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)

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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...

[Simpo Two]

fatboy b said:

There was a short production run where they weren't fitted.

Do you know which years/models?

[Simpo Two]

Thanks, not on my radar then!