Which car do I buy???

[mattp1986]

Hi all. I'm in the process of buying a new car. It will be my only car and it will be a daily driver of course. I've been looking mainly at Dsg mk5 Golf R32's and the Jaguar XF 4.2 S-V8. I know they're very different cars but they fall into the same price bracket now, and I can't decide between them lol. Is either of them more reliable than the other as I don't want it sat in the garage regularly. I know fuel consumption won't be great with either car but I only do 7k miles per year so that doesn't bother me massively. I'm just wanting a few opinions from some fellow petrolheads as to which they would prefer to buy. And if anyone has any other suggestions for around the 10k price range, that would be great. Thanks for reading

[Aeschylus]

Can you afford it if the DSG pops...£2k repair bill...

As with any car of this ilk, the running costs will be big, high ins, high fuel, so as long as you can afford to drive them then the Golf for me, however I would want perfect service history and make sure the oil is changed in that DSG every 40k I believe....

But try both and see which make you smile most

Have you driven a car which has low fuel economy before? I only ask as we once owned a car that only did 24 to the gallon and the wife whould to moan like made as I would never use it due to the fuel cost

Edited by Aeschylus on Friday 20th July 10:37

Edited by Aeschylus on Friday 20th July 10:43

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go with the Jag as there are less inherent issues, the Golf which is a car I like has the DSG issue as well as the timing chain which is something you need to get checked by a specialist before buying. Plus the XF (unless you want a car you can fling around) as it's the nicer place to spend time plus it has a V8

[vsonix]

Jag is a way more interesting car to drive. Golves are the colour beige of the car world.

[mattp1986]

Thanks for the replies guys. Yes I've had thirsty cars before. I had an 05 Impreza Sti and the car I've just sold is a 2008 550i. Both of those averaged well under 25mpg lol. Not too worried as I say about fuel. More concerned about which one will last longer and be more reliable as I like to keep hold of my cars for at least 3 or 4 years and don't want to spend a fortune in repairs. Leaning towards the jag at the moment but the thought of a supercharged v8 going bang scares me a bit more than the vr6 in the golf.

Edited by mattp1986 on Friday 20th July 13:16

[ZX10R NIN]

They don't go bang the only way they go bang the engine is pretty much bulletproof make sure the gearbox oil has been changed at 60k & also the Diff Oil i'd be more more concerned about the Golf.

[mattp1986]

ZX10R NIN said:

They don't go bang the only way they go bang the engine is pretty much bulletproof make sure the gearbox oil has been changed at 60k & also the Diff Oil i'd be more more concerned about the Golf.

I hear that the CATS suspension on the sv8 is prone to playing up and it is massively expensive to replace them, I thought the golf would have less problems tbh, timing chains were more of a mk4 issue so I've been told. I'll have a drive in both and see which is more for me. From a looks point of view I think I prefer the R32, it looks more like a younger man's car and I think it'd turn heads a bit more. However interior and performance wise the jag is on another level. Obviously the golf is a bit more of an all rounder with 4 wheel drive for the winter etc. But for outright performance it has to be the jag. I suppose its not a bad situation to be in. Time to get some test drives booked lol

[ZX10R NIN]

mattp1986 said:

hear that the CATS suspension on the sv8 is prone to playing up and it is massively expensive to replace them, I thought the golf would have less problems tbh, timing chains were more of a mk4 issue so I've been told. I'll have a drive in both and see which is more for me. From a looks point of view I think I prefer the R32, it looks more like a younger man's car and I think it'd turn heads a bit more. However interior and performance wise the jag is on another level. Obviously the golf is a bit more of an all rounder with 4 wheel drive for the winter etc. But for outright performance it has to be the jag. I suppose its not a bad situation to be in. Time to get some test drives booked lol

Turn heads?

To most people it'll just be another Golf, while my cossie was off the road (having the engine seriously fettled) I bought an old 735i lowered on some Borbet 17's whilst not having the kudos of a cossie (being 20 this was almost soul destroying) that car surprised everyone who got in it the comfort etc plus I wasn't driving at a lick to feel that next rush of boost.

