XKR-S - Any owners? Some questions...

[Trikster]

Extremely tempted with one of these having made the mistake of a test drive but have a coupe of practical questions...

How do they cope with speed bumps - with that (probably very expensive) carbon fiber front splitter and quite a few vicious speedbumps round here. well....

Can you disable the front passenger airbag? Nephew's child seat won't fit in back

What real world MPG are you getting - not a deal breaker but just wondering..

Any issues that you've found?

[Sagpack]

Hi Trikster, here's a lnk to a thread about XKR-Ss http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Trikster said:

Extremely tempted with one of these having made the mistake of a test drive but have a coupe of practical questions...

How do they cope with speed bumps - with that (probably very expensive) carbon fiber front splitter and quite a few vicious speedbumps round here. well....

Can you disable the front passenger airbag? Nephew's child seat won't fit in back

What real world MPG are you getting - not a deal breaker but just wondering..

Any issues that you've found?

In answer to the questions above:-

Speed bumps: I have some of the chunky, top of a bit of cadburys, type ones near me and it's fine but high level sleeping policeman type bumps could be a challenge, the car is low but it's not on the floor.

Airbag: don't own any rug rats I'm afraid, at least not the two legged variety sorry I can't help/be more specific, although I've rarely come across a car that you can't disable the bag if necessary.

Real world mpg: no idea, only owned the car just over a week, the first tank went the same afternoon I picked the car up, the second tank the next day and tank three is half gone so probably not many m's to the g's at the moment. I will be checking this periodically so will try and post updates over the next few weeks.

Any Issues: Yes, it's addictive, too addictive, your wallet will take a pasting in fuel (see above) and rear tyres (probably) and you licence will be under threat, other than that it's fan..bl%@dy..tastic

[Triple7]

Finally had the chance to get behind the wheel of the RS. What can I say except OMG! The car is a total animal, both in looks and sound. The roar while under acceleration and the crackling & popping on lift-off are addictive. The rate of acceleration is simply stunning, but I also found it a bit terrifying at the same time. This was a 25c day, with warm tyres from previous runs and it still wriggled, squirmed & slid under moderately hard throttle applications on bends. On cold days or in the wet I would have zero confidence. Is the 550BHP too much for this car to handle? I also found the steering too light & the instrumentation woeful. I have got used to digital readouts and with such rapid acceleration rates, it would be nice to instantly see your speed & revs. I found the dash not very good when I first had a new XK in 2006, shame Jaguar haven't stuck the new XJ instrumentation / satnav in with the XK facelift. However, I have to say I just loved it. This is the XK I wanted when the Ali cars were introduced in 2006. Although I want one, I wouldn't trade my 911 in for it. I am looking forward to the F-Type, as this is the future, the RS represents the past......

Edited by Triple7 on Monday 13th August 15:34

[anonymous-user]

I have spent a bit of time with an XKR-S belonging to Jaguar USA over the past couple of days. The car had been driven enthusiastically, presumably by the press, as it had 1100 miles on the clock and not much rubber left! The car has fantastic presence and sounds terrific, the closest thing that I have experienced to my Sagaris since selling it. It was also a blast to drive and I would love to have the opportunity to get it out on the track, where I think it would be stunning. I loved it and it attarcted a lot of attention and admiring comments.

[LooneyTunes]

Sagpack said:

Airbag: don't own any rug rats I'm afraid, at least not the two legged variety sorry I can't help/be more specific, although I've rarely come across a car that you can't disable the bag if necessary.

I was out looking at these at the weekend and asked the dealer about disabling the passenger airbag. He said there's no facility to do this... which, ironically, is why I'm on here now - to ask if any owners have found a way to do it or if there's a kit that the dealer may have forgotten about?

[pb1695]

We have had ours for 4 months now - what a car! I pick this one (and the XFR) over most of the others when they are free as it is just the best all round GT on the road at the moment. The sat nav / info screen is a little dated and the steering slightly light, the power, handling - especially the slightly loose rear end, noise and acceleration are addictive. It could become a handful in the wet but treat it as you would expect to treat 550 HP and it is fine.

The average MPG to date has been 22.5, although the records are not scientifically kept as it is not a major consideration! Had front tyres at 10k miles due to wear on the inside edges - the tracking was corrected at the same time. No faults, gremlins or issues and the Jaguar dealers are always helpful (this is my 3rd XKR).

Regards the passenger airbag - the car has sensors in the front seat that detect position and weight and then automatically deactivate the airbag as required - the details are here - http://www.jaguar.com/content/market/gb/en/344716/... - it may take a few moments to download and is on page 47 I think.

Overall a great car - every time I go out for a drive in it the journey has to be extended to enjoy it just a little bit more.

[Sagpack]

pb1695 said:

We have had ours for 4 months now - what a car! I pick this one (and the XFR) over most of the others when they are free as it is just the best all round GT on the road at the moment. The sat nav / info screen is a little dated and the steering slightly light, the power, handling - especially the slightly loose rear end, noise and acceleration are addictive. It could become a handful in the wet but treat it as you would expect to treat 550 HP and it is fine.

The average MPG to date has been 22.5, although the records are not scientifically kept as it is not a major consideration! Had front tyres at 10k miles due to wear on the inside edges - the tracking was corrected at the same time. No faults, gremlins or issues and the Jaguar dealers are always helpful (this is my 3rd XKR).

Regards the passenger airbag - the car has sensors in the front seat that detect position and weight and then automatically deactivate the airbag as required - the details are here - http://www.jaguar.com/content/market/gb/en/344716/... - it may take a few moments to download and is on page 47 I think.

