30-32k to spend, E92 BMW M3 or Jaguar XK/XKR? and why?

[MPowerMark]

Pretty much as the title says. I will soon be looking to get rid of my 987 Boxster S and replace with either the new M3 coupe or a Jag but really can't decide which one.
I used to own a e46 M3 years ago which i thought was great, i loved the rawness of it and i've heard the new M3's V8 engine is rather special but on the other hand i absolutely LOVE the looks of the XK/XKR.

If you had to choose, what would it be? and why?

[V88Dicky]

I'd choose the XKR.

The sound........Oh that sound

And the achingly beautiful looks.

And IMHO its just that bit more special than the BMW (good car that it is)




Can you get one for that budget?

[MPowerMark]

Yeah, i've seen some XKR's for low 30's but with higher mileage than i would ideally want. I could get a nice low mileage XK for around 32k though.
Do you think there is a massive difference in performance between the two?

[The Mp]

Both very different cars really...

Id opt for the XKR myself, although i think you need to find another 5k to bag yourself a nicer one...

Or wait for this sun to go into hiding for another year and pick one up then if your thinking of a soft top.

Itd be intresting to see which holds its value better..

[Ephraim]

MPowerMark said:

Yeah, i've seen some XKR's for low 30's but with higher mileage than i would ideally want. I could get a nice low mileage XK for around 32k though.
Do you think there is a massive difference in performance between the two?

Having driven both (5 litre versions, more than once), yeah, there's a world of difference between them. The XK is great... it's fast and feels good and has that "driving event" impact. The XKR however is awesome. Really gob-hanging-open awesome. The noise as you open the taps is incredible. The acceleration fantastic. It's really something special.

If I were in your position (and oh, how I would love to be), I'd go for the leggier R. If you really decide that you don't want to, then don't drive one. After the R, the normal one feels that little bit less special.

I've never driven the BMW, but it'd have to be really something special to compete.

[300bhp/ton]

MPowerMark said:

Pretty much as the title says. I will soon be looking to get rid of my 987 Boxster S and replace with either the new M3 coupe or a Jag but really can't decide which one.
I used to own a e46 M3 years ago which i thought was great, i loved the rawness of it and i've heard the new M3's V8 engine is rather special but on the other hand i absolutely LOVE the looks of the XK/XKR.

If you had to choose, what would it be? and why?

Different cars. The Jag is the better looker, more plush, more lush and more of trans continental cruiser. But no manual and no slippy diff would limit appeal for me, but I do like big coupes.

M3 more of a drivers car, although bigger and heavier than it used to be.

But as I'm sure some would guess, I'd probably be looking at Vettes, Mustangs and even the new Camaro at this price range.

[CampDavid]

On previous form the BMW is generally worth more at 10 years old than the Jag, despite the large gap between the last M3 and XKR when new.

Both very different cars. I'd want the BMW myself, though I see the appeal in the Jag

[Legend83]

300bhp/ton said:

But as I'm sure some would guess, I'd probably be looking at Vettes, Mustangs and even the new Camaro at this price range.

I am usually a closet sympathiser of yours 300bhp, but not today.

Why bother consciously getting backs up? Particularly when the OP stated, stated, he wanted EITHER a XK or a M3 and asked others which they would pick if they had to choose?

He did not ask for other suggestions!

And one of the possible answers was not "neither, I would buy something yank" - it is a) a XK; or b) a M3.

I like hearing your pro-US car suggestions as I also am a fan of them, but pick your threads and don't purposefully antagonise!

ETA: I would get the Jag - the noise they make is glorious and apparently they are great to drive too.

Edited by Legend83 on Thursday 19th August 14:55

[Fittster]

The Jag is attractive, the BMW is a top of the range repmobile.

[300bhp/ton]

Legend83 said:

300bhp/ton said:

But as I'm sure some would guess, I'd probably be looking at Vettes, Mustangs and even the new Camaro at this price range.

I am usually a closet sympathiser of yours 300bhp, but not today.

Why bother consciously getting backs up? Particularly when the OP stated, stated, he wanted EITHER a XK or a M3 and asked others which they would pick if they had to choose?

He did not ask for other suggestions!

And one of the possible answers was not "neither, I would buy something yank" - it is a) a XK; or b) a M3.

I like hearing your pro-US car suggestions as I also am a fan of them, but pick your threads and don't purposefully antagonise!

ETA: I would get the Jag - the noise they make is glorious and apparently they are great to drive too.

Edited by Legend83 on Thursday 19th August 14:55

Sorry didn't realise the OP had a gun to his head only allowing him to chose one of the two cars they mentioned...........

My mistake.

[Legend83]

300bhp/ton said:

Legend83 said:

300bhp/ton said:

But as I'm sure some would guess, I'd probably be looking at Vettes, Mustangs and even the new Camaro at this price range.

