Old Jag XKR or E46 M3...
Discussion
Hi guys,
Now I know the answer may be obvious to some in that the M3 is an all round more capable and reliable machine not to mention available as manual and not auto like the Jag but I have to admit I still have a soft spot for the Jag. Perhaps because it's a Jag and has nice swoopy lines as well as a V8 engine but am I being too ignorant to the fact that it's likely to provide headaches and less of a thrill to drive compared to the m3?
I'm not looking to buy this year - more likely next year but am noticing the 2nd hand price for either are starting at around the same price and potentially within my budget for around this time next year - £7k or so.
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Nick
Now I know the answer may be obvious to some in that the M3 is an all round more capable and reliable machine not to mention available as manual and not auto like the Jag but I have to admit I still have a soft spot for the Jag. Perhaps because it's a Jag and has nice swoopy lines as well as a V8 engine but am I being too ignorant to the fact that it's likely to provide headaches and less of a thrill to drive compared to the m3?
I'm not looking to buy this year - more likely next year but am noticing the 2nd hand price for either are starting at around the same price and potentially within my budget for around this time next year - £7k or so.
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Nick
If it helps, my mates boss just had to replace the gear box on his. £12k quoted for a car worth about £7k! Jaguar guided him to the people they actually outsource the work to, and he got it down to £10.5K...
I've owned the M3, excellent all rounder. Still prone to the odd big bill tho' no where near the xkr.
I've owned the M3, excellent all rounder. Still prone to the odd big bill tho' no where near the xkr.
Pick up an XKR that's had gearbox oil changes done and you won't suffer a big bill for fitting a brand new gearbox. Or pick up one that hasn't for a song after it breaks and fit a manual conversion 
The XKR would always be my preference over the M3. Not really any more likely to throw up big bills than each other.
The XKR would always be my preference over the M3. Not really any more likely to throw up big bills than each other.
Excessive. A good secondhand box fitted by an Indie would be a lot lot less than that, and it's not as if gearbox failures are that common. The problem comes from them being "sealed for life" to help service costs look lower. Change the oil every 50k and they'll go on and on.
Anyone taking a 10 year old car back to the main dealer for a replacement gearbox is going to be in for a price shock, whatever the make.
Anyone taking a 10 year old car back to the main dealer for a replacement gearbox is going to be in for a price shock, whatever the make.
The Jag's auto isn't bad tbh and it's easy enough to get up/down override buttons mounted on the steering wheel to give you fingertip control over gear selection, or just use the J gate. But with all that power and torque from the engine you won't feel the need to most of the time.
The XKR's more cross continent GT, and won't feel quite so crisp as the M3 but it's far from a slouch in the corners and it's such a lovely place to sit.
As with any big car of that age, rubber suspension bushes won't be quite as firm as they once were unless they've been done recently, so worth getting them polybushed which will firms things up noticeably.
The XKR's more cross continent GT, and won't feel quite so crisp as the M3 but it's far from a slouch in the corners and it's such a lovely place to sit.
As with any big car of that age, rubber suspension bushes won't be quite as firm as they once were unless they've been done recently, so worth getting them polybushed which will firms things up noticeably.
Yell_M3 said:
If it helps, my mates boss just had to replace the gear box on his. £12k quoted for a car worth about £7k! Jaguar guided him to the people they actually outsource the work to, and he got it down to £10.5K...
I've owned the M3, excellent all rounder. Still prone to the odd big bill tho' no where near the xkr.
Next time call round the Transmission Specialists IIRC Trans Tech do them for sub £2k with a warranty.I've owned the M3, excellent all rounder. Still prone to the odd big bill tho' no where near the xkr.
I would think the M3 just as likely to throw up big bills. At the 7k territory you will be either looking at a high mileage jag or a very early one. The Nikasil engine issues should be sorted and check the tensioners have been replaced with the later metal ones on the 4.0l.
Check for any uneven tyre wear as that could indicate the bushes or ball joints may need attention. Also have a good look around for corrosion, unfortunately a weak spot is underneath on the floor pan. Search the jag forum for info on this. It is repairable.
I have a 04 plate XKR and have had to replace the front bushes at sub 60k, I went for polybushes.
As for the auto box, I have come from a TVR so this was a big question for me, also in my 30's so a in my opinion too young for a slush box. Mine is the 6sp but I test drove the 5 and in normal driving didn't really notice any difference.
It has taken some getting used to when driving enthusiastically. For the day to day drive the auto is brilliant. When having fun I use the J gate to select the gears and do the same to pre select before an overtake. Whilst not the same as a manual it does a pretty good job and any down side is more than compensated for by the ease it makes the daily drive. I always used to cringe at the life I was taking out of my clutch when sat in traffic up hill constantly doing hill starts in Sheffield.
Check for any uneven tyre wear as that could indicate the bushes or ball joints may need attention. Also have a good look around for corrosion, unfortunately a weak spot is underneath on the floor pan. Search the jag forum for info on this. It is repairable.
I have a 04 plate XKR and have had to replace the front bushes at sub 60k, I went for polybushes.
As for the auto box, I have come from a TVR so this was a big question for me, also in my 30's so a in my opinion too young for a slush box. Mine is the 6sp but I test drove the 5 and in normal driving didn't really notice any difference.
It has taken some getting used to when driving enthusiastically. For the day to day drive the auto is brilliant. When having fun I use the J gate to select the gears and do the same to pre select before an overtake. Whilst not the same as a manual it does a pretty good job and any down side is more than compensated for by the ease it makes the daily drive. I always used to cringe at the life I was taking out of my clutch when sat in traffic up hill constantly doing hill starts in Sheffield.
