Jaguar XFR ownership
Discussion
So, as you may guess by the title, I'm after opinions of the 5.0 Jaguar XFR, by those who own them and run them (preferably as a DD).
I currently have a totally dull D5 engined Volvo XC70, and want a change. I've only had boring, sensible cars - mostly diesel estates. Most of miles are at weekends commuting between work (military) and home - about 100 miles away, with a 60% motorways. Despite my shaky car history (it's truly terrible!) I do enjoy driving, so it needs to be fairly fun too.
For those of you who own them, what is the cost of ownership like? Do they seem to require frequent trips to the garage? I know they'll chew tyres and brakes comprehensively, but generally how many miles do you get out of them before a change?
Also, general ownership experience - is running one as an only-car a ruinous or daft idea? I looked at C63's, but they're still too expensive for me, and M5's , despite having a reputation for costing the earth to maintain, are reportedly a lot more hard and aggressive.
Thanks for your input guys.
I currently have a totally dull D5 engined Volvo XC70, and want a change. I've only had boring, sensible cars - mostly diesel estates. Most of miles are at weekends commuting between work (military) and home - about 100 miles away, with a 60% motorways. Despite my shaky car history (it's truly terrible!) I do enjoy driving, so it needs to be fairly fun too.
For those of you who own them, what is the cost of ownership like? Do they seem to require frequent trips to the garage? I know they'll chew tyres and brakes comprehensively, but generally how many miles do you get out of them before a change?
Also, general ownership experience - is running one as an only-car a ruinous or daft idea? I looked at C63's, but they're still too expensive for me, and M5's , despite having a reputation for costing the earth to maintain, are reportedly a lot more hard and aggressive.
Thanks for your input guys.
Hi Chaz,
As you know we have an RS. It's my wife's daily driver. We've clocked up 5,000 miles so far. It's averaging around 23mpg although the engine does get used - not so much full throttle standing starts which aren't really the done thing with family onboard, but it does get driven. We took it to Cambs in July and averaged 31 mpg over the full trip which included quite a bit of queuing with the air conditioning working hard and a couple of short spirited runs with distant friends we visited along the way.
I just replaced a rear tyre following a puncture and had to get forms filled out for the wheel and tyre insurance that came with the car. The damaged tyre was measured to have 7mm of tread remaining which I think is pretty acceptable for 5,000 miles given the performance. The brakes appear to be near-enough as-new.
Nothing has broken on it.
As you know we have an RS. It's my wife's daily driver. We've clocked up 5,000 miles so far. It's averaging around 23mpg although the engine does get used - not so much full throttle standing starts which aren't really the done thing with family onboard, but it does get driven. We took it to Cambs in July and averaged 31 mpg over the full trip which included quite a bit of queuing with the air conditioning working hard and a couple of short spirited runs with distant friends we visited along the way.
I just replaced a rear tyre following a puncture and had to get forms filled out for the wheel and tyre insurance that came with the car. The damaged tyre was measured to have 7mm of tread remaining which I think is pretty acceptable for 5,000 miles given the performance. The brakes appear to be near-enough as-new.
Nothing has broken on it.
It rides a rather firmly although to us it isn't uncomfortable. We live in the country and although most of the roads around us are single track they're generally in good order. There are a few spots where tractors and heavy farm machinery turn in and out of that are a bit broken and the ride is a bit choppy over these but generally it's absolutely fine. On the motorway you wouldn't really know the difference. My wife likes powerful cars but gets motion sick - it just so happens that she has a strong preference for a firm riding car over a more wallowy one which sets her off a bit. Not that the standard XFR is wallowy.
As for biting - I've had the back end step out once, but I have to confess I was accelerating fairly aggressively round a tight bend in the rain so it was utterly provoked. Overall I find the RS a really well sorted car with impeccable manners. I'd rather push an RS hard than an R to be honest, although the R isn't really supposed to be driven like that so it's not a criticism of the XFR which is an overall more grown-up car. Compared to my Cerbera, the RS is an utter pussy cat to drive fast. It's very predictable. The extra power is neither here nor there really, but the gearbox and steering rack updates are nice. It's quieter than we expected inside. The way they've made the RS handle is the main reason we bought it though. It's fabulous. It's maybe not quite up there with an M6 on the track, but unlike the BMW and unfortunately to use a cliche it feels 'alive' at the upper end of public road speeds. On a dry day and the gearbox in manual mode the car will squirm a little accelerating hard and it yaws beautifully on the throttle in corners - all at non-license losing speeds and without endangering other road users. For what we wanted it for, it's close to perfect.
