Jaguar Or Mercedes

Author
Discussion

MichaelBailey

Original Poster:

16 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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I'm looking into buying either a Jaguar XJ8 or mercedes s320 diesel or petrol. I'm looking for them around the 2000 era and have a budget of 3000 for the car maybe stretch a bit more for the right one. My question is which is wiser? I know mercedes went through a rough patch of quality and jaguar have been plagued with electrical problems. However I am needing to travel around 400 miles each weekend and my poor 92 polo 1.3 isn't built for it. I want a car I can do it in that won't cost me too much on fuel 30mpg+ hopefully and something that will be reliable and comfortable. I am fairly decent on cars and I know what to look for when buying them but I would like advice on maybe what to watch out for or whether to steal clear and maybe go for something else altogether! Thanks for any advice and also without starting a whole new topic a quick word on LPG. Thanks again!

8bit

4,846 posts

154 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Jaguar. Any day.

I have a 2008 XKR and my wife has a 2008 ML320. The Merc is a complete shed, we've had four major problems in the four months we've had it. The Jag has been far, far more reliable.

Not sure if you'll get 30+mpg out of it though.

MichaelBailey

Original Poster:

16 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks, I've looked at jaguar fondly but I've been told a few horror stories which was maybe why I looked at merc... The 3.2 V8 is a sound and solid power plant and I would of thought should return around 30mpg on a run, was thinking of getting a lpg conversion too to pretty much half the cost of fuel but I wasn't sure on reliability issues with it or cost

dcb

5,834 posts

264 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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MichaelBailey said:
I'm looking into buying either a Jaguar XJ8 or mercedes s320 diesel or petrol.

...

I want a car I can do it in that won't cost me too much on fuel 30mpg+ hopefully
AFAIK all the XJ8 are V8, so getting to 25 mpg is an achievement, never mind
30+ mpg.

Mine averaged 19 mpg ;-<

It's a long way from Polo to Jag XJ8 / MB S320. How about something halfway
like a six cylinder 3 or 5 series ?


MichaelBailey

Original Poster:

16 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
The thinking I had behind that was, v8 in a jag will last forever, and it's driven by people not far from death that don't like exceeding 56mph. Whereas a straight 6 in a bmw gets someone jumping in and taking it up to 16000 rpm everytime they pull away from the lights and around the age I'm looking at I want something with a fair bit of life left.

alecescolme

2,149 posts

123 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Tough one, personally I would be looking at the facelift (2003+) W220 Mercedes or X308 or X350 Jaguar.
The facelift Merc will be improved over the 2000 model and might just be available in budget.

I was in the same position over a year ago and decided on a 2003 XJ X350 V6 for £3500. Can achieve 35+ mpg on long distances.

The advantages:
-Jaguar, better looks and classic design
-Mercedes, more gadgets and toys, e.g. keyless & go, cooled seats (Jaguar only added this in 2007!)

Disadvantages:
-Jaguar, less gadgets, no massage seats
-Mercedes, looks a bit dated and more complex items to go wrong.

BTW. I jumped from a polo to my jag!

EskimoArapaho

5,135 posts

134 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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2000 vintage; why pick two likely-to-be-trouble cars?

The answer is Lexus LS400, easy 30mpg on those long trips, and you'll have ££££s left over. You'd even get an LPGed one within budget, too.

Now get over to the barge thread (although be aware that thread is a BMW/MB lovefest).

MichaelBailey

Original Poster:

16 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Lexus was an option but looks like a brick though is a solid car. But I have been won over by the Germans with my polo, been good to me!

giblet

8,824 posts

176 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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X308 gets my vote, LPG conversion should be fairly straight forward provided you use someone who knows what they are doing. If I wasn't skint at the time I would have had my XJR converted to LPG and kept it.

RobinBanks

17,540 posts

178 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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dcb said:
AFAIK all the XJ8 are V8,
Correct. And all XJ6 are six-cylinder and all XJ12 are 12-cylinder wink

xxChrisxx

538 posts

120 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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I find it curious that people have aspirations to buy the more powerful model, that isn't quite fames for reliability, then want to run it cheaply. Unless you want to be a rolling road block, you won't see 30mpg out of a V8 Jag.

Lets put it this way:
You buy your V8 luxobarge. It's lovely and comfy, wafts like a dream, but all you can think about, everytime you slide into the drivers seat is that fact that the MPG reading is firmly planted in the low 20s. You start to drive everywhere slowly and then arrive at your destination feeling stressed at how many pound notes your V8 has just combust.

