TL;DR In the world of used F Types, do you all advise going for the base model or the S?

I've been infatuated with the F Type since I drove a friend's 2017 base and I am finally in a position to get one as my daily (<10k commute/yr)! Looking at all these 2016s off lease, the S models tend to run ~$10k more than the base model. Do you owners feel that the big brakes, active exhaust/damping, LSD, etc have been fundamental to your experience? I'm already planning to get the VAP pulley/tune and maybe do the exhaust later on, but I can't decide if the S upgrades are worth it in the long run. Are there any other configuration options that you think are absolutely critical?

Thanks for your time!

 

If you are considering the additional performance of the pulley/tune, you will probably want the 380mm front rotors and the LSD. The rest of the S upgrades are more gimmicky than anything else. If truly performance minded, you’ll want the S with the torque vector braking option (super performance brake package).

 

Hi, in my view the S is the way to go for the adaptive suspension. The suspension in the base is very hard all the time. The S is normally in a pretty comfortable level, then dials up to very hard if you put it in dynamic. If you have the adjustable function, you can set it at different levels between them. I dont, so it is either firm or hard. I thought the base on OEM 20's (Pzeros) would too hard to live with as a daily though some people do. I have the S on 21's (michelin) and it has a very nice ride, especially in the driver's seat which has been worn in. Also with the 2016's (2016 builds) there were 2 models released that year. Over here, the second was called a 2016.5. The infotainment in the latter is better, so I'd aim for that. With wheels, the OEMs weigh a tonne and the Pzeros suck, so I wouldnt bother too much about what wheels you are getting as there are some lovely light forged options (see continuing thread on that). I went for the 21 inch vorsteiner VFF 103's which look spectacular and make a noticeable improvement to handling.

If you are planning on the VAP pulley/tune, maybe the bigger brakes will come in handy as well. Mine has the big ones on the front and the smalls on the back, the big ones do look pretty special and there is plenty of stopping power.

 

After considering both about this time last year I went with the base. There are many more to choose from and I was able to find the color I wanted with all of he options as well for over $10,000 less...and only 13,000 miles. It's plenty quick for the street and I also plan a VAP tune when the warranty expires. I use it as a daily driver while getting my real kicks about once a month with a Lotus on the track.

 

I have an R, but one of the features on use on the adjustable dynamics is that I sometimes want the steering and suspension to be in dynamic, but the not the engine. I don't use it everyday, but I like having the feature for those times when I want to cruise, but don't need the engine in dynamic mode. Not sure if this is important to you.

 

I got a base premium so it has the performance seats, flat bottom steering wheel, active exhaust and a bunch of other nice things. I don't believe I miss the adaptive suspension nor the LSD - as a daily driver, the creature comforts are just fine. I spent the difference in costs on a VAP tune because Jaguar didn't make that an option to "unlock" the same engine to a "S" power output. Intel allow it with their CPUs and I guess Tesla do it with their optional Ludicrous mode(s); it would be nice if some of the mainstream makers allowed it on the options list alongside things like carbon effect trim ;-)

 

Bruce, my 2016 S suspension only has two settings (dynamic or normal). How do you adjust yours?

 

Yeah mine only has those as well but Oz has had his unlocked so that it is configurable. Apparently it is a software thing, all of the cars with adaptive dynamics have the capability to be configurable, but you have to pay for the option to be able to use it. Or know someone...

 

Bruce, all the adaptive suspension cars are the same, there are only two settings Normal or Dynamic.
All the Configurable set up does is allow you to mix and match Normal vs Dynamic across four things - suspension, steering, engine and gearbox.

 

Strewth, learned something new. I thought you could change the setting itself, lol.

Well I'd know in a week, our new XE (unloaded but not delivered) has configurable.

 

That's pretty much where my head was at. Right now I'm thinking I pick up a well-configured base model and then just swap over the brakes/rotors with some 19" wheels. I'll still come in way under the price of an S and have all the performance bits I need for now. Based on this thread and the comment below, I wasn't as worried about the diff being a safety bottleneck because apparently I can just swap it out if need be. What are your thoughts, Jaguar sage?

 

I had the 2016 V6 base and ultimately traded it in early off of lease to get a 2018 V6 S (now called R-Dynamic). I "upgraded" mostly for the LSD since I use the car as a daily commuter (approx 10K miles / 16k KMs per year) in a climate that has winter. The LSD (in my view) made a HUGE difference -- not just in the snow (yes, I had snow tires on) but also in rain with the factory tires. When driving on a wet on ramp, I found the base (depending on my speed) wasn't as glued to the ground as the S is.