As for biting - I've had the back end step out once, but I have to confess I was accelerating fairly aggressively round a tight bend in the rain so it was utterly provoked. Overall I find the RS a really well sorted car with impeccable manners. I'd rather push an RS hard than an R to be honest, although the R isn't really supposed to be driven like that so it's not a criticism of the XFR which is an overall more grown-up car. Compared to my Cerbera, the RS is an utter pussy cat to drive fast. It's very predictable. The extra power is neither here nor there really, but the gearbox and steering rack updates are nice. It's quieter than we expected inside. The way they've made the RS handle is the main reason we bought it though. It's fabulous. It's maybe not quite up there with an M6 on the track, but unlike the BMW and unfortunately to use a cliche it feels 'alive' at the upper end of public road speeds. On a dry day and the gearbox in manual mode the car will squirm a little accelerating hard and it yaws beautifully on the throttle in corners - all at non-license losing speeds and without endangering other road users. For what we wanted it for, it's close to perfect.
More good news I guess. I won't be spending enough to get the facelifted 8sp gearbox, and certainly not the R-S. I still think ~500 bhp is enough to have fun though, and maybe a touch more with a remap and fruity exhaust.
Looks like I'll be organising a few test drives soon... Is there anything else you'd consider in it's place? As I said before, the C63 is a bit too expensive still, and the M5 is (apparently) a bit more hard-edged. Any other contenders, for up to £30k?
Looks like I'll be organising a few test drives soon... Is there anything else you'd consider in it's place? As I said before, the C63 is a bit too expensive still, and the M5 is (apparently) a bit more hard-edged. Any other contenders, for up to £30k?
IS-F is something I hadn't considered at all. Not a bad looking car from the outside (apart from the hideous exhausts) but a bit bland, an the interior doesn't look even a little special.
The RS6 could be a decent car, but I'd like to run something without a 5 figure bill looming!
Good cars no doubt, but very expensive . I know personally of 3 RS6's needing replacement gearboxes. At less that 10,000 mile intervals...
The RS6 could be a decent car, but I'd like to run something without a 5 figure bill looming!
Good cars no doubt, but very expensive . I know personally of 3 RS6's needing replacement gearboxes. At less that 10,000 mile intervals...
Edited by TobyLerone on Wednesday 17th September 08:28
I ran my 2010 XFR as a DD for a year (just sold it). It was great, nothing went wrong, indecently quick, good ergos for long runs. The only thing I didn't like in mine was the hifi - I would try and get a B&W system equipped one if I was buying again.
The other cars I was considering were a 996 Turbo and (in a delirious few weeks) an Arnage. The XFR is a bit of both somehow (maybe?)
The other cars I was considering were a 996 Turbo and (in a delirious few weeks) an Arnage. The XFR is a bit of both somehow (maybe?)
kinghottinger said:
I ran my 2010 XFR as a DD for a year (just sold it). It was great, nothing went wrong, indecently quick, good ergos for long runs. The only thing I didn't like in mine was the hifi - I would try and get a B&W system equipped one if I was buying again.
The other cars I was considering were a 996 Turbo and (in a delirious few weeks) an Arnage. The XFR is a bit of both somehow (maybe?)
That's pretty much what I wanted to hear! I've pretty much made my mind up, just need a test drive to confirm my thoughts. The other cars I was considering were a 996 Turbo and (in a delirious few weeks) an Arnage. The XFR is a bit of both somehow (maybe?)
As I alluded to before, I do quite a few motorway miles, so I don't want a rock-hard sports car. But equally, I don't want a barge either. Is a B&W stereo worth holding out for then? Surely the standard sound system is fairly good to start with? Is it possible to retrofit the upgraded system, or is it a total nightmare?
I've got the Meridian system. I've heard a few B&W owners say that they preferred the B&W. The Meridian has needed a bit of fiddling with settings as it sounded a bit tinny at first. Saying that our house is full of Sonos stuff and it's sometimes useful to remember we're talking about a car at times. It's a lot better than a Fiesta stereo for sure.
You can maybe tell I don't rank car audio systems as massively important, but it's nice enough. My wife had an incident with the subwoofer driving on her own the other night by mishandling the system. She reported that it's very powerful...
You can maybe tell I don't rank car audio systems as massively important, but it's nice enough. My wife had an incident with the subwoofer driving on her own the other night by mishandling the system. She reported that it's very powerful...
I suppose with a V8 soundtrack, the stereo takes a back seat a bit...
Still, it's another good point to note that the sound system is a quality one. I love music, although I haven't had much exposure to high-end kit. Any other options that are 'essential', or very desirable to have included?
Still, it's another good point to note that the sound system is a quality one. I love music, although I haven't had much exposure to high-end kit. Any other options that are 'essential', or very desirable to have included?
I can't recall what was optional and what was standard on the R, but the heated and cooled seats are very nice to have. It's the first set of cooled seats I've had and thought they'd be a gimmick to be honest, however after a weekend parked in the sun at Duxford in July and getting back in the car after an air show, they were fabulous things to have!
The adaptive headlights are another feature we now have that I never knew I needed. That may be because we live in the country on single track rows with tight bends and verges. I manage fine with the rest of our cars obviously, but I found myself (fairly conservative and anti-gadget generally) admitting that the XF's adaptive headlights were actually really useful for showing you what you're steering towards on tight little roads like that. If that's not relevant to your usual driving I wouldn't pass a good example without them by though.
