Hi all. New to the forum...long time forum lurker:-) I've been following the XE for some time, and finally couldn't stand it any more. My local Jaguar dealer helped me locate (VERY hard to find V6 this early in their release) an EX R-Sport. The one and only he found was just about everything I was looking for and it was already built. Storm grey, Adaptive Dynamics, 19 inch black wheels, along with the black package. Given a choice, I may have opted for the non-black style of wheels, but after seeing them on some F-Types, they look pretty sweet. Red brake calipers will add a splash of color. Interior is black with oyster trim on the seats. Looks like delivery will be about June 13th or so. REALLY excited. I drove the turbo 4 that was extremely agile and peppy...but I'm a 6 kinda guy. Apparently Jaguar is going to be slow releasing the v6 in the US due to emissions numbers they have to hit in their overall inventory...regulations that I think are lame...but I guess Jaguar has to abide by them.

Anyway...great to be a part of the Jaguar family.
CRS

 

Congrats and welcome! Now post pics or "it didn't happen"!

 

Thanks for the welcome:-) When I take delivery I'll post pics for sure.

 

I don't see Red Brake caliper as an option on the configurator ... is it an option or just part of what you get with V6 R-Sport? I read on another forum that US spec cars don't have red caliper option like the Brits ...

 

Has anyone actually seen and sat in an XE?

If so, what did you think of the quality of the interior?

I ask because there has been a long, and sad, chain over on the new XF list where everyone says that the new cars are really really cheap in comparison to the older XF. The auto reviewers of the new XF, likewise, say that the quality, fit, and finish of the new XF does seem appropriate for a car costing ~$70K

Try'n to decide what to replace my S-Type with and really don't want to have to settle for an interior not befitting a Jaguar.
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)
Past Ours: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green

 

>likewise, say that the quality, fit, and finish of the new XF does seem appropriate for a car costing ~$70K

Sorry: DOESN'T seem appropriate...
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Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 whp / 259.67 torque)
Past Ours: '05 X-Type 3.0/auto Jaguar Racing Green

 

I can see where my statement cause some confusion. The red brake calipers are not an option. I"m going to have them done when I take delivery.
CRS

 

I guess the only way for you see if it matches your expectations is for you to go hands on. For the R-Sport XE at around $53000, I can say I'm not disappointed. I can see were Jauguar was trying to hit a price point...giving more weight to handling and performance.

 

I sat in one briefly at the LA auto show, the interior materials felt fine to me. But then again, I think the 987 interior is classy and clean/uncluttered, while most people think it looks "cheap". It's kind of a subjective thing ... I've never been in the old S-type, but I thought the XE R-Sport interior was comparable to my old B7 S4. This forum seems to be more US oriented - there is a XE specific forum that has a lot of Brits in it, and you can read up on some of their threads on fit/finish issues they have had. They've had the car for almost a year now, so far nothing too drastic has been reported. (Just keep in mind that it seems XE is more of a fleet car in England, lots of base model Diesel owners in the other forum).

Plan on doing a test drive next week at the local dealer - a bit dissapointed there are so few V6 RWD R-Sport models available. According to JagUSA website, there is only going to be 1 V6 R-Sport in all of SoCal, and it's down in San Diego. Seems like they don't understand their own marketing - I see the TV ads for the XE R-Sport every 5 minutes, and yet they don't have any actual V6 R-Sports for me to test drive. If they are trying to change their image with the XE and bring in younger enthusiast drivers over from 3 series/Audi, only carrying base 2.0t models in their showroom is a dumb move IMO.

 

I did about two weeks ago. It was very nice and it's definitely good quality. More room than I expected (I'm not a small guy) good headroom in the front. Rear seat nice but headroom might be tough for anyone over 6-1. Leather and other fabrics were great. Stitching well done and even. Didn't get to drive it but it felt like good quality.

 

PAB, what is your expectation and what does your current car have? It did not feel comparable to my XFR smooth leather and leather dash, but most under $100k don't.

I drove a BMW 340i after having the XE for a weekend test drive and liked the interior less than the XE. Also drove a C450 Mercedes and while that interior was nicer, the car was over $80k and was the top trim available.

And it depends on whether you are a traditionalist or not. The new cars do not have that premium interior feel compared to the previous XF and very little wood. They are much more modern though.

Sat in a new XF a few weeks ago and there is no way I'd ever trade mine unless they come out with a higher grade interior and of course brought more power. But admittedly, I'm very spoiled. In comparing it to my 08 Infiniti G35 sedan, the materials are clearly superior in the XE and I'd trade it in a heartbeat for an XE. But it's paid off and just turned 100k, so it's going to get used quite a bit more before replacement since I just use it for work.