@@lefuedebout As a young ‘blade’ I once got home with my mam’s car (very late) only to find talcum powder footprints all over the inside of the windscreen…Only noticed when the light came on as I opened the door to get out,had to drive off from home,again,and find a suitable 24 hour petrol station for some late night ‘detailing’…who puts talc in their shoes ?…dodged a bullet there,ish…
Hi Jack, I have both an X100 and an X150 XKR. The X150 (2010 5L XKR) has been my daily driver for the last 11 years and has now passed 215,000 miles. Without any question whatsoever, it has been the best automobile I've ever owned in about 57 years of driving and owning cars. When I first bought, I added a pulley and tune to boost hp to about 600hp, and it's been just great. It's been tracked dozens of times and never an issue. Great reliability, immense power, comfort galore, and I can get two sets of golf clubs in the trunk every week. So, for me, I'd say that if you spread the extra cost up front over 215,000 miles and 11 years of not looking nor spending the money for a replacement, that the extra cost was well worth every penny. It's funny that as good as the X150 is, the X100 is a piece of junk. It's beautiful to look at and shows its heritage to the E-type, but other than that, there is no comparison in any category. The X150 is so far superior. Honestly, I think that Jaguar should have renamed it when it first appeared so as not to taint it with how poor the X100 was. As you know, I've had my Pantera for over 30 years. I could give it up in a second given the right compensation, but the XKR will never leave my ownership as long as I can still pilot an automobile, it has been that rewarding to own.
I used the same philosophy when I got rid of my Cayman S and got a convertible 2000 XK8. I've had it for 8 years and it has been dead reliable. I also prefer the older version because it has something the new ones lack - class. All wood dash, leather, almost zero chrome, normal gauges and no infotainment system. It has a connection to the early jags that the modern ones lack. I love it and I don't know what I'll do if/when it dies.
I think the “R” looks much nicer and that engine is just epic. People rave about the Audi 4.2 v8 - and they are good. So good that I have one myself.. BUT I still feel that the jaguar 5 litre supercharged engine is a different level altogether. Criminally underrated in my opinion.
My sister-in-law in Florida had the 5 litre supercharged version which I managed to have a drive in. It was awesome. Last year though some stupid woman decided to crash into it and wrote it off. After the accident she immediately held up her hands and said it was her fault. At a junction, she thought my sister-in-law was going to turn right for some reason despite her not signalling to do so and proceeded to drive straight into her. Idiot! In her defence she said "Nobody signals round here when they turn". 😞
I did the exact opposite with my F-Type by getting the R over the S, and I could never go to the S. I absolutely use the car in Dynamic mode all of the time and with the paddles. Do I use the gas pedal? Heck yeah. It’s addictive even 2 years on. And no I never race anything. And yes I have that sunshine smile in my face all the time. Kudos to Jag for building bonkers engines.
Excellent video! Yes, the 5-litre XKR has a lot of power - but 95% of the time it isn't accessible due to grip, traffic and other road users etc. Also, many of the advantages you mentioned are available on the non-supercharged 5-litre version. And this is the real sweet-spot: 5-litres 385bhp and performance that is very close to the 4.2 XKR. I've had mine for something like 12 years now and I can't see me ever selling it
I have had the base 2011 XK for over 7 years. I run Continental DWS06 all seasons due to cold winters in my area. The XK-R would just tear up the all seasons... it really needs sticky summer tires.
Lovely review of two lovely cars!! My own experience was a few years ago before I lost my lower right leg. I drove the older xk and then the 4.2l XKR and I found the XKR a lot closer to what I imagined the XK should have been like. The 4.2l Supercharged just has that wallop of torque that just chucks you down the road, and while the non supercharged car is no slouch I think in day to day driving that missing bottom end in the normal 4.2 would always be in my back of mind as to what is capable with the supercharger. That said, if I were to find a low mileage car in my price range and in standard trim I would be ecstatic to own it, but given the choice between the standard and the "R" well let's just say my wallet would take a beating, but I'd be happy about it! Now the 5.0l XK and 5.0l XKR I have never driven, but I have to say that for me, the older styling of the 4.2L cars in either trim look better, less cluttered and truer to what I think Ian Callum originally penned. Take care, and Happy New Year, Jack!!! I look forward to another fantastic year of reviews and the trials and tribulations of your own cars!! - Dave (in a very cold -41C Alberta, Canada)
Performance isn't the selling point of these cars anymore. The 2006-2008 non-supercharged 4.2 is the one to have long-term. The styling is pure and unadulterated. The previous owners are probably cool rich uncles and aunts whose first dream isn't overtaking a 911. The engine and components have suffered less thermal degradation.
If you want one because you think it's pretty, the standard XK is plenty. But, if you're a gearhead like me, you couldn't careless you'll only set all the bald eagles loose 10% of the time! I settled for a 2010XK with the 385hp and regretted every second I didn't get the "R". Sold it and picked up a 2015 XKR and haven't thought about the 2010 since. It now has a tune with an undersized upper pulley (roughly 600bhp, doing the lower pulley soon which will take her to near 650bhp) and trust me, those bald eagles were badass before, but them on steroids?! Oh my! lol
I've been driving since 1962 and grown up with a lot of road conditions. I'm 80 now and drive a Tiguan and tow a caravan I hate driving in the rush hour as everyone but me seems in a hurry. What I don't get Jack is driving for fun. Now that's off my chest the review of two amazing cars was great. Thanks Jack.
Mate I get that, I've been driving since 1966, I see no "fun" driving on the road these days, I have a little Mazda MX5 for days when I feel like I can get to somewhere not so busy. But most times when I need to get somewhere in town I just cycle or bus it. Traffic is no fun now, and the government "pick-pockets" are everywhere waiting for that lapse in attention.
I have a 2012 XKR and agree with everything you say, there is just so much power from 2000rpm and the power keeps on coming, yes the back end can be a bit lose in the current conditions, in part due to my 7 year old Dunlop tyres (replacing soon with Michelin pilot sport) but in the dry it's just amazing, so far I have not found anything that will keep with it on the motorway, will never sell it until they drag me out of it and try to put me in a home, note to my family never going to happen!! 😀 Great video Jack I was hoping when you got the XK you would do a back to back test with an XKR
To be honest most of the difference in price / value between these two cars is in the age and mileage difference. You can buy a 4.2 litre supercharged XKR of the same year as yours Jack, so perhaps the question should be: Is the £1,500 you'd have to pay for a similar car to yours (99k mileage), but supercharged, worth it and the answer to that is a resounding yes!
Great Jack! I opted for a facelift 5.0 n/a. Bit less complexity and better suited to hot Australian summers. So glad I did. Its such a sweet thing. A perfect GT car. A day away in the hills with that wonderful V8 burble for company is bliss. Its a rapid car at full noise, grin inducing .. not ridiculous..perfectly blended with the chassis. Mine came with only 19k km's but 10yr old rubber. New tyres transformed it. For our conditions I use 5w-30 oil changed at 5k intervals. IMO the lighter weight is for regulatory reasons rather than longevity.
