The good news is the 5,000cc supercharged V8 engine is extremely reliable and the Eaton Twin Vortex blower is just as hard-wearing. You will have to budget for a new supercharger belt and a set of spark plugs at the big 105,000 service stop, but even that shouldn't break the bank.
Jaguar recommends 15,000-mile service stops, but specialists reckon it's wise to reduce that to 10,000 miles. With a regular service costing about £300 at an independent and £500 for a major check-up, neither is too painful on the wallet.
During the garage visit at 60,000 miles, it's wise to have the gearbox oil changed in the six-speed ZF unit. It's supposed to be a sealed for life component, but new oil will keep it shifting smoothly and avoid any deterioration in its life expectancy. This job should be around £200 including fluids at a specialist.
All of this unerring reliability means you can spend more time thinking of ways to improve the XFR. A lot of owners cite the standard exhaust as being too refined and muted. Many swap to an aftermarket rear section such as the one from Spires for £774 plus fitting or around £1,300 for a system that includes a freer flowing centre section. This gives a bit more crackle to the exhaust without being intrusive when cruising on the motorway.
Gaining more engine power could be academic as many owners report their XFRs producing more than the factory quotes when they are dyno tested. Jaguar's conservative 510hp often turns out to be more like 530hp. However, if you feel the need for more oomph, a remapped ECU can offers increases of 30-40hp for around £850. For even more power, a new supercharger pulley will speed up the supercharger to force more air into the engine and give a 30hp boost while maintaining good driving manners. A new panel air filter will also help the engine to breathe more freely and is a cheap upgrade.
When you are mooching up the motorway, you might just see 30mpg, but around 27mpg is more likely. Use the XFR's substantial performance and mid-teens economy is normal. Owners complain the fuel tank is too small at 64 litres, giving a range of around 250 miles in mixed driving.
PHer's view:
"It is a real Jekyll and Hyde car, perfectly happy to pootle around in traffic, with a comfortable ride and quite a plush cabin. But give it some beans and it becomes a snarly brute."
Ali Aslam