Everything in this world is a compromise, and only you can decide on the correct balance of attributes a car should have.

Between the two, I'd have the Jag. Though reading between the lines, are you sure you don't want something slightly more middle of the road, more reliable and frugal.

Edited by xxChrisxx on Thursday 23 October 16:12

MichaelBailey

Original Poster:

16 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
The mpg is a bonus if I get it and considering I wanted the xjs v12 then thinking about it this really is the compromise, but I don't want something that's going to take my wallet off me and not give it me back

dbdb

4,311 posts

172 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Between the XJ8 and Mercedes W220 S Class, I would definitely pick the Jag. My brother had a Mercedes S500 of that series about ten years ago - its reliability was simply appalling. Astonishingly bad.

Have you considered the earlier six cylinder Jaguar X300? They look similar to the XJ8, but the 4 litre six cylinder engine they use is much more robust, as is the ZF4HP24 transmission. A decent, rust free X300 is a reliable thing, and less 'needy' than the V8. The engine in the X300 is not as powerful, nor is the six quite as smooth and free revving as the V8 in the X308, but they're still a lovely thing to drive. I prefer their interior too. You won't get 30 mpg though! The X300 would be my choice, if your 'fix it war chest' isn't well filled.

The Lexus always strikes me as dull but worthy. It isn't my kind of car, but I can see why they appeal to some people.

samuelellis

1,927 posts

200 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
Any big car can take your wallet and refuse to give it back

I currently have a Jag Xj v8 on a 2000 plate, it is the 3.2 and it just about gets 22ish mpg to the gallon

It is not my daily drive, that is a volvo s60 D5

Dont get me wrong the Jag is a lovely lovely car but it has the ability to hurt you financially if you dont keep ontop of maintenance, engine oil and filters are reasonable as are tyres etc but when it comes to things like gearbox oil replacement that can be eyewatering. I had to use the Jag as a daily not long ago and even for that week it was crippling fuel cost-wise

Im not saying dont get one as i love mine and i would encourage anyone to experience them as they are lovely cars but not something i would use day to day

mini1380cc

2,944 posts

170 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
RobinBanks said:
dcb said:
AFAIK all the XJ8 are V8,
Correct. And all XJ6 are six-cylinder and all XJ12 are 12-cylinder wink
All of which are feeble compared to the 40 cylinder XJ40. The XJ220 well.... hehe

EskimoArapaho

5,135 posts

134 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
MichaelBailey said:
Lexus was an option but looks like a brick though is a solid car. But I have been won over by the Germans with my polo, been good to me!
Understood. The Polo is a good, solid car. But a significant virtue is its simplicity - not much to fail. The S-class and Jaguar are not basic, however, and it's non-basic bits that fail on 15yo luxury cars and empty your wallet.

I considered the Jaguar and S class (and BMW 7 series) before buying an LS400 for a big Euro road trip. I also prefer the Euro styling. But reading here and on the relevant forums persuaded me otherwise.

Make sure to come back and write up your post-purchase experience. smile

MichaelBailey

Original Poster:

16 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
quotequote all
I think the Lexus with a lpg would be more then enough for requirements, however as previously said lacking that bit of character. You've all well and truly put me off the merc, the other choice was maybe a 2.8 A8 or a 3tdi but I would have to pay out the ass to get one though with good reason. And as many have said jaguar are a lovely car, I think it might come down to flipping a coin and then thinking actually no I want the jag!

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Mercedes of that era have been known to rust a bit.

wolfy1988

1,426 posts

162 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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As previously mentioned,why not a Lexus?

It might be a bit of a gamble buying a 2k S classe or XJ, being able to tinker and do basic mechanics may not get you too far on the S Classe and the Jags are a tad brittle.

Personally, If I were you and wanted a nice smoker barge, I would be looking at the LS or an e39 5 Series and find the very best example you can.

Saying that, I'm sure you wont be disappointed with what ever you end up driving, as its gonna be one hell of a jump!

EDIT TO ADD: Your not going to get any where near 30+ out of those cars, even a small 525i would struggle to do that.

I had a e39 on LPG and it was fantastic, I know love LPG but wouldn't buy an older car with the plan to LPG it, Instead I would buy one thats already converted, so chances are,any issues will have been ironed out and ultimatly, let the seller take the hit wink

Edited by wolfy1988 on Thursday 23 October 16:33

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Why not get a 2.2d X-Type Jag? Frugal on fuel at least - never owned or driven one mind, but would assume they are comfy enough!?