Jaguar XK or Mercedes SL R231

[themule]

I am looking for a convertible, more of a GT that an outright sports car. A Mercedes SL R231 (probably a V6 400) and a late XK X150 Portfolio are similarish money. Research suggests the Mercedes has the better build quality, is more refined and is cheaper to run but the XK more fun, is better to drive and slightly cheaper to buy. Has anyone got experience with both cars and if so how do they compare in practice? Thanks in advance .

[awooga]

I've not driven the merc, but I think you'd be surprised at how good the build quality is in the Jag, especially the post 2009 5 litre. They are different cars though - boulevard cruiser v grand touring convertible.

[DSLiverpool]

Recently I’ve gone from a SL350 sport to a XKR 2008 in emerald green.

The merc (my 3rd) was terrible as a V6 and boring to look at, as it’s the weekend car it just wasn’t special enough. The Jag in green has occasion in spades.

[Vsix and Vtec]

80% of an Aston Martin DB9, but for 20% of the running costs. My 2009 4.2 XK60 has only needed service items and fuel for the last two years. Build quality is the equal of anything else on the market, and whilst my interior colour scheme isn't the best (Black on Black with Aluminium instead of wood) it feels Premium and walking away from it always gets a glance back when I've parked up. The V8 is refined and potent, with mine being the lowest powered version of it, at a mere 300BHP. Mated to the trusted ZF 6 speed, its smooth in "D" and yet still retains the ability to be a bit of fun when you slot that J Gate lever across to "S" and activate the paddle shift behind the big leather bound wheel. Later cars got the ZF 8 speed, which is even better, although they lost the J Gate for a more modern rotary selector (with Sport moved to a button and an added function button called Dynamic mode) which I felt robbed it a little of the sense of occasion.

I guess what im saying is, the merc will be lovely, but if "quality" and "reliable" are the things you think it does better than the Jag, I think thats just reputation rather than reality. Jaguar might have dropped the ball with the Enginium engine, but the AJV8 family of engines have proved to be spectacular in longevity and character.

[snafu10]

Xkr all day had mine from 2014-20 replaced by f type R ,XKR,faultless

[themule]

Thanks for the feedback. How does the F-Type compare to the XKR?

[Simpo Two]

Vsix and Vtec said:

when you slot that J Gate lever across to "S" and activate the paddle shift behind the big leather bound wheel

Not sure you need to do both - having owned the 4.2 version, S is for driving in Auto to get later upshifts; paddles are for changing gear manually.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Simpo Two said:

Not sure you need to do both - having owned the 4.2 version, S is for driving in Auto to get later upshifts; paddles are for changing gear manually.

You can change manually in "D" but it will drop back to Auto after not being used. S locks the paddle shift in and gives you full manual control without dropping back into Auto.

[Simpo Two]

Vsix and Vtec said:

You can change manually in "D" but it will drop back to Auto after not being used. S locks the paddle shift in and gives you full manual control without dropping back into Auto.

Ah right. I only used the paddles for the occasional swift overtake, but recall that to get back to 'D' I just held the 'up' paddle for a couple of seconds. When I first drove a DB9 it didn't work, you have to press the 'D' button.

Frankly these days I let the car change the gears for me - and I don't like paddles anyway - if I want to stir the pot I'd go back to a Griffith

To answer the question though - Jaguar. I like to attend car shows so for me they win on looks, interior and relative rarity.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Simpo Two said:

Ah right. I only used the paddles for the occasional swift overtake, but recall that to get back to 'D' I just held the 'up' paddle for a couple of seconds. When I first drove a DB9 it didn't work, you have to press the 'D' button.

Frankly these days I let the car change the gears for me - and I don't like paddles anyway - if I want to stir the pot I'd go back to a Griffith

To answer the question though - Jaguar. I like to attend car shows so for me they win on looks, interior and relative rarity.

Oh it excels at what you describe, thats a perfect demonstration of the flexibility of the ZF 6 speed. I must admit, I drive mine almost exclusively in normal D mode, its plenty quick enough for my needs without accessing the higher RPM range. I do love the aluminium paddleshift fitted to the XK60 version though, a definite step up on the regular black plastic stand items.



But I fully agree, the TVR is pure analogue joy, in a way the Jaguar can't really emulate.

[snafu10]

themule said:

Thanks for the feedback. How does the F-Type compare to the XKR?

Different animal 5.0 r 2wd i f type is a monster