XK or XKR... that is the question
Discussion
I researched a lot and settled on the X150 5.0 - alloy body without the complication of the Supercharger but a very smart and responsive engine over the 4.2 version, plenty quick enough against the XKR version. The 5.0 XK performs as well as the 4.2 XKR and uses less fuel.
Coupe for, this one in fact, now for sale as too many cars and moving house...
http://classicmoderncars.co.uk/Jag-YG61-LGK
Coupe for, this one in fact, now for sale as too many cars and moving house...
http://classicmoderncars.co.uk/Jag-YG61-LGK
I bought an X150 5.0 XKR convertible a couple of years ago. I think you'd probably be looking at a high mileage and potentially rough one though for £15k. I was set on the R, but to be honest don't use the power so a non-supercharged would have been perfectly adequate and also saved me some money. This is where I'd be looking on your budget.
The X150 benefits from the aluminium body, so you don't have to worry so much about rust which can be a real problem on the X100 if you're not careful. However, you still want one that's been looked after as untreated stone chips will lead to creeping aluminium corrosion. It's also important that it's been serviced correctly and on schedule as missed oil changes (regardless of low mileage) don't do these engine much good. Also check the subframe on the X150, especially on the rear as these are steel and not well painted from factory - surface rust is fine (and to be expected) and can be easily treated.
They also need decent tyres, so check this as if it's had cheap ones the handling can be affected and a decent set isn't cheap, especially on the 20 rims.
The X150 benefits from the aluminium body, so you don't have to worry so much about rust which can be a real problem on the X100 if you're not careful. However, you still want one that's been looked after as untreated stone chips will lead to creeping aluminium corrosion. It's also important that it's been serviced correctly and on schedule as missed oil changes (regardless of low mileage) don't do these engine much good. Also check the subframe on the X150, especially on the rear as these are steel and not well painted from factory - surface rust is fine (and to be expected) and can be easily treated.
They also need decent tyres, so check this as if it's had cheap ones the handling can be affected and a decent set isn't cheap, especially on the 20 rims.
DickyTVR said:
I bought an X150 5.0 XKR convertible a couple of years ago. I think you'd probably be looking at a high mileage and potentially rough one though for £15k. I was set on the R, but to be honest don't use the power so a non-supercharged would have been perfectly adequate and also saved me some money. This is where I'd be looking on your budget.
The X150 benefits from the aluminium body, so you don't have to worry so much about rust which can be a real problem on the X100 if you're not careful. However, you still want one that's been looked after as untreated stone chips will lead to creeping aluminium corrosion. It's also important that it's been serviced correctly and on schedule as missed oil changes (regardless of low mileage) don't do these engine much good. Also check the subframe on the X150, especially on the rear as these are steel and not well painted from factory - surface rust is fine (and to be expected) and can be easily treated.
They also need decent tyres, so check this as if it's had cheap ones the handling can be affected and a decent set isn't cheap, especially on the 20 rims.
Great write up, agree with all of thatThe X150 benefits from the aluminium body, so you don't have to worry so much about rust which can be a real problem on the X100 if you're not careful. However, you still want one that's been looked after as untreated stone chips will lead to creeping aluminium corrosion. It's also important that it's been serviced correctly and on schedule as missed oil changes (regardless of low mileage) don't do these engine much good. Also check the subframe on the X150, especially on the rear as these are steel and not well painted from factory - surface rust is fine (and to be expected) and can be easily treated.
They also need decent tyres, so check this as if it's had cheap ones the handling can be affected and a decent set isn't cheap, especially on the 20 rims.
stevemcs said:
F Type will be closer to the TVR in trying to kill you but the XKR, they feel like a fast coupe limo.
The XKR can still give the impression of wishing to kill you at times, the traction control doesn't normally do anything until you're way out of line. Unless you're in winter mode it definitely has an evil sense of humour. a8hex said:
The XKR can still give the impression of wishing to kill you at times, the traction control doesn't normally do anything until you're way out of line. Unless you're in winter mode it definitely has an evil sense of humour.
But Winter Mode does work wellAs does Dynamic Mode
Dynamic + Sport is insane best to just use the paddles then as the gearbox hangs on forever otherwise.
hashluck said:
Dynamic + Sport is insane best to just use the paddles then as the gearbox hangs on forever otherwise.
I got invited to one of the X150 launch events and even with the 4.2 version I found it difficult to change gear fast enough with the paddles to stop it hitting the red line in the lower ratios. 
Pursyluv said:
There’s a menacing looking black XRS for sale at the moment, going to have to check this car out before I commit to the F Type R, hopefully they are as scary as the 4.5 Cerb
I had a F-Type V6S Coupe for a year but sold it as it wasn't as much fun as the Cerb. I was looking at the F-Type V8 Coupe but for half the cost picked up the XKR and I just know I'm going to have some fun in it. You also have the rarity value of the XK-RS
I had the 5.0 XKR for a while. Black on black with carbon trim etc. It was a beautiful beast.
