Which is the most comfortable Jaguar?
Discussion
Hello all,
I wondered if there had been a discussion on the above and if not, what is your opinion?
I am looking at buying a Jaguar and given that comfort is a key feature of the marque thought it would be interesting to see which model, from any period, is the most comfortable.
Is it the case that with the introduction of air suspension and massive alloy wheels that newer models are less comfortable than older? Or was there an increase in comfort over the years to a peak from which more recent models have fallen? Perhaps I'm being unfair to the current line up, are they as comfortable as ever? - Certainly I would expect them to be quieter.
It would be very interesting to see opinions unfold.
Adrian.
I wondered if there had been a discussion on the above and if not, what is your opinion?
I am looking at buying a Jaguar and given that comfort is a key feature of the marque thought it would be interesting to see which model, from any period, is the most comfortable.
Is it the case that with the introduction of air suspension and massive alloy wheels that newer models are less comfortable than older? Or was there an increase in comfort over the years to a peak from which more recent models have fallen? Perhaps I'm being unfair to the current line up, are they as comfortable as ever? - Certainly I would expect them to be quieter.
It would be very interesting to see opinions unfold.
Adrian.
Are we talking new or used?
In terms of seating I would try a late S-Type Sport, preferably an S-type R, or an X350 XJR before the facelift. In terms of ride quality, I have yet to notice a deterioration. The air suspended XJ's are beyond praise in this regard.
In terms of seating I would try a late S-Type Sport, preferably an S-type R, or an X350 XJR before the facelift. In terms of ride quality, I have yet to notice a deterioration. The air suspended XJ's are beyond praise in this regard.
Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 13th May 08:08
Well that might all depend on what and where you mean by comfort. It would depend on the road and the road surface, it would depend on the person and their tastes.
Shortly after the X350 came out, I drove one from SanFran to Sacramento. The freeway is the typical US ridged concrete highway and so full of pock marks that its not a wonder most of the locals drive around in off roaders. It was a really weird sensation. I could see all this pitting in the road, I've driven other cars down that road, I know what it's like. But the suspension just banished them.
However the press reports criticised the low speed ride.
Drive a 60s S type at load speed and you'll know what a magic carpet is like. But I don't think it would have done what the X350 did on that freeway.
Some people find the magic carpet ride too floaty, I've never been in a Jag that floats the way some Yank Tanks floats but I can understand that if you've been brought up on a diet of Germanic filling rattlers you might find the lack of bump thump disconcerting.
Do you mean to drive?
Perversely at the moment I find my XK150 more comfortable to drive than my X300. My right should in f
and steering modern cars is uncomfortable. On the other hand the archaic driving position in my XK locks my shoulders into the position my Physio is trying to get them to go back into and I was able to throw the car round track all day.
Generally I prefer the ride/handling compromise of my X300. But I'd except that some people wouldn't find it the most comfortable car in the back. I also chose one with no sun roof, it wasn't at all comfortable for me with one fitted - to little head room.
I've never tried a car like a MkIX so I can't comment on these, and I've far too little experience with the MkX or the original XJ series to comment on these either.
Shortly after the X350 came out, I drove one from SanFran to Sacramento. The freeway is the typical US ridged concrete highway and so full of pock marks that its not a wonder most of the locals drive around in off roaders. It was a really weird sensation. I could see all this pitting in the road, I've driven other cars down that road, I know what it's like. But the suspension just banished them.
However the press reports criticised the low speed ride.
Drive a 60s S type at load speed and you'll know what a magic carpet is like. But I don't think it would have done what the X350 did on that freeway.
Some people find the magic carpet ride too floaty, I've never been in a Jag that floats the way some Yank Tanks floats but I can understand that if you've been brought up on a diet of Germanic filling rattlers you might find the lack of bump thump disconcerting.
Do you mean to drive?
Perversely at the moment I find my XK150 more comfortable to drive than my X300. My right should in f
and steering modern cars is uncomfortable. On the other hand the archaic driving position in my XK locks my shoulders into the position my Physio is trying to get them to go back into and I was able to throw the car round track all day.Generally I prefer the ride/handling compromise of my X300. But I'd except that some people wouldn't find it the most comfortable car in the back. I also chose one with no sun roof, it wasn't at all comfortable for me with one fitted - to little head room.
I've never tried a car like a MkIX so I can't comment on these, and I've far too little experience with the MkX or the original XJ series to comment on these either.
I've drove a few Jags and I've found them all comfy. I have a bad back and the jag is the only car I ever get out of without some kind of pain. Even after a few hundred miles it is superb. I will say though that the XJR x308 isn't the most comfy but its miles ahead of most other cars in the field.
Hi Taldo,
To best sum it up,one of my friends fathers owned a new bentley and a series 111 V12 and if he had a long journey to make he preferred to take the jag.
Wind,road or any kind of noise in those vehilces was minimal and seating was as relaxing as anything i have ever ridden in.
If i were offered any production jaguar ever made brand new it would be one of these.....without all the niggles though
To best sum it up,one of my friends fathers owned a new bentley and a series 111 V12 and if he had a long journey to make he preferred to take the jag.
Wind,road or any kind of noise in those vehilces was minimal and seating was as relaxing as anything i have ever ridden in.
If i were offered any production jaguar ever made brand new it would be one of these.....without all the niggles though
keslake said:
Hi Taldo,
To best sum it up,one of my friends fathers owned a new bentley and a series 111 V12 and if he had a long journey to make he preferred to take the jag.