Hi Jack. I just found your channel a few weeks ago when I was shopping around for an Elise and I've been ploughing through your excellent videos. The first thing I noticed was that we're clearly neighbours...your favourite local road is the same as mine, and is indeed the first place I took my Elise S2 111S when I picked her up on Thursday :). Cheers!
I researched the XK150 models for a year and bought a 2009 XKR Portfolio model. I preferred the shifter to the dial, and even though the 4.2 had 100 hp less than the 5.0 engine in the 2010 models, I felt it was more fun to drive and certainly more reliable. To buy such a car that cost 100k new for 20k is a steal in the collector car world.
The Jag XKR still looks beautiful even today. 500 + bhp, rear wheel drive, and greasy road surfaces, you are going to have to be very careful around those bends and roundabouts, that's for sure. I, until recently, had a gorgeous Jag XF 5.0 V8, and that was a great drive, but I was always a bit wary in damp conditions. A few times, the rear end would remind me about how much power the car had. You have to remember, the Jag XK was never really designed to be a sports car in the true sense of the word. It was a great GT car however
Having driven a few of these… your description is spot on! I always saw the XKR as a British muscle car. The 2015 F-Type R was similarly wild, as it had 550 hp and only rear wheel drive (AWD came in 2016).
Pedantically, it was actually 543hp, the 550 is PS. But like the XKR, the F-Type is schizophrenic - a pussy cat when pootling around town and a snarling beast when you give it some right foot.. I love it!
@@stevemawer848 This past May I bought a 2016 F-Type 3.0 S manual transmission coupe, 380HP, more than enough for the hilly and twisty New Hampshire USA roads where I live. RWD, Torsen LSD, a more analogue car than the more recent ones.
I opted out of the XKR when I swapped my Mx-5 for a 2011 5.0 XK convertible. The XKR is more complcated and 90 kilos heavier, on car that is already to heavy to be a sportscar. My 385 hp is plenty enough on a winding road. With 510 hp you´ll most likely end up in tree if you drive it in a "spirited fashion". Power is fun though! I used to have a tuned Suzuki 1100, which broke traction at 100 km/h on throttle alone.
My XKR is 2005 and the victory edition. On a motorway run it gives me at least 27 mpg. Also that year means far less road tax. Performance can be frightening but I tend to think about the price of tyres which will not last that long without some care. As you say, not a sports car but a very comfortable cruiser. Shame no drain for rear diff. But syphoning overnight and a hole drilled in the boot bodywork made an oil change possible. No problem in overtaking and a wonderful car.
Nice one Jack, I personally went through this process in the first 6 months of 2019 finally ending up with a 2010 5.0 XK convertible feeling that it covered all the bases.. in sport it’s still a beast but the XKR frightened the life out of me... must be getting old.
I will be moving to a XKR sometime next year from my F Type.My partner moans about the space in the F TYpe so agreed on a XKR softtop.I have always had a soft spot for them.
F-Type is gorgeous. Ian Callum really designed some good looking cars. I also like the last XJ although it might have been a bit controversial change. But at least it was different.
Last year I was seriously looking at getting one of these XKRs. I already own an X100 XK8 from the Final Edition batch of Coupés and wanted something faster at tighter alongside it. At 6"4 I am sad to say that I do not properly fit into an X150. Long legs being the issue. But then I tried on an F-Type V6 Coupé and it fit like a glove. Brilliant car and exactly what I wanted! Although the F-Type looks really sexy, I still have a major soft spot for these XKs.
I had a 2001 XK8, a 2004 XKR and then a 2010 XKR, all great cars. I only got out of the 2010 XKR (after 5 years) because I couldn't resist a full fat F-Type R AWD which I've now had for 5 years and have no intention of giving it up! Oh, and they've all been very reliable, contrary to the popular (ignorant) beliefs that abound.
I decided to split the difference when I bought my XK Convertible back in 2018 by going for the naturally aspirated 5.0 and it was all the engine I needed. People tend not to consider the standard XK but it still had CATS dynamic suspension, had a very similar interior, same size wheels, and still plenty of go. The only thing the n/a cars miss is any kind of LSD, and that active diff probably is good reason to go for an XKR.
I had an x100 XKR and a 4.2 x150 XKR, I liked both, both of them were a bargain, the 4.2 XKR was better and I never felt the need for the 5.0 update, I swapped the front mesh for the updated look, got the side vent covers in paint colour, painted the rear bar across the boot lid, wrapped the window trim and removed the mid silencer with x pipe, it was mapped (by previous owner) and was an epic gt cruiser. It was black metallic and the first owner had the interior trimmed in wine red leather, with new carpets (the month after delivery) at considerable expense, so it was a bit bespoke and looked great, but I needed a more practical economical car, and something a bit more sporty, so sold it on, but it was so much car for the money, got it lock down, sold it a bit later and made a few quid, even after the trim updates.
I have owned XK8 and XKR and XK and my opinion is the car i have now is the best mine is one of the last XKs convertible built for uk market unless your going to track the car or drive it in Germany the XKR just costs more to run and service so i am happy with the 5lt with all the extras you have mentioned in the XKR
Hey Jack. Great video. Perhaps a slightly unfair comparison. A more worthy one would have been either a pre-facelift 4.2 XKR or a post-facelift 5.0 normal aspirated 5.0 … I bought a 2008 4.2 XKR in 2011. It was exactly 3 years old having come off a lease. I was actually looking to buy a similar age Aston V8 Vantage but my money only stretched to the 4.3 and not the 4.7. I drove a couple and was really unimpressed with the lack of torque and the “need to thrash it” dynamics. I was actually on my way home from a test drive when I saw the XKR I went on to buy on the dealer forecourt and called in for a test drive. I was smitten and bought it on the spot. I paid £31,000 for a 3 year old immaculate car with only 38,000 miles which was originally sold for £66,000. I ran it for two hilarious grin inducing years (19,000 miles) and then sold it back to JLR for £26,000 having done nothing other that one service and some new rear tyres. Kinda regret selling it. My point I guess is that the 4.2XKR has exactly the same WTF inducing hilarity as it’s later brethren for way less money. Great content keep it up!
I think the cheaper car is just as good for what you would do in normal driving. It looks slightly better to me with the front grill for example. However if you want to be 'silly' and be forever watching out for speed cameras then pay twice the money and include the price of a few fines in your budget! That's maybe a bit flippant of me but our normal roads are so lousy now (motorways aside) I don't know that you would get significantly more enjoyment from the more expensive car, I do like the sound though! Thanks for another great review Jack. 👍👍
Great video because I’m mulling the sane question since I inherited my dad’s XK a couple of months ago. I like it but I just wish it was quicker seems the XKR is a lot quicker
I had a xjr6. Fantastic car. Could hang with Porsches and Corvettes. Ate its supercharger at 140k. Then had a XJR8. Rhat was even better till it blew a headgasket at 150k. 18mpg when driven somewhat spiritedly. Repair costs were prohibitive. Payed Ferrari repair costs for a car that was worth only its weight in scrap. Would go with a normally aspirated one.
