoyed, particularly in such an expensive, mechanically perfect and otherwise so well sorted car.
Would be interested in theories as to why this seems to occur on these cars, other than theories that say I'm a pussy and that this is part of the fun of owning a powerful car. Rest of the journey was faultless under largely similar conditions. Very odd.
TD
TorqueDirty said:
So all calm and cruising along when suddenly the steering wheel jerked violently to the right with absolutely no input from me and under absolutely no acceleration.
Instant correction from me and all was fine but bloody hell it was not confidence inspiring.
Hmmm. Sounds like a very similar experience to mine.Instant correction from me and all was fine but bloody hell it was not confidence inspiring.
Glad you're ok. I actually shat a brick.
Sounds like the start of aquaplaning, to me.
I've not experienced it on the 295-section tyres, but have done so on lesser 245 tyres on other motors, on roads with very little standing water.
I ride a motorcycle, so am always extremely cautious about wet roads on either two wheels, or four.
I've not experienced it on the 295-section tyres, but have done so on lesser 245 tyres on other motors, on roads with very little standing water.
I ride a motorcycle, so am always extremely cautious about wet roads on either two wheels, or four.
RingSpanner said:
Sounds like the start of aquaplaning, to me.
I've not experienced it on the 295-section tyres, but have done so on lesser 245 tyres on other motors, on roads with very little standing water.
I ride a motorcycle, so am always extremely cautious about wet roads on either two wheels, or four.
Totally agree. This is just what it felt like and I did wonder if the huge tyres were a strong contributing factor. I'm a biker as well (part time these days!) but at least the front has a nice narrow section and will cut down through the water. By comparison the tyres in the XKR are like surf boards I guess.I've not experienced it on the 295-section tyres, but have done so on lesser 245 tyres on other motors, on roads with very little standing water.
I ride a motorcycle, so am always extremely cautious about wet roads on either two wheels, or four.
Just surprised that the weight up front was not enough to displace such a small amount of water at such a comparatively low speed, but then these tyres are not exactly off-roaders when it comes to tread depth!
Different tyre options definitely well worth a look.
TD
Bowside said:
Are you running the standard Dunlops?
Yes, at the moment, but they'll need replacing soon so I'm interested to know other peoples feeling about the choice of tyres. I've never had the front end go lose, the backend you can break free any time you fancy, usually accompanied by a jump sideways. Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff