XK 4.2 or pay more for the 5.0 ?

XK 4.2 or pay more for the 5.0 ?

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Discussion

George111

Original Poster:

6,930 posts

250 months

Saturday 20th August 2016
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Have been looking for an interesting car for months now and I've decided the E63/C63 is too hard/focused, the M5 too hard, the M3 too small, the 645 and E-class 500 too bland (imho) and a number of other cars just not right/bland/old/slow but the 2006-2010 XK non-supercharged coupe seems to offer just what I'm looking for.

My first question is, before I drive them, is there a difference to the way the 4.2 and 5.0 engines drive ? I'm not looking for startling performance but I do want a nice V8 growl, a useful amount of torque and good overtaking ability along with very smooth, linear delivery. (Not looking for much ! smile ) I know this points to an XKR but I'm thinking an XK would be sufficient ?

The gearboxes are all the same from what I can see but the PH buyers guide suggested the suspension would be shot by 60k miles - is it this bad ? What's the rough cost of new lower wishbones/bushes and shocks ?

This will be a daily driver for about 12k miles a year - anything else I need to look out for ?

Thanks

Big Al.

68,798 posts

257 months

Saturday 20th August 2016
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Been thinking along the same lines, my choice is a 5 ltr XKR, why? I currently drive an Jaguar S Type 4.2 V8 Sport so need something a little different that's a convertible.

I did test drive an SL55 last week absolutely brutal and loved every minute of it, bloody hard not to say "I'll take it".

So I'm currently searching for the Right One to come alond.

Happy hunting. smile

FezSpider

1,040 posts

231 months

Saturday 20th August 2016
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You wont be disapointed with either. Of course though the 5.0 will have the power if not more than a 4.2 XKR.
I have the liquid silver 4.2 coupe, loving it.
Oh yea, this could be important to you. Early XKs (2006-2007) do not have an auxilary port to conect your mp3 player. And there are different speaker systems installed in them depending on orderd specs.

Edited by FezSpider on Saturday 20th August 23:23

CarbonXKR

1,275 posts

221 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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Hi George, I have had 3 XK's now. The first was a 2004 XKR with the 4.2 Supercharged unit. Then I went for a 2008 XK -R again with the 4.2. It was a step up from the old body style and performed much better but was lacking noise from the V8 but had a lovely supercharger whine although not as good as the previous one. My local dealer told me that the non supercharged XK produced the best noise and I went for a 2010 5.0 Portfolio in April 2015. Have done two road trips to Europe since - just back from the last one to the Alps. The performance is as good as the 4.2 XK-R but the way it handles is much better due to the "Adaptive Dynamics". The previous had "CATS" system which is literally hard/soft settings, whereas the adaptive system makes minute adjustments up to 300 times a second according to the blurb.... The noise is great especially on downshifting on the twisties as it pops and crackles due to the throttle blip it is programmed to do. They are lovely cars, comfortable and easy to use as a daily driver as well as the long trips. I don't use mine over the winter months - we have an XF Sportbrake for all year round use so the XK is garaged from October on. censored

ETA

Sorry not allowed.


Edited by Big Al. on Sunday 21st August 18:13

FezSpider

1,040 posts

231 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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NNice car carbonXKR smile
What next? XK? F-type?

CarbonXKR

1,275 posts

221 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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FezSpider said:
NNice car carbonXKR smile
What next? XK? F-type?
Not sure at the moment, F Types still a bit too much money frown If I sell the XK it will definitely be another Jag.

Sorry for posting the ad Al, didn't know it wasn't allowed....

George111

Original Poster:

6,930 posts

250 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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Thanks all, I think I'll look for a 4.2 for the time being, the 5.0 cars are still quite a lot more expensive and I just want to have a go at a Jaguar for the time being, if I find I really like it then I'll look for a more recent/faster car.



Big Al.

68,798 posts

257 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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CarbonXKR said:
Sorry for posting the ad Al, didn't know it wasn't allowed....
No Probs, if it wasn't a tin top and it was an R you may well have sold it by now, bloody gorgeous colour. cloud9

Hope you get a quick sale.

PH XKR

1,761 posts

101 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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I'm aware of a convertible 5.0 xkr that is coming up for sale soon and an advert is being posted on PH

Big Al.