@@ralfybaby I sold my XJR8 at just over 150k miles. Over 100k done by me. Other than bushes, tyres, brakes and a gearbox rebuild around 80k I had no problems. A local garage maintained it. Great car. I once had a lunchtime meeting in Edinburgh. Went there and back from Dorset in a day. Bank blocked my card on the 3rd tank of fuel as looked 'suspicious ' in one day
Another great comparison Jack. Looked and sounded a right laugh. You can see why the current "running out" F types with the 567bhp have four wheel drive! Perhaps that should be the next step in this test, as you've already done the Xkr in the previous e type a like shape, so how about an F type test (mk 1 and indeed the mk2 facelift model) and see which is best. Yours with the big wheels does look good. As said on one of my routes there's an original XF in black with them fitted and again looks brilliant. I think the R is a sort of poor man's Aston Martin in the same vein as the original which was so close to the DB7. Perhaps that leads onto another comparison XKR vs DB9 ?? Best wishes, Ben 🇬🇧🇺🇦🚌🚐
Correction: the Aston Martin is a rich man's F-Type! 🙂 And the F-Type is a more practical car to use every day, too, the Aston only scores on its badge.
Ditto- whats with the roof lining? Trivia- I had a XF as a company car and the pop up gear knob used to get that hot in summer when the car was parked in had to use a rag. Australia lol!
After running the 4.2 XK for 7 months I developed a love for the thing but it just lacked power being quite gutless on the motorway etc Bought a 5 litre Xkr and wow what a machine , bar the wafty rude quality that the older xk has the XKR is levels above in every way
Back to your best Jack, delivering informative videos without losing any of your humour, the quips or your genuine perspective. I think either car delivers a huge amount of presence and smiles per miles behind the wheel. While I think they would beaten in every category by a well specified manual 97 C2S let a lone a 997 Turbo, they deliver something the 911 doesn't. At the nice low price it is a car that someone on a lower budget, who isn't a UA-cam celebrity who needs to replace cars for views :), could keep for years and slowly mildly improve to develop a car to your precise taste on a low budget without the Porsche tax. A nice exhaust, mild suspension tuning, upgrade/update the interior. A patient enthusiast could have a car uniquely specified to their tastes at budget prices buying slowly and only when items are listed relatively cheaply. Opening the garage to such a beautiful car which is set up exactly to your tastes for less than a basic family car would be always catch your breath and you would feel bonded to it as it has been improved to your taste.
Waiting for No 27 to put one these tail sliders into the hedge on those greasy roads. At least, with the the 300bhp jobby, the sensible option has been chosen. S'funny though, back in the day, mid 80's for me..., a 130bhp Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI was recorded as something of a car for heroes when you were pushing on. And I had loads of fun and thrills with cars of no more than 200'ish bhp, BM 325 i, Carlton 3000 GSI, Merc 300, 911 SC. Tbh, I hardly see the point of 400.., 500 + bhp. How usable are all those horses ?
The infotainment can be massively improved with an iphone Bluetooth / USB dongle that hides neatly in the central storage box….you’ve got wayze, voice control and iTunes sounds great through the hifi - the aircon/heating system is in my view perfectly OK as it’s buttons. Late model non-supercharged cars have sufficient driver mode tweaks. The car is definitely a muscle car not an agile sports car - it’s too big - I love it.
Hello Jack! Another awesome video... and what a car! I was fortunate enough to have my XJR (X308) over here in Spain for about a decade. I agree with you that one doesn't normally 'need' the extra performance over the standard car, yet it's so easily accesible that it becomes an extra dynamic over the non supercharged models: your laughing out loud proved that! That 5litre 500hp must feel epic.. but, as you say, I don't feel it's worth 10k+ more than your Xk8. As for the Porsche 997 comparison, although a much more focused driver's car, I don't feel it appeals in such a unique way the Jaguar does... let alone reliability, costs etc., of owning one. The ideal spot seems to be the Xkr 4.2. I used my XJR as a second car, used mainly for long journeys and my local mechanic would service it. Bar a water pump needed, it never let me down over the years. Being garaged and looked after helped I'm sure. I loved that the 'traccion control off' just needed a flick - as opposed to infinite menus or having to hold down the button 10 or 15 seconds - and I did manage to de-restrict it through the... air sensor! I managed 5500rpm in top gear a couple of times.. Here in Spain it was a pleasure being part of J.E.C. (Jaguar Enthusiasts Club) and would regularly meet up for a host of different events and tours. A great crowd of people and a pleasure with.. the 30 or so members drove anything from an S type to a... D type! A big thank you to Lance for lending you his fabulous car.. and keep your Xk8. Thanks again Jack
Same reason I went with a base Boxster over the S. Neither is a speed demon but the gear spacing on the 5sp base felt better and handling was identical
The base Boxster delivers fantastic handling, delicate feedback through the steering wheel and it can do all that at speeds above and below the speed limit. Driving a standard Boxster on standard rims is a visceral pleasure at any speed. Unfortunately the S is a bit too serious and at legal speeds it always feels a bit too competent and restrained and and is always tempting you to open it up and shred your drivers licence.
I test drove an S and without thinking about it in 4th I was doing 150km/h like it was nothing. The noise was brilliant; but I really did think to myself that this is a bit ridiculous for how the gearing is, the only times I got to enjoy the handling and use the engine were in 1st and 2nd, 3rd was some absurd speed. This will make me wonder about the base model whenever I get around to it.... that 6 speed felt pretty good!
I think the 5.0 XK-R is the choice to have as you say, it effectively has two characters, a comfortable cruiser in normal and drive, and a bit angrier and noisier in dynamic with sport. The steering was modified using I think components from the F-Type for the runout R-Dynamics so you'd need the 2nd facelift models for that... The 5.0 XK-R has less supercharger whine than the 4.2 as well. The one thing I can't live with on the really early 4.2's is the 1970's pop-up radio ariel. I agree the initial 4.2's look better than the facelift you tested (which I owned with the speed pack for 8 years), but the best looking is the very late ones with the LED running lights and XK-RS headlights, they still look stunning now. If only Jaguar Classic could fit Pivi to an XK-R, would take it over an F-Type any day...
For me the facelift R looks much better. The difference is subtle like with a lot of performance models, but with this one it makes all the difference. The standard one just looks so much more pedestrian, an old man's cruiser, this one looks like an Aston DBS competitor. But otherwise this video has me thinking the 5.0 may be the sweet spot. But then the 4.2 R wouldn't have timing chain issues!
It's so nice to see a channel not shoving EV's down our throat and driving and promoting proper cars!! I'm very curious to get a V8 having never had one, I've got a 640d 3 litre twin turbo bmw, band may consider the V8 version all something different. Thanks for the interesting content.
I bought a lovely ckean 07 XJR with 99k miles for under £6k and I just LOVE it. It's a Sunday car and I'll live with the foibles, but what a bargain they are. XK8 prices are on the up I see. Cheaper to get an XK.
I think you made the right choice. The XKR looks great and has the performance to match it, but the running-costs are going to be much greater in terms of supercharger issues together with all the ancillaries, brakes, tyres and of course fuel consumption.
Great comparo Jack, your Jag is heaps ahead in the headliner stakes, that one is in pretty sad condition. Guess you could say about your Jag is, "what it lacks in horsepower it makes up for in headliner". The power stakes for roadgoing cars is a "loser game" these days.
