Why get an M3 when I can get a Jag XKR?

[deadslow]

Quickmoose said:

SimpleSam said:

Thanks Quickmoose that's helpful stuff...

as you've been looking into it yourself have you been able to find any useful info about maintenance costs. It seems people automaically say "Jag!? Maintenance will be astronomical!" But is that really so? Is it likely a 10 yr old well looked after Jag will just need teh yearly services and that's it?

Gemmot's contribution suggests all is not particularly rosey.
But no I've haven't yet done any meaningful research, a few specific Jaguar owner forums, and honestly off the back of that and a mass of youtube vids I got the impression the 4.2 lump was/is a tried and tested unit, and the car as a whole a pretty unstressed reliable thing....

Just google XKR problems and not a lot comes up
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jaguar/xk/reliability
http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/jaguar/xk-series...
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/jaguar/xk-20...

I recently bought a 2007 XKR after speaking at length with my (superbly helpful) Jag indie garage. They reckon this model is super-reliable with no real issues, easy to work on, and therefore cheap to maintain.

[SimpleSam]

Thanks - is that the 4.2 then?

Is 5.0 more of a problem?

[Gemmot]

I wouldnt say the jag is useless around a corner but its a big car, especially compared to a 130 or M3. The jag is a GT but you will be best mates with petrol stations. I remember filling up... about 80quid and put the sat nav in to scotland which was 270 miles and i got a warning on the dash... You do not have enough fuel to reach your destination.... lol

The V8 makes a sublime noise from the jag but again the BMW engines are sweet.

Maybe i just bought a dud, but... when the sun was shining and the roof was down, the jag was a lovely place to be. Forget about the rear seats for anything other than kids under 7.

The best think to do is take them both for a test drive on the same or similar roads and also roads of all kinds too.

The comfort on the jag was amazing compared to my bmw

The jag was on normal 20s but the bmw was on 18 runflats

The jaguar owners club is excellent in terms of assistance and guidance with trouble shooting so there is non dealer back up if needed. Hope this helps a bit

[deadslow]

SimpleSam said:

Thanks - is that the 4.2 then?

Is 5.0 more of a problem?

4.2, which is a development of the original 4.0 from the XJR. The original 4.0 did have problematic issues, all of which are completely sorted in the 4.2.

No idea about the 5.0, though I haven't heard anything bad about them.

I have had BMW M cars years ago, and they were all absolutely hellishly expensive to service and fix, which puts me off them a bit today.

[gareth h]

AshBurrows said:

SimpleSam said:

Interesting. So the Jag is useless doing anything around a corner? I can't think why, for a car that's built for performance, but I've seen it said in some reviews too.

Because it's designed to be a big luxo GT cruiser. The M division is supposed to be heavily track influenced. Depends what you want.

What he said!
Waft to the Italian lakes in the Jag, or thrash the M3 around the Nurburgring, your choice.

[vsonix]

Normally I'd say go for the BMW but I am just not 100% sure about the BMW V8s being as good as the straight 6. One of the appealing points of M3 for me is that they're pretty frugal in day to day use (extra intervals on the service schedule and 'M Tax' on parts and consumables notwithstanding) but I think they lost that advantage when they went V8 - in fact I think it's quite telling that they have reverted to an I6 configuration with the current generation. I'm not, however, knowledgeable enough about Jags to give any advice i.e. are they relatively frugal for a 5.0 in the same way a Chevy LS can be, are they reliable or a time bomb etc etc

[deadslow]

AshBurrows said:

Because it's designed to be a big luxo GT cruiser. The M division is supposed to be heavily track influenced. Depends what you want.

I don't think there's that much difference in weight. The X150 is all ally - originally designed as the lightweight coupe concept.

[AshBurrows]

deadslow said:

I don't think there's that much difference in weight. The X150 is all ally - originally designed as the lightweight coupe concept.

But the chassis dynamics are completely different. There's more to a good chassis than weight. Damping etc is in a completely different world.

[woogie]

Gemmot said:

I wouldnt say the jag is useless around a corner but its a big car, especially compared to a 130 or M3. The jag is a GT but you will be best mates with petrol stations. I remember filling up... about 80quid and put the sat nav in to scotland which was 270 miles and i got a warning on the dash... You do not have enough fuel to reach your destination.... lol

The V8 makes a sublime noise from the jag but again the BMW engines are sweet.

Maybe i just bought a dud, but... when the sun was shining and the roof was down, the jag was a lovely place to be. Forget about the rear seats for anything other than kids under 7.

