X308 XJR vs S-Type R

[iain_thornton]

ok then, ever since I was about 3 I've wanted a fast Jag saloon
only Jag I've ever managed to get my hands on was a 3.0 X-Type Sport Premium, automatic gearbox, loved it in the snow

would consider one, but the XJR and S-Type R are favourites. or maybe a prefacelift XKR. basically, from this summer I'll be abroad (insurance ftw) and won't be commuting so finally I'll be able to get my hands on one

give me all opinions good or bad with the X308 XJR and the S-Type R. personally, I prefer the exterior look of the XJ and the interior of the S. the S will also cost more I guess
just give me all experiences please, and opinions. but don't say "get a BMW 545". I don't want to
only cars I'm really considering are Jag, Saab 95 Aero, Rover 800 Vitesse or maybe a Monaro. might sound stupid, but that's it

if I can't afford it by the summer, I'm keeping the Corsa :/
so enthuse me please

Edited by iain_thornton on Monday 24th January 20:34

[TheD]

I can only speak as the owner of a 1998 x308 XJR. It has had all the work done which was needing done ie belts, tensioners etc. Everytime I think of selling her I go for a drive and I just can't do it. She has only done 78,000 and still in nice nick. Polishes up a dream and gets loads of compliments when out and about. I love the shape compared to the other Jags of the era and over, apart from maybe the XK. She can pull like a train and can make many a young whipper snapper hide beneath his hoodie or behind his shades when she kicks her heels. I was just checking the prices for these cars the other day and they are down to 2000 to 3000 for a nice one. Scary.

[iain_thornton]

thanks for the reply!
you've got a lovely car there

how long have you had it for and since what mileage?
if you do decide to sell it, let me know in about June
apart from loving driving it, have there been any particular high/low points to ownership?

but seriously, I'm very jealous. love the S-Type R too though, so it's difficult

[TheD]

I will have had it 4 years come November. Or 3 years past last November I do the IT for a local garage and family so I've had all the pulleys changed, belts, tensioners, gearbox oil and serviced every year as it only does 3000 a year at the cost of parts only. Downside is the fuel costs. Parts are pretty cheap to be honest. I've just done the front discs and brakes and it was only £110. It really is a hard car to fault. Everything still works down to the AC being really cold. I am biased and that shows but I am being honest. I've never driven the Str but I wouldn't knock it for what it is. I just prefer the shape and styling of the Xjr

[ARAF]

Not had mine long, but I'd take the XJ over the S Type every time.

I see you have a Monaro on the list, which is manual only, whereas the XJ is auto only. Does the 'box not matter to you, or should you decide that before looking further?

[iain_thornton]

ARAF said:

Not had mine long, but I'd take the XJ over the S Type every time.

I see you have a Monaro on the list, which is manual only, whereas the XJ is auto only. Does the 'box not matter to you, or should you decide that before looking further?

manual or auto is equal to me. both have their pros and cons, either way I'll have to accept it

I know that the Monaro was available as an auto in Australia, I guess not here. either way, gearbox doesn't even come into considerations

talking of this, question I wanted to ask. when you're shifting on the J-gate, how good is it?like is it very instant?
also, I notice it just goes 2-3-4
when you shift to second, when you stop does it automatically select first and then do the 1-2 shift without you moving the lever?and then there's no top gear, presumably top gear isn't available? (that would make sense to me, if I want to cruise, I select 'D' :P)

[iain_thornton]

TheD said:

I will have had it 4 years come November. Or 3 years past last November I do the IT for a local garage and family so I've had all the pulleys changed, belts, tensioners, gearbox oil and serviced every year as it only does 3000 a year at the cost of parts only. Downside is the fuel costs. Parts are pretty cheap to be honest. I've just done the front discs and brakes and it was only £110. It really is a hard car to fault. Everything still works down to the AC being really cold. I am biased and that shows but I am being honest. I've never driven the Str but I wouldn't knock it for what it is. I just prefer the shape and styling of the Xjr

thanks!just the sort of info I was looking for
very encouraging. I've been erring towards the XJ to be honest, and I already was. like the idea of built-in satnav on the S, but no biggie. my TomTom does it's job

[ARAF]

iain_thornton said:

talking of this, question I wanted to ask. when you're shifting on the J-gate, how good is it?like is it very instant?
also, I notice it just goes 2-3-4
when you shift to second, when you stop does it automatically select first and then do the 1-2 shift without you moving the lever?and then there's no top gear, presumably top gear isn't available? (that would make sense to me, if I want to cruise, I select 'D' :P)

I don't use the manual shifting often, as I don't think the positions are 'positive' enough for you to make a quick change down with confidence. There's a push-button aftermarket option that overcomes this, but my car isn't worth spending the £1k on having it done.

The car only selects first if you have it in sport mode. Other than that, it always moves off in second, and "Yes," to select 5th, just shift across to 'D'

[NormanD]

ARAF said:

The car only selects first if you have it in sport mode. Other than that, it always moves off in second, and "Yes," to select 5th, just shift across to 'D'

To be honest 1st is to low anyway, all you do is light up the tyres (or tyre as there isn't a Limited Slip Diff)
OK you have Traction Control, unless you switch it off, but what happens there is the ECU just turns the power off
untill traction is back so you have then lost vital time, also hairy if your just pulling out in front of traffic.


I have the button conversion and a LSD on my XKR but even then I very rearly use 1st


Just for interest 1st on the 6 speed gearbox is even lower than in the 5 speed

Edited by NormanD on Wednesday 26th January 10:56

[iain_thornton]

thanks guys, this is really helpful!
you're great salesmen, if you were in a Jag dealer and I was a customer you'd have my deposit already

and it sounds like 5 speeds (or 4, if it only selects 1st in Sport mode) is plenty enough
XJR sounds like the winner
now I just need to wait until I'm not doing 25,000 miles a year and I can go for it
right now, insurance and fuel make it impossible. simply can't afford it, not gonna lie

roll on summer, I'm sick of driving a 1.2 litre Corsa

[xkrGiles]

Corsa for the day

XJR for the weekends

Sounds like the way forward

[iain_thornton]

xkrGiles said:

Corsa for the day

XJR for the weekends

Sounds like the way forward

I do like this train of thought, actually
if Austria falls through, might go with that
but it'll be difficult to keep more than one car in Vienna, and I'll be on public transport in the week, so just want the one car