XK 4.2 X150 or XKR X100

[CharlieB]

Greetings all,

I have posted something similar in the BMW section in regards to a 650i which is a front runner in my search at the moment. However am keen for a comparative view from the Jag contingent.

Briefly I am looking for a coupe again. We now have 2 little ones, I drive very little in the week, the main car needs to be a family bus and the second car is usually more interesting and used for driving to the station occasionally and also golf/long distance trips.

Looks like there are 2 that fit my fairly broad criteria of coupe, under 15k (preferably more like 10k), 4 seats (for emergency child requirement), V8, fast and comfortable.

Which would you pick and why?

Cheers,

Charlie

[CharlieB]

OK interesting to note, I assume you would mean in terms of driving dynamics? I have not actually driven a 650i yet, but would assume it feels similar to a 5 (which I have just sold, albeit in estate diesel form) only more powerful and better looking, and I am familiar with BMW's in general having also recently got rid of an M135i.

I would love an XKR 150, it seems nicer ones start at 20k though? I just worry that, at 15k an early XKR could well be a bit tired and rough around the edges. Values seem to bottom out at 15k, whereas the NA 4.2 are available in great condition at that price.

In fact, my only worry with the NA 4.2 is that it would feel lacking in power compared to my old M135i. Would everything else that is special, areas that meet my requirements make up for the lack of grunt?

Hence my thoughts between the older X100 SC and the X150 XK 4.2 where the performance is clearly not in question.

[CharlieB]

Thanks for the thoughts so far

3 random ones picked of the trader, but something along these lines

X100 XKR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

X150 XK
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

X150 XKR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Are there any good specialists in Herts/Beds?

[CharlieB]

sly fox said:

I really would not call an X150 a four seater.
My niece- 4ft 10 can get in the back, her head almost touches the ceiling and the bucket seats are comfortable for short journeys only.

It's not a family car, i wouldn't even call it a 2+2 in all honesty because you have to move the front seats forward to get ANY rear leg room space. If you are as a driver over 5ft 8 or so, there is virtually zero leg room behind.
Magnificent car though

I am 6ft 2 and Mrs B is 5ft 10, so the little ones are destined to be tall! However, the requirement really doesn't stretch much further than the emergency case that I might have to get one from Nursery, and have not got the other car etc, so very short journeys. For all other eventualities, I will likely be driving this on my own or with my wife when the kids are at grandparents etc. We have a family car for daily running about and weekend duties.

[CharlieB]

I don't think there is any danger that the SC models will feel appreciably faster everywhere compared to the 1 series, but I maybe wrong.

I am not a 0-60 bore by any stretch, however I think that the NA 4.2 would feel slow having a similar power to weight as the 944t, but being on a modern platform, therefore I have reconciled that a 4.2 NA wont cut it, after reading another post on here about someone changing after 6mnths into an XKR.

Thus I have set my search for a well loved XKR X150, or even allowing for some budget creep an early XK 5.0, as I prefer the front end.

Edited by CharlieB on Thursday 21st April 16:30

[CharlieB]

It's an interesting point. I guess cars like the 1 series flatter to deceive. I swapped two cars for 1, so to speak (944t and fast Saab estate). In reality it was a dual purpose car daily duties for our first little one, and me to have fun at the weekends. It worked for a while and was enjoyable, but once it becomes obvious they are fast shopping cars, where do you go? An even faster one? My wife drove it 75 percent of the time, and the times I got to drive it alone were few and far between. They are just not inherently special enough for my use profile. I like the format, big engine small car. Now we have two kids we have a family Volvo, which in all but power is no different to Mrs B as a family car than the M135i.

I am now fortunate enough to have the chance to have two cars again, hence my desire to get into something that will feel more special, for those moments that are memorable.

[CharlieB]

PH XKR said:

aah we have a volvo too, a d2 v40. Enough power to just skim milk but does its task, comfortable daily hack. We went to South of France and back and it cost about two tanks for fuel, the xk I am expecting will cost me a bit more

I expect the D2 is significantly better than the T2 on fuel, avg is the same as the M135i, but I agree a competent little car. Anyhow the V40 is being morphed into an XC60 in July..

Now Back onto Jags! Assuming that any X150 XKR in budget is likely to have higher miles, any common issues that I might look out for?

Strangely I have no direct experience of Jaguar at all really, aside from a few trips in a good friends XF where I was impressed, and a silver Maisto XJ220 I used to covet as a child. However Jaguar is surely the logical step for me, it is time to go British and V8!

It has been pointed out to me by Mrs B that XFR's are teetering on the edge of the budget as well, and I could get the full fat 5.0 S/C experience there, if I so desired. Only if the search for a good enough XKR proves fruitless, mind.

[CharlieB]

jamieduff1981 said:

I have observed the opposite to be true, certainly the engine in the M135i and similar modern BMW engines.

What used to irk me was my experience of the driving "modes", in comfort the throttle felt dozy but the suspension was compliant, sport had the aggressive map and hard suspension but with TCS/DCT, and sport + then reverted to the softer throttle map with all the aids turned off presumably so you didn't wind up facing the wrong way inadvertently due to the binary throttle response.

Consequently you would just use Sport to feel a modicum of response in normal driving, and subsequently then find yourself in that (wrong) mode when pressing on and the TCS would start lighting up, thus pairing the throttle back anyway! Futile I tell you.

The point above about feeling special when just cruising is also key. I will admit that all of this has been playing on my mind since I got the opportunity to spend an hour in the new vanquish a few months back. Unashamedly/respectfully for 45 mins of the drive I just cruised along the country roads around Woburn. Utterly glorious. A more memorable hour in that car driving, than an entire 2 yrs thrashing an M135i.

I want that somewhat intangible feeling the Aston gave me, at a price I can afford. On the face of it an XKR could seemingly offer it, for a tenth of the entry price.

[CharlieB]

Well I fit which is a start. Trouble being the only one locally was a 5.0 XKR and well out of budget.

Next stop finding a good 5.0 NA to test drive.

[CharlieB]

A quick question, does this look like it has been lowered chaps?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Other than that it looks to be in great shape. going to try and take a visit to Chiltern Jag tomorrow, does anyone have any direct experience? They seem to have a good reputation.

[CharlieB]

8bit said:

I wouldn't say so, looks about standard ride height to me.

Can't speak for Chiltern but the ones they had that I saw when I was on my own search all looked a touch overpriced - that one is probably slightly lower than I'd have expected. Pretty poor, dark photos and it's a black car, I'd be all over the bodywork with a bright light when you go to view.

In one angle, rear 3/4 looking down the right flank towards the front, the wheel just looks a little wrong in the wheel arch for some reason? Maybe I am just seeing things.

Chiltern are a little overpriced, however they do have a good spread of cars there all in seemingly presentable condition, at least as a starting point for my comparisons.

Last weekend I had a good look around an 09 XKR that was well out of budget (read 30 plus), but at a local dealer in Hitchin so I didn't feel I could reasonably ask to test drive it.

The problem it seems is during the course of the week I have experienced uncontrollable budget creep. As you can see I had started out trying to justify if a 4.2 XK for 12k was going to feel special enough. Now in my head I have a floor of 15k for a leggy 4.2 XKR and and am lustfully eyeing up bottom of the barrel 5.0 XKs at 20k.

Chiltern Jag have a high mileage 2010 XKR for not a lot more, perhaps I shouldn't go after all..