4WD Jaguar XKR Replacement; £10k-ish budget

[Patrick Bateman]

Given some of the winter weather we've had since moving to our new house (which I suspect could be typical), I think it may be time to sell my XKR later this year which I've used as the main car since October 2022, a good innings at least.

Even with a set of good winter tyres, the roads round here can be an issue- I'm not sure I can be arsed having to stick a load of weight plates in the boot and still have to hope I can get up and down our track or the uphill roads around the house, case in point-



I already got stuck once and I don't intend to make that a habit on single track roads.

Now, I will caveat this with the fact I have been obsessed with L322 Range Rovers for a few years and now there is some man maths justification in getting one. It could well be the itch that now must be scratched but I am open to hearing other suggestions in case I'm missing a trick. It would need to be something that is either interesting or feels special in some way- this seems tricky at this budget when following an XKR from what I can see. i.e. as much as there are no doubt much more sensible choices in something like a Skoda Yeti or Volvo XC70, they're a bit too humdrum to be a like for like replacement in my head.

Given I'd be willing to consider the terrible fuel economy of the same 4.2 SC engine in an L322, it's safe to say MPG is not much of a consideration.

[JeremyH5]

I would have a look at an F-type all wheel drive with cross climate tyres; not too big a jump from the XK. (Oh, the budget might not get that!)
Mind you, the L399 has an allure all its own. Nice dilemma to have!

[ZX10R NIN]

Going Leftfield first.

Lexus 600h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601089...

ML63:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504101...

Grand Cherokee SRT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602029...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602069...

If you're feeling very brave there's the GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601309...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503190...

Or W12 A8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510167...

Mainstream

Cayenne GTS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602059...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601099...

Turbo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...

X6M:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602059...

X6 50i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512168...

X5 48i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601239...

S8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601078...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509156...

RS4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601309...

[loskie]

It's an OUTBACK you need plus decent tyres.

[Piersman2]

Op, to confirm your own bias I'm going to suggest you go look for 5.0 S/C L322.

I have a 2010 XKR, and a 2010 L322, both with that superb 5.0 S/C engine,

That engine suits the L322 so well, pootle around smooth and easy all day... then prod the pedal a bit harder and it fecking takes off.

I've had the Range Rover 10 years now, and still enjoy every trip out in it.

[Patrick Bateman]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lots of suggestions

As usual, cheers for the legwork you always put into these replies. Some of these make my L322 proposition look like a sensible financial decision.

I think I'd be running scared of any W12's, especially in Bentley guise. I'll also rule out any X6, they have all the appeal of letting Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor look after your daughter for the weekend.

How are ML's of that era? It's the only 4WD route to that engine but not sure how the rest of the car compares.

That shape of A8 has crossed my mind but entry price for a decent V8 seems to be well out of budget, likewise with the B7 RS4 (for non-cat cars) which would otherwise be right up there. I've always had half an eye on them and even high mileage cars seem to command about double what my XKR is worth.

I should add, definitely looking for something that's not got a reputation for a crashy ride, no worse than my current XKR really- on that note, how is something like an Audi S5? They seem to be one of the few cars whose values have continued to plummet over the years.

[Patrick Bateman]

Piersman2 said:

Op, to confirm your own bias I'm going to suggest you go look for 5.0 S/C L322.

I have a 2010 XKR, and a 2010 L322, both with that superb 5.0 S/C engine,

That engine suits the L322 so well, pootle around smooth and easy all day... then prod the pedal a bit harder and it fecking takes off.

I've had the Range Rover 10 years now, and still enjoy every trip out in it.

You understood the assignment!

Given you've got two, have you had anything done with the timing chain/tensioners? That's the main thing that has me looking at a very late 4.2 as I can attest it's a stonking engine and about as reliable as a powerful V8 seems to get.

[Piersman2]

Well, to be honest on my two 5.0 engines, not missed a beat. The XKR is at about 105k miles, the L322 is at 130K. Only issues I've had is the water pumps which are about £60 and a couple of hours to fit.

However my son also has an XKR 5.0 and he had to replace his chains in the summer at about 100k miles. It should be noted though that he isn't as fastidious about oil spec. and changes as I am so I suspect that that , and the fact the car was 2.5L low on oil when it jumped a timing tooth, was mainly to blame. We did the job ourselves as he was being quoted £3k, not too bad a job , just took a couple of days.

In 10 years the only mechanical issue (excluding brakes, suspension wear ,etc...) has been a broken transfer box.

ETA... Which engine does your XKR have? The 4.2 is good, I had an XJR with that engine and an older model XKR with the 4.0, butthe 5.0L is a real step up in power, not just the extra 100bhp, but the responsiveness too.

Edited by Piersman2 on Saturday 7th February 21:36

[Patrick Bateman]

It's the 4.2.

I don't doubt the 5 has more about it but at no point during ownership have I thought 'more power would be nice'.

Maybe different when you chuck another 1000kg in the mix right enough. Would consider the 4.4 TDV8 as well given there's about 30 of them for every petrol.

