Jaguar XF VS Mercedes-Benz E class

[Nigel78]

Hi everyone,

Can you advice me what car is better in terms of reliability, performance, maintenance. My favorite choices are:

Jaguar XF with 3.0 L diesel engine
www.carmaniac.co.uk/overview/jaguar-xf-2008-dabar-...

Mercedes E class 350 CDI
http://www.carmaniac.co.uk/cars/mercedes-benz-e-kl...

Will be grateful for your advice!
Nigel

[blueg33]

I had a similar choice and went for an Audi A6 3.0tdi quattro. Didnt like the interior of the Jag too gimmicky for me and the A6 seemed to have more space than both. Plus quattro was an added benefit

[vilus]

My Brother in law had Mercedes for more than 20 years until last year. He was offered an really good deal on an new XJ diesel, so part-ex'd his E Class. Every time I see him he remarks what a massive mistake he made spending over £45K on a Jaguar. The build quality and feel, especially of the interior are not a patch on Mercedes. And we are talking an XJ Portfolio model with a list price of £64K!

[mike_e]

In a nutshell the Merc will be more reliable overall, Jag electrics can be troublesome. The Jag will be marginally faster thanks to the sequential twin turbo, greater horsepower and similar torque figures. I prefer the handling of the Jag but the seats aren't too supportive under spirited driving conditions. I suspect Servicing costs will be roughly similar, around £350 for a major service.

[P.Nott]

Coincidentally, I'm considering the same and had a test drive in the XF Sportbrake only this morning. As said, some of the interior fitments are rather gimmicky, but overall, I found it a more comfortable/pleasant place to be than in the E Class. I tried the 3.0 S diesel and the engine definitely feels quicker than the E350, despite the fact the power outputs are similar, plus the E Class I feel displays more turbo lag than the Jaguar engine.

I didn't find the satnav as intuitive to use as the MB Comand although, to be fair, I generally dislike touch screens anyhow and the complexity of the array of electronics on the dash would worry me long term. Overall, I was more impressed by the XF than I thought I would be and have arranged a 24 hr test drive in the New Year to get a better idea of what it is like to live with. Still, though, I'm not convinced by the gimmickry in the cabin but maybe I will appreciate it more with a longer acquaintance.

At the moment, my head says E Class, while my heart says the Jaguar. Time will tell.

[r129sl]

How long until the next E-Class arrives? Apparently it is going to be available with very economical straight six petrol engines, both NA and turbocharged, developed to provide the refinement that everyone has forgotten is possible. It may be worth waiting for one of these.

[P.Nott]

Aren't they due some time in 2015? Are they changing the 3L diesels as well do we know?

[Milemuncher]

CLS 350 is much nicer than either.

[V8convert]

I have had E Class 350 did 100,000 miles in 3 years and no regrets and no repairs or warenty issues,I now have 350 CSL 12 months 34000 miles no issues still on same brake pads can drive 400 miles no problem it is much beter than E Class in all ways, love the leather interior, mpg same between 42 to 51mpg dependent on road, same as E Class. Tried jag lovely car very classy but not as good and on your drive/work car space posing not a patch on the Mercedes. Can not coment on reliability of Jag but would be my 2nd choice.

[P.Nott]

Milemuncher said:

CLS 350 is much nicer than either.

So is the S350, but is that really relevant to the OPs original question?

Edited by P.Nott on Thursday 18th December 13:36

[gvij]

The CLS is a much nicer car. I sat into one and it was like heaven next to the E. Im not sure why? Maybe better seats/dash, just felt perfect.

[gizlaroc]

I hated my E350cdi estate, build was not good at all.

I went from an S211 E320cdi to the S212 E350cdi and was gutted as soon as I collected. I would miss this generation and wait for the new one next year, if they follow the new C Class build wise it will put Mercedes back on track.

The 5 series pisses all over it in every area, ride, comfort, interior, build and overall feel.


I agree the above as well, the CLS is a much better bet and often costs very little more a month than the E Class.

[anonymous-user]

gvij said:

The CLS is a much nicer car. I sat into one and it was like heaven next to the E. Im not sure why? Maybe better seats/dash, just felt perfect.

Not arguing with your perception but I tested both the E350 and a CLS350 and didn't think either were that special.

I bought a 530. It is streets ahead.

Not that I'm against MB. I also bought this year an SLK350, which I much preferred to the Z4

[gizlaroc]

REALIST123 said:

Not arguing with your perception but I tested both the E350 and a CLS350 and didn't think either were that special.

I bought a 530. It is streets ahead.

Not that I'm against MB. I also bought this year an SLK350, which I much preferred to the Z4

Totally agree, the 5 series is on another level to the Merc this time round, it really is a case of cutting off your nose if you don't try one out.