XK 5.0 Portfolio

[flying-banana]

I'm trying to work out the trim & equipment differences between a 'regular' XK 5.0 and the Portfolio, before going to look at any

This is where I've got to so far...
- different alloys
- heated front windscreen
- extra seat adjustment
- different leather & stitching

It seems common to find cars fitted with...
- upgraded hi-fi (I'm thinking the B&W is superior to the Alpine)
- DAB radio
- heated steering wheel

I can't seem to find much info online, and my collection of brochures doesn't extend to the XK 5.0

[RB CV8]

From the "blob chart" in my 2010MY brochure, the standard Portfolio features over and above the "standard" XK are:

Heated screen with timer
Alloy space saver spare wheel
Jaguar Smart Key System with Keyless Entry
Softgrain sports seats with contrast stitch (16/16 way)
Active ventilated front seats - heated/cooled
Heated leather steering wheel with contrast stitch
Front & rear premium carpet mats
Jaguar Suedecloth headlining
XK Portfolio interior theme
B&W 525W premium sound system

Some bits were options on the standard car, and DAB radio was an option on all of them. Of course, there may well have been other differences in following model years but hopefully this is a help as a start.

[flying-banana]

As I thought, some of the extras aren't 'must haves'...

Heated screen with timer - this is a must have
Alloy space saver spare wheel - not so important
Jaguar Smart Key System with Keyless Entry - nice to have, but no deal breaker
Softgrain sports seats with contrast stitch (16/16 way) - I know these are good, need to try the standard ones
Active ventilated front seats - heated/cooled - jury is out re cooled seats!
Heated leather steering wheel with contrast stitch - not necessary
Front & rear premium carpet mats - nice to have, but hey..
Jaguar Suedecloth headlining - nice, but no deal breaker
XK Portfolio interior theme - hmm
B&W 525W premium sound system - nice to have, but so long as it's not the boggo system, and it's got DAB, I'll manage...

That's a great help, thanks

[OddCat]

Roughly which year XK are you looking at ?

[a8hex]

flying-banana said:

Active ventilated front seats - heated/cooled - jury is out re cooled seats!
Heated leather steering wheel with contrast stitch - not necessary

This summer I found the cooled seats very nice, before this summer I didn't really use them.
No sure if you're after a tin top or going topless. In the convertible I find the heated wheel very nice, if it's dry the tops down and the heating saves driving in gloves.

[flying-banana]

Def a coupe, and will look for a low mileage 2009/10, I'm not really sold on the looks of the 2011 facelift

[flying-banana]

I've got the cooled seats in my XFR, I've only used them a couple of times, feels kinda odd

[a8hex]

flying-banana said:

I've got the cooled seats in my XFR, I've only used them a couple of times, feels kinda odd

That's what I felt the first time I tried them, in fact it felt like I was wet
But when it was really hot this year then I found I liked them.

Edited by a8hex on Sunday 9th September 10:56

[flying-banana]

I'd agree with the 'wet' feeling, not entirely pleasant

[OddCat]

Interesting how many people say they don't like the 2012 facelift. For me the look much sleeker and meaner. I suppose it wouldn't do for us all to like the same thing.

Yes, red ones seem rare. Odd really as they look great in red. Same with Astons.

Good luck with the hunt !

[flying-banana]

I actually think that the original 2006 4.2 is the best looking of all

As for colours, I like the reds, spectrum blue looks good, and kyanite blue is livlier than greys & black...lots of black ones around, good thing I don't mind black.

...and then there's the interior colours & trim - I think I can manage without the wood trim in an XK, black leather has to be the most practical, but ivory does look good (when it's clean)

[Simpo Two]

flying-banana said:

I actually think that the original 2006 4.2 is the best looking of all

Agreed (but then I have one!)

I've seen a 4.2 with a later nose (accident I presume). Perhaps it's possible to get the 5.0 and fit the 4.2 nose...?

[OddCat]

This was mine....

[flying-banana]

Very nice...what are the interior colours?

[mrbarnett]

I have a 2010 convertible in portfolio trim and shared your feelings when getting mine. Take a look at a 'base' 5.0 and a Portfolio and decide for yourself.

Things like the heated windscreen are possible on the basic car (look out for the extra button below the stereo in the photos) and the Alpine stereo is approximately as good as the B&W (the jury's out on this one, but none of the XK sound systems sound all that great - again, look out for the logo on the speaker grille), so you could find a specced up base car that fits your needs, but it'll still be missing some of those touches that really add to the luxury feel without your even realising.

Things like the suede up the A pillars really isn't needed by anyone, but it all adds to the luxury of a very high end product.

As for DAB, it was on my "essential" list (lots have it) until I heard the engine, then I kinda didn't care about the radio any more. If you definitely do want it, you can spot DAB cars by the additional "shark-fin" aerial on the boot lid.

Good luck, and post some photos when you find one!

[OddCat]

Mine (above) was black leather with white stitching. The facia was lovely piano black. Headlining black (or charcoal or whatever it was). Nice and modern.

No beige / wood. Not that I have an issue with beige and wood as my previous XKR was exactly that

[flying-banana]

mrbarnett said:

I have a 2010 convertible in portfolio trim and shared your feelings when getting mine. Take a look at a 'base' 5.0 and a Portfolio and decide for yourself.

Things like the heated windscreen are possible on the basic car (look out for the extra button below the stereo in the photos) and the Alpine stereo is approximately as good as the B&W (the jury's out on this one, but none of the XK sound systems sound all that great - again, look out for the logo on the speaker grille), so you could find a specced up base car that fits your needs, but it'll still be missing some of those touches that really add to the luxury feel without your even realising.

Things like the suede up the A pillars really isn't needed by anyone, but it all adds to the luxury of a very high end product.

As for DAB, it was on my "essential" list (lots have it) until I heard the engine, then I kinda didn't care about the radio any more. If you definitely do want it, you can spot DAB cars by the additional "shark-fin" aerial on the boot lid.

Good luck, and post some photos when you find one!

My "essentials" do include an uprated stereo... I do like my music, and I mostly listen to 6music, so DAB is necessary too...

The heated windscreen is something I've got used to over the last 10 years (my XFR has it, as did my S-type R), especially if I need to be out at 6am in the winter!

I know what to expect from a Portfolio, I need to take a look at a 'base' one to see how different that feels...and if the seats have enough adjustment...

Ultimately I want to find the nicest car that I can for my budget, and that can be easier if I'm not overly picky about spec, colour, interior etc