You'll get the flappy paddles, adaptive dampers etc etc as standard.
The adaptive headlights are another feature we now have that I never knew I needed. That may be because we live in the country on single track rows with tight bends and verges. I manage fine with the rest of our cars obviously, but I found myself (fairly conservative and anti-gadget generally) admitting that the XF's adaptive headlights were actually really useful for showing you what you're steering towards on tight little roads like that. If that's not relevant to your usual driving I wouldn't pass a good example without them by though.
You'll get the flappy paddles, adaptive dampers etc etc as standard.
Agree with the value of having heated and chilled seats as an option...not one I would really have considered but my car has them and the chill available this hot weather is a real joy. Also agree with the adaptive headlights, although they can be a bit distracting as they come on and off as you move the steering wheel.
I also really like a sun roof. Had one on my first S-Type and missed it greatly on my second S-Type. Luckily this XF has this. They are not a frequently chosen option as its £1000 or so. I realise that it's a bit of a luxury as the car has excellent climate control, but I do like the airiness of them.
My XF has 19 inch Carelia wheels as opposed to the standard 20 inch Sentas. This makes for a less harsh ride and perhaps more Jaguar like. I would think that the XFR comes with 20s as standard and they are probably more appropriate for that model.
The XFR comes with a whole range of options as standard and I doubt if there's much more that you will really wish for.
R.
I also really like a sun roof. Had one on my first S-Type and missed it greatly on my second S-Type. Luckily this XF has this. They are not a frequently chosen option as its £1000 or so. I realise that it's a bit of a luxury as the car has excellent climate control, but I do like the airiness of them.
My XF has 19 inch Carelia wheels as opposed to the standard 20 inch Sentas. This makes for a less harsh ride and perhaps more Jaguar like. I would think that the XFR comes with 20s as standard and they are probably more appropriate for that model.
The XFR comes with a whole range of options as standard and I doubt if there's much more that you will really wish for.
R.
I've had cooled seats before in a Mondeo hire car. It sounds like a novelty, until you try them. I don't 'get' heated seats - I'm never too cold when I'm driving. Adaptive headlights would be a trick bit of kit though.
And 19" wheels might be a decent change - quite like a compliant ride. Deeper rubber has always been a nice change from massive alloys and low-profile tyres in the past.
And 19" wheels might be a decent change - quite like a compliant ride. Deeper rubber has always been a nice change from massive alloys and low-profile tyres in the past.
Edited by TobyLerone on Wednesday 17th September 17:52
TobyLerone said:
I suppose with a V8 soundtrack, the stereo takes a back seat a bit...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5w3W0Fal_M
TobyLerone said:
As I alluded to before, I do quite a few motorway miles, so I don't want a rock-hard sports car. But equally, I don't want a barge either. Is a B&W stereo worth holding out for then? Surely the standard sound system is fairly good to start with? Is it possible to retrofit the upgraded system, or is it a total nightmare?
The ride is excellent standard on 20" - this is the minimum XFR wheel size. Even the official winter wheels are 20", just the rears are a little narrower. The dark 'dracos' look triffic btw. Ride is much tighter with the dynamic button pressed. Standard it is in no way a barge. It's compliant yet purposeful. Steering is right up there with the best imo. It took me a while to work up to the S/dynamic/trac combo. Proper LOL lairy - it's a great sleeper for freaking out occasional passengers. They (and the driver) get lulled into a sense of security by the badge and subtlety, the ride and the lux. The B&W is a near impossible retrofit. Even retrofitting the usb/ipod stuff in the central cubby is a royal pita. It is well worth holding out for an example with the B&W. The standard system is adequate at best - at the very least, get one with the usb/ipod connector. It's a mosfet audio system so not easy/cheap to sort out later. I just ended up turning it all off and straining to hear the muted v8.
The suede headlining is nice, the electric rear blinds cool, the sunroof fun, but for me the basic must haves would be the black window frames and the B&W. A Spires system would be a large nice to have.
Have fun with looking: negotiate hard and you can get cracking deals.
jamieduff1981 said:
It's wheeled out on every XFR thread but I never get tired of it:http://youtu.be/fa5ivpJwmIQ
(modified but who cares)
How do these compare to a c63?
I've driven neither but my guess is the c63 is an animal all of the time. No buttons needed to be pressed for it to be in the mood.
Is the XFR like that? Can it be like that with a combo of pressed buttons? How far down the rev range does the torque hit? Given the supercharger - quite low?
I'm eyeing a c63 for my next car but the XFR, on paper, ticks far more boxes. Other than being utterly mental - tell me how wrong I am.
I've driven neither but my guess is the c63 is an animal all of the time. No buttons needed to be pressed for it to be in the mood.
Is the XFR like that? Can it be like that with a combo of pressed buttons? How far down the rev range does the torque hit? Given the supercharger - quite low?
I'm eyeing a c63 for my next car but the XFR, on paper, ticks far more boxes. Other than being utterly mental - tell me how wrong I am.
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