Discussion
Evening all,
Buying a car in the NY after being carless for past 5 years living in centre of City, now need one for work traveling around country. Lots of motorway/dual CW and a little of bit country roads. Plus a lot of sitting in traffic and city driving.
So I like the idea of something that is comfortable and GT/Cruising material with some sporting credentials.
Been looking at the later model XK's they've depreciated a lot and looking like excellent value and a lot of car for the money, compared to similar quality cars from competitor marques.
The Jeremy Clarkson logic says, if I buy an XK 5.0, I'll always be disappointed when I see an XKR and that is probably true, but I've never had a very high powered RWD car before (over 300bhp) and the XKR looks like a bit of a handful, particularly in the wet.
I like a spirited drive but I don't really want to be paranoid the thing is going to go sideways all the time driving around in the wet with my led right foot.
Be interested to hear current/former owners views.
Cheers,
HBT
Buying a car in the NY after being carless for past 5 years living in centre of City, now need one for work traveling around country. Lots of motorway/dual CW and a little of bit country roads. Plus a lot of sitting in traffic and city driving.
So I like the idea of something that is comfortable and GT/Cruising material with some sporting credentials.
Been looking at the later model XK's they've depreciated a lot and looking like excellent value and a lot of car for the money, compared to similar quality cars from competitor marques.
The Jeremy Clarkson logic says, if I buy an XK 5.0, I'll always be disappointed when I see an XKR and that is probably true, but I've never had a very high powered RWD car before (over 300bhp) and the XKR looks like a bit of a handful, particularly in the wet.
I like a spirited drive but I don't really want to be paranoid the thing is going to go sideways all the time driving around in the wet with my led right foot.
Be interested to hear current/former owners views.
Cheers,
HBT
FWIW, 3 years ago I had decided on an XF to replace my 4.2 V8 n/a S Type. I fancied an XFR but I decided I'd go without the all out power and associated issues, so I sourced one of the very the rare factory order only XF 5.0 V8 n/a. It's 390BHP was certainly enough for me in terms of day to day driving and long distance journeys. Once I had acquired it, I forgot about the XFR! Had it for two and a half years and only changed it because of the wife's increasing issues about access. I miss it lots.
R.
R.
Hi Chris
Your sentence (The Jeremy Clarkson logic says, if I buy an XK 5.0, I'll always be disappointed when I see an XKR) absolutely correct, well, it was for me. Bought an 5.0 XK and within a year I was in an 5.0 XKR and I loved it.
Don't worry about the power. Your get use to it.
Jon
Your sentence (The Jeremy Clarkson logic says, if I buy an XK 5.0, I'll always be disappointed when I see an XKR) absolutely correct, well, it was for me. Bought an 5.0 XK and within a year I was in an 5.0 XKR and I loved it.
Don't worry about the power. Your get use to it.
Jon
You're not understanding the basics of engine power.
Yes the XKR can produce just over 500 BHP. But it will only do that at high engine revs
with the accelerator hard into the carpet.
If you are driving normally the engine will only be producing a fraction of that for example
to maintain a steady 70 mph it's only using about 27-30bhp. That's all it requires to overcome
the rolling resistance and to punch a hole through the air.
Think of an engine as a variable power source. It's up to you how hard you push the pedal down !
Yes the XKR can produce just over 500 BHP. But it will only do that at high engine revs
with the accelerator hard into the carpet.
If you are driving normally the engine will only be producing a fraction of that for example
to maintain a steady 70 mph it's only using about 27-30bhp. That's all it requires to overcome
the rolling resistance and to punch a hole through the air.
Think of an engine as a variable power source. It's up to you how hard you push the pedal down !
I have an XK convertible and an XKR coupe.
The XKR is a harder ride and more feisty.
I like the lines of the XK without the bonnet vents. I also like the linear smooth power delivery of the NA V8.
The XKR is more prone to wheelspin and needs a gentle right foot. Not so with the XK. I can drive the XK with more vigour.
For normal daily use I prefer the XK but just as the OP says..... the XKR is the beast and an XK may always seem second best.
If I only owned one and if it was my main daily car I’d most likely choose the XK.
The XKR is a harder ride and more feisty.
I like the lines of the XK without the bonnet vents. I also like the linear smooth power delivery of the NA V8.
The XKR is more prone to wheelspin and needs a gentle right foot. Not so with the XK. I can drive the XK with more vigour.
For normal daily use I prefer the XK but just as the OP says..... the XKR is the beast and an XK may always seem second best.
If I only owned one and if it was my main daily car I’d most likely choose the XK.
I've never had a problem driving my XKR 5.0 in wet or greasy conditions. Although it's very easy to break traction, with traction control fully on it's very well controlled. And this would be true for both the XK and the XKR, since 380bhp is plenty enough power to get you into trouble if you're looking for it.
In the dry the XKR's extra power is very usable, and I do like the slightly more aggressive looks.
So, for the dry 60% of the year I'm definitely glad I got an XKR and in the wet/greasy 40% it makes no difference whether you've got 380bhp or 510bhp
In the dry the XKR's extra power is very usable, and I do like the slightly more aggressive looks.
So, for the dry 60% of the year I'm definitely glad I got an XKR and in the wet/greasy 40% it makes no difference whether you've got 380bhp or 510bhp
The Leaper said:
FWIW, 3 years ago I had decided on an XF to replace my 4.2 V8 n/a S Type. I fancied an XFR but I decided I'd go without the all out power and associated issues, so I sourced one of the very the rare factory order only XF 5.0 V8 n/a. It's 390BHP was certainly enough for me in terms of day to day driving and long distance journeys. Once I had acquired it, I forgot about the XFR! Had it for two and a half years and only changed it because of the wife's increasing issues about access. I miss it lots.
