Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase an XF as a hobby car, but with the mileage on these cars now, do you think the early 5L can be trusted? Timing blades, water pumps, cooling lines etc all seem to be common reoccurring issues on these engines and I wonder if I should spend more on a newer year car, but with the same engine or go for an older car with the 4.2L SC engine? The 4.2L had most of its "kinks" worked out in the S-Type, and though it doesn't produce as much power and the rear needs to be checked, it sounds like it has less issues than the 5L.

Thoughts?

 

I think it's fair to say the 4.2 is more sorted, yes. Obviously less power (but for me plenty).

 

Need to decide if the extra power is worth the water pumps and timing chain tensioners. The facelift does look better, to me at least, better seats etc.

The 4.2 SC is still a beast, plenty of power for the street, and can find them with relatively low miles if patient.

63k
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=531751284

But with either one, the miles don't matter after 8-10 years, since it becomes a rolling restoration project. That car in the ad looks clean, but notice the sagging headliner and dashboard bubbling. That is just what's visible, probably needs half of cooling system, most suspension replaced and whatever electronics sorted out. If you wanted a hobby car, you got it.

 

Thanks for the answers guys!

​​​​​Tell me if I'm wrong on my analysis of the two engines:

The 4.2L SC produces 420 hp before any mods, and if it's 2009 it comes with the cat system and updated seats, similar to the xfr in following years. Coolant reservoir, coolant pipe under super charger and plastic hoses probably would need to be replaced (far less complaints for it on XF vs stype strangely enough). Need to swap out rear axle fluid to be safe.

The 5.0 non SC produces 380 HP and very similar to the 4.2sc speeds. Water pumps, cross over pipe and tensioner bars probably need to be looked after. Coolant issues seem to cause damage much faster when they occur on the 5.0L, while the 4.2L gives some "breathing room" when you get notified. Same issues with the XFR with added issues of SC issues for an extra 90 hp.

Common issues with both cars, head liner & dash peeling, brake deterioration, issue with gear selection, trans fluid, replacing most coolant hoses because of age.

I'm in Canada, and found a 160k km (nearly 100k mile) 4.2l SC for $7600 Cad, same mileage but 5.0l is going for about 9-10k, cheapest XFR is $16,000.

I would love to get an xfr, but unless it comes under a 3rd party warranty that will cover those timing rails, I'd be hesitant to drive it, and then it just becomes a liability.

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Everything on point, couple things worth adding. The early upgraded seats are were more about how adjustable they were and inflatable lumbar, however they got many complaints about being uncomfortable and not much lateral support. If you test drive give it a good half hour to see if you can live with them. Later seats had better bolsters and comfort not to mention the nice color combinations. Similar for suspension, the early active suspension has much worse feedback for ride quality, later years dialed in some comfort instead of pretending like we drive on race tracks everywhere. Pay attention to how crashy it is over minor bumps and if you can live with that. Last but not least, sound. This is "in the ear of the beholder" category, but from lurking forums with models where both engines were available, the 4.2 is a better sounding motor. The pitch variation goes with RPM, the 5L being just guttural. As a bonus all the 4.2 needs for exhaust to sound proper is a muffler delete, the center resonator keeps it quiet enough with no drone on the freeway.

You sound like you already know these things are a gamble, so its a matter of making sure you have a reputable independent shop local and willing to work on them. Hold out for one with lower miles, they do show up if one is patient. It becomes more difficult to justify the money inevitably being thrown at it if it doesn't have much life left in it or potential for resale. Same with the upgraded sound system, the base stereo is crap so hold out for the B&W if that is important to you. Telltale logo is on the door speaker on the upgraded cars, very difficult to upgrade a base car after the fact.

It took me a few months but eventually a Portfolio popped up for me complete with the orange spice interior. If I could do it again I would wait even longer for one with lower miles, and not in black. In 3 years of ownership the purchase and maintenance total is more than a comparable facelift 5.0 I was comparing to at the time, but any supercharged Jag deserves to be kept on the road. Good luck.