The best think to do is take them both for a test drive on the same or similar roads and also roads of all kinds too.

The comfort on the jag was amazing compared to my bmw

The jag was on normal 20s but the bmw was on 18 runflats

The jaguar owners club is excellent in terms of assistance and guidance with trouble shooting so there is non dealer back up if needed. Hope this helps a bit

M3 V8's don't come with 18 run flats so not sure what you drove lol

They are proper tyres with no spare just a compressor and some tyre weld .


You best go for a test drive OP. You get this all the time from the BMW diesel guys saying there car is faster blah blah blah . Maybe a remapped 335d is but try going round a corner . I doubt the M division thought hey let's just remap a diesel and scrap M cars lol .

I did lots of research on the M3 before I bought it and am very happy , coupled with a two year warranty just in case . I have never once wanted a jag it's never crossed my mind , I just think of pipes and slippers . Not sure why you don't like 911's I love them , owned one for 5 years and a broken belt was all that went wrong in that time .

Do you research and enjoy 👍

[Gemmot]

woogie said:

Gemmot said:

I wouldnt say the jag is useless around a corner but its a big car, especially compared to a 130 or M3. The jag is a GT but you will be best mates with petrol stations. I remember filling up... about 80quid and put the sat nav in to scotland which was 270 miles and i got a warning on the dash... You do not have enough fuel to reach your destination.... lol

The V8 makes a sublime noise from the jag but again the BMW engines are sweet.

Maybe i just bought a dud, but... when the sun was shining and the roof was down, the jag was a lovely place to be. Forget about the rear seats for anything other than kids under 7.

The best think to do is take them both for a test drive on the same or similar roads and also roads of all kinds too.

The comfort on the jag was amazing compared to my bmw

The jag was on normal 20s but the bmw was on 18 runflats

The jaguar owners club is excellent in terms of assistance and guidance with trouble shooting so there is non dealer back up if needed. Hope this helps a bit

M3 V8's don't come with 18 run flats so not sure what you drove lol

They are proper tyres with no spare just a compressor and some tyre weld .


You best go for a test drive OP. You get this all the time from the BMW diesel guys saying there car is faster blah blah blah . Maybe a remapped 335d is but try going round a corner . I doubt the M division thought hey let's just remap a diesel and scrap M cars lol .

I did lots of research on the M3 before I bought it and am very happy , coupled with a two year warranty just in case . I have never once wanted a jag it's never crossed my mind , I just think of pipes and slippers . Not sure why you don't like 911's I love them , owned one for 5 years and a broken belt was all that went wrong in that time .

Do you research and enjoy ??

Woogie, i said i drove a BMW 130i earlier on, not an M3

[Ahbefive]

The M3 is so common and also quite a huge barge. The Jag is much more luxurious, pretty and with better engines. Would be an easy choice for me.

[woogie]

Gemmot said:

woogie said:

Gemmot said:

I wouldnt say the jag is useless around a corner but its a big car, especially compared to a 130 or M3. The jag is a GT but you will be best mates with petrol stations. I remember filling up... about 80quid and put the sat nav in to scotland which was 270 miles and i got a warning on the dash... You do not have enough fuel to reach your destination.... lol

The V8 makes a sublime noise from the jag but again the BMW engines are sweet.

Maybe i just bought a dud, but... when the sun was shining and the roof was down, the jag was a lovely place to be. Forget about the rear seats for anything other than kids under 7.

The best think to do is take them both for a test drive on the same or similar roads and also roads of all kinds too.

The comfort on the jag was amazing compared to my bmw

The jag was on normal 20s but the bmw was on 18 runflats

The jaguar owners club is excellent in terms of assistance and guidance with trouble shooting so there is non dealer back up if needed. Hope this helps a bit

M3 V8's don't come with 18 run flats so not sure what you drove lol

They are proper tyres with no spare just a compressor and some tyre weld .


You best go for a test drive OP. You get this all the time from the BMW diesel guys saying there car is faster blah blah blah . Maybe a remapped 335d is but try going round a corner . I doubt the M division thought hey let's just remap a diesel and scrap M cars lol .

I did lots of research on the M3 before I bought it and am very happy , coupled with a two year warranty just in case . I have never once wanted a jag it's never crossed my mind , I just think of pipes and slippers . Not sure why you don't like 911's I love them , owned one for 5 years and a broken belt was all that went wrong in that time .

Do you research and enjoy ??

