[beemerbird]

Where to start........WOW!!!

Had the car for over six hours so plenty of time to do a thorough test, ended up at Sutton Bank, Ripon well pretty much all of North Yorkshire and those fantastic roads up there.

Leaving the dealership I depressed the accelerator as I would in the S5 and err instant wheel spin, set off up the road and the car simply launched itself, so reminiscent of the Porsche Turbo. This car has some serious grunt and a major kick up the arse, the mid range power is just phenominal and the noise from those quad exhausts, not quite as deep as the XK but louder especially in dynamic mode and sport mode.

So onto the familiar twisties and straight away the steering felt spot on, turns in beautifully and very good feedback. Unlike the XK I immediately felt confident and comfortable pushing on that bit more along my favourite stretch of road. Bends executed at VERY impressive speeds lets just say and for a car of its weight, length and wheelbase it flicks through the 'S' bends very competently. The mistake I did make initially was to floor it through the bends as I would in the S5.........silly mistake! There's so much power on tap I felt the back end protesting a tad, orange light illuminating BUT no loss of grip. Put brain in gear and tried again through some more twisties and much better. The key was to power out of as opposed to into, through and out of the bends......job done.

The gearbox is bloody good in the XKR tbh, it is very responsive, far less dictatorial than most auto boxes in all modes and in dynamic mode where you control the gear changes via the flappy paddles on the downshift it gives a blip of the engine for that bit of effect. It's gear changes up and down are fast and smooth. I was impressed. Ride is firmish in standard mode but more than comfortable enough even on bumpy surfaces and in dynamic/sport mode it still provides an excellent ride quality despite stiffening the dampers, quite some achievement actually.

Seats are very good providing more than enough side support both on bolsters and swab. The whole cabin is a very pleasant place to be and driving along the A1 the car simply wafted along effortlessly with just a hint of that exhaust note in the background.

I could go on but I can't really convey how good this car is tbh. It's not a balls out super sports car like the Porsche Turbo, it's not as raw and doesn't quite have the poise and grip. But if you want a car that is Jekyll and Hyde, will crusie effortlessly along the motorways then become a totally different animal on A and B roads and does involve you and does excite by the bucket load, then this is the car imho. Overtaking on A and B roads was just SO phenominal, just like the Porsche Turbo, blink of any eye and you're past and pressed back into the seat in the process.........just fantastic!

The car I had today has done 20k miles, no rattles, no squeaks, no rips or tears, feels tight as a drum and after my 6 hours of playing returned 20.7 mpg. Check out the standard spec. because it is VERY impressive, too much to list.

Is this Jaguar an old mans car........no way Guys, just no way. I'm serious, this car is something else for what it can do and what it does do. I like this car........no I love this car. At one point Steve told me to stop grinning lol.

Another surprise when I eventually returned to the dealers, they'd washed and vacced the S5, can you believe it. Never been on a test drive and had my car valeted!

[themetz]

Nice write up BB - can't help but feel bodyshape is showing it's age now (the jag, not you ). Looking forward to the next gen, and will certainly be on the list for consideration for my next change.

[Snooky]

Lovely write-up Helen. I have always loved the look of the XK/XKR. What sort of hit do they take in year 1 depreciation wise?

[jjbirch]

lovely car BB, maybe i need to take my car there for a wash, one past me only a few days ago, only thing that caught my eye was the 90's style FM ariel was like a metre long,

[ss134]

Nice write up Helen - sounds like you enjoyed your day! Very fast car 0-100mph in around 9 sec i believe so your butt dyno was right I personally like the body style, especially from the rear but Jags still have that whiff of the Golf Club about them when i see one but their image is definately changing.

Whats next on your test drive agenda?

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by Snooky

Lovely write-up Helen. I have always loved the look of the XK/XKR. What sort of hit do they take in year 1 depreciation wise?

An '09 varies from £54k up to £56k depending on mileage. Jaguar will give guaranteed values apparently. The 4.2 V8's ie the older engine ones on an '08 are still fetching high forties.

Originally Posted by jjbirch

lovely car BB, maybe i need to take my car there for a wash, one past me only a few days ago, only thing that caught my eye was the 90's style FM ariel was like a metre long,

Check out the pics jj, not an aerial in sight. The blueteeth aerial is in the rear bumper all hidden along with the FM aerial whatever.

[jjbirch]

unless it was the vert model, i can see a mark next to the fuel cap but left a bit where it should be maybe if your driving you cant see it

[Dave_3]

D.

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by ss134

Nice write up Helen - sounds like you enjoyed your day! Very fast car 0-100mph in around 9 sec i believe so your butt dyno was right I personally like the body style, especially from the rear but Jags still have that whiff of the Golf Club about them when i see one but their image is definately changing.

Whats next on your test drive agenda?

I agree Steve, probably still a bit of a whiff of the Golf Club lol but beneath that aloof exterior, if you like, there is a darker side. Honestly I was surprised, don't know why but what an all round car. I watched on youtube Steve Sutcliffe taking one around Millbrook and he reckons an indication of a supercar is to hit 150 mph at the 3/4 mile mark. The XKR hit 160 mph and went past the limiter in 5th gear. Think the M5 does too? But that growl and noise when you overtake all the numpties and it launches itself just amazing........