I loved so much about it; the looks, the noise, the noise, the noise, much of the interior, the exclusivity, the quality, the drama, the noise, the presence etc etc.
The only thing I never consistently loved about it was driving it!
Never thought I'd say this but it had too much torque and power for the greasy Scottish roads I drive on. A brilliant fast cruiser (for which you do not need 510 bhp) but even a gentle prod of the throttle would spin up the rears - especially in auto mode because it would kick down with the tiniest provocation and then lose traction - even in a straight line accelerating from 70 mph.
The tyres were probably partly to blame (I gather there are better ones than those the car originally came with) but honestly I often found it tiring / stressful unless the roads were dry and warm (rare in Scotland), and conversely if I was just looking to make respectable but calm progress it simply did not need the massive grunt it had.
I'll add that I had a rather well fettled 5.0 Chimaera before that and found the TVR to be much easier to control than the XKR - largely do to having a manual gear box (and probably 200 bhp less!)
Stick the XKR in sport mode with flappy paddle control and things improve greatly I will admit - and this is how I drove it most of the time. Not because I wanted to rag it, but because I wanted full control of what gear I was in whilst applying throttle.
For what it is worth I sold the XKR and bought a new Renaultsport Meganne 275 Cup S. Chalk and cheese. Much much more fun to rag about in but obviously not in the same universe in terms of refinement - it has none what so ever.
Having written this post................ I now find myself wanting another one. It was a deeply lovely thing. Except I wouldn't buy another XKR - I'd get an M5 instead. Maybe!
I loved so much about it; the looks, the noise, the noise, the noise, much of the interior, the exclusivity, the quality, the drama, the noise, the presence etc etc.
The only thing I never consistently loved about it was driving it!
Never thought I'd say this but it had too much torque and power for the greasy Scottish roads I drive on. A brilliant fast cruiser (for which you do not need 510 bhp) but even a gentle prod of the throttle would spin up the rears - especially in auto mode because it would kick down with the tiniest provocation and then lose traction - even in a straight line accelerating from 70 mph.
The tyres were probably partly to blame (I gather there are better ones than those the car originally came with) but honestly I often found it tiring / stressful unless the roads were dry and warm (rare in Scotland), and conversely if I was just looking to make respectable but calm progress it simply did not need the massive grunt it had.
I'll add that I had a rather well fettled 5.0 Chimaera before that and found the TVR to be much easier to control than the XKR - largely do to having a manual gear box (and probably 200 bhp less!)
Stick the XKR in sport mode with flappy paddle control and things improve greatly I will admit - and this is how I drove it most of the time. Not because I wanted to rag it, but because I wanted full control of what gear I was in whilst applying throttle.
For what it is worth I sold the XKR and bought a new Renaultsport Meganne 275 Cup S. Chalk and cheese. Much much more fun to rag about in but obviously not in the same universe in terms of refinement - it has none what so ever.
Having written this post................ I now find myself wanting another one. It was a deeply lovely thing. Except I wouldn't buy another XKR - I'd get an M5 instead. Maybe!
TorqueDirty said:
I had the 5.0 XKR for a while. Black on black with carbon trim etc. It was a beautiful beast.
I loved so much about it; the looks, the noise, the noise, the noise, much of the interior, the exclusivity, the quality, the drama, the noise, the presence etc etc.
The only thing I never consistently loved about it was driving it!
Never thought I'd say this but it had too much torque and power for the greasy Scottish roads I drive on. A brilliant fast cruiser (for which you do not need 510 bhp) but even a gentle prod of the throttle would spin up the rears - especially in auto mode because it would kick down with the tiniest provocation and then lose traction - even in a straight line accelerating from 70 mph.
The tyres were probably partly to blame (I gather there are better ones than those the car originally came with) but honestly I often found it tiring / stressful unless the roads were dry and warm (rare in Scotland), and conversely if I was just looking to make respectable but calm progress it simply did not need the massive grunt it had.
I'll add that I had a rather well fettled 5.0 Chimaera before that and found the TVR to be much easier to control than the XKR - largely do to having a manual gear box (and probably 200 bhp less!)
Stick the XKR in sport mode with flappy paddle control and things improve greatly I will admit - and this is how I drove it most of the time. Not because I wanted to rag it, but because I wanted full control of what gear I was in whilst applying throttle.
For what it is worth I sold the XKR and bought a new Renaultsport Meganne 275 Cup S. Chalk and cheese. Much much more fun to rag about in but obviously not in the same universe in terms of refinement - it has none what so ever.
Having written this post................ I now find myself wanting another one. It was a deeply lovely thing. Except I wouldn't buy another XKR - I'd get an M5 instead. Maybe!
I'm with you on that -on our shoddy Scottish roads the XK 5.0 NA has plenty enough torque -then again I'm an old man Capt slow I loved so much about it; the looks, the noise, the noise, the noise, much of the interior, the exclusivity, the quality, the drama, the noise, the presence etc etc.
The only thing I never consistently loved about it was driving it!