Overall a great car - every time I go out for a drive in it the journey has to be extended to enjoy it just a little bit more.

You took the words right out of my mouth pb1695! I was out in mine yesterday and it was epic this smiley totally sums up the way it makes me feel. Yes, the steering is a little light, and the interior is a bit meh (although the seats are brilliant) but you're so right, it is just so addictive, it's fun to drive and actually a bit of a challenge without being a total bone shaker. As I've said before, I've had a few decent cars and this is without doubt the best all around GT you can buy at the moment IMHO,when you take all things into consideration, it's a bit of a bargain at current used prices. And with your day job, if you don't know a good GT then no one will

[LooneyTunes]

pb1695 said:

Regards the passenger airbag - the car has sensors in the front seat that detect position and weight and then automatically deactivate the airbag as required - the details are here - http://www.jaguar.com/content/market/gb/en/344716/... - it may take a few moments to download and is on page 47 I think.

Superb - many thanks! I thought Jaguar must have considered that issue, and was somewhat crestfallen when the dealer effectively said that I'd need to shoehorn offspring into the rear even if there were just two of us in the car. Much prefer to have him sat up front in a 2+2 so that we can talk easier as we drive.

BTW, and apologies OP for hijacking the thread somewhat, I assume winter tyres are pretty much essential if there's snow on the ground? If so, does anyone have a rough guesstimate of the cost of a new set of matching wheels (guessing ~£3k for the wheels, + £1k tyres?)?

[Triple7]

£4k will buy you an old Disco for the snowy days

[LooneyTunes]

Thanks, but we already have a 4x4 on the fleet... which may or may not be in use on every snowy day.

I already have to leave my toy off the road for a few months each year and would prefer not to have 2 cars parked up.

Besides which, running winters on my current car, I've become accustomed to the overall improvements to performance in cold weather (yes, I know, I did't die in 20+ years winter driving before they came along...).

[Palmball]

I'm getting very excited reading all these good things about your XKR-S's chaps.....mine arrives on or around the 18th September and I can't wait to get behind some real power again

Since 'handing back' my last XKR (the kindest way I can reference my situation given how good Jaguar have been to me!) at the end of June, I've had a choice of our Range Rover Sport 3 litre diesel or my loan car, a Jaguar XF Diesel S with exactly the same engine. Both have been great but, given even the XF feels like a sports car after getting out of our RRS, I can't imagine what the XKR-S is going to feel like! I haven't been without at least a 400bhp car for more than a few days since 2007 so this waiting is just killing me!

[Triple7]

So did your XKR go back up for sale? XKR-S is nuts. Going to nurburgring next month to really see hat it's like.

[Rick101]

I have an 2004 S-Type and it has the airbag system mentioned above.

When i've had a large bag on the seat before it's activated and a little orange light comes on the passenger dash showing airbag deactivated.

Works on weight and the mass sensors I think.

[mattberkshire]

Not an owner but spent all day yesterday at Gaydon driving XKR-Ss round the local roads. Incredible machine. Coupe was a blast. Convertible even better because with the hood down the noise washes over you from behind. The blip when it changes down the box is spine-tingling. Drove the standard XKR for an hour too and it isn't half the car of the XKR-S. It loses the plot completely when you up the pace - front goes light, gearbox is hesitant. The extra £19k for the XKR-S is worth every penny

[Geoff Stilwell]

Well i have a new XKR S. What a fantastic Car. MPG wise...anywhere between 10 and 25 depending on the right foot!!! Simply, you don't buy an XKR S if your worried about the MPG. I assure you its amazing. I have never had a car that makes me smile like this one does. PM me if you want. Or if your in the South East i will be at the next gathering on the 12th.

[tony wright]

When was the XKR S launched and has it reached the year point? If so, how much does a 12 month old car fetch?

[Palmball]

Triple7 said:

So did your XKR go back up for sale? XKR-S is nuts. Going to nurburgring next month to really see hat it's like.

Its currently sat in the dealers compound and has been since end of June....they can't sell it until my new car arrives as I have finance on it so, until there's a new chassis number/registration to attach the finance to, they can't move the agreement and can't sell the existing car (unless they clear the finance which I don't want them to do as it would mean starting again when the R-S arrives....the replacement deal involves a nil balance transfer on my existing agreement, meaning I effectively get the new car with a year already paid off it)

[Triple7]

tony wright said:

When was the XKR S launched and has it reached the year point? If so, how much does a 12 month old car fetch?

Yes, about £25k off list after 12 months. So sub-£70k for one. Yum!

[Palmball]

Triple7 said:

Yes, about £25k off list after 12 months. So sub-£70k for one. Yum!

As I understand it , if you haggle hard enough you could probably get a brand new one for not a lot more than those year-old examples....these cars are just not selling in the UK. Well, not in enough volume - clearly there's a handful of us on here that have them (or are soon to get one....speaking of which, I think mine will arrive at the dealer this week ) but I don't think anyone is currently buying cars like this brand new.

It's not just Jaguar either....judging, by the amount of offers I seem to get mailed from the couple of Maserati dealers that have my details (a legacy from when I had a Granturismo S last year....one of the most frustrating cars I've had as I so wanted to like it but it was just so average), they're not selling anything either! I have also heard that the new Porsche 911 is hardly flying out of the showrooms so, if Porsche can't shift those then Jaguar will find it even harder with new XK's, which in comparison is now an ageing product. Didn't stop me though!

[tony wright]

In two minds at the moment. Undecided between a new, heavily discounted XKRS or wait for ther the new soon to be released F-type.

Either way I'm sure I'll be happy but the stronger residuals of the new F type may just swing it.