Air cooled Porsches 964/993 have always been my dream cars. But the prices are so insane now that I've been looking for other options. XKR might actually be very good choice although it might be a bit more 928'ish. It's very beautiful car and the sounds are heavenly. And most of all, the lines are completely timeless on XK. XJS and previous XK8 had some things that I never quite liked... but this model really ticks all the boxes.
The Jag is much softer to drive in terms of feedback. A Porsche (I used to have a 987 Boxster S) is far more direct and gives loads of feedback. But then, that's the difference between a GT (the Jag) and a sports car (the Porsche). They do different things.
@@exc911ence_channel 996 is a great car, I agree. Especially the 4S which has the rear reflector. It's a great looker. For some reason Porsche got rid of that reflector which was so "quintessentially Porsche". Bad choice. I love the rear on the older cars.
You are right. It has often been so. Often, the sharper end of the range are less fun to drive, less comfortable, visually less subtle. Once a car reaches "classic" age, it is less likely to be driven hard, other than at hill climbs and similar. And this phenomenon isn't limited to bigger, faster cars. The 1015cc Citroen GS was outer and somehow more eager than the 1220. Lancia Fulvia and Alfa 105 models were often a sweeter drive with smaller engines. For road use (and O am prepared for disagreement or contempt here) the Porsche 912 was probably a better drive than most contemporary 911 models. The same can be found on motorcycles. Not always, but often. The GS750 was more usable and rideable than the GS1000... The Guzzi V50 and V65 gave more grins than some of the faster, cooler 850 models.... And so on.
Great video! made a lot sense. First question for the slippy back end, what tyres were on the car? This can make a huge difference. (F-Type owner V8 R now running Michelin PSP4's on rear)
I think I prefer the look of the facelifted car slightly and the interior looks nicer apart from the headliner😄 not sure its worth the extra price though! I have read that there are some issues with the 5.0 engine whereas the 4.2 is pretty bulletproof. What is hard to beat is just how much car you got for your money Jack which is what makes the earlier XK so tempting.
Thanks, enjoyable as usual. I'd have liked some general cost comparisons too: insurance, road tax, servicing, depreciation & mpg. Doesn't seem that Jag have upped their game re: poor headlining life since the XJ6 coupe that l ran some years ago...
The engine in that XKR is epic, although the tail-happy aspect is a bit concerning - for me anyway. I would have to test drive one to make sure I could handle it. The state of the headliner - it would drive me crazy to leave it like that.
Am I the only one on here that doesn't want more modern features ? I've not looked but I'm guessing a Big price difference between the XKR and 997. Enjoyed the review here in France.
I've had my 4.2 XKR for a little while now and like it a bit more each time I drive it. Some say the sweet spot is the 4.2 XKR and the 5.0 XK. With 420 and 380 bhp respectively. It's often said the 500bhp was a bit too much for that car. I haven't driven a 5.0 XKR so I can't say for myself. With regards the interior, part of the charm for me is the J-Gate as it gives you something a bit more mechanical to do. Either way the 4.2 non-supecharged is the weakest option so you've got the worst of the bunch. Congratulations! 😂
See, I`ve had a long line of JAguar XJ`s over the last quarter of a century, and when I went from my normal straight 6 Daimer to my X308 XJR, it didnt feel that much of an improvement, but, when I went back to driving my normal XJ`s after using the XJR extensively, the difference then felt night & day, so, although on initial impressions, it may not seem worth it, you realise over the course of time how much more dynamic the "R`s" are.. Plus, the supercharged ones are if anything, less likely to kill their uprated gearboxes than the normal ones, the extra mechanical bits on the R rarely go wrong, AND, the fuel consumption & general running costs are no different between the two in real terms.. You also have to add the depreciation into the mix, yes, it might be twice as much to buy, but, it`ll also be twice as much when its time to sell, with the possibility of it actually rising at a higher rate than the normal one as they gain classic status, as we`ve seen with the previous generations of the "R`s".
Iv got a 2008 xk which in my opinion is better looking than the R especially the front end with cleaner lines if i owned an R i would end up in a field !!
I have to say, I would prefer your car, Jack. I agree about the front bumper. Yours looks much better, and I think yours is better sounding. That XKR sounds awful. You made a good choice 👌
The state of that headliner !
Seems to be a common problem with cars these days- particularly Jags
stiletto heels? - Paul Calf
It's been quite a while since I've seen so many footprints on a headliner. Evidence of a lot of backseat action going on there! 🙂
It's terrible looking! I love how Jack ignores it.
@@lefuedebout As a young ‘blade’ I once got home with my mam’s car (very late) only to find talcum powder footprints all over the inside of the windscreen…Only noticed when the light came on as I opened the door to get out,had to drive off from home,again,and find a suitable 24 hour petrol station for some late night ‘detailing’…who puts talc in their shoes ?…dodged a bullet there,ish…
Hi Jack, I have both an X100 and an X150 XKR. The X150 (2010 5L XKR) has been my daily driver for the last 11 years and has now passed 215,000 miles. Without any question whatsoever, it has been the best automobile I've ever owned in about 57 years of driving and owning cars. When I first bought, I added a pulley and tune to boost hp to about 600hp, and it's been just great. It's been tracked dozens of times and never an issue. Great reliability, immense power, comfort galore, and I can get two sets of golf clubs in the trunk every week. So, for me, I'd say that if you spread the extra cost up front over 215,000 miles and 11 years of not looking nor spending the money for a replacement, that the extra cost was well worth every penny. It's funny that as good as the X150 is, the X100 is a piece of junk. It's beautiful to look at and shows its heritage to the E-type, but other than that, there is no comparison in any category. The X150 is so far superior. Honestly, I think that Jaguar should have renamed it when it first appeared so as not to taint it with how poor the X100 was.
As you know, I've had my Pantera for over 30 years. I could give it up in a second given the right compensation, but the XKR will never leave my ownership as long as I can still pilot an automobile, it has been that rewarding to own.
I used the same philosophy when I got rid of my Cayman S and got a convertible 2000 XK8. I've had it for 8 years and it has been dead reliable. I also prefer the older version because it has something the new ones lack - class. All wood dash, leather, almost zero chrome, normal gauges and no infotainment system. It has a connection to the early jags that the modern ones lack. I love it and I don't know what I'll do if/when it dies.
I think the “R” looks much nicer and that engine is just epic. People rave about the Audi 4.2 v8 - and they are good. So good that I have one myself.. BUT I still feel that the jaguar 5 litre supercharged engine is a different level altogether. Criminally underrated in my opinion.
My sister-in-law in Florida had the 5 litre supercharged version which I managed to have a drive in. It was awesome. Last year though some stupid woman decided to crash into it and wrote it off. After the accident she immediately held up her hands and said it was her fault. At a junction, she thought my sister-in-law was going to turn right for some reason despite her not signalling to do so and proceeded to drive straight into her. Idiot! In her defence she said "Nobody signals round here when they turn". 😞
There’s some Stiletto heal marks in the headlining
It comes with Jag ownership!
