C Class W205 vs Jaguar XE

[V12Hunter]

Looking for a car for my wife, wanted to get everyone's thoughts on the two cars above.
Budget is around £15-17k and she commutes around 20k miles a year so needs something with comfort and a few optional extras such as heated seats, cruise control, ideally some sort of driver package (lane assist etc).

What is everyone's experience? running costs, reliability, comfort etc....

all replies appreciated

[ninjag]

I prefer the looks of the XE and it's not so common but you know what women can be like with cars, one could tick every box and be ten times better but they'd choose the other one because the seat can be raised an inch higher.

[Jag_NE]

My wife had a c class and far preferred it to my XF. Not exactly like for like, sorry!

I’d have a look at a 3 series personally, I think bmw knock the socks off equivalent merc/jag/Audi models.

[V12Hunter]

Thanks for the feedback.

any views on the AWD vs 2WD? She thinkgs AWD is essential.

[ZX10R NIN]

AWD is far from essential, I'd say look for an XE in Portfolio trim:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C220 AMG Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Out of the the two I'd probably go for the XE, but I'd probably go for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

They come with everything Bose/Adaptive Cruise/Heated everything Oh & they have the same drivetrain as the C220 above.

[Pistonheader101]

Absolutely loved my w205 - felt like driving an armchair. So comfy

[51mes]

Wouldn't go with an Infiniti...

especially gven today's headline that they are pulling out of western Europe...

[ninjag]

V12Hunter said:

Thanks for the feedback.

any views on the AWD vs 2WD? She thinkgs AWD is essential.

I used to always favour AWD not just for winter but also for extra wet grip, but it was really when pushing it in the rain. In hindsight, I find that if you drive at a sensible speed in the bad weather then 2WD with today's traction control etc is more than enough without all the hassle that comes with AWD such as poorer economy, extra tyre wear, diff fluids, things that can go wrong with AWD systems etc.

I was out in torrential rain and winds this evening with RWD no problem and I was still going reasonably quick. Just don't floor it on a corner and throw the back end out, but that's kinda obvious.

[V12Hunter]

Thanks for the feedback again all.

Interesting shout on the Infiniti - will do some research on them.

Failing that, if it doesn’t wow me (more importantly her) I think it’ll be a C class w205 AMG line 2WD as the comments above make sense and are as I thought!

Now just to figure what are the “essential” optional extras

[ZX10R NIN]

51mes said:

Wouldn't go with an Infiniti...

especially gven today's headline that they are pulling out of western Europe...

I would because as I said the drivetrain is Mercedes on all their cars apart from the Hybrid cars so buying one wouldn't be an issue for me, Nissan dealers will take up the slack. All extended warranties & service packs are being honored & you can still buy both.

[Pistonheader101]

V12Hunter said:

Thanks for the feedback again all.

Interesting shout on the Infiniti - will do some research on them.

Failing that, if it doesn’t wow me (more importantly her) I think it’ll be a C class w205 AMG line 2WD as the comments above make sense and are as I thought!

Now just to figure what are the “essential” optional extras

They come well equipped as standard, however the very min spec would I would go for is Sport or AMG line.

The pack id go for is the premium plus model.

Engine wise I found the c200 petrol to be slow at motorway speeds (but am comparing this to my mapped 335d).

[ZX10R NIN]

V12Hunter said:

Thanks for the feedback again all.

Interesting shout on the Infiniti - will do some research on them.

Failing that, if it doesn’t wow me (more importantly her) I think it’ll be a C class w205 AMG line 2WD as the comments above make sense and are as I thought!

Now just to figure what are the “essential” optional extras

The Q50's (in Sport trim) come loaded with pretty much every option the two options to look out for are the Bose upgrade & a Sunroof.