XF SV8 vs XFR

[Jensky]

I’m considering getting into an XF. I like the idea of the SV8 as it’ll have plenty of power on a tried and tested engine but all the other items on the car being mainly standard XF fare so the running costs should in theory not be too crazy, but lots of people seem to point me in the direction of an XFR instead as it’ll be a better drive. What’s the pros and cons of each?

[The Leaper]

The XF 5.0 V8 n/a is also worth considering as opposed to the SV8. 380 BHP, good performance, and an unstressed engine.

R.

[fatboy b]

XFRs are more plentiful than either an SV8 or a 5.0 N/A. The bonus is that if you get an 8sp XFR it’ll be cheaper to run than the other two as well.

[The Leaper]

fatboy b said:

XFRs are more plentiful than either an SV8 or a 5.0 N/A. The bonus is that if you get an 8sp XFR it’ll be cheaper to run than the other two as well.

I find it difficult to see how the XFR is cheaper than the other two models, after taking into account all running costs.

R.

[NortonES2]

8 speed transmission vs older 6 speed.

[The Leaper]

NortonES2 said:

8 speed transmission vs older 6 speed.

That may be good for MPG but fatboy b referred to running cost which I assume means ALL the costs.

R.

[8bit]

So neither an SV8 nor an XFR but hear me out. I've had both the supercharged 4.2 and 5.0 engines in two XKRs (still have the 5), albeit both of these "only" have the 6-speed ZF auto. Still a great transmission, definitely not the "slush-box" type autos of old. My wife recently got an XF S Sportbrake, with the twin-turbo 3.0 V6 diseasel. This has the 8spd ZF box and it's tremendous. I really, really wish Jag had put that in the 5.0 XK and XKR, it's a big leap on from the 6spd box - much more responsive and with the fuel economy benefit too. A friend has an XFR and he gets economy figures I can only dream of - and that's with exactly the same engine as his and a somewhat lighter car.

[fatboy b]

The Leaper said:

That may be good for MPG but fatboy b referred to running cost which I assume means ALL the costs.

R.

It’s the same car pretty much why would an XFR be more expensive than an SV8? Brakes are available from EBC at a decent price. Otherwise the suspension/bushes etc are the same.

[8bit]

fatboy b said:

The Leaper said:

That may be good for MPG but fatboy b referred to running cost which I assume means ALL the costs.

R.

It’s the same car pretty much why would an XFR be more expensive than an SV8? Brakes are available from EBC at a decent price. Otherwise the suspension/bushes etc are the same.

Fuel bills should be lower (all else being equal) due to the better transmission, I guess the other thing would be servicing costs - AFAIK the XFR is not (yet) included on the cheaper 3+ years servicing scheme, if the SV8 is then that would reduce the servicing bills, assuming we're comparing main dealer costs. Also insurance costs perhaps? That would be fairly negligible I'd think though.

Beyond that, yes - parts and consumables prices will be comparable.

[TheRainMaker]

fatboy b said:

Otherwise the suspension/bushes etc are the same.

Are they? I didn’t know the SV8 came with the adaptive suspension of the XFR.

[fatboy b]

TheRainMaker said:

fatboy b said:

Otherwise the suspension/bushes etc are the same.

Are they? I didn’t know the SV8 came with the adaptive suspension of the XFR.

Yep. They even put it on diesels too. May have softer damping on the SV8.