R.
I went through a similar thing last year and plumped for the XFR instead - I knew I would still have been lusting after the XFR if I had bought the n/a XF. So my vote would be for the XKRR.
threadlock said:
Although it's very easy to break traction, [u]with traction control fully on it's very well controlled.[/u]
I'm not sure I'd describe as "very well controlled" unless you're in winter mode the traction control on my XKR certainly has an interesting sense of humour. Until you're at about 45deg to the direction of travel it seems to assume your just playing and it doesn't step in to spoil your party. I have had a bit of experience owning both, and to use on a daily basis I prefer the NA engine. Yes, the XKR is a beast, when you floor it you are going into warp factor, travelling at ludicrous speeds in surprising smooth comfort, with associated traction issues. How often do you want to do that. To me it is too much ‘on’ or ‘off’. The standard engine is more progressive and more of a sports car engine which you can play with.
In the end it’s your call - if you must have the XKR badge then you had better just get on with it. But in my view, you are buying the less enjoyable car.
In the end it’s your call - if you must have the XKR badge then you had better just get on with it. But in my view, you are buying the less enjoyable car.
I have a 2012 5.0 XK (n/a) as a daily driver and its plenty quick enough. I previously had an 2003 X100 4.2 XKR and did 30k miles over 4 years. The newer XK has about the same power as the old XKR but the power delivery feels less frenetic (although I did like the whine of the old cars charger). I honestly don't crave more power - but I suspect the 5.0 XKR would be a hoot. XKR would probably be best if a second car / weekend car (or whatever) as i suspect 500 bhp may be a bit much day to day....
The best is always the best!
I came to the Jaguar XK world from Porsche GT3s. Did i buy an XK or an XKR or an XKR-S?
Plumped for the latter and have loved every minute of the past 12 months. Yes its rapid, ludicrously so, but only if you flatten the right side pedal! If it's wet, then don't unless you are Lewis H!
Comfortable, charismatic and very much a daily driver......I do more than 20k a year
Just enjoy
Riger
I came to the Jaguar XK world from Porsche GT3s. Did i buy an XK or an XKR or an XKR-S?
Plumped for the latter and have loved every minute of the past 12 months. Yes its rapid, ludicrously so, but only if you flatten the right side pedal! If it's wet, then don't unless you are Lewis H!
Comfortable, charismatic and very much a daily driver......I do more than 20k a year
Just enjoy
Riger
I have a 4.2 XK. It's normally a lazy cat but if you pull the left paddle and stamp on it, it flies. But then, to me a GT is not about ragging the nuts off it and hurling it sideways round corners. If you want to do that, get an F-Type or a TVR. I like to get from A to B in stylish quiet comfort with some back-up grunt if needed.
I'd like the cachet of 'supercharged' but in fact the appearance/colour/spec/trim is more important to me than ultimate bhp.
I'd like the cachet of 'supercharged' but in fact the appearance/colour/spec/trim is more important to me than ultimate bhp.
I own an X100 4.0 XKR, owned a 4.2NA S-type, had a 5.0 XKR as a prize for four days and have driven a few XK8 (4.0 and 4.2)
I like the way the power is delivered by an R and would not opt or an 8 (i wished i'd bought an STR over the standard S type). Many 8 owners are happy , they are right, in the hands of a good driver they can keep up with Rs on a road. The running costs are very similar, 8s cost less and will always be worth less based on market demand. The only way to know is to drive some, I did
I like the way the power is delivered by an R and would not opt or an 8 (i wished i'd bought an STR over the standard S type). Many 8 owners are happy , they are right, in the hands of a good driver they can keep up with Rs on a road. The running costs are very similar, 8s cost less and will always be worth less based on market demand. The only way to know is to drive some, I did
Simpo Two said:
I'd like the cachet of 'supercharged' but in fact the appearance/colour/spec/trim is more important to me than ultimate bhp.
Likewise.I bought an X150 (I wanted a 150 go go with my XK150) and bought a 5.0XKR because it was the colour scheme I wanted.
Before buying it my concern was more with what the ride would be like and could I pootle around in it gently, so I probably amazed the salesman on the test drive because I pootled around like a nun in the thing. I knew it would fly like a scalded cat so I wanted to know whether the other extreme was possible.
The downside is that SWMBO decided she didn't like driving it... until we found winter mode. Her daily driver is a turbo diesel which is 265BHP and reasonably nippy, but the way the XKR makes power is totally different. To get the Merc to move quickly off the line your need to give it more throttle until the turbos are spinning. Give the XKR much throttle and back end tends jumps sideways unless you are pulling off dead straight on a level road, it doesn't need to be "got going" it just goes (and goes and goes).
In winter mode it's much more progressive.
a8hex said:
Before buying it my concern was more with what the ride would be like and could I pootle around in it gently, so I probably amazed the salesman on the test drive because I pootled around like a nun in the thing. I knew it would fly like a scalded cat so I wanted to know whether the other extreme was possible.
Yes, when you can beat everything else on the road you don't actually need to a8hex said:
In winter mode it's much more progressive.
'Artifcial turbo lag'. With a turbo diesel you get used to thinking about a second ahead 
I loved the power delivery of my 2.7D. Apart from the lag, which you could counteract by anticipation or a little right foot to spin the turbos up, it just - worked. Midrange torque is the thing for overtaking.Sorry, rambling!
Gassing Station | Jaguar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff