Jaguar XK or Mercedes SL R231

[themule]

I am looking for a convertible, more of a GT that an outright sports car. A Mercedes SL R231 (probably a V6 400) and a late XK X150 Portfolio are similarish money. Research suggests the Mercedes has the better build quality, is more refined and is cheaper to run but the XK more fun, is better to drive and slightly cheaper to buy. Has anyone got experience with both cars and if so how do they compare in practice? Thanks in advance .

[awooga]

I've not driven the merc, but I think you'd be surprised at how good the build quality is in the Jag, especially the post 2009 5 litre. They are different cars though - boulevard cruiser v grand touring convertible.

[DSLiverpool]

Recently I’ve gone from a SL350 sport to a XKR 2008 in emerald green.

The merc (my 3rd) was terrible as a V6 and boring to look at, as it’s the weekend car it just wasn’t special enough. The Jag in green has occasion in spades.

[Vsix and Vtec]

80% of an Aston Martin DB9, but for 20% of the running costs. My 2009 4.2 XK60 has only needed service items and fuel for the last two years. Build quality is the equal of anything else on the market, and whilst my interior colour scheme isn't the best (Black on Black with Aluminium instead of wood) it feels Premium and walking away from it always gets a glance back when I've parked up. The V8 is refined and potent, with mine being the lowest powered version of it, at a mere 300BHP. Mated to the trusted ZF 6 speed, its smooth in "D" and yet still retains the ability to be a bit of fun when you slot that J Gate lever across to "S" and activate the paddle shift behind the big leather bound wheel. Later cars got the ZF 8 speed, which is even better, although they lost the J Gate for a more modern rotary selector (with Sport moved to a button and an added function button called Dynamic mode) which I felt robbed it a little of the sense of occasion.

I guess what im saying is, the merc will be lovely, but if "quality" and "reliable" are the things you think it does better than the Jag, I think thats just reputation rather than reality. Jaguar might have dropped the ball with the Enginium engine, but the AJV8 family of engines have proved to be spectacular in longevity and character.