Woogie, i said i drove a BMW 130i earlier on, not an M3

Apologies I miss read it

[woogie]

Ahbefive said:

The M3 is so common and also quite a huge barge. The Jag is much more luxurious, pretty and with better engines. Would be an easy choice for me.

I have seen three in 6 months . Hardly common where I live . You ain't getting confused with people who put m badges on their cars are you ? Lol

[Gemmot]

woogie said:

Ahbefive said:

The M3 is so common and also quite a huge barge. The Jag is much more luxurious, pretty and with better engines. Would be an easy choice for me.

I have seen three in 6 months . Hardly common where I live . You ain't getting confused with people who put m badges on their cars are you ? Lol

Ah, the 120, 320d ..... M sport! Lol

M3 a huge barge??? I would disagree especially compared to an xkr... woogie, your thoughts? (Like near me, i dont see many M3s but lots of diesel M cars)

[woogie]

This months EVO had a good write up on the e92 M3 , take a look OP

[deadslow]

AshBurrows said:

deadslow said:

I don't think there's that much difference in weight. The X150 is all ally - originally designed as the lightweight coupe concept.

But the chassis dynamics are completely different. There's more to a good chassis than weight. Damping etc is in a completely different world.

yes, agree; who wouldn't? One is a luxury GT, the other a mini-super-saloon.

Actually, I have just noticed this thread is in BMW ///MPower section (doh!!), so I'll let you lads get on with it.

[Ahbefive]

Gemmot said:

woogie said:

I have seen three in 6 months . Hardly common where I live . You ain't getting confused with people who put m badges on their cars are you ? Lol

Ah, the 120, 320d ..... M sport! Lol

M3 a huge barge??? I would disagree especially compared to an xkr... woogie, your thoughts? (Like near me, i dont see many M3s but lots of diesel M cars)

The Jag is 8cm wider (without wingmirrors) and 17cm longer. Measure that, it's hardly anything. The M3 is also the heavier car, with the higher center of gravity.

I see lots on the roads, e90s, f10s and e46s, (m25 and m1 everyday), tbey are really quite common.

Edited by Ahbefive on Wednesday 12th April 20:41

[woogie]

Ahbefive said:

Gemmot said:

woogie said:

I have seen three in 6 months . Hardly common where I live . You ain't getting confused with people who put m badges on their cars are you ? Lol

Ah, the 120, 320d ..... M sport! Lol

M3 a huge barge??? I would disagree especially compared to an xkr... woogie, your thoughts? (Like near me, i dont see many M3s but lots of diesel M cars)

The Jag is 8cm wider (without wingmirrors) and 17cm longer. Measure that, it's hardly anything. I see lots on the roads, e90s, f10s and e46s, (m25 and m1 everyday), tbey are really quite common.

I just had a look at the bag the OP is taking about , if it's that 4 door saloon thing no wonder I don't see many of them it's horrendous . It looks like it weighs the same as a small planet . Each to there own I suppose but I could think of a lot better cars than that

[Quickmoose]

buying into the whole "Jag is pipe and slippers" suggests you're more worried about other people's opinions than your own.
It'd be a bit like not buying a BMW because they're driven by 'cocks who don't know how to use indicators lol', which is equally daft.

it's all bullst.

Drive/own the car you prefer, sod the blinkered opinions.
I certainly intend to test all I can....but I know personally I prefer a rarer car, even if it's slightly less capable. I'm not a racing driver, so the last 2/10ths don't concern me in the slightest. In this instance the 3 series is more common than a Mondeo, so as much as they dominate the sector for good reason, I don't warm to it....

[SimpleSam]

gareth h said:

What he said!
Waft to the Italian lakes in the Jag, or thrash the M3 around the Nurburgring, your choice.

See this is what I don't get.

Is there something inherent in the damping, suspension, stiffness, handling, wheelbase, engine, gears or Godknowswhat that makes one more of a track car and the other more of a distance car?

Or is it just that the Jag is longer and looks more sophisticated and more comfy inside so therefore more suited to long journeys?

I have zero interest in track days. I do £5k miles a year in town. Occasionally I may venture out into country roads that bend around a bit but not often. I want a quick beast of a car that also looks good. If the only advantage to the M3 is that it is specifically built for doing better around a track I'm not sure it's that much of a big deal. But if it means it's more versatile and will give me better safety when I do go too fast on a bendy dual carriageway or misjudge a country bend then yes that is important and I'd rather go with it. And with the Jag if it's in its element when cruising down a motorway but not so comfortable in bendier situations then perhaps it isn't for me as I won't be going anywhere far with it.