XF Owners - Advice Please
Discussion
Hi all, we are looking at Jaguar XF on Contract Hire and looking at the basic 3 litre diesel model.
In terms of the three trim levels, what are the significant differences between them? The standard Luxury appears to have most of the toys as standard already. Initially we were considering a Portfolio but there is a big difference in monthly costs and I would rather make the saving and put it towards another car (for myself)!
Finally, we are obtaining quotations from Lombard with whom we have done previous business but can you suggest other leasing cos?
Regards
In terms of the three trim levels, what are the significant differences between them? The standard Luxury appears to have most of the toys as standard already. Initially we were considering a Portfolio but there is a big difference in monthly costs and I would rather make the saving and put it towards another car (for myself)!
Finally, we are obtaining quotations from Lombard with whom we have done previous business but can you suggest other leasing cos?
Regards
Having had all three levels of trim now, I can give quite an educated opinion on this.
My first was the 2.7D Lux
Leather is a bit harder than the PL and Portfolio, not noticeable unless you jump out of one and into the other. Spec wise, you wont get heated windscreen, or power mirrors, which are invaluable. The seats don't have a memory setting, so if you are significantly taller than your other half, it takes an age to adjust them as they are electric. Car stereo is a bit basic, but once again you would only really notice if you had just listened to the B&W first, then listened to the base level. The 3D now comes with 18" wheels as standard which is good as the car looked odd on 17".
Secondly I had the 3 DS PL. Leather is a much softer grain and interior wood trim is Burr walnut, IMO much nicer than the Satin in the Lux. You now get the memory heated seats and keyless entry. Audio is the midrange system.
Finally I now have the 3 DS Portfolio. Portfolio gives you contrast stitching on the dash and door tops, Suede roof headlining, Xenon adaptive lights,B&W audio with IPod/USB interface & DAB, Heated and cooled seats, Tyre pressure monitor, Luxury floor mats.
From the outside, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them all and only an XF spotter would be able to tell you once sat in it. You would still need to add £600 to the lux and PL for metallic paint and a top tip would be go for the reversing camera as it also gives you the front sensors, its a big old car and the front sensors are almost a must when parking. The Halogen headlights have been found to leave some owners wanting, this can be rectified by getting better bulbs, the Philips Extremes are the current favourite. Otherwise, the Xenons are extremely good if your budget can stretch.
The IPod interface gives you a USB socket as well, so you can play music off a memory stick, but if you're not overly bothered, you have an aux in socket under the center armrest as standard.
A point to note, the S model as well as being more powerful, also comes with the interior pack as standard. This gives you the sports seats with side bolsters which are very supportive. You also get the black grill, piano black interior wood and the small boot spoiler.
All the levels of trim are good value when compared to other marques and whatever you go for, I'm sure you'll love it as none of them are exactly lacking.
My first was the 2.7D Lux
Leather is a bit harder than the PL and Portfolio, not noticeable unless you jump out of one and into the other. Spec wise, you wont get heated windscreen, or power mirrors, which are invaluable. The seats don't have a memory setting, so if you are significantly taller than your other half, it takes an age to adjust them as they are electric. Car stereo is a bit basic, but once again you would only really notice if you had just listened to the B&W first, then listened to the base level. The 3D now comes with 18" wheels as standard which is good as the car looked odd on 17".
Secondly I had the 3 DS PL. Leather is a much softer grain and interior wood trim is Burr walnut, IMO much nicer than the Satin in the Lux. You now get the memory heated seats and keyless entry. Audio is the midrange system.
Finally I now have the 3 DS Portfolio. Portfolio gives you contrast stitching on the dash and door tops, Suede roof headlining, Xenon adaptive lights,B&W audio with IPod/USB interface & DAB, Heated and cooled seats, Tyre pressure monitor, Luxury floor mats.
From the outside, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them all and only an XF spotter would be able to tell you once sat in it. You would still need to add £600 to the lux and PL for metallic paint and a top tip would be go for the reversing camera as it also gives you the front sensors, its a big old car and the front sensors are almost a must when parking. The Halogen headlights have been found to leave some owners wanting, this can be rectified by getting better bulbs, the Philips Extremes are the current favourite. Otherwise, the Xenons are extremely good if your budget can stretch.
The IPod interface gives you a USB socket as well, so you can play music off a memory stick, but if you're not overly bothered, you have an aux in socket under the center armrest as standard.
A point to note, the S model as well as being more powerful, also comes with the interior pack as standard. This gives you the sports seats with side bolsters which are very supportive. You also get the black grill, piano black interior wood and the small boot spoiler.
All the levels of trim are good value when compared to other marques and whatever you go for, I'm sure you'll love it as none of them are exactly lacking.
Edited by zx10ben on Friday 12th November 00:16
I bought an 3.0 XFS in the summer and had a similar dilema... in the end I went for the Luxury (which has satnav and so on... more than most other cars) but upgrased to the S... better engine performance and as someone said, you get a much better interior and better wheels too.
The only thing i miss if the folding door mirrors, but i can live without..
The only thing i miss if the folding door mirrors, but i can live without..
Thanks for your opinions guys. Personally, I can see us opting for a Luxury but specifying some desirable options. Specifically, met paint, heated windscreen, keyless entry, xenon headlights, bigger wheels, folding mirrors and front parking sensors. Thing like the leather I'm less concerned about to be honest. Is the standard audio system any good or should that be looked at as well?
Thanks for all your opinions, it is most appreciated.
Edit - how do you gents find the XF, best in class vis a vis BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6?
Thanks for all your opinions, it is most appreciated.
Edit - how do you gents find the XF, best in class vis a vis BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6?
Edited by mc_blue on Friday 12th November 09:43
The standard audio is fine if you just listen to the radio on your daily pootle, but if you're an audiophile then the B&W is awesome.
Ref BMW, Merc etc. Its not only getting a better car etc. Its also the fact that you're driving something around with a bit of wow factor, I still have people in awe when I show them the startup sequence. Gimmicky?.....Probably, but it looks very suave!
Ref BMW, Merc etc. Its not only getting a better car etc. Its also the fact that you're driving something around with a bit of wow factor, I still have people in awe when I show them the startup sequence. Gimmicky?.....Probably, but it looks very suave!
Personally yes, but it's not for everyone. Pop to a dealer and have a sit in the sports seats, see what you think. But I love the extra oomph of the S, so much so that I had mine remapped by Spires to 305 bhp and now it decimates most things I meet on the Autobahn! Best of all, I do it in style in the XF!
Just bought my first XF. The 'S' is a lovely car but try the non-S first to see if it is enough. Personally, putting it into Sport and hitting the Dynamic button was definitely enough for my daily drive 
B&W Hi-Fi is amazing and definitely spec the reversing camera - it will pay for itself over a year in reduced scuffs and wheel scratches.
Oh - be different and don't choose the Black / Silver or Grey ones
B&W Hi-Fi is amazing and definitely spec the reversing camera - it will pay for itself over a year in reduced scuffs and wheel scratches.
Oh - be different and don't choose the Black / Silver or Grey ones
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