NIX325 said:
Hi guys,
Now I know the answer may be obvious to some in that the M3 is an all round more capable and reliable machine not to mention available as manual and not auto like the Jag but I have to admit I still have a soft spot for the Jag. Perhaps because it's a Jag and has nice swoopy lines as well as a V8 engine but am I being too ignorant to the fact that it's likely to provide headaches and less of a thrill to drive compared to the m3?
I'm not looking to buy this year - more likely next year but am noticing the 2nd hand price for either are starting at around the same price and potentially within my budget for around this time next year - £7k or so.
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Nick
What really makes you think the BMW will be more reliable??Now I know the answer may be obvious to some in that the M3 is an all round more capable and reliable machine not to mention available as manual and not auto like the Jag but I have to admit I still have a soft spot for the Jag. Perhaps because it's a Jag and has nice swoopy lines as well as a V8 engine but am I being too ignorant to the fact that it's likely to provide headaches and less of a thrill to drive compared to the m3?
I'm not looking to buy this year - more likely next year but am noticing the 2nd hand price for either are starting at around the same price and potentially within my budget for around this time next year - £7k or so.
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Nick
Again thanks for all the responses. If I'm in the same situation I'm in next year then the car will only be used on the weekends but if something like my job changes (which it may do) and I end up driving to work perhaps the Jag could make a nicer more leisurely drive but what's the fuel consumption like? Not that I'm thinking the bmw will be better but interested to know.
Re the J gate, that's interesting, never knew about those! Think I'd miss not changing gear when going for a blast.
Am also thinking I may have to think about kiddies at some point. We get married in 2 weeks and after buying a house next year I should imagine we may try for kids the year after. Could a baby seat fit in the back of the Jag? I know the bmw would be ok.
As for reliability, I'm assuming the bmw would be better but happy to be corrected.
I'd be stepping up from a 1989 bmw 325i sport, so it's going to be quite a leap however the old thing does still put a smile on my face, I'm just ready to move on...providing I can save up enough cash given the iminent wedding/honeymoon and house buying!
Re the J gate, that's interesting, never knew about those! Think I'd miss not changing gear when going for a blast.
Am also thinking I may have to think about kiddies at some point. We get married in 2 weeks and after buying a house next year I should imagine we may try for kids the year after. Could a baby seat fit in the back of the Jag? I know the bmw would be ok.
As for reliability, I'm assuming the bmw would be better but happy to be corrected.
I'd be stepping up from a 1989 bmw 325i sport, so it's going to be quite a leap however the old thing does still put a smile on my face, I'm just ready to move on...providing I can save up enough cash given the iminent wedding/honeymoon and house buying!
Yell_M3 said:
If it helps, my mates boss just had to replace the gear box on his. £12k quoted for a car worth about £7k! Jaguar guided him to the people they actually outsource the work to, and he got it down to £10.5K...
He what?WTF is he taking a £7k Jag to a main dealer??
A used box must be peanuts to buy and I suspect you could have one rebuilt for circa £1000-1200.
NIX325 said:
Thanks Jagnet! And what's it like to drive as an auto? I'm just about to turn 30 so am not sure I'm quite ready for an automatic or a Jag for that matter but as said, I have a soft spot for them but the m3 seems to tick more of the logical/satisfaction boxes for a car of this type.
The Jags go well. The V8 suits the auto so it won't be hunting or feel sluggish, it'll just go. But it won't be as involving to drive as a proper manual. That's not to say it won't be fun or capable. Also the Jag 'J' gate allows a degree of manual control.However slap on a set of loud pipes and up the blower pulley (buy bits from the US not places like Racing Green as it's only 1/10th of the cost). And you won't likely be disappointed with the Jag.
I wouldn't be so sure that the BM will be anymore reliable. My boss used to run a M3 and traded down as it was apparently painful in the pocket dept. I don't know the details though. There are plenty of V8 jags that have done huge miles so mechanically they are pretty sound. MPG isn't great but what do you expect. high 20's is achievable on the Mway but mid teens around town. Yes you can fit a child seat in the back (a little one was the reason I went from a TVR to the Jag) but you will have to have the passenger seat somewhat forward so if your wife is tall forget it.
A pulley change on the "R" and a re-map is an easy way to get a bit more from the engine. Mine has had the lower pulley done + re-map and a Miltek exhaust that makes it a bit more audible.
A pulley change on the "R" and a re-map is an easy way to get a bit more from the engine. Mine has had the lower pulley done + re-map and a Miltek exhaust that makes it a bit more audible.
Yell_M3 said:
If it helps, my mates boss just had to replace the gear box on his. £12k quoted for a car worth about £7k! Jaguar guided him to the people they actually outsource the work to, and he got it down to £10.5K...
I've owned the M3, excellent all rounder. Still prone to the odd big bill tho' no where near the xkr.
Your mate - does he want to buy any magic beans?I've owned the M3, excellent all rounder. Still prone to the odd big bill tho' no where near the xkr.
Even getting the later 6 speeder replaced with a reconditioned unit only cost me £1800 at an indy. The Jag is mechanically very strong once the known weak points are sorted. It also looks and feels like the £50+k a car it was from the get go, not like a £20k car tarted up to sell for £50k like an M3. Very different driving experience between the two, and an odd pair to be choosing between.
300bhp/ton said:
He what?
WTF is he taking a £7k Jag to a main dealer??
A used box must be peanuts to buy and I suspect you could have one rebuilt for circa £1000-1200.
I know, I just said why not scrap it and buy another, but it seems he has some attachment to his car ... don't know the guy, but he's not stupid, and very wealthy apparently, so I'm guessing a bit of a crack pot!WTF is he taking a £7k Jag to a main dealer??
A used box must be peanuts to buy and I suspect you could have one rebuilt for circa £1000-1200.
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