Hmm, what next............maybe a M3 with DCT eh Steve.

Originally Posted by jjbirch

unless it was the vert model, i can see a mark next to the fuel cap but left a bit where it should be maybe if your driving you cant see it

Nope defo nothing there I guarantee it. I had to put some fuel in it and have been over the car looking for orange peel...........none I could find. It's reflection in the pic.

[peterg1965]

Fantastic write up as always Helen. Funny old thing but I was taking a peek at XKRs on autotrader and PH today (quiet day in the office!). I really do love the look of the latest Aluminium bodied XK/XKRs ('06 on), I completely disagree with the earlier comment about them looking dated they look absolutely superb and I think it will become a classic in the future. Maybe not an E-Type classic but not far off. They are one of the finest looking mainstream sports coupes on the market if you ask me.

I would actually prefer a rag top and they can be had for less than £40K. Like this one. At that price there is some exceptionally good machinery on offer, M3 Cabs, 997 C2S Cabs and IF I was in the market it would be a very difficult call. However, I have always itched after an XK/R and I think it would win. There is also an almost practical edge to them as well the 4.2 V8 is bulletproof and well proven and it is even verging on the edge of economical in a V8 sort of way!

The garage I got the Volvo from is also a Jaguar (and Mazda) dealer, maybe I should see if I can blag an extended test drive in the XK Cab they have for sale

[Palmnuts]

Good write up Helen - surely you're running out of cars to test drive wthout buying one?

Like I said before, I do really like the Jag's but will wait until I'm just a bit older (hang on, I already drive an old mans car!).

So, you're obviously very impressed - when you getting one then?

[TMP]

Hey Helen, great review as usual
Maybe you should have your own sticky

So is the R is must have over the XK, considering the extra cash?

I was looking at the 4.2 R's a while back -in terms of value they look amazing (07 plates for 30k!!! Does anybody know are they much worse? They don't have the nice XF gear selector etc

[Em135eye]

Nice review and very nice houses in the background!!

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

I would actually prefer a rag top and they can be had for less than £40K. Like this one. At that price there is some exceptionally good machinery on offer, M3 Cabs, 997 C2S Cabs and IF I was in the market it would be a very difficult call. However, I have always itched after an XK/R and I think it would win. There is also an almost practical edge to them as well the 4.2 V8 is bulletproof and well proven and it is even verging on the edge of economical in a V8 sort of way!

The garage I got the Volvo from is also a Jaguar (and Mazda) dealer, maybe I should see if I can blag an extended test drive in the XK Cab they have for sale

Go for a test drive Peter, why not. Then go and have a test drive in the 5.0 V8 supercharged and you'll defo be hooked I reckon!

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

Like I said before, I do really like the Jag's but will wait until I'm just a bit older (hang on, I already drive an old mans car!).

So, you're obviously very impressed - when you getting one then?

Ha, ha, very good Andrew........never driven an AMG before hmmm.

Hadn't even thought of that tbh. Wish bloody Audi would hurry up with the RS5.

Originally Posted by TMP

So is the R is must have over the XK, considering the extra cash?

I was looking at the 4.2 R's a while back -in terms of value they look amazing (07 plates for 30k!!! Does anybody know are they much worse? They don't have the nice XF gear selector etc

Hell yes Tim, without a doubt. Driving dynamics, steering, power, suspension set up etc. Browsed the handbook during pub lunch and phrases like how to operate the Tracdsc should you wish to have a more involving driving experience with increased progression........go like stink it means! Charts on weather conditions and what tyres can be used and snow chains. How to set the car up for track use using the various settings available. And get this, it will run on 95 or 98 unleaded and lists 91 as an option also. There is no specification to solely use 98 RON like mine.

Blimey, where have you found an '07 one for 30k? Jag main site doesn't list one under £34k + on an '07.

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

Nice review and very nice houses in the background!!

That is the small and very picturesque village of Warter in the Yorkshire Wolds. It was 'an Estate' village. A certain very wealthy Gentleman who lives about 11 miles from me bought the village as a whole, excluding any of the 'estate' houses that had already been sold, for a cool £48 million back in the 1990's - cash!!!. Nice eh!

[Em135eye]

Hmmm - now I want my own picture postcard village. Better get saving...

I do think the XK is very good looking - prefer it to an Aston in fact.

The interior isn't to my taste though - what's going on with those door mounted blingy switches?! And the over sized (middle) Merc style steering wheel?

Sounds brilliant fun though; I guess they had an inkling you might like it when they offered it up for a test?!

[beemerbird]

Tbh they don't look blingy in the flesh. They are the switches for the 16 different seating positions and bolster firmness etc along with the 3 different memory options for seating positions.

The dial in the middle is their alternative to the auto gear selector. When you start the engine via the button, the selector in the middle rises up lol, then once in park and you switch the engine off, it sits back down again so it's flush with the centre consule.