😂
I did the exact opposite with my F-Type by getting the R over the S, and I could never go to the S. I absolutely use the car in Dynamic mode all of the time and with the paddles. Do I use the gas pedal? Heck yeah. It’s addictive even 2 years on. And no I never race anything. And yes I have that sunshine smile in my face all the time. Kudos to Jag for building bonkers engines.
Excellent video!
Yes, the 5-litre XKR has a lot of power - but 95% of the time it isn't accessible due to grip, traffic and other road users etc. Also, many of the advantages you mentioned are available on the non-supercharged 5-litre version. And this is the real sweet-spot: 5-litres 385bhp and performance that is very close to the 4.2 XKR. I've had mine for something like 12 years now and I can't see me ever selling it
I have had the base 2011 XK for over 7 years. I run Continental DWS06 all seasons due to cold winters in my area. The XK-R would just tear up the all seasons... it really needs sticky summer tires.
Spot on...wrote my similar comment then saw yours..opps!
somebody has done a real hatchet job on that roof lining.
Lovely review of two lovely cars!! My own experience was a few years ago before I lost my lower right leg. I drove the older xk and then the 4.2l XKR and I found the XKR a lot closer to what I imagined the XK should have been like. The 4.2l Supercharged just has that wallop of torque that just chucks you down the road, and while the non supercharged car is no slouch I think in day to day driving that missing bottom end in the normal 4.2 would always be in my back of mind as to what is capable with the supercharger. That said, if I were to find a low mileage car in my price range and in standard trim I would be ecstatic to own it, but given the choice between the standard and the "R" well let's just say my wallet would take a beating, but I'd be happy about it! Now the 5.0l XK and 5.0l XKR I have never driven, but I have to say that for me, the older styling of the 4.2L cars in either trim look better, less cluttered and truer to what I think Ian Callum originally penned. Take care, and Happy New Year, Jack!!! I look forward to another fantastic year of reviews and the trials and tribulations of your own cars!! - Dave (in a very cold -41C Alberta, Canada)
Performance isn't the selling point of these cars anymore. The 2006-2008 non-supercharged 4.2 is the one to have long-term. The styling is pure and unadulterated. The previous owners are probably cool rich uncles and aunts whose first dream isn't overtaking a 911. The engine and components have suffered less thermal degradation.
@@BlagovestBuyukliev I would absolutely agree with your statement!! Thanks for taking the time to comment!!
If you want one because you think it's pretty, the standard XK is plenty. But, if you're a gearhead like me, you couldn't careless you'll only set all the bald eagles loose 10% of the time! I settled for a 2010XK with the 385hp and regretted every second I didn't get the "R". Sold it and picked up a 2015 XKR and haven't thought about the 2010 since. It now has a tune with an undersized upper pulley (roughly 600bhp, doing the lower pulley soon which will take her to near 650bhp) and trust me, those bald eagles were badass before, but them on steroids?! Oh my! lol
I've been driving since 1962 and grown up with a lot of road conditions. I'm 80 now and drive a Tiguan and tow a caravan I hate driving in the rush hour as everyone but me seems in a hurry. What I don't get Jack is driving for fun. Now that's off my chest the review of two amazing cars was great. Thanks Jack.
Mate I get that, I've been driving since 1966, I see no "fun" driving on the road these days, I have a little Mazda MX5 for days when I feel like I can get to somewhere not so busy. But most times when I need to get somewhere in town I just cycle or bus it. Traffic is no fun now, and the government "pick-pockets" are everywhere waiting for that lapse in attention.
I have a 2012 XKR and agree with everything you say, there is just so much power from 2000rpm and the power keeps on coming, yes the back end can be a bit lose in the current conditions, in part due to my 7 year old Dunlop tyres (replacing soon with Michelin pilot sport) but in the dry it's just amazing, so far I have not found anything that will keep with it on the motorway, will never sell it until they drag me out of it and try to put me in a home, note to my family never going to happen!! 😀 Great video Jack I was hoping when you got the XK you would do a back to back test with an XKR
Ah, your car sounds epic!
I have to say, it's clear you had a lot of fun driving this car, especially when the Supercharger kicked in. The smile on your face says it all!
To be honest most of the difference in price / value between these two cars is in the age and mileage difference.
You can buy a 4.2 litre supercharged XKR of the same year as yours Jack, so perhaps the question should be: Is the £1,500 you'd have to pay for a similar car to yours (99k mileage), but supercharged, worth it and the answer to that is a resounding yes!
Great Jack! I opted for a facelift 5.0 n/a. Bit less complexity and better suited to hot Australian summers. So glad I did. Its such a sweet thing. A perfect GT car. A day away in the hills with that wonderful V8 burble for company is bliss. Its a rapid car at full noise, grin inducing .. not ridiculous..perfectly blended with the chassis. Mine came with only 19k km's but 10yr old rubber. New tyres transformed it. For our conditions I use 5w-30 oil changed at 5k intervals. IMO the lighter weight is for regulatory reasons rather than longevity.
Having owned a few XK’s now. The 4.2 XKR is superb. 420bhp. Les weight than the 5 litre. My convertible is brilliant.😊
420 crank or at the tire?
Thanks. I have an XK/XKR on my mind and pondering the pros/cons of an XKR. Think it will be the XKR. Love these cars.
Hi Jack. I just found your channel a few weeks ago when I was shopping around for an Elise and I've been ploughing through your excellent videos. The first thing I noticed was that we're clearly neighbours...your favourite local road is the same as mine, and is indeed the first place I took my Elise S2 111S when I picked her up on Thursday :). Cheers!
I researched the XK150 models for a year and bought a 2009 XKR Portfolio model. I preferred the shifter to the dial, and even though the 4.2 had 100 hp less than the 5.0 engine in the 2010 models, I felt it was more fun to drive and certainly more reliable. To buy such a car that cost 100k new for 20k is a steal in the collector car world.
The Jag XKR still looks beautiful even today. 500 + bhp, rear wheel drive, and greasy road surfaces, you are going to have to be very careful around those bends and roundabouts, that's for sure. I, until recently, had a gorgeous Jag XF 5.0 V8, and that was a great drive, but I was always a bit wary in damp conditions. A few times, the rear end would remind me about how much power the car had. You have to remember, the Jag XK was never really designed to be a sports car in the true sense of the word. It was a great GT car however
Having driven a few of these… your description is spot on! I always saw the XKR as a British muscle car. The 2015 F-Type R was similarly wild, as it had 550 hp and only rear wheel drive (AWD came in 2016).
Pedantically, it was actually 543hp, the 550 is PS. But like the XKR, the F-Type is schizophrenic - a pussy cat when pootling around town and a snarling beast when you give it some right foot.. I love it!
@@stevemawer848 This past May I bought a 2016 F-Type 3.0 S manual transmission coupe, 380HP, more than enough for the hilly and twisty New Hampshire USA roads where I live. RWD, Torsen LSD, a more analogue car than the more recent ones.
I opted out of the XKR when I swapped my Mx-5 for a 2011 5.0 XK convertible.
The XKR is more complcated and 90 kilos heavier, on car that is already to heavy to be a sportscar. My 385 hp is plenty enough on a winding road. With 510 hp you´ll most likely end up in tree if you drive it in a "spirited fashion".