Trust me once people get in the Jag they'll be suitably impressed especially with the Air Cooled seats.

Plus for me the XF is just the right set of alloys away from looking very brutish, something like the alloys below.

[Mr Tidy]

OP, which car do you miss more - the Scooby or the 550i?

Hopefully your answer will point you towards the VR6 or the Jag!

But good luck whichever you go for!

[mattp1986]

Thanks for the replies again guys. Yeah once your in the jag it's on another level and I would love to get some nice wheels on one. I for one am not keen on the 20'' volans that come on the sv8 as standard, would probably switch them out for a nice set of 19s as it also makes tyre change time a bit more bearable lol. The one in the pic looks gorgeous although it is the face-lift version which I don't think they do in sv8 guise. I don't think they'll be much in it mpg wise between them. I hear the R32 averages around mid to low 20s and the jag is low 20s. I would have to say I probably miss the 550i more tbh. It was such a nice place to be and always had that low end torque and response that I love about V8s. The Scoob was more fun I would say on a b road blast, but I think day to day the 550i was a much better car overall. Was thinking of replacing it with the later model but I hear the twin turbo versions are horrendously unreliable lol. Hence why I'm looking for something else. Any other suggestions would be very welcome as well

[ZX10R NIN]

What's your budget?

[mattp1986]

ZX10R NIN said:

What's your budget?

I'm looking to spend between £10-12k ideally. But could possibly stretch to a bit more for the right car

[ZX10R NIN]

My suggestion is a W212 5.5 E500 or CLS500 it's down on power compared to the Jaguar by about 35bhp but it's a very sweet unit & there's very little to concern yourself with reliability wise, it's a similar story with the E63 below.

Saloon

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the bombastic W211 E63 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLS55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLS63 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Yes I'm bias but the W212 E500 if you want a mix of modern & performance or if want the performance then the W211 E63 is a no brainer.

[mattp1986]

ZX10R NIN said:

My suggestion is a W212 5.5 E500 or CLS500 it's down on power compared to the Jaguar by about 35bhp but it's a very sweet unit & there's very little to concern yourself with reliability wise, it's a similar story with the E63 below.

Saloon

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the bombastic W211 E63 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLS55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLS63 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Yes I'm bias but the W212 E500 if you want a mix of modern & performance or if want the performance then the W211 E63 is a no brainer.

Wow I had no idea that they could be had for that price now. I especially love the cls that shape never gets old does it. Are they more reliable than the jags then? I hear the jags engines and transmissions are very strong its mainly electrical gremlins with them. If the Mercedes are just as reliable drivetrain wise I might just take a punt on one of those. Love the cls but I think the interior looks a tad dated now, the e500 looks very nice though. Thanks again for taking the time to help me out. I really appreciate it.

[ZX10R NIN]

All three drivetrains are bulletproof the 63's are less maintenance heavy the 55's could have suspension issues that were rectified on the 63 model.

I can recommend the E Coupe as I have one (the later 4.7TT engine) & it's a great car performance on tap the windows that drop away make it a feel special.

These are the wheels I chose for mine:




The W211 E63 has no issues but has a similar vintage interior but you can add Bluetooth Streaming & DAB to them.

Also the 500's are very quiet I'd recommend fitting an X Pipe it adds a nice deeper note without being over the top, but they also have the added bonus of being a bit stealthy as everyone will assume it's the diesel.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 22 July 10:46

[syl]

I had the 4.2 supercharged jag engine, albeit it an S-Type R.

The engine was pretty bulletproof according to my independent that serviced it (to beyond 100,000 miles).
I used to get 14-18mpg driven around town (up to 28mpg on motorways).
The acceleration and the noise accompanying it never failed to put a smile on my face.

I replaced it with a newer diesel, the first diesel I have owned - I kept it the shortest of any car I have ever owned, quite probably because I missed the 4.2 V8 supercharged.. I'm still in a diesel now, but in a big wallowy 4x4 where diesel belongs.

Get the jaguar. Find an independent to look after it (the bills at the dealer are stupid). Be prepared for the fuel cost.