Never thought I'd say this but it had too much torque and power for the greasy Scottish roads I drive on. A brilliant fast cruiser (for which you do not need 510 bhp) but even a gentle prod of the throttle would spin up the rears - especially in auto mode because it would kick down with the tiniest provocation and then lose traction - even in a straight line accelerating from 70 mph.
The tyres were probably partly to blame (I gather there are better ones than those the car originally came with) but honestly I often found it tiring / stressful unless the roads were dry and warm (rare in Scotland), and conversely if I was just looking to make respectable but calm progress it simply did not need the massive grunt it had.
I'll add that I had a rather well fettled 5.0 Chimaera before that and found the TVR to be much easier to control than the XKR - largely do to having a manual gear box (and probably 200 bhp less!)
Stick the XKR in sport mode with flappy paddle control and things improve greatly I will admit - and this is how I drove it most of the time. Not because I wanted to rag it, but because I wanted full control of what gear I was in whilst applying throttle.
For what it is worth I sold the XKR and bought a new Renaultsport Meganne 275 Cup S. Chalk and cheese. Much much more fun to rag about in but obviously not in the same universe in terms of refinement - it has none what so ever.
Having written this post................ I now find myself wanting another one. It was a deeply lovely thing. Except I wouldn't buy another XKR - I'd get an M5 instead. Maybe!
But I can see the attraction of the 5.0 XKR if its bragging rights you're after and image -nothing wrong with that if youre a young gun
However for 98% of the time the XK 5.0 hits the sweet spot in terms being useable
I drove a 2.0 F type coupe a couple of years back and thought it was brilliant in every respect
However depreciation is stellar
Once they drop to 20k I would def think about buying one
My pal just bought a lovely low miles 1 owner 2006 Aston Vantage 4.3 coupe -a lot of money for that badge TBH -he had a DB9 Volante V12 before that which was underwhelming and cost 5k for engine out job to repair an oil leak before he sold it
He also has his own airplane a Porche speedster repilca and crucially no kids
I keep telling him my Aston money all went on posh school fees and Uni for 3 boys
SWMBO told him his Aston had an uncanny resemblance to my XK haha
I have a 2010 5.0 n/a XK. I fitted Michelin pilot sport 4s tyres to the rear because the Dunlops couldn't handle the power. Generally speaking power is now well matched to traction, but the other day I still lit up the rears just trying to enter a busy A road. It's plenty fast enough for me. I imagine the XKR is a lesson in throttle moderation.
The only regret I have is that the XK has an open diff, whereas the XKR has an electronic LSD.
The only regret I have is that the XK has an open diff, whereas the XKR has an electronic LSD.
SweptVolume said:
I have a 2010 5.0 n/a XK. I fitted Michelin pilot sport 4s tyres to the rear because the Dunlops couldn't handle the power. Generally speaking power is now well matched to traction, but the other day I still lit up the rears just trying to enter a busy A road. It's plenty fast enough for me. I imagine the XKR is a lesson in throttle moderation.
The only regret I have is that the XK has an open diff, whereas the XKR has an electronic LSD.
The Dunlops on the XKR can't cope a lot of the time, even in the dry. It is indeed a lesson in throttle moderation. Next time I need new tyres I'll be looking for something better. The LSD doesn't seem to tame it too much, over cook things and it will jump sideways. The only regret I have is that the XK has an open diff, whereas the XKR has an electronic LSD.
a8hex said:
SweptVolume said:
I have a 2010 5.0 n/a XK. I fitted Michelin pilot sport 4s tyres to the rear because the Dunlops couldn't handle the power. Generally speaking power is now well matched to traction, but the other day I still lit up the rears just trying to enter a busy A road. It's plenty fast enough for me. I imagine the XKR is a lesson in throttle moderation.
The only regret I have is that the XK has an open diff, whereas the XKR has an electronic LSD.
The Dunlops on the XKR can't cope a lot of the time, even in the dry. It is indeed a lesson in throttle moderation. Next time I need new tyres I'll be looking for something better. The LSD doesn't seem to tame it too much, over cook things and it will jump sideways. The only regret I have is that the XK has an open diff, whereas the XKR has an electronic LSD.
The XKR jumps sideways it in the same way it like to move in a forwards direction - with startling enthusiasm.
I bought the car because my wife decided she loved it. She drove it home after we picked it up because I was heading abroad the next day for work and I wanted her to get used to it. At one point she decided to accelerate out of a roundabout on a dual carriageway because an aggressive white van man had undertaken us.
She said "watch this" and then we were instantly facing the central reservation, next we were facing the white van man (who looked suitably concerned). Then we had another very close look at the central reservation before the car eventually straightened up and we had a chance to breathe.
She wouldn't drive it much after that first trip home.
Edited by TorqueDirty on Friday 12th February 17:35
a8hex said:
The Dunlops on the XKR can't cope a lot of the time, even in the dry. It is indeed a lesson in throttle moderation. Next time I need new tyres I'll be looking for something better.
As an all-round tyre, I cannot recommend these enough. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.https://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pi...
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