RE: SOTY: Jaguar XJR

[XJ40]

Jaguar steve said:

Ftumpch said:

Good comfortable car with heaps of power but any driving enthusiast will get bored with it in not too long at all, unless you happen to come across one of the rare manual-equipped examples. Now that would be one to keep! Why aren't there more of these? What were the original owners thinking??

Possibly two reasons - the first is the XJR demographic and driving style is not all about frantically redlining through the gears at every opportunity, it's more about making very rapid yet discrete progress and the second is the agrigultural nature of the Getrag manual gearbox and weight and dead feel of the clutch.

The X300 series was the last Jaguar XJ available with a manual box - most often bought in base model 3.2 Sport spec as that was the cheapest option and IIRC less than 5% of sales were manual and only about 100 of those were XJR's. With the introduction of the V8 XJ in 1997 and new 5 speed ZF box the XJ went automatic only as the newer gearbox was considered so good and controllable that a manual option was not needed.

I agree that the XJ driver demographic is very much inclined towards slush boxes. I would say though that while the getrag 265 and 290 were and are less slick that some other 'boxes out there, it's by no means bad, certainly much better than it has a reputation for in some quarters. It lacks a bit of refinement in a Jag but I don't think there would be any complaints if it were found in another car. An XJ is a very different beast with the manual box, it's a fun drive, especial if you've a rare manual 300R. Very under rated in my biased option.

[no17]

XJ40 said:

Jaguar steve said:

Ftumpch said:

Good comfortable car with heaps of power but any driving enthusiast will get bored with it in not too long at all, unless you happen to come across one of the rare manual-equipped examples. Now that would be one to keep! Why aren't there more of these? What were the original owners thinking??

Possibly two reasons - the first is the XJR demographic and driving style is not all about frantically redlining through the gears at every opportunity, it's more about making very rapid yet discrete progress and the second is the agrigultural nature of the Getrag manual gearbox and weight and dead feel of the clutch.

The X300 series was the last Jaguar XJ available with a manual box - most often bought in base model 3.2 Sport spec as that was the cheapest option and IIRC less than 5% of sales were manual and only about 100 of those were XJR's. With the introduction of the V8 XJ in 1997 and new 5 speed ZF box the XJ went automatic only as the newer gearbox was considered so good and controllable that a manual option was not needed.

I agree that the XJ driver demographic is very much inclined towards slush boxes. I would say though that while the getrag 265 and 290 were and are less slick that some other 'boxes out there, it's by no means bad, certainly much better than it has a reputation for in some quarters. It lacks a bit of refinement in a Jag but I don't think there would be any complaints if it were found in another car. An XJ is a very different beast with the manual box, it's a fun drive, especial if you've a rare manual 300R. Very under rated in my biased option.

Yet another debate regarding manual v automatic x300s. So come on chaps let's just agree that both options work well and that we're lucky to have a manual option unlike x308 & xk8 owners. In fact I've lost count the number of times bemused mot testers have commented on my manual version saying they'd never seen one and asking if it's a conversion.
If wafting is your pleasure then a slush box is superb, but if a spirited and more connected drive is your bag then the manual fits perfectly (I'm not implying that an auto is a slouch). In fact, if I had the space and sufficient funds I'd have an auto for commuting and a manual for leisure. Both have their merits but for me, I'll join the minority vote and stick with my manual.

[XJ40]

no17 said:

Yet another debate regarding manual v automatic x300s. So come on chaps let's just agree that both options work well and that we're lucky to have a manual option unlike x308 & xk8 owners. In fact I've lost count the number of times bemused mot testers have commented on my manual version saying they'd never seen one and asking if it's a conversion.
If wafting is your pleasure then a slush box is superb, but if a spirited and more connected drive is your bag then the manual fits perfectly (I'm not implying that an auto is a slouch). In fact, if I had the space and sufficient funds I'd have an auto for commuting and a manual for leisure. Both have their merits but for me, I'll join the minority vote and stick with my manual.

I for one an in complete agreement with you Charlie, I love both stick shift and auto '40's and '300's (I've owned four auto '40's previous to the manual one I have now). The auto is lovely for a laid back waft, the manual is better for a more connected drive as you rightly say. I've a manual XJ for leisure and a diesel hatchback for commuting, couldn't justify the fuel bills on a big capacity petrol auto.