Power is fun though! I used to have a tuned Suzuki 1100, which broke traction at 100 km/h on throttle alone.
My XKR is 2005 and the victory edition. On a motorway run it gives me at least 27 mpg. Also that year means far less road tax. Performance can be frightening but I tend to think about the price of tyres which will not last that long without some care. As you say, not a sports car but a very comfortable cruiser. Shame no drain for rear diff. But syphoning overnight and a hole drilled in the boot bodywork made an oil change possible. No problem in overtaking and a wonderful car.
Nice one Jack, I personally went through this process in the first 6 months of 2019 finally ending up with a 2010 5.0 XK convertible feeling that it covered all the bases.. in sport it’s still a beast but the XKR frightened the life out of me... must be getting old.
Nice to see Jag Head linings are still made by British Leyland
That is a difficult question Jack. My heart says power, my head says no. I think my heart would win. Bugger the expense!
I will be moving to a XKR sometime next year from my F Type.My partner moans about the space in the F TYpe so agreed on a XKR softtop.I have always had a soft spot for them.
The XKR X150 is a really underrated car from that era. I also love the F type which are getting affordable now.
F-Type is gorgeous. Ian Callum really designed some good looking cars. I also like the last XJ although it might have been a bit controversial change. But at least it was different.
Last year I was seriously looking at getting one of these XKRs. I already own an X100 XK8 from the Final Edition batch of Coupés and wanted something faster at tighter alongside it. At 6"4 I am sad to say that I do not properly fit into an X150. Long legs being the issue. But then I tried on an F-Type V6 Coupé and it fit like a glove. Brilliant car and exactly what I wanted!
Although the F-Type looks really sexy, I still have a major soft spot for these XKs.
I had a 2001 XK8, a 2004 XKR and then a 2010 XKR, all great cars. I only got out of the 2010 XKR (after 5 years) because I couldn't resist a full fat F-Type R AWD which I've now had for 5 years and have no intention of giving it up! Oh, and they've all been very reliable, contrary to the popular (ignorant) beliefs that abound.
Ftype can not be compared to the XK very different cars one is a GT the other is a sports car
@@Jeffybonbon Well, you've compared them and decided they're not similar.
I decided to split the difference when I bought my XK Convertible back in 2018 by going for the naturally aspirated 5.0 and it was all the engine I needed. People tend not to consider the standard XK but it still had CATS dynamic suspension, had a very similar interior, same size wheels, and still plenty of go. The only thing the n/a cars miss is any kind of LSD, and that active diff probably is good reason to go for an XKR.
I had an x100 XKR and a 4.2 x150 XKR, I liked both, both of them were a bargain, the 4.2 XKR was better and I never felt the need for the 5.0 update, I swapped the front mesh for the updated look, got the side vent covers in paint colour, painted the rear bar across the boot lid, wrapped the window trim and removed the mid silencer with x pipe, it was mapped (by previous owner) and was an epic gt cruiser. It was black metallic and the first owner had the interior trimmed in wine red leather, with new carpets (the month after delivery) at considerable expense, so it was a bit bespoke and looked great, but I needed a more practical economical car, and something a bit more sporty, so sold it on, but it was so much car for the money, got it lock down, sold it a bit later and made a few quid, even after the trim updates.
I love the XKR!!
I have owned XK8 and XKR and XK and my opinion is the car i have now is the best mine is one of the last XKs convertible built for uk market unless your going to track the car or drive it in Germany the XKR just costs more to run and service so i am happy with the 5lt with all the extras you have mentioned in the XKR
Hey Jack. Great video. Perhaps a slightly unfair comparison. A more worthy one would have been either a pre-facelift 4.2 XKR or a post-facelift 5.0 normal aspirated 5.0 … I bought a 2008 4.2 XKR in 2011. It was exactly 3 years old having come off a lease. I was actually looking to buy a similar age Aston V8 Vantage but my money only stretched to the 4.3 and not the 4.7. I drove a couple and was really unimpressed with the lack of torque and the “need to thrash it” dynamics. I was actually on my way home from a test drive when I saw the XKR I went on to buy on the dealer forecourt and called in for a test drive. I was smitten and bought it on the spot. I paid £31,000 for a 3 year old immaculate car with only 38,000 miles which was originally sold for £66,000. I ran it for two hilarious grin inducing years (19,000 miles) and then sold it back to JLR for £26,000 having done nothing other that one service and some new rear tyres. Kinda regret selling it. My point I guess is that the 4.2XKR has exactly the same WTF inducing hilarity as it’s later brethren for way less money. Great content keep it up!
I think the cheaper car is just as good for what you would do in normal driving. It looks slightly better to me with the front grill for example. However if you want to be 'silly' and be forever watching out for speed cameras then pay twice the money and include the price of a few fines in your budget! That's maybe a bit flippant of me but our normal roads are so lousy now (motorways aside) I don't know that you would get significantly more enjoyment from the more expensive car, I do like the sound though! Thanks for another great review Jack. 👍👍
Look at Jack's face at 5:55 and 6:23 and tell me he isn't getting "significantly more enjoyment".
Great video because I’m mulling the sane question since I inherited my dad’s XK a couple of months ago. I like it but I just wish it was quicker seems the XKR is a lot quicker
I bought a 5 litre Xkr eventually
Amazing machine in comparison to the 4.2 xk
Great car. Love the super V8. The XJR8 was one of my favorites. Did over 150k miles in mine. Great value now and easy to maintain/ get parts for.
I had a xjr6. Fantastic car. Could hang with Porsches and Corvettes.
Ate its supercharger at 140k.
Then had a XJR8. Rhat was even better till it blew a headgasket at 150k. 18mpg when driven somewhat spiritedly. Repair costs were prohibitive. Payed Ferrari repair costs for a car that was worth only its weight in scrap.
Would go with a normally aspirated one.
@@ralfybaby I sold my XJR8 at just over 150k miles. Over 100k done by me. Other than bushes, tyres, brakes and a gearbox rebuild around 80k I had no problems. A local garage maintained it. Great car. I once had a lunchtime meeting in Edinburgh. Went there and back from Dorset in a day. Bank blocked my card on the 3rd tank of fuel as looked 'suspicious ' in one day
As a 997 owner. I am horrified by the lack of rear stability. But the Jag is less than half the price of my base Porsche.
Another great comparison Jack. Looked and sounded a right laugh. You can see why the current "running out" F types with the 567bhp have four wheel drive! Perhaps that should be the next step in this test, as you've already done the Xkr in the previous e type a like shape, so how about an F type test (mk 1 and indeed the mk2 facelift model) and see which is best. Yours with the big wheels does look good. As said on one of my routes there's an original XF in black with them fitted and again looks brilliant. I think the R is a sort of poor man's Aston Martin in the same vein as the original which was so close to the DB7. Perhaps that leads onto another comparison XKR vs DB9 ?? Best wishes, Ben 🇬🇧🇺🇦🚌🚐
Correction: the Aston Martin is a rich man's F-Type! 🙂 And the F-Type is a more practical car to use every day, too, the Aston only scores on its badge.