[ZX10R NIN]

Patrick Bateman said:

As usual, cheers for the legwork you always put into these replies. Some of these make my L322 proposition look like a sensible financial decision.

I think I'd be running scared of any W12's, especially in Bentley guise. I'll also rule out any X6, they have all the appeal of letting Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor look after your daughter for the weekend.

How are ML's of that era? It's the only 4WD route to that engine but not sure how the rest of the car compares.

That shape of A8 has crossed my mind but entry price for a decent V8 seems to be well out of budget, likewise with the B7 RS4 (for non-cat cars) which would otherwise be right up there. I've always had half an eye on them and even high mileage cars seem to command about double what my XKR is worth.

I should add, definitely looking for something that's not got a reputation for a crashy ride, no worse than my current XKR really- on that note, how is something like an Audi S5? They seem to be one of the few cars whose values have continued to plummet over the years.

Yea some of those will have your wallet shrinking just by clicking on the listing!

The gen2 ML is actually a very good car that was really hampered by the gen1's reputation so it's worth considering.
The other one that's very robust is the SRT BUT the interior is not on par with the ML let alone the RR, you can add Android Auto/CarPlay to all so connectivity won't be an issue.

The GTS is the one that handles the best.

[samoht]

A cheap Panamera 4S? Nat-asp V8, 4WD, not a truck
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507044...
no idea what reliability is like on these.

[Patrick Bateman]

I had seen that but something on very high miles going for well into 5 figures screams nightmare to sell on without taking a massive hit one day.

[Patrick Bateman]

ZX10R NIN said:

Yea some of those will have your wallet shrinking just by clicking on the listing!

The gen2 ML is actually a very good car that was really hampered by the gen1's reputation so it's worth considering.
The other one that's very robust is the SRT BUT the interior is not on par with the ML let alone the RR, you can add Android Auto/CarPlay to all so connectivity won't be an issue.

The GTS is the one that handles the best.

How's the ride quality? If I'm getting a bus it better be comfortable.

[-Cappo-]

Patrick Bateman said:

Piersman2 said:

Op, to confirm your own bias I'm going to suggest you go look for 5.0 S/C L322.

I have a 2010 XKR, and a 2010 L322, both with that superb 5.0 S/C engine,

That engine suits the L322 so well, pootle around smooth and easy all day... then prod the pedal a bit harder and it fecking takes off.

I've had the Range Rover 10 years now, and still enjoy every trip out in it.

You understood the assignment!

Given you've got two, have you had anything done with the timing chain/tensioners? That's the main thing that has me looking at a very late 4.2 as I can attest it's a stonking engine and about as reliable as a powerful V8 seems to get.

I had a facelift 5.0 SC L322 Autobiography, and it was a brilliant car.

I've had a number of FFRRs and have a very very good LR-only indy relatively nearby. I talked to them about this timing chain thing, as mine hadn't been done, and their feeling was that whilst yes, it can happen, the frequency of it is significantly over-egged, and I think they said they'd never had a failed one in (they've been in business for donkey's years). Their advice to me was that I didn't need to spend the money. I sold my 5.0 about 18 months ago, I can't recall the mileage but it was north of 100k.

That said, the first question which approximately 99% of the people who enquired about it asked was "has it had the chains done mate?". So whilst it may not be an imperative for lengthy enjoyment of the car, it may deter some potential buyers when you move it on.

As Piersman says above, when you let it off the leash, it's really quite comical how quickly a 2.5t house brick gains speed - in a good way! Mine certainly surprised a few passengers. I only sold it after I retired, as my mileage increased a fair bit and the frequency of leaning on the side of it holding a fuel pump hose in my hand for several minutes started to grate.

[Patrick Bateman]

Budget could be a bit tight for the 5 litre, short of high miles.

I'm not averse to a higher mileage car in general (my XKR is on over 134k miles) but I suppose the issue could be finding one that's also had more frequent oil changes which I'm led to believe the 5 litre should really get.

Another general issue with either of the supercharged petrols is the bloody black interiors most of them are specced with, bloody terrible original owners.

[Krikkit]

Keep the XKR and buy a cheap 322 for winter duties!

[Patrick Bateman]

Good Lord, are you funding that?? You are vastly overestimating my income and I'd prefer to live with both kidneys.

[-Cappo-]

Patrick Bateman said:

Another general issue with either of the supercharged petrols is the bloody black interiors most of them are specced with, bloody terrible original owners.

Mine was ivory

(as was the runner-up contender when I bought it. Am I helping?)

[Patrick Bateman]

Hmm, then I shall remove you from ze list.

[Krikkit]

Patrick Bateman said:

Good Lord, are you funding that?? You are vastly overestimating my income and I'd prefer to live with both kidneys.

I was thinking at most a couple of grand on a TD6 or TDV8 sheddy one, not a fancy facelift 4.4... That way you don't have to bin off the XKR, which is a nearly-perfect bit of kit.