Jaguar XKR information ..........

[Fats25]

......... A little concerning to first look at this forum and see this first thread:-

"New engine needed on XKR"

However I won't let that put me off yet!

I have made a post in GG, but I should have probably posted in here (and the Merc forum as well). So here we go:-

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0... XKR - Mercedes SL - Educate me........

As per the post any info on the XKR most appreciated. I know there are 4.0 and 4.2 lumps, both in normal aspirated, and in Super Charged. I believe these changed in 2002?

Not sure (coming from a 3.0D) I will require the most power, I am just looking for some fun. Convince me which way I should go? You have some convincing as well, as the wife prefers the Merc due to the hard top in winter! So please do your best, as my leanings are towards the Jag.

(BTW - the car I want, and refer to in original post, is the XF Portfolio).

[NormanD]

OK if you want a hard top and the better engine go for a 4.2Lt XKR Coupe
That engine is nearly bullet proof, I've done a lot to mine and can wind it up to over 600bhp

Can I suggest to join the www.xkec.co.uk a load of info in their Members only Forum

[Fats25]

NormanD said:

OK if you want a hard top and the better engine go for a 4.2Lt XKR Coupe
That engine is nearly bullet proof, I've done a lot to mine and can wind it up to over 600bhp

Can I suggest to join the www.xkec.co.uk a load of info in their Members only Forum

Will check out the forum.

To clarify - we both want a convertible toy. She is convinced (although not sure of what experience she has) that the softtop in winter on a motorway will be an unpleasant experience. Hence she prefers the idea of hard top on merc in Winter, and softtop in summer only.

Car could be garaged if necessary, so I don't see it as a big deal.

[NormanD]

The Rag Top is good on the XK, no problems with it in the winter if that is what you want

[tonys]

Fats25 said:

NormanD said:

OK if you want a hard top and the better engine go for a 4.2Lt XKR Coupe
That engine is nearly bullet proof, I've done a lot to mine and can wind it up to over 600bhp

Can I suggest to join the www.xkec.co.uk a load of info in their Members only Forum

Will check out the forum.

To clarify - we both want a convertible toy. She is convinced (although not sure of what experience she has) that the softtop in winter on a motorway will be an unpleasant experience. Hence she prefers the idea of hard top on merc in Winter, and softtop in summer only.

Car could be garaged if necessary, so I don't see it as a big deal.

Best solution then is to put the soft-top roof up on the motorway in winter

Either of these cars you're looking at have the potential for big bills. There is already an update on the other thread about the main Jag issues re tensioners etc..

[xkrGiles]

A broader answer for you - Hard or soft top convertibles ?

I have driven plenty of both, but I am still yet to find a hard top that gives you the proper wind-in-the-hair open feeling that you can get in some soft-tops.
Basically, to enable a two piece folding roof to collapse into the boot area and yet still create a nice looking car, they design the roof to be as small as possible and they achieve this by sweeping the windscreen much further back over the drivers head, so with the roof down you miss most of the wind effect and open feeling that you can get in a soft top.
The soft top can be designed to make any shape, so it doesnt impede the car designer by making them sweep the windscreen further back.

In my wifes hard top, when the roof is down, you can look directly up at 90 degrees and your vision meets the top of the screen, the only wind you get is from behind, which makes your neck cold, then put the windbrake in place and you dont even feel like the roof is down at all. IMO what is the point.

For me, if its a fun car, it has to be the soft top.

Regarding these cars specifically, both nice, XKR will be faster & more "british", you can feel the class. I find German cars dull

Edited by xkrGiles on Tuesday 31st May 22:21

[XKRacer]

I am not a convertible fan...... But my wife is :-|


If and its a big if I did get one it would have to be an XKR vert with one of these for the winter.




OK you would have to store it in the summer but that would not bother me too much!