SV8 THE performance barge bargain

[hoppo4.2]

So having sold my M5 last year and having massive problems with it's replacement (long story).
I went all sensible and got a 330d (not sure what came over me) I doesn't want to pump loads of cash at something so what can you get for 330d money in the performance saloon would. NOT A LOT.

The world had gone mad even rough as e46 m3's as the same same money now as a half decent one 5 years ago.

However there is 1 car that fitted the bill just right.
As big and comfortable as the 5 series v8 engine sub 6 seconds 0-60 and a few toys. Enter the jaguar xf sv8.

[thatguy11]

Looks proper, more pics!!

[MorganP104]

Lovely looking car. A mate of mine has a facelift 3.0 diesel in that colour - classy looking thing.

[BlueHave]

I do like a smoke grey XF, just looks better than a standard silver or black one.

Did they ever make a clear headlight indicator kit of the XF?

[steve-5snwi]

I do like that a lot.

[pstruck]

Like these a lot. Don't know what the running costs are like, but I think they're hansome beasts and with a V8 what's not to like?

[Nunga]

The only problem with early XFs is how much more modern the facelifted ones look. Looks good from every angle other than directly in front. The Super V8s are a real bargain at the moment though, and the grey looks excellent.

[Jimmy Recard]

Do the bonnet and lights meet properly or is it the picture?

[hoppo4.2]

So the supercharged v8 is around 420 bhp and in all honesty it feels quite tame compared to the m5 or the e63. Its VERY QUIET and muted. But has a distant raw. The charger is much quieter than the s-type r and xjr I had a while ago.

The cabin build quality is excellent it's silent at speed no rattles or squeaks and the info centre and sat nav are worlds ahead of both the e60 and w212.

Gearboxes.
Let's start by saying that I love the SMG box in the e60.
I know thats controversial but it's a big part of what makes the car feel special. The six speed box in the sv8 is very very good and it's quick in manual mode but it's a bit to biased to comfort

Mpg

Round town m5 12.5
Run 22
E63 town 18
Run 26
Jag (2weeks) 19.8
Run (1 trip very busy) 28

So what's it really like?

Very very civilised. Its so quiet and smooth you have no real concept of how fast your going. As a result is never feels fast. Its almost like they tried to hide the sportyness. Where as the m5 shoves it in your face all the time and the e63 pretends to hide it but then rips your face off.

It's hard to believe that it's 4years newer but about a third of the price of the bm or Merc.

It's probably best to think of it as a 550 msport rather than an m5. I'd love to give an xfr A go for comparison?

[hoppo4.2]

I think the bonnet was just open as I'd just washed it.

[ali_XFR]

Love these cars. Had one for about six months about four years ago. Agree with you that it's almost like Jag hid the performance away but it's definitely still there. A set of back boxes (Spires, Mina Gallery etc) would transform the noise. Some owners have removed the plasticky engine cover which liberates a little more supercharger noise but I can't say that I heard much of a difference.



That was mine (excuse the overly HDR'd pic). It had to go due to change of job and massively increased commute but a few years later I bought an XFR, which is a step on from the SV8 in terms of performance, but again too muted as standard. I definitely prefer the wheels on the SV8- can't helping they would look great on an XFR.