Suppose they should be rightly confident I'd like it as it is a very good car. I've read that Tata have provided the required financial investment and pretty much left our engineers etc to get on with things. Apparently they're investing £1 billion p.a. for the next five years for Jaguar and Land Rover, reducing two factories to one large factory in the Midlands so all on one site but having an assembly plant in China.........pretty much what many other manufacturers do then ie. going abroad for assembly.

[misterS3]

Great write up

I like the 'classic' looks. There's a guy that uses the Audio place i go to in Glasgow and i saw him Saturday and his 2001 XK looks stunning still.

Out of interest (and forgetting the looks) have you tried a GTR?

[TMP]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Go for a test drive Peter, why not. Then go and have a test drive in the 5.0 V8 supercharged and you'll defo be hooked I reckon!



Ha, ha, very good Andrew........never driven an AMG before hmmm.

Hadn't even thought of that tbh. Wish bloody Audi would hurry up with the RS5.



Hell yes Tim, without a doubt. Driving dynamics, steering, power, suspension set up etc. Browsed the handbook during pub lunch and phrases like how to operate the Tracdsc should you wish to have a more involving driving experience with increased progression........go like stink it means! Charts on weather conditions and what tyres can be used and snow chains. How to set the car up for track use using the various settings available. And get this, it will run on 95 or 98 unleaded and lists 91 as an option also. There is no specification to solely use 98 RON like mine.

Blimey, where have you found an '07 one for 30k? Jag main site doesn't list one under £34k + on an '07.

mmm, need to take a closer looky at a R then
It was a few months back....one on there 32k now thoughhttp://used.jaguar.co.uk/vehicle/850...delgroups=8239
grrr the flash sites are bad for copy n paste, hope the above link works!

[M3-FAST]

Car looks great, I do like the look of the XKR's but they defo still have an old man image IMO - not many 20/30 something year olds go and buy a Jag. Pleased they finally got rid of the daft aerial off the back! Electric aerials are so 80's and they were still on the XK until recently. The one I drove the other year defo had one on.

I like the seats and dash, there is defo an air of classiness about it! Really dont like the seat controls on the door though - should be on the seat where everyone else puts 'em!

The fat rear end with big tailpipes also are a big plus point!

Not sure I agree about the lack of orange peel? The side views are covered in it (look at the reflections of the drainpipes on the front wing - with no orange peel they would not look distorted) although the bonnet looks a lot 'flatter' - not many modern cars have no orange peel nowadays, problem with modern water based paints unfortunately, although the Aston V12 Vantage next door to me at work is pretty well flawlessly flat, just suffering some light swirls in the lacquer.

How was the B&W stereo in it - I understand they are superb!?

As for washing the S5, least they could do after their sales team had been ragging it round the business park all afternoon

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by misterS3

Out of interest (and forgetting the looks) have you tried a GTR?

Funningly enough it has been mentioned. Bloke we know had a 997 turbo and now got a GTR and makes some interesting comparisons but can't choose an overall favourite? I think the GTR looks better in the flesh.

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

Car looks great, I do like the look of the XKR's but they defo still have an old man image IMO - not many 20/30 something year olds go and buy a Jag. Pleased they finally got rid of the daft aerial off the back! Electric aerials are so 80's and they were still on the XK until recently. The one I drove the other year defo had one on.

I like the seats and dash, there is defo an air of classiness about it! Really dont like the seat controls on the door though - should be on the seat where everyone else puts 'em!

The fat rear end with big tailpipes also are a big plus point!

Not sure I agree about the lack of orange peel? The side views are covered in it (look at the reflections of the drainpipes on the front wing - with no orange peel they would not look distorted) although the bonnet looks a lot 'flatter' - not many modern cars have no orange peel nowadays, problem with modern water based paints unfortunately, although the Aston V12 Vantage next door to me at work is pretty well flawlessly flat, just suffering some light swirls in the lacquer.

How was the B&W stereo in it - I understand they are superb!?

As for washing the S5, least they could do after their sales team had been ragging it round the business park all afternoon

Good job I'm not in that age group then lol.

The switches are easy to access but suppose you get used to German styling.

Good point about the orange peel, I can see it now in the pic. Safe to say it doesn't 'shout' at you in the flesh. Car has some swirl marks but that's from poor washing imo. N'owt a good detail wouldn't correct. My detailer has some horror stories about AM paint would you believe which surprised me.

Didn't bother with the stereo tbh, listened to the engine. Understand they're supposed to be good.

Damn.........they clocked my car as well then. Was so surprised they did that, salesman even said I looked as such.

Right, off to bed........had a very tiring day with that Jag ripping me arms out!

[misterS3]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Funningly enough it has been mentioned. Bloke we know had a 997 turbo and now got a GTR and makes some interesting comparisons but can't choose an overall favourite? I think the GTR looks better in the flesh.

I've never driven a 911 so have no point of reference, but since you have, try a GTR and see how it handles A-roads and how it holds boosts with its fast gear changes. I think Porsche's PDK is meant to be similar.

I think the GTR would give you a new point of reference