RE: Jaguar XF Diesel S Sportbrake: Driven
Discussion
toppstuff said:
Krikkit said:
I said it on the other thread and I'll say it here too - the infotainment system is the worst bit about the car. It's clunky and slow to use, the screen feels too small for the layouts, and it doesn't have simple features that the Germans have (e.g. It doesn't automatically reconnect a bluetoothed phone that's been out of range). .
I know that Chris Harris had a similar grumble when he was running an XF. I was hoping/ thinking this had been fixed with some new firmware by now? Is it still a problem even with new cars? Having your phone bluetooth connect automatically when you get in the car should surely just be a firmware thing?It's a small detail, one that could easily be fixed with a software tweak, but the real issue is the hardware behind the thing. It's just not up to the task, it even struggles rendering the screen transitions etc as it's so outdated. For a system that you have to use for everything except basic heating/stereo functions it's quite frustrating.
Krikkit said:
I said it on the other thread and I'll say it here too - the infotainment system is the worst bit about the car. It's clunky and slow to use, the screen feels too small for the layouts, and it doesn't have simple features that the Germans have (e.g. It doesn't automatically reconnect a bluetoothed phone that's been out of range). Given how easy it is to find powerful SoC solutions seen in tablets etc it's shockingly poor to have a system like this stay in the car.
I have to say - and I'm not doubting your experience in any way here, just adding my two penn'orth - the one in this example seemed just fine to me. I know both you and Monkey, and a few others too, have mentioned it to be a problem in the past but I found it to be quite logical and pretty quick. The Bluetooth system was just fine and always reconnected my phone; in fact, I found it to be among the most reliable of any I've used. And the sat nav was easy and fast, too. Like I say, I'm not doubting anyone else's experiences - it sounds like I might have just had a particularly good example, or perhaps one with a later software version that's sorted out some of the foibles?Scrof said:
Krikkit said:
I said it on the other thread and I'll say it here too - the infotainment system is the worst bit about the car. It's clunky and slow to use, the screen feels too small for the layouts, and it doesn't have simple features that the Germans have (e.g. It doesn't automatically reconnect a bluetoothed phone that's been out of range). Given how easy it is to find powerful SoC solutions seen in tablets etc it's shockingly poor to have a system like this stay in the car.
I have to say - and I'm not doubting your experience in any way here, just adding my two penn'orth - the one in this example seemed just fine to me. I know both you and Monkey, and a few others too, have mentioned it to be a problem in the past but I found it to be quite logical and pretty quick. The Bluetooth system was just fine and always reconnected my phone; in fact, I found it to be among the most reliable of any I've used. And the sat nav was easy and fast, too. Like I say, I'm not doubting anyone else's experiences - it sounds like I might have just had a particularly good example, or perhaps one with a later software version that's sorted out some of the foibles?RockDoctor said:
Whoever drove this, or if anyone has driven the Diesel S, what sort of MPG does it get?
High 40ies on a motorway run, mid 30ies local/medium runs from the sticks to civilisation from mine. Someone mentioned the ride being firm; I'd agree at low speeds & on crap road surfaces, on 20s, it's a big jiggly but above 30mph, it smooths out nicely. It's definitely not as wafty as my previous V8 S-type though. The only niggles I've had with mine is the AM radio not working (not a problem, don't listen to AM anyway + it's getting replaced under warranty) and I've recently had the 'pads low' warning come up. All getting checked/sorted at service anyway.RockDoctor said:
Whoever drove this, or if anyone has driven the Diesel S, what sort of MPG does it get?
My old man has a Disel S saloon and he manages to keep the mpg down to the late 30s - he's not your typical 77 year old driver. 
If the estate is half as good as his saloon is, it'll be brilliant.
I adored my XF, I only got rid as I got stuck a few times in mud and I wanted a more practical car.
I'd love to make an XF estate my next car, but was slightly nonplussed at the Autocar group test where it finished bottom. I'm happy to read your review on it, it might be enough to convince me back into one in a couple of years time!
Have to admit though, I do like my current Audi Allroad. It gives me (just) enough ability to avoid getting stuck at the farm with the trailer. Come on Jaguar, get that 4x4 XF estate on sale and I'll be back with you!
I'd love to make an XF estate my next car, but was slightly nonplussed at the Autocar group test where it finished bottom. I'm happy to read your review on it, it might be enough to convince me back into one in a couple of years time!
Have to admit though, I do like my current Audi Allroad. It gives me (just) enough ability to avoid getting stuck at the farm with the trailer. Come on Jaguar, get that 4x4 XF estate on sale and I'll be back with you!
Side profile has a bit of Honda Accord Estate to it but it's a good attack at the German manufacturers.
Not a fan of the Steering wheel. Has a bit of a cheap effect going on. My biggest concern is the 8 speed auto box and that 'kick-down'. I may find it a bit frustrating with the gearbox wanting to throw the engine outside its best operating rpm.
Not a fan of the Steering wheel. Has a bit of a cheap effect going on. My biggest concern is the 8 speed auto box and that 'kick-down'. I may find it a bit frustrating with the gearbox wanting to throw the engine outside its best operating rpm.
I'd have the Merc purely because they don't feel the urge to give it a bloody stupid name to try to disguise the fact that it's a damned great estate car.
Well I probably wouldn't, but I'd still feel slightly daft driving something called a "touring" or an "sportbrake".
Well I probably wouldn't, but I'd still feel slightly daft driving something called a "touring" or an "sportbrake".
Edited by kambites on Thursday 21st March 18:41
Fire99 said:
Side profile has a bit of Honda Accord Estate to it but it's a good attack at the German manufacturers.
Not a fan of the Steering wheel. Has a bit of a cheap effect going on. My biggest concern is the 8 speed auto box and that 'kick-down'. I may find it a bit frustrating with the gearbox wanting to throw the engine outside its best operating rpm.
On the assumption the kickdown behaviour and ratio jump is similar to the 6-speed auto, then it's not too bad. It doesn't so much rev "too high" as "more than you -feel- necessary" as there's so much grunt low down, it somewhat spoils you.Not a fan of the Steering wheel. Has a bit of a cheap effect going on. My biggest concern is the 8 speed auto box and that 'kick-down'. I may find it a bit frustrating with the gearbox wanting to throw the engine outside its best operating rpm.
It's an absolutely phenomenal engine though.
Jimbo. said:
On the assumption the kickdown behaviour and ratio jump is similar to the 6-speed auto, then it's not too bad. It doesn't so much rev "too high" as "more than you -feel- necessary" as there's so much grunt low down, it somewhat spoils you.
It's an absolutely phenomenal engine though.
Thanks for that. I'll have to give one a try. I'm a bit of an '8-speed cynic' so will be interested to see how it performs in the metal.. It's an absolutely phenomenal engine though.
Great article but where's the pic with the boot open? When I buy estates I look at how high the boot floor is from the ground, lower the better obviously, is the load space big enough and do the rear seats fold to give a truly flat larger load space. That's all I want to know as usually everything else will be in the review of the saloon!! Oh and is a tow bar available!
kambites said:
I'd have the Merc purely because they don't feel the urge to give it a bloody stupid name to try to disguise the fact that it's a damned great estate car.
Well I probably wouldn't, but I'd still feel slightly daft driving something called a "touring" or an "sportbrake".
Your argument kind of fails there using the Merc as an example, shooting brake? The fact is when people ask you what you've got most people just say oh iv'e got an Audi A4 estate, who says avant? I don't get your argument really.Well I probably wouldn't, but I'd still feel slightly daft driving something called a "touring" or an "sportbrake".
Edited by kambites on Thursday 21st March 18:41
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