XFR daily drive
Discussion
Not an R but if it helps, I had a 63 plate XF Portfolio S with the 3.0 V6 TDi engine as a courtesy car last week, very nice interior, very smooth, only thing I'd say was it felt just a little bit on the big side in town but not unwieldy. Ride was a touch firmer than my own 4.2 XKR.
I can only imagine the same car (basically) with the S/C 5.0 V8 would be an utter riot...
I can only imagine the same car (basically) with the S/C 5.0 V8 would be an utter riot...
I'm daily driving the XFR at the moment. Most days 60 miles round trip.
Pros:
Great seats, nice interior
Motor goes very very well when pushed, unremarkable/easy when pottering
Understated
Cons:
Range isn't great, small tank, big motor - ca. 280 miles (460km) to the fuel light
Touchscreen is fiddly (old one), new one is laggy.
Stereo is a bit rubbish (not the B&W)
Pros:
Great seats, nice interior
Motor goes very very well when pushed, unremarkable/easy when pottering
Understated
Cons:
Range isn't great, small tank, big motor - ca. 280 miles (460km) to the fuel light
Touchscreen is fiddly (old one), new one is laggy.
Stereo is a bit rubbish (not the B&W)
Hi Leigh,
I am using an XFR (2012) as a daily drive and I love it.
Docile in traffic, albeit a smallish fuel tank as stated earlier but can turn it on power wise when you want it, especially if you press those sport and dynamic buttons. Certainly quick enough and agile enough, for British roads at least, especially nowadays as we have to dodge all those lovely potholes!
Not an overly large car and I always manage to park ok even in some of the reduced parking bays in London.
Have not really had any problems to speak of although I do have the B&W sound system and despite other comments regarding the sat-nav, it gets me there without
too many hiccups. Some of the touch screen commands and dash buttons appear a bit sluggish at times but they all work and do as it says on the tin.
I have not managed to organise a track day yet to find out how it handles under a bit of serious pressure but hopefully, I can put that right pretty soon.
All in all, a great car with very few cons that merit a mention. Certainly less rattles or bodywork issues than my previous car.
Everybody has different performance needs in a car and aesthetics mean more to some than others.
If I had to mark the car out of 10 right now, it would probably be 8.5 or 9.
I am using an XFR (2012) as a daily drive and I love it.
Docile in traffic, albeit a smallish fuel tank as stated earlier but can turn it on power wise when you want it, especially if you press those sport and dynamic buttons. Certainly quick enough and agile enough, for British roads at least, especially nowadays as we have to dodge all those lovely potholes!
Not an overly large car and I always manage to park ok even in some of the reduced parking bays in London.
Have not really had any problems to speak of although I do have the B&W sound system and despite other comments regarding the sat-nav, it gets me there without
too many hiccups. Some of the touch screen commands and dash buttons appear a bit sluggish at times but they all work and do as it says on the tin.
I have not managed to organise a track day yet to find out how it handles under a bit of serious pressure but hopefully, I can put that right pretty soon.
All in all, a great car with very few cons that merit a mention. Certainly less rattles or bodywork issues than my previous car.
Everybody has different performance needs in a car and aesthetics mean more to some than others.
If I had to mark the car out of 10 right now, it would probably be 8.5 or 9.
I got my XFR 16 months ago. It had 65k miles on it. It has been on the track but has had all the warranty and recall stuff done and goes really well.
The positives are that it is comfortable and refined at any speeds and in town, A road or Motorway and I would know as I have done 40k in the 16 months! Some features on the older model - mine is a late '09, can be fiddly such as the auxilliary inputs to the stereo. The DSC intervenes too much and too harsh when you are pushing on but without, it is an animal when the track is wet. It has used the rear brakes and tyres due to DSC in the former and the latter due to ease with which traction is lost, even with light throttle, on damp surfaces.
Bad bits are the front passanger seat is reportedly very uncomfy - My wife sits in the back and the kids take turns in the front. The parking sensors packed in after a Jag service and the dealer would not own up to it and expects me to pay a big figure to get them fixed. Now the e diff is playing up. Having said that the good points of the refined power far outwiegh any issues.
