XF4.2 supercharged or CLS 55?

[WTFWT]

The arrival of my baby daughter has thrown my car buying radar into turmoil! I need something practical and fast, but wafty too. I am not finding this easy.

I have tried an S8 V10 but there are very few for sale and I wasn't totally convinced by the ride quality.

I've always thought the CLS looked pretty special and the 55 sounds fantastic too. Again there aren't many about, but this has caught my eye:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
I'm not convinced by the wood trim though. I am also worried about the potential for big bills. Justifiably?

Having never considered a Jag, I was invited on a driving day recently where they had XKs, XJs and XFs and I was really impressed. All 3 cars drove beautifully and I like the look too. XFRs seem out of my price range, but the SV8 probably delivers the waft I want with the right amount of shove.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

I will probably own either one for a year to 18 months until child 2 arrives. So, which one will prove less likely to go wrong and prove the more satisfying to own?

Edited by WTFWT on Monday 9th September 19:37

[R6VED]

I am about 7 months ahead of you with my daughter and had to get rid of my TTR I got a CLS 500 and removed the exhaust resonator so it now sounds similar to the AMG model, mine has all the kit inc the AMG staggered 19's and body kit = love it

Charlie

[jamieduff1981]

I'd be less worried about big bills from the Jag than from the Merc tbh.

[R6VED]

I am about 7 months ahead of you with my daughter and had to get rid of my TTR I got a CLS 500 and removed the exhaust resonator so it now sounds similar to the AMG model, mine has all the kit inc the AMG staggered 19's and body kit = love it

Charlie

[R6VED]

I am about 7 months ahead of you with my daughter and had to get rid of my TTR I got a CLS 500 and removed the exhaust resonator so it now sounds similar to the AMG model, mine has all the kit inc the AMG staggered 19's and body kit = love it

Charlie

[R6VED]

I am about 7 months ahead of you with my daughter and had to get rid of my TTR I got a CLS 500 and removed the exhaust resonator so it now sounds similar to the AMG model, mine has all the kit inc the AMG staggered 19's and body kit = love it

Charlie

[giblet]

My vote would be for an approved used SV8, my brother bought one earlier on in the year and it fits the bill as a comfy car with plenty of poke whilst still being sensible enough to lug all the child related crap in the boot for my one and a half year old nephew. The Jaguar warranty would give you peace of mind

[sparkyhx]

there's an echo in here

Edited by sparkyhx on Monday 9th September 20:56

[WTFWT]

jamieduff1981 said:

I'd be less worried about big bills from the Jag than from the Merc tbh.

Yeah, my gut tells me the same.

R6, how has your 500 been in the 7 months you've had it? Unexpected bills? What is the mileage? Thanks

[itz_baseline]

Love the CLS as its a less obvious car IMO. Have looked at them recently but not sure i would have the guts in case something big went wrong. Plus if you look at other AMGs its going to keep dropping until its worth peanuts.

Anyone have any first hand experience with running one and the costs?

[vinnie83]

itz_baseline said:

Love the CLS as its a less obvious car IMO. Have looked at them recently but not sure i would have the guts in case something big went wrong. Plus if you look at other AMGs its going to keep dropping until its worth peanuts.

Anyone have any first hand experience with running one and the costs?

Apparently the E55 AMG is practically the same car underneath, and I ran one for about 2 years.

I had a 2003 car with about 40k miles IIRC and did about 15k miles in my ownership. Mine was MB dealer supplied, with full warranty. And wasn't I glad of it! That car was in and out of the dealerships for various things.

I really would be quite worried of running one without the warranty.

Worth mentioning that I still feel that my 997 turbo is no faster in a straight line than my E55 was.

[T1547]

Haven't driven either I'm afraid but running costs aside the CLS is just such a good looking car and especially in 55 spec seems a lot more special and exclusive than the Jag. The one in the advert appears to be a good example too.

I'll have mine in black please

[donshl]

I've had my CLS55 for nearly two years now.

Only major repair was a replacement alternator, but this was due to some extenuating circumstances.

On the whole, very very happy with! Was planning to buy a M6 or M5 but after driving both, CLS55 was the clear winner for me.

[AdeTuono]

I bought a CLS 55AMG a few months ago. It's a pretty special piece of kit, and deceptively quick. I've only needed a service so far (touch wood!). I looked at a few, and there are some real dogs out there. Buy on condition, as always, and get a good test drive. Make sure everything works; electrics can be fragile, and will cost. I preferred the 55 to the 63, but not everyone will agree. There again, I'm a sucker for a supercharger.

Not sure they'll depreciate like other AMG's, as there aren't that many about, but that's probably wishful thinking.

[EddieFelson]

I ended up with an E39 M5 in a similar position, although I can see how you can take a shine to the SV8..

[slippery]

Both great cars. The CLS is a strange thing. Sometimes I look at them and think they are stunning, then on other occasions I think to opposite. If I'm honest, I think the E55 is a handsome car, if not as dramatic in the looks department. E55 estate perhaps?

[WTFWT]

T1547 said:

Haven't driven either I'm afraid but running costs aside the CLS is just such a good looking car and especially in 55 spec seems a lot more special and exclusive than the Jag. The one in the advert appears to be a good example too.

I'll have mine in black please

That's my thought process entirely. Merc is probably more of a risk, but more of a car too. You would turn back to look at the Merc whereas the Jag may be that bit more forgettable.

Hmmm

[Krikkit]

I think the SV8 is probably the best option, but I do love the looks of the CLS. Dark exterior with light interior = for me.

[Ellieb10]

I've found kids, even very very little ones, like looking out windows. That would rule out both for me. I'm looking for an e55 wagon for similar reasons (waftyish, fast, more reliable than a B5, newer than my B10). I spoke with an ex jag engineer who reckons the SV8 engine is a peach. The guy worked on it's development and reckoned it was one of his all time favorites. However, modifications do bad things to insurance premiums I'm told.

[Diderot]

I had a 58 plate SV8 4 years ago or so for about 4 months, then p/x'ed it for an 07 XKR (I got bored and didn't need the extra space). The SV8 was very good overall, the interior was brilliant, gearbox and paddle setup excellent, but the seats were woefully bad - no support whatsoever. Not sure they ever got the later sports seats ... That would be a deal breaker for me.