Ditto- whats with the roof lining? Trivia- I had a XF as a company car and the pop up gear knob used to get that hot in summer when the car was parked in had to use a rag. Australia lol!
I have a 2013 XKR-d, and it is a gentleman pirate!
Great video, your smile every time you accelerate makes me say that the R is the better car, by a long way
After running the 4.2 XK for 7 months I developed a love for the thing but it just lacked power being quite gutless on the motorway etc
Bought a 5 litre Xkr and wow what a machine , bar the wafty rude quality that the older xk has the XKR is levels above in every way
I use to work for them, Brilliant cars, will be buying one soon.
Back to your best Jack, delivering informative videos without losing any of your humour, the quips or your genuine perspective.
I think either car delivers a huge amount of presence and smiles per miles behind the wheel. While I think they would beaten in every category by a well specified manual 97 C2S let a lone a 997 Turbo, they deliver something the 911 doesn't. At the nice low price it is a car that someone on a lower budget, who isn't a UA-cam celebrity who needs to replace cars for views :), could keep for years and slowly mildly improve to develop a car to your precise taste on a low budget without the Porsche tax. A nice exhaust, mild suspension tuning, upgrade/update the interior. A patient enthusiast could have a car uniquely specified to their tastes at budget prices buying slowly and only when items are listed relatively cheaply.
Opening the garage to such a beautiful car which is set up exactly to your tastes for less than a basic family car would be always catch your breath and you would feel bonded to it as it has been improved to your taste.
Waiting for No 27 to put one these tail sliders into the hedge on those greasy roads. At least, with the the 300bhp jobby, the sensible option has been chosen. S'funny though, back in the day, mid 80's for me..., a 130bhp Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI was recorded as something of a car for heroes when you were pushing on. And I had loads of fun and thrills with cars of no more than 200'ish bhp, BM 325 i, Carlton 3000 GSI, Merc 300, 911 SC. Tbh, I hardly see the point of 400.., 500 + bhp. How usable are all those horses ?
Cracking video Jack
The infotainment can be massively improved with an iphone Bluetooth / USB dongle that hides neatly in the central storage box….you’ve got wayze, voice control and iTunes sounds great through the hifi - the aircon/heating system is in my view perfectly OK as it’s buttons. Late model non-supercharged cars have sufficient driver mode tweaks. The car is definitely a muscle car not an agile sports car - it’s too big - I love it.
Front control arms and good tyre condition is everything on the XK.
I got a copper black XK8 2005 and it's just lovely
Looks like that headliner used to be a nightclub carpet 😂 lovely car tho👍
Hello Jack! Another awesome video... and what a car! I was fortunate enough to have my XJR (X308) over here in Spain for about a decade. I agree with you that one doesn't normally 'need' the extra performance over the standard car, yet it's so easily accesible that it becomes an extra dynamic over the non supercharged models: your laughing out loud proved that! That 5litre 500hp must feel epic.. but, as you say, I don't feel it's worth 10k+ more than your Xk8. As for the Porsche 997 comparison, although a much more focused driver's car, I don't feel it appeals in such a unique way the Jaguar does... let alone reliability, costs etc., of owning one. The ideal spot seems to be the Xkr 4.2. I used my XJR as a second car, used mainly for long journeys and my local mechanic would service it. Bar a water pump needed, it never let me down over the years. Being garaged and looked after helped I'm sure. I loved that the 'traccion control off' just needed a flick - as opposed to infinite menus or having to hold down the button 10 or 15 seconds - and I did manage to de-restrict it through the... air sensor! I managed 5500rpm in top gear a couple of times.. Here in Spain it was a pleasure being part of J.E.C. (Jaguar Enthusiasts Club) and would regularly meet up for a host of different events and tours. A great crowd of people and a pleasure with.. the 30 or so members drove anything from an S type to a... D type!
A big thank you to Lance for lending you his fabulous car.. and keep your Xk8. Thanks again Jack
Same reason I went with a base Boxster over the S. Neither is a speed demon but the gear spacing on the 5sp base felt better and handling was identical
The base Boxster delivers fantastic handling, delicate feedback through the steering wheel and it can do all that at speeds above and below the speed limit. Driving a standard Boxster on standard rims is a visceral pleasure at any speed. Unfortunately the S is a bit too serious and at legal speeds it always feels a bit too competent and restrained and and is always tempting you to open it up and shred your drivers licence.
I test drove an S and without thinking about it in 4th I was doing 150km/h like it was nothing.
The noise was brilliant; but I really did think to myself that this is a bit ridiculous for how the gearing is, the only times I got to enjoy the handling and use the engine were in 1st and 2nd, 3rd was some absurd speed. This will make me wonder about the base model whenever I get around to it.... that 6 speed felt pretty good!
I think the 5.0 XK-R is the choice to have as you say, it effectively has two characters, a comfortable cruiser in normal and drive, and a bit angrier and noisier in dynamic with sport. The steering was modified using I think components from the F-Type for the runout R-Dynamics so you'd need the 2nd facelift models for that... The 5.0 XK-R has less supercharger whine than the 4.2 as well.
The one thing I can't live with on the really early 4.2's is the 1970's pop-up radio ariel.
I agree the initial 4.2's look better than the facelift you tested (which I owned with the speed pack for 8 years), but the best looking is the very late ones with the LED running lights and XK-RS headlights, they still look stunning now. If only Jaguar Classic could fit Pivi to an XK-R, would take it over an F-Type any day...
5.0 XKR litre every time. Its the best GT around IMO
I’d be more than happy with a 4.2 XK especially in convertible, silver car tan interior would be my perfect spec
Am I going nuts or are these the same roads Harry (Harry’s Farm/Garage) use to test drive? That low wall and dropping S bend are very familiar 🤔
It seems like a few youtubers use that bit of road now.
love the brand and their elegant styling, either will suit me!
For me the facelift R looks much better. The difference is subtle like with a lot of performance models, but with this one it makes all the difference. The standard one just looks so much more pedestrian, an old man's cruiser, this one looks like an Aston DBS competitor. But otherwise this video has me thinking the 5.0 may be the sweet spot. But then the 4.2 R wouldn't have timing chain issues!
It's so nice to see a channel not shoving EV's down our throat and driving and promoting proper cars!! I'm very curious to get a V8 having never had one, I've got a 640d 3 litre twin turbo bmw, band may consider the V8 version all something different. Thanks for the interesting content.
Just love my XKR 2011….500+ bhp and a proper V8 tune. 😎
I think the best comparison would be the 4.2 supercharged XKR vs 5.0 XK.
The sweet spot is the 5.0 XK. But my God I want that bespoke headliner...does anyone know where I can get mine customised?
Excellent review
I bought a lovely ckean 07 XJR with 99k miles for under £6k and I just LOVE it. It's a Sunday car and I'll live with the foibles, but what a bargain they are. XK8 prices are on the up I see. Cheaper to get an XK.
I'd go for the basic option every time given that driving at any speed at all is impossible in my area
I think you made the right choice. The XKR looks great and has the performance to match it, but the running-costs are going to be much greater in terms of supercharger issues together with all the ancillaries, brakes, tyres and of course fuel consumption.
