Discussion
This morning I test drive a 3.0 diesel XF in luxury trim on an 09 plate. On walking up to the vehicle at the main dealer I thought the interior looked a little bland and not what I was expecting. However once I climbed in my perspective changed.
It felt stylish and luxurious and much nicer than the E60/E61 5 series I have also been considering. The style was definitely there but I think upon closer examination the materials felt a little cheaper than that of an Audi or BMW. The car had done 40k miles and the leather also looked as if it had been well used and a little tired. Do all of them go like this?
The gadgets were nice- sound system with the B&W is pretty good - but the sub needs turning down to prevent it overpowering the rest of the sound. I also listened to a basic system which was ok but nothing special.
The drive was great; for me one of the smoothest auto boxes I have driven and very nice when in sport mode with the dynamic button selected- the paddles felt nicely placed and power delivery was so smooth. Which leads me to the engine; so quiet and very capable; somehow even when giving it the beans it sounded like a petrol V6.
The power delivery was so smooth that initially I didn't think it was very fast- that is until I looked at the speedo to see how quickly the needle was climbing! The pick up speed when on the motorway is effortless and I can imagine on the B roads it would be incredibly capable at passing slow moving traffic.
I'd love to know how the S version of this engine performs as on paper it is supposed to be over half a second quicker!
I think I have found my next motor! Any tips on what to look out for?
It felt stylish and luxurious and much nicer than the E60/E61 5 series I have also been considering. The style was definitely there but I think upon closer examination the materials felt a little cheaper than that of an Audi or BMW. The car had done 40k miles and the leather also looked as if it had been well used and a little tired. Do all of them go like this?
The gadgets were nice- sound system with the B&W is pretty good - but the sub needs turning down to prevent it overpowering the rest of the sound. I also listened to a basic system which was ok but nothing special.
The drive was great; for me one of the smoothest auto boxes I have driven and very nice when in sport mode with the dynamic button selected- the paddles felt nicely placed and power delivery was so smooth. Which leads me to the engine; so quiet and very capable; somehow even when giving it the beans it sounded like a petrol V6.
The power delivery was so smooth that initially I didn't think it was very fast- that is until I looked at the speedo to see how quickly the needle was climbing! The pick up speed when on the motorway is effortless and I can imagine on the B roads it would be incredibly capable at passing slow moving traffic.
I'd love to know how the S version of this engine performs as on paper it is supposed to be over half a second quicker!
I think I have found my next motor! Any tips on what to look out for?
If you have not driven the 3.0 Diesel S then I recommend that you do before you make your decision. And make sure that you press the Sport and Dynamic buttons. It has 600nm of torque compared with 625nm in the XFR, and it feels like it. It will also likely have the sports seats which are a big step forward.
With regard to the leather I know what you mean. It is principally an appearance issue. It tends to look polished and thin. I don't know if it will clean up or refurbish but certainly the Portfolio and possibly the Premium Luxury have different and better leather.
What you want is a 3.0 Diesel S Portfolio, if you can find one within your projected budget. You will find that most of those seem to come with Sport interiors, rather than the burr walnut if you are a walnut man.
With regard to the leather I know what you mean. It is principally an appearance issue. It tends to look polished and thin. I don't know if it will clean up or refurbish but certainly the Portfolio and possibly the Premium Luxury have different and better leather.
What you want is a 3.0 Diesel S Portfolio, if you can find one within your projected budget. You will find that most of those seem to come with Sport interiors, rather than the burr walnut if you are a walnut man.
The sport trim sounds very appealing as I don't really like wood in cars....
I am not in a rush so am quite willing to hold out for the right car!
As you have suggested I will definitely seek out an S version to get a true comparison; I am assuming that from the way you have worded it you think the S is worth the extra dosh?
I am not in a rush so am quite willing to hold out for the right car!
As you have suggested I will definitely seek out an S version to get a true comparison; I am assuming that from the way you have worded it you think the S is worth the extra dosh?
Your experience was very similar to mine when I tried a new 3.0D a while back.
I loved the ride and handling. You could really hustle it along the back roads and teh steering feel was superb. The powertrain was also a peach. The box changed up and down seamlessly. I tried the old six speed version. I believe the facelift models have a 8 speed box.
I also felt some of the interior materials could have been better quality. I am quite pernickity. The opening vents are great, but the fact that they were all very slightly out of synch and even on this new car had already developed a slight creak, would drive me round the bend. Similarly, the fact the lids of the compartments in the centre console were all mis-aligned really bothered me. Other people probably would not notice. Also, the touch screan satNav was just plain poor.
The deal breaker for me was ultimately the seats. I developed a pain in the small of my back that would only be alleviated with better lumbar support. Unfortunately, the Portfolio or S versions with Sports seats were out of my budget. So that was that.
pp
I loved the ride and handling. You could really hustle it along the back roads and teh steering feel was superb. The powertrain was also a peach. The box changed up and down seamlessly. I tried the old six speed version. I believe the facelift models have a 8 speed box.
I also felt some of the interior materials could have been better quality. I am quite pernickity. The opening vents are great, but the fact that they were all very slightly out of synch and even on this new car had already developed a slight creak, would drive me round the bend. Similarly, the fact the lids of the compartments in the centre console were all mis-aligned really bothered me. Other people probably would not notice. Also, the touch screan satNav was just plain poor.
The deal breaker for me was ultimately the seats. I developed a pain in the small of my back that would only be alleviated with better lumbar support. Unfortunately, the Portfolio or S versions with Sports seats were out of my budget. So that was that.
pp
Pickled Piper said:
The opening vents ..... were all very slightly out of synch and even on this new car had already developed a slight creak, would drive me round the bend. Similarly, the fact the lids of the compartments in the centre console were all mis-aligned really bothered me.
Sounds as if it was a Cat D rebuild or a ringer!TomJackUK said:
No idea on things to look out for, but if the interior became a nicer place once you sat in it, just wait until you have the pleasure of sitting in one on an evening/late night drive when all of the interior lighting is on... nicest interior for any car in this sector IMO.
I was really disappointed that the lighting was restricted to the front so the back was just all dull.OP IF you buy one be prepared for a good look around the interior and exterior as the quality is like a veneer really. I had an 08 launch car and it was the worst quality car I have ever had. Binned it after 18 months fed up.
cardigankid said:
Pickled Piper said:
The opening vents ..... were all very slightly out of synch and even on this new car had already developed a slight creak, would drive me round the bend. Similarly, the fact the lids of the compartments in the centre console were all mis-aligned really bothered me.
Sounds as if it was a Cat D rebuild or a ringer!pp
I've read that if not re-fitted correctly, the rear brake pads can wear very quickly. I think mine lasted until the 32k service from new. The first set of tyres lasted until about 18k.
I went for a 3.0D as when I drove it I thought it quick enough and couldn't justify the extra cost needed for the S when the standard car still felt quite quick itself.
I've loved mine. It's always offered a brilliant drive, no matter what I'm doing. Plenty of long drives I've managed in the last year, too!
I'm expecting to trade mine in shortly, as I'm after a better towcar. Pity, as I will miss this one. (Sent you an email BTW OP.
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I went for a 3.0D as when I drove it I thought it quick enough and couldn't justify the extra cost needed for the S when the standard car still felt quite quick itself.
I've loved mine. It's always offered a brilliant drive, no matter what I'm doing. Plenty of long drives I've managed in the last year, too!
I'm expecting to trade mine in shortly, as I'm after a better towcar. Pity, as I will miss this one. (Sent you an email BTW OP.
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