If sitting at 70 mph on motorway I have achieved over 30mpg. And in general everyday use on various roads I achieve an average of 26 mpg. I typically get 340 miles to a tank unless I give it some beans - typically due to those ohh so easy overtakes due to the 30 - 60 massive torque.
A friend with a Gallardo was able to out accelerate me, at Silverstone from a standing start but once the Jag gets traction and hauls it's weight to circa 20 mph and the torque gets a grip it could reel in the Lambo!
As it has now done over 100k I am looking at an RS but they are just a bit far away from my budget.
Enjoy. Now does anyone know how to fix the e diff?
The positives are that it is comfortable and refined at any speeds and in town, A road or Motorway and I would know as I have done 40k in the 16 months! Some features on the older model - mine is a late '09, can be fiddly such as the auxilliary inputs to the stereo. The DSC intervenes too much and too harsh when you are pushing on but without, it is an animal when the track is wet. It has used the rear brakes and tyres due to DSC in the former and the latter due to ease with which traction is lost, even with light throttle, on damp surfaces.
Bad bits are the front passanger seat is reportedly very uncomfy - My wife sits in the back and the kids take turns in the front. The parking sensors packed in after a Jag service and the dealer would not own up to it and expects me to pay a big figure to get them fixed. Now the e diff is playing up. Having said that the good points of the refined power far outwiegh any issues.
If sitting at 70 mph on motorway I have achieved over 30mpg. And in general everyday use on various roads I achieve an average of 26 mpg. I typically get 340 miles to a tank unless I give it some beans - typically due to those ohh so easy overtakes due to the 30 - 60 massive torque.
A friend with a Gallardo was able to out accelerate me, at Silverstone from a standing start but once the Jag gets traction and hauls it's weight to circa 20 mph and the torque gets a grip it could reel in the Lambo!
As it has now done over 100k I am looking at an RS but they are just a bit far away from my budget.
Enjoy. Now does anyone know how to fix the e diff?
I use a 60 plate XFR as my DD and it's excellent. I only get 20-22mpg and I don't hoon too much but I do sit in traffic. The only let down is the touchscreen which is slow. The B&W stereo is great, iPOD connectivity works fine, the DAB radio is good and the seats are excellent.
The tank range is lousy though.
The tank range is lousy though.
I have an XFR that's now 6 months old, used as a daily driver and have no issues, it can be as docile and smooth as you like but an absolute riot when you want it to be.
The Eco warriors have forced stop/start on it (what's all that about on a 5.0 sc)
My car has the 8 speed box which is seriously quick on gear changes with an ability to change down multiple gears in one go. Very refined, I see 1500 rpm at 70mph.
My only gripe, it is too quiet in standard form, but quicksilver rear boxes sorted that.
I say go for it and enjoy a V8 before the Eco warriors force us into 3 cylinder low emission boring boxes
The Eco warriors have forced stop/start on it (what's all that about on a 5.0 sc)
My car has the 8 speed box which is seriously quick on gear changes with an ability to change down multiple gears in one go. Very refined, I see 1500 rpm at 70mph.
My only gripe, it is too quiet in standard form, but quicksilver rear boxes sorted that.
I say go for it and enjoy a V8 before the Eco warriors force us into 3 cylinder low emission boring boxes
I've got a similar query to the OP, also considering a 4.2 supercharged as a 'sensible' option. The newer 3 litre supercharged is out of budget.
Is there anything specific to look out for either mechanically or in terms of major spec changes? I'm likely looking at 2008-10 models unless there's a good reason to avoid one end of that range over the other.
They seem ridiculously good value for money and there seem to be quite a few around that've done very little work in their lives (thinking main dealer stock 2008 registered with under 10k miles on it!) which obviously brings its own risks.
Haven't driven one yet but have had a pax ride in a diseasal, which isn't an option for us due to low annual miles, and enjoyed the interior and ride comfort.
Adrian
Is there anything specific to look out for either mechanically or in terms of major spec changes? I'm likely looking at 2008-10 models unless there's a good reason to avoid one end of that range over the other.
They seem ridiculously good value for money and there seem to be quite a few around that've done very little work in their lives (thinking main dealer stock 2008 registered with under 10k miles on it!) which obviously brings its own risks.
Haven't driven one yet but have had a pax ride in a diseasal, which isn't an option for us due to low annual miles, and enjoyed the interior and ride comfort.
Adrian
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