I am usually a closet sympathiser of yours 300bhp, but not today.

Why bother consciously getting backs up? Particularly when the OP stated, stated, he wanted EITHER a XK or a M3 and asked others which they would pick if they had to choose?

He did not ask for other suggestions!

And one of the possible answers was not "neither, I would buy something yank" - it is a) a XK; or b) a M3.

I like hearing your pro-US car suggestions as I also am a fan of them, but pick your threads and don't purposefully antagonise!

ETA: I would get the Jag - the noise they make is glorious and apparently they are great to drive too.

Edited by Legend83 on Thursday 19th August 14:55

Sorry didn't realise the OP had a gun to his head only allowing him to chose one of the two cars they mentioned...........

My mistake.

Not a gun, but he had clearly decided the choice was between two cars he had identified.

The question was "which would you choose, and why?" not "which do you prefer and is there anything else you would recommend in this price range, including yank-mobiles, please step forward Mr 300bhp/tonne"!

[Rawwr]

That budget could put you in a very tidy E46 M3 CSL. Worth considering?

[300bhp/ton]

Legend83 said:

300bhp/ton said:

Legend83 said:

300bhp/ton said:

But as I'm sure some would guess, I'd probably be looking at Vettes, Mustangs and even the new Camaro at this price range.

I am usually a closet sympathiser of yours 300bhp, but not today.

Why bother consciously getting backs up? Particularly when the OP stated, stated, he wanted EITHER a XK or a M3 and asked others which they would pick if they had to choose?

He did not ask for other suggestions!

And one of the possible answers was not "neither, I would buy something yank" - it is a) a XK; or b) a M3.

I like hearing your pro-US car suggestions as I also am a fan of them, but pick your threads and don't purposefully antagonise!

ETA: I would get the Jag - the noise they make is glorious and apparently they are great to drive too.

Edited by Legend83 on Thursday 19th August 14:55

Sorry didn't realise the OP had a gun to his head only allowing him to chose one of the two cars they mentioned...........

My mistake.

Not a gun, but he had clearly decided the choice was between two cars he had identified.

The question was "which would you choose, and why?" not "which do you prefer and is there anything else you would recommend in this price range, including yank-mobiles, please step forward Mr 300bhp/tonne"!

Jag then. Or maybe an M3, would all hinge on a manual gearbox.

[mercfunder]

Rawwr said:

That budget could put you in a very tidy E46 M3 CSL. Worth considering?

Either E92 M3 or Jag XK/R
Didn't you see the memo from Legend83 above?

[Diderot]

Jag XKR. Should be able to get yourself a very good 56 or 07 plate one for 35k with reasonable miles. The gearbox is sensationally good, handling is very tidy, the car is very quick in gear and with a cheap shorter pulley for the charger, you could easily have 450bhp out of it. Sounds great - way better than a stock M3 - especially with the vacuum hoses off and the boxes done.

[Rawwr]

mercfunder said:

Rawwr said:

That budget could put you in a very tidy E46 M3 CSL. Worth considering?

Either E92 M3 or Jag XK/R
Didn't you see the memo from Legend83 above?

Yeah, I don't normally suggest out of parameters but The E46 CSL is only a stone's throw from the E92 M3 and they hold their value like a limpet.

[CampDavid]

mercfunder said:

Rawwr said:

That budget could put you in a very tidy E46 M3 CSL. Worth considering?

Either E92 M3 or Jag XK/R
Didn't you see the memo from Legend83 above?

At least a CSL is a similar sort of thing as opposed to the "buy a yank stter" or "Get a classic" which the user originally always seems to come out with.

[V88Dicky]

Seems that you can get a perfectly decent XKR for your budget, OP


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[mercfunder]

V88Dicky said:

Seems that you can get a perfectly decent XKR for your budget, OP


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

:




One day soon.

Edited by mercfunder on Thursday 19th August 16:05

[TheRoadWarrior]

300bhp/ton said:

MPowerMark said:

Pretty much as the title says. I will soon be looking to get rid of my 987 Boxster S and replace with either the new M3 coupe or a Jag but really can't decide which one.
I used to own a e46 M3 years ago which i thought was great, i loved the rawness of it and i've heard the new M3's V8 engine is rather special but on the other hand i absolutely LOVE the looks of the XK/XKR.

If you had to choose, what would it be? and why?

Different cars. The Jag is the better looker, more plush, more lush and more of trans continental cruiser. But no manual and no slippy diff would limit appeal for me, but I do like big coupes.

M3 more of a drivers car, although bigger and heavier than it used to be.

But as I'm sure some would guess, I'd probably be looking at Vettes, Mustangs and even the new Camaro at this price range.

The XKR has eDiff, in other words its an electronically controlled diff- but its still a proper locking differential. Also you can shift the gears manually with the paddles- it swaps cogs very fast.. although I do wish the paddles were bigger and column-mounted.