XK or XKR?

[volvos60s60]

Hi

I've finally decided to scratch that Jaguar itch. After a long line of desirable, & some not quite so desirable cars, I've decided I must have a Jaguar in my life before I get too old & start driving like a old git. The Triumph TR6 in the garage needs a soul mate!. Alas funds wont stretch to an F-Type for a couple of years yet, so an XK 5.0 or XKR 5.0 it is. Given the max budget I have, it'll have to be a convertible & have been made between 2009 & 2012, & under 50000 miles. Is the XKR really worth the premium over the XK, or is the XK good enough 95% of the time? Will I always wish I'd bought the XKR if I go for the XK? I read on the web that reliability is good, but what are the weak points to look out for? I'm not too worried about economy, as it'll be a weekend car. If anyone is looking to sell theirs, I'd certainly be interested as well

Thanks in advance for all views

Edited by volvos60s60 on Thursday 21st May 11:29

[nitrodave]

great choice off car. I have been craving one for a while and very nearly got one. But as I live in central london I couldn't face leaving one on the busy streets all day long and risk it getting damaged. The aluminium bodywork can be costly to repair from what I've read, hence the reason for so many cat c/d cars about. Chances are those had pretty minor knocks which wrote them off.

I ended up getting a BMW which I am not so precious over. I'll get an xk when I move out to the country in a few years though.

As for the XK/XKR, they are immense machines. I test dove some and did a lot of research. The XKR is a complete brute, but the XK itself is still a truly great car with plenty of power and torque. You wont't be disappointed with either.

There is very little to worry about with regard to reliability on either. The only downside i could find is the built in entertainment system which felt a little dated and had no options for upgrades.

Insurance was the same on both when i checked and running costs really aren't too bad.

[8bit]

Get the R. If economy isn't a concern, and given that you expressed concern you might wish you'd gone for the R if you get an XK, do it. Life's too short not to.

[a8hex]

I bought an XKR convertible last year. I'd really been intending to buy an XK but thought I'd try a test drive in an XKR. I knew it would really fly, what I wasn't sure about was whether I could potter about quietly and comfortably in the XKR, would the 20" wheels take away the Jaguar ride. Well I soon found that the XKR could still cruise comfortably on the 20" wheels, no problem there.
Then the XKR with the right spec (dark outside, light inside) became available at an acceptable price. So I bought it and I'm very happy with the R.
As the power of the R, I never the 5.0NA version, I know the 4.2 was quick enough for anything I would have wanted. With the 5L SC engine you will rarely get to put your foot to the floor on public roads. Uphill motorway slip roads where a normally quick car will be doing a comfortable merging speed of 85 at the top of the ramp you'll find you've had to back off a third of the way up the hill or you'd be going stupid speed at the top. I think I've had to recalibrate my driving more for the XKR than for anything else I've ever driven including an M400, you'll learn to be oh so gentle on the throttle or the traction control will be letting you play more than you expect.

[mph]

This is Pistonheads and one has 120 hp more than the other, do you really need to ask ?

[CarbonXKR]

I've just traded my 4.2 XKR for a 5.0 XK Portfolio. Did think about staying with the XKR, but to be honest the XK is all I need and makes a far better noise than the R. Ride is smoother due to better Dynamic Suspension and interior fit better than my previous XKR. Get a low mileage one and keep it low and you won't lose much on your investment.

[Hammerhead]

I've got a 5.0 Portfolio as well - more than enough go for everyday usage. The R does indeed sound different - it's certainly more menacing at idle. The standard 5.0 sounds brill when given the beans though

[volvos60s60]

With respect to the XK & XKR, is there much to choose in seat comfort? My other half sat in an F-Type the other day & hated the seats, finding them too firm. I know the XK is pretty comfy, but will the XKR give similar issues?

[CarbonXKR]

volvos60s60 said:

With respect to the XK & XKR, is there much to choose in seat comfort? My other half sat in an F-Type the other day & hated the seats, finding them too firm. I know the XK is pretty comfy, but will the XKR give similar issues?

The XKR had comfy seats and a firmer leather than the XK. The XK seats are 16 way adjustment as it is the Portfolio, too much choice in my opinion but I never had a sore back on my recent road trip of 3500 miles so something must be right. F Type are firm seats indeed, not sure how they would be on a long trip??

[yellowtang]

Do you mean the standard F Type seat or the performance one?

Performance seats are the same item, whether XKR or F Type. I have them in my XKR and they are very comfortable for me, in fact I prefer them to the standard seats in my previous 5.0 XKR.

I've not sat in a standard F Type seat. Standard XKR or XK Portfolio seats are good though.