XF models

[Simpo Two]

Starting to take an interest in these, and trying to figure out the marketing. As they all use superlatives I can't tell which is the top spec and which is the basic cooking model.

I want a magic carpet ride so 'sport' will be out, similarly I guess 'business' is quite basic and I want diesel auto which will put out the 'R' version. So what's the difference between 'luxury', 'premium', portfolio' and 'SE' please?

Luxury
Portfolio
Premium Luxury
Premium Luxury S
R-Sport
SE
SE Business
Sport
Sport LE

(And when did the 3.0 diesel replace the 2.7? - is it worth paying extra for? Road tax needs to be the low category)

[Rick Cutler]

I think this is the order

SE
Sport LE
SE Business
Sport
Luxury
Premium Luxury
Premium Luxury S(sport)
Portfolio
R-Sport

The big differences are anything under luxury (excluding sport) is aimed at company car use not magic carpet with toys. I didn't like the seats in the luxury and the stereo was poor so went with a premium luxury. Go to a jaguar dealer and see for yourself.

Portfolio is top luxury spec.

[The Leaper]

ST,

All is revealed from the Jaguar UK website, according to which in ascending order it's:

SE
SE Business
Luxury
R Sport
Premium Luxury
Portfolio

This applies to the various engines ie petrol or diesel.

Regarding you comment on comfort, I agree with you (could be age related!). I expect a Jaguar to be good mixture of a sporting performance and comfortable ride.

I have had an XF 5.0 V8 Portfolio (non R) with additional extras such a sun roof, for three months now. Standard wheels are 20" Sentas but luckily my car has 19" Carelia wheels that give a softer ride without compromising the road holding very much, the best combination for me.

Compared to my two previous S-Types (both V8s) I'd say my XF is a huge improvement in all respects except it is more of a crashy ride. Comparatively the S-Types were good wafters!

Hope this helps.

R.

[fatboy b]

Go for a Portfolio, as the extras are worth it alone. The S is 275 bhp,version of the 3.0d. The normal one is 240. Avoid a 2.7, as the 3.0 is just soooo much better, and there are a few issues on the 2.7. As said, seats on a Lux aren't all that good. Otherwise, for a car that's been around for a bit, it still looks way better than anything German in it's class, and rides/handles better too. You also get a switchable Dynamic ride on the upper variants as standard. Makes things stiffer, and the different gearbox map making the changes sharper. I find the standard ride on 20" good, but not magic carpet - which I like.In dynamic, it makes motorways a bit crashy, but the twisties fun.

Edited by fatboy b on Tuesday 7th October 21:05

[Simpo Two]

Thanks all, looks like the Portfolio or Premium Luxury are the ones to go for.

My current S-Type deliberately has 17" wheels for a softer ride - if I want a crashy 'sports' ride I can buy another TVR and shake my teeth out that way - so 19" seems like a bad way to get my quest for a nice ride off to a good start! I guess I was spoiled by my old XJ40 Sovereign 4.0...

And on top of the 'standard' issue of toys with each model, I suppose the first owner specced various extras - so they're all different.

[Simpo Two]

Well at 47mpg and only £180pa tax it seems like the 3.0 will be cheaper to run than my 2.7 (39mpg average and £285 tax I think)!

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-fi...

[jamieduff1981]

Nobody below the age of 90 averages 47mpg with the 3.0 diesel.

[Simpo Two]

Agreed, but is the 3.0 actually more economical than the 2.7?

A fair proportion of my mileage is pounding the A14 at cruising speed, which helps.

[Colin RedGriff]

I think the 3.0d allied to the 8 sipeed box is the best combination. It was out my price when I got mine so I have the 2.7 and 6 speed box but it's still a great car.

The 'base' spec is pretty good but I went for the premium luxury because that comes with a reversing camera which makes parking and reversing much easier.

I also managed to find one with the Bowens and Wilins stereo upgrade which is a really nice system.

The folding seats, which it was keen to have, became an option in later models but the mechanism is still there so all you need to do is buy the release handles and fit them to get the feature.

[Simpo Two]

Colin RedGriff said:

The folding seats, which it was keen to have, became an option in later models but the mechanism is still there so all you need to do is buy the release handles and fit them to get the feature.

Don't all XFs have split/fold rear seats? That's important.

[mike_e]

I don't think the base models have split seats, it's certainly standard on Portfolio models which I'd recommend if you can find one. The magic carpet ride is enhanced with the uprated soft leather interior and faux suede headlining. The 20" rims make for a firm, but not harsh ride, I'd opt for something with smaller rims if you want comfort.

[Antony Moxey]

I have a 'Luxury' and that has split rear seats. It also has 17s as standard and has a much smoother ride than my previous X-Type which came with 18s.

Edited by Antony Moxey on Wednesday 8th October 13:35

[jamieduff1981]

My RS has split folding rear seats.

A Portfolio is the one to shoot for IMO. You may be hard pressed to find one without 20" wheels though. XFs definitely look better on bigger wheels and the vast majority are so specced. A set of 18" wheels and tyres would be a good investment if you value ride quality above all else, but I wouldn't dismiss a good Portfolio on the grounds of it having 20" wheels though or you could be car shopping for a long time.

[Johnnytheboy]

Colin RedGriff said:

I think the 3.0d allied to the 8 speed box is the best combination. It was out my price when I got mine so I have the 2.7 and 6 speed box but it's still a great car.

I'm pretty sure that the changed in engine and gearbox happened at once.

My father has the 3.0d S and it's a cracking drive; that gearbox alone has changed my mind on autos, it's virtually seamless.

[Colin RedGriff]

Simpo Two said:

Don't all XFs have split/fold rear seats? That's important.

The split function is in all the cars but definitely some models later on didn't come with the handles in the boot to release them. An easy thing to retrofit.

[fatboy b]

Johnnytheboy said:

Colin RedGriff said:

I think the 3.0d allied to the 8 speed box is the best combination. It was out my price when I got mine so I have the 2.7 and 6 speed box but it's still a great car.

I'm pretty sure that the changed in engine and gearbox happened at once.

My father has the 3.0d S and it's a cracking drive; that gearbox alone has changed my mind on autos, it's virtually seamless.

The 8 speed box came with the facelift, so there are 3.0 classics with a 6 speed box.

[Johnnytheboy]

fatboy b said:

The 8 speed box came with the facelift, so there are 3.0 classics with a 6 speed box.

Oh ok, I never realised the 3 litre diesel was used in the pre-facelift model.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks folks; it certainly won't be the facelift model as the budget is <£15K.

Now to decide whether I want blue, green or white...

[AmitG]

Colin RedGriff said:

Simpo Two said:

Don't all XFs have split/fold rear seats? That's important.

The split function is in all the cars but definitely some models later on didn't come with the handles in the boot to release them. An easy thing to retrofit.

This is exactly why manufacturers need to make sure their dealers are trained properly.

I was told by a salesperson at my local main dealer that the seats in the XF did not fold down. As a result I crossed it off my list because it was essential for me. Now it's back on again...

[williamp]

They also did an early "S" with the supercharged v8. My mother in law drives one