Hi everyone,

I am currently driving a 2017 exige 350 but recently feel the need to scratch the f-type itch.

I am looking at a R AWD and was wondering what key options I should be getting and if there was anything I need to avoid - colour/options etc

Lastly how do these cars perform on track days. I enjoy goodwood, brands and Silverstone so hoping they can cope with track demands without costing a small fortune!

Thanks in advance for you help.

Alastair

 

Seems like we just had a thread like this, though I couldn't locate it. Here was a discussion of colors...
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...-ftype-206834/

Welcome!

 

 

The R comes pretty well apportioned from the factory. The big option is the Carbon brakes (which include special wheels, too) which is about a $14,000 option. Many of the rest of the options are personal preference. Mine has the surround stereo (which is just OK), the black pack, flat bottom steering wheel, power lift gate (nice, but not needed) slightly upgraded wheels, panorama roof, heated seats and steering wheel and some other bits I'm probably forgetting. The options I would have liked were the carbon fiber packs (dask, vents, splitter, etc). There is an option for a C/F roof, too.

Having spent years racing motorcycles, I have no interest in tracking this car (I feel too immortal in cars on the track), so I can't comment on that.

 

Most people recommend the vision package, as visibility isn't very good. I don't have it, but visibility with the top up is poor in the convertible.

You didn't mention coupe vs. convertible - highly recommend the climate pack for the convertible. The keyless entry implementation is good, and I'd recommend that too.

 

I have the base coupe and don't have the power lift gate. If there is one option that I wish I had, it would be this. I don't like the grab handle on the hatch and I often paw at the paint to close it. I wish that I could open it with the remote and then just get in the car and have it close automatically like it does with the power lift gate.

As for the vision pack although I will say while visibility is poor the Jag, you do sit so far back that a backup camera isn't an absolute must. But don't get me started on why a Corolla or Elantra have the backup camera standard on almost every model but Jaguar and Porsche have it optional on almost every model and in 2017 not even available on the base!

 

If I was having one built I'd get the cheapest stock wheels then swap them for some decent aftermarket ones. I regret not having weighed them but the stock wheels even for the 19"s are incredibly heavy (quite amazingly so, especially when you are trying to stack them), whereas the Vorsteiners that I put on are super-light. You actually can feel the difference sometimes when driving, especially (say) in acceleration through a change of direction. I'd also get the performance seats (whatever the better ones are) with the full adjustment setup, and extended leather pack, and black pack (exterior and interior). Not to disagree with Vik, but I think the cf interior looks a bit meh and wrx-ish having driven a few with it, actually I prefer the dark hex which I think is a bit more sophisticated or is that just because mine has dark hex? Pano roof is very nice on cool days, though I shut mine in summer. I'd much rather have it than not, it is quite pleasant looking out of the roof on a foresty road or with hot air balloons going over in the mornings.

 

Mine came with the faux C/F. Few things annoy me more than a faux finish...

 

 

I'm pretty sure the OEM trim pieces are real carbon fiber. I'm sure you can get knock off stuff aftermarket.

 

The OEM trim parts are often advertised as being carbon print though...
If so, not worth the money, as you can have them liquid printed (in any color or pattern you want) for way cheaper.

 

Good: The car is balanced, predictable, and as RWD very controllable with a throttle. You need to take engine cover off, but otherwise you are good with all stock setup. I heard electric diff. might overheat and go open when hooning, but don't have experience with that.

Bad: The car is heavy-ish, so front tires always take beating. Some people complain that it has too much body roll, but I don't see how you can improve it without compromising everyday driving. Stock tires (Pzero) are absolute garbage, so factor in a new set of Michelin Pilot 4S into purchase price.

Overall - equal driver's skill you will be on par with Subaru STI, Grand Sport C7, Mustang GT, base 911. You won't be able to take on C7 Z06, Nissan GT-R, 911 GT3, or Lotus Evora.

 

I can say very few things for sure, but one of them is that the dash material I have is not Carbon Fiber. I think they call it 'LINEAR VEE ALUMINUM CENTER CONSOLE WITH R BRANDING'

 

For me the answere is rather easy. I used to drive sportbikes and did a lot of trackdays all over Europe for many years (20+). After an "insident" on Spa Francorchamp F1 circuit, where it was nothing left of my bike (Yamaha R1) and driving gears (and I took some time healing as well), I figured I had pushed the luck far enough over many years.

I deceided a sporty car might be a better choice for the future, and started looking for something that was fun to drive on an ordinare road. I was not looking for a "trackday weapon", as I have found (with increased experience) that "challenge and fun" does not neccessarily mean quickest arround the track - and I have grown old enough to appreciate "fun over victory".

What I have always loved about driving a high powered 1000cc sportbike, is the fact that you need to learn to modulate the throttle. There was always more power "on tap" exciting corners than what was possible to use due to traction. Learning over time where the limits were, and learning to feel when you are at the limit due to the bikes feedback, and how to correct if exceeding the limit, was what made it all so fun. It's not easy, and it takes time - but it is so much more rewarding when you feel like you are in total control leaving long black stripes from the rear tire when exciting corners on two wheels.

Long story short - the rwd F-type R fits perfect regarding this. It is also a very comfortable car on longer trips and it looks and SOUNDS better than anything else - as a bonus.

It can be a challenging beast if you want it to be - or a beauty. So it's 4he best of two worlds - a beauty and a beast.

You won't set new track records, but you will have a blast learning to make the best of all the power that is there - both on track and/or the street.

I have had mine for 3 years, and will keep it as long as I can get in and out of it 🙂

 

That's because that isn't the carbon fiber trim. That's the standard.

 

The carbon fiber center console is here:

https://goo.gl/images/29qeDG