68,798 posts

257 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
quotequote all
PH XKR said:
I'm aware of a convertible 5.0 xkr that is coming up for sale soon and an advert is being posted on PH
Many thanks for the heads up, I'm scanning the new XKR arrivals daily I'll keep my eyes posted. smile

PH XKR

1,761 posts

101 months

Sunday 21st August 2016
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To the OP if the requirement is noise over the outright power (as lets face it none of them are slow!) you will not be disappointed with either. Obviously the 5.0 is the better/newer block and if you get the adaptive exhausts it sounds absolutely epic but I believe that's on the R only. They sound bloody good whichever you get so you wont be disappointed. The 5.0 comes with some body and interior changes/upgrades so basically it boils down to buy which one turns your head/heart as you wont lose on either. In your position I would be considering the 4.2 for the cost savings, the other changes between the models you will probably not require/notice.

Whilst CATS has been replaced, it doesn't mean it was a bad system, the new set up is just an evolution but the older system still worked very well.

I personally would look for a 4.2 and one with the best spec possible, especially the sound system. Stock exhaust if possible and then if you want a change you can aftermarket it for not a lot. You will save a good few grand from a 5.0

andybu

293 posts

207 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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As others have said it's a matter of compromise between taste and wallet.

The "facelift" cars from 2009 onwards have the 5 litre engine and an improved interior. I drove all the variants ( 4.2 normally-aspirated / supercharged, then the 5.0 unblown / blown) before deciding that for me the normally-aspirated 5.0 was the better road drive. The coupe is usually a bit cheaper than the convertible, too.

On that basis I was then prepared to sit and wait until prices softened down to my budget level and a post-2009 XK Coupe came up in my choice of acceptable colour.

BTW, if like me you are an anorak about seat comfort then the Portfolio-spec models give you a wider range of seat adjustments. Useful to get it set just so before those long European driving trips.

George111

Original Poster:

6,930 posts

250 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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I'm thinking now of spending a bit more for a 5.0 car ! Also seem in general to be lower mileage as obviously younger.

Is it possible to replace the aluminium trim with wood trim ? I'd really like the wood trim but the 2009-2010 Portfolio cars all seem to have aluminium.

FezSpider

1,040 posts

231 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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To be honest, i am not a fan of wood in the modern XKs, thats for my dad. Alloy looks more current IMO.
Out of interest does any one know if the F-types have a wood option?

PH XKR

1,761 posts

101 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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only in the form of that vlogger STG!

FezSpider

1,040 posts

231 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
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PH XKR said:
only in the form of that vlogger STG!
??

George111

Original Poster:

6,930 posts

250 months

Monday 22nd August 2016
quotequote all
CarbonXKR said:
Not sure at the moment, F Types still a bit too much money frown If I sell the XK it will definitely be another Jag.

Sorry for posting the ad Al, didn't know it wasn't allowed....
If your car is for sale and it's the red one in your profile, can you PM me the address of the advert ?

CarbonXKR

1,275 posts

221 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
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George111 said:
If your car is for sale and it's the red one in your profile, can you PM me the address of the advert ?
PM sent George and it has wood rather than aluminium.

George111

Original Poster:

6,930 posts

250 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
quotequote all
CarbonXKR said:
George111 said:
If your car is for sale and it's the red one in your profile, can you PM me the address of the advert ?
PM sent George and it has wood rather than aluminium.
Thanks, just seen it, looks fantastic but unfortunately above my price range, I'm looking at best, at the very first 5.0s with a few miles on the clock. It's a great colour and the interior looks stunning.

V8Firm

67 posts

146 months

Tuesday 23rd August 2016
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I had similar requirements to you in that my first XK150 would also be a daily driver and do approx 12K year.

It had to be convertible and I tried 4.2, 4.2R and 5.0 (Prices of the 3 cars that I tested earlier this year varied from 15k to 30K)

Having tried all 3 I ended up buying the 4.2 as it had (for me) the best sound, power delivery and perfect blend of ride and handling. It was exactly how I had hoped it would be! Being the cheapest was also a bonus as I didn't need to finance an additional 7K (for the R ...22K) and 15K for the 5.0...30K.

The R was considerably more powerful but the ride seemed firmer and much less "jaguar" like....not what i was looking for.

The 5.0 was an absolute animal..urgent power delivery, firmer ride and more like a big F type (I've driven a V8S)..great fun as a weekend sports car, but I already have a TVR Griffith for that duty.

I've had my car for 5 months now doing 1000 miles a month and it is proving to be an exceptionally well sorted car that drives like new (despite it's high miles) and still makes me smile every day that i drive it...

Good luck in your search hope you get the right one for you...