Wind,road or any kind of noise in those vehilces was minimal and seating was as relaxing as anything i have ever ridden in.
If i were offered any production jaguar ever made brand new it would be one of these.....without all the niggles though
very high praise indeed!!! i really want one quite badly now!To best sum it up,one of my friends fathers owned a new bentley and a series 111 V12 and if he had a long journey to make he preferred to take the jag.
Wind,road or any kind of noise in those vehilces was minimal and seating was as relaxing as anything i have ever ridden in.
If i were offered any production jaguar ever made brand new it would be one of these.....without all the niggles though
I've had a 54 plate SE & now have a 56 Plate Sport both deseasals.
The SE ride was fantastic on 17" wheels & everone remarked on how good it was. The Sport on 18" isn't anything like as good, still streets better than the German equivalents though (as said by many passengers).
The seats on both are very comfy, probably slightly better on the Sport. I can get out of both after 300 mile hauls feeling fresh though.
The SE ride was fantastic on 17" wheels & everone remarked on how good it was. The Sport on 18" isn't anything like as good, still streets better than the German equivalents though (as said by many passengers).
The seats on both are very comfy, probably slightly better on the Sport. I can get out of both after 300 mile hauls feeling fresh though.
If all the bushes are good, not much to beat them.I can only comment on the sports cars and of the models I have driven since my first Jag, the XJS V12 was a lot more comfortable than any of my XK8 coupes or convertibles. Since I am not young any more, I miss the XJS. The XK is a better car perhaps but for me, the comfort has been compromised ever since the first XJS 'sport' model, which I think was the 4.0. Gone were the thick plush seats - replaced by lean, mean sports seats which dig into my shoulders and ribs. Gone was the floating suspension which levelled out all manner of road surfaces - replaced by the sports suspension which supposedly gives the surface feedback that sports car drivers want. Jaguar must have done their research and I must therefore be the exception in not liking these developments. I should really switch to a saloon and grow old gracefully but it's so difficult to leave my youth behind.
pr100 said:
Jaguar must have done their research and I must therefore be the exception in not liking these developments. I should really switch to a saloon and grow old gracefully but it's so difficult to leave my youth behind.
Or you pay someone like KWE to rebuild you an old one to new quality & spec.PR100 are you sure that your memory is not playing you tricks or absence making the heart grow fonder? The first Jag I travelled in was a 3.4 Mk1, the first I drove was an s1 4.2 XJ6 manual overdrive. Both were awesome in their day but I really don't think they would hold a candle to the current product, say an air suspended X350 V8. I drove a few XJS's and to be honest I found the last model XK (like the one you have) has all of the qualities and none of the faults.
On seating, why should supportive seats, such as you would want for a sports model, not be comfortable? It's the flat, unsupportive, shapeless numbers which Jag are still prone to produce which do my back in. On the other hand, the seats on my S-Type Sport are perfect. I could travel any distance and step out fresh as a daisy.
On seating, why should supportive seats, such as you would want for a sports model, not be comfortable? It's the flat, unsupportive, shapeless numbers which Jag are still prone to produce which do my back in. On the other hand, the seats on my S-Type Sport are perfect. I could travel any distance and step out fresh as a daisy.
cardigankid said:
PR100 are you sure that your memory is not playing you tricks...
Very possibly - memory seems to be going at the same rate as knees and teeth.To be fair, I haven't driven the new models yet so I might find them more to my liking -- and if I were to switch to a saloon, then the XF is waiting for me. Trouble is, it will take a while for the new styling to grow on me. None of the new generation of Jags looks right to me.
I think tyres are the key here. The XJ40/X300 took conventional spring and damper suspension with baloon tyres as far as they would go in terms of ride comfort, then with the X308 the tyres were lower profile which I believe adversely affected the ride (still better than most cars, but not the best Jags).
With the X350 came air suspension and I am yet to experience whether or not this makes up for the shortfall of low profile tyres. I suspect it probably didn't initially but will do as the system is refined.
Ofcourse handling is a whole different bag of ball games, but in terms of ride I still think the 40's haven't been surpassed.
With the X350 came air suspension and I am yet to experience whether or not this makes up for the shortfall of low profile tyres. I suspect it probably didn't initially but will do as the system is refined.
Ofcourse handling is a whole different bag of ball games, but in terms of ride I still think the 40's haven't been surpassed.
Having had a fair few jags over the years, i would say an xjs has just about the best ride/drive feel. just sublime. the level of comfort is just in a class of its own for both driver and passenger, due to the more laid back position and massive legroom. Catering for both long motorway/autoroute hauls and spirited A roads too.
On my Convertible I have upgraded the standard suspention to XJRS spec and find the slighty stiffer dampers offer less body roll and as such give a much more 'planted' feel without compromising the cars comfort.
That said i would suggest that a 420 hearse is pretty good too...not heard of any complaints from its passengers
On my Convertible I have upgraded the standard suspention to XJRS spec and find the slighty stiffer dampers offer less body roll and as such give a much more 'planted' feel without compromising the cars comfort.
That said i would suggest that a 420 hearse is pretty good too...not heard of any complaints from its passengers
Cooky said:
On my Convertible I have upgraded the standard suspention to XJRS spec and find the slighty stiffer dampers offer less body roll and as such give a much more 'planted' feel without compromising the cars comfort.
That said i would suggest that a 420 hearse is pretty good too...not heard of any complaints from its passengers
I would have thought the ultimate ride in the 420 was definitely more plantedThat said i would suggest that a 420 hearse is pretty good too...not heard of any complaints from its passengers
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