I had an F Type R. Loved the power, but I truly only enjoyed it on the highway.
Great comparo Jack, your Jag is heaps ahead in the headliner stakes, that one is in pretty sad condition.
Guess you could say about your Jag is, "what it lacks in horsepower it makes up for in headliner". The power stakes for roadgoing cars is a "loser game" these days.
Air cooled Porsches 964/993 have always been my dream cars. But the prices are so insane now that I've been looking for other options. XKR might actually be very good choice although it might be a bit more 928'ish. It's very beautiful car and the sounds are heavenly. And most of all, the lines are completely timeless on XK. XJS and previous XK8 had some things that I never quite liked... but this model really ticks all the boxes.
996 is your best option. I love mine.
I’ve an XK and a 996 I’d like to keep the 996 forever and as much as I like the XK it’s not as special or as fun
The Jag is much softer to drive in terms of feedback. A Porsche (I used to have a 987 Boxster S) is far more direct and gives loads of feedback. But then, that's the difference between a GT (the Jag) and a sports car (the Porsche). They do different things.
@@exc911ence_channel 996 is a great car, I agree. Especially the 4S which has the rear reflector. It's a great looker. For some reason Porsche got rid of that reflector which was so "quintessentially Porsche". Bad choice. I love the rear on the older cars.
Yes of course. XK is more like the old 928 or Mercedes SL.
For all those commenting on the headlining, it's next on the list.
The car is a daily driver doing about 15k a year so it's never going to be perfect.
You are right.
It has often been so.
Often, the sharper end of the range are less fun to drive, less comfortable, visually less subtle.
Once a car reaches "classic" age, it is less likely to be driven hard, other than at hill climbs and similar.
And this phenomenon isn't limited to bigger, faster cars.
The 1015cc Citroen GS was outer and somehow more eager than the 1220.
Lancia Fulvia and Alfa 105 models were often a sweeter drive with smaller engines.
For road use (and O am prepared for disagreement or contempt here) the Porsche 912 was probably a better drive than most contemporary 911 models.
The same can be found on motorcycles. Not always, but often.
The GS750 was more usable and rideable than the GS1000...
The Guzzi V50 and V65 gave more grins than some of the faster, cooler 850 models....
And so on.
Fab cars, comfort for cruising with smiles when you want them. What is not to like.
Your car looks nicer and definitely has a better headliner. The sound of that XKR's engine though...
Yeah. Rough!
What the hell happened to the headlining in the XKR?
Just spotted you driving the XKR on the latest Harry’s Garage vid, thought you were using the same road 😁
That mess above your head… I can’t stop looking at it. On that point alone, yours is a better car!!!😊
A big cat is more money to feed! Great video!
A mate of mine had the XK 8 convertible,standard 4.4 engine,it was FRIGHTENINGLY fast,can’t imagine the supercharged one !
XK8s never had a 4.4 engine, early ones were 4.0, later ones 4.2. And if you think it was frightening fast, try a 5.0 XKR! Or a V8 F-Type R! 🙂
Was your Nate’s a supercharged as I have a standard XK and they’re not that quick
@@2702simmo
Who is Nate??
@@e28forever30 mate, predictive text changes it for some reason
@@2702simmo non,it was the 4.2,felt pretty quick to me for a big lump.
Awesome looking and sounding car!😎
Shame about the headlining though, what on earth happened to it??
Great video! made a lot sense. First question for the slippy back end, what tyres were on the car? This can make a huge difference. (F-Type owner V8 R now running Michelin PSP4's on rear)
Thanks for the review Jack. Was it any good?.... Totally distracted by the state of the headlining, what on earth has been going on in there?.... 😂
I think I prefer the look of the facelifted car slightly and the interior looks nicer apart from the headliner😄 not sure its worth the extra price though! I have read that there are some issues with the 5.0 engine whereas the 4.2 is pretty bulletproof. What is hard to beat is just how much car you got for your money Jack which is what makes the earlier XK so tempting.
Thanks, enjoyable as usual. I'd have liked some general cost comparisons too: insurance, road tax, servicing, depreciation & mpg. Doesn't seem that Jag have upped their game re: poor headlining life since the XJ6 coupe that l ran some years ago...
Yeah, I was surprised at that - the headlining on my 2010 XKR was perfect.
You had turned on dynamic stability control too , to switch it off you have to hold the button for ages
Had both lovely cars
I'm convinced that you buy one of these, with all the extra cost, JUST for that noise. Its the closest thing ive heard to a McMerc SLR
This XKR has a guest appearance in Harry's latest video, the BMW I5 M60. I can't see who's driving it, but it's there :)
The engine in that XKR is epic, although the tail-happy aspect is a bit concerning - for me anyway. I would have to test drive one to make sure I could handle it. The state of the headliner - it would drive me crazy to leave it like that.
Jack, XKRs are supercharged, not turbocharged.
That headliner!
Am I the only one on here that doesn't want more modern features ?
I've not looked but I'm guessing a Big price difference between the XKR and 997.
Enjoyed the review here in France.
I've had my 4.2 XKR for a little while now and like it a bit more each time I drive it.
Some say the sweet spot is the 4.2 XKR and the 5.0 XK. With 420 and 380 bhp respectively. It's often said the 500bhp was a bit too much for that car. I haven't driven a 5.0 XKR so I can't say for myself.
With regards the interior, part of the charm for me is the J-Gate as it gives you something a bit more mechanical to do.
Either way the 4.2 non-supecharged is the weakest option so you've got the worst of the bunch. Congratulations! 😂
Don’t think I’m the only one that was distracted by the state of that headlining! Looks like a car mechanic walked over it in oily boots 😂
Bought an XKR three months ago. Angry drunken pirate in a tuxedo. 😊
See, I`ve had a long line of JAguar XJ`s over the last quarter of a century, and when I went from my normal straight 6 Daimer to my X308 XJR, it didnt feel that much of an improvement, but, when I went back to driving my normal XJ`s after using the XJR extensively, the difference then felt night & day, so, although on initial impressions, it may not seem worth it, you realise over the course of time how much more dynamic the "R`s" are.. Plus, the supercharged ones are if anything, less likely to kill their uprated gearboxes than the normal ones, the extra mechanical bits on the R rarely go wrong, AND, the fuel consumption & general running costs are no different between the two in real terms.. You also have to add the depreciation into the mix, yes, it might be twice as much to buy, but, it`ll also be twice as much when its time to sell, with the possibility of it actually rising at a higher rate than the normal one as they gain classic status, as we`ve seen with the previous generations of the "R`s".
Iv got a 2008 xk which in my opinion is better looking than the R especially the front end with cleaner lines if i owned an R i would end up in a field !!
Tyre choice so crucial on these cars.
I am looking at one which had the wrong tires and was crashed sideways into something.
They must have held up, sold my 59plate 5.0 XKR convertible for 20 grand 7 years ago
I have to say, I would prefer your car, Jack. I agree about the front bumper. Yours looks much better, and I think yours is better sounding. That XKR sounds awful. You made a good choice 👌
Opening clip, is it worth it?.... XKR pulls away.... YES!