Hi All,
I currently have a 2004 XJ8 as my daily driver. I am considering the leap to the X250 supercharged. Does anyone have any insights or have you made the change and liked it or not liked it. I REALLY still enjoy the XJ and do not much care for the new one's interior so the XF has my eye right now. Considering a 2011 or 2012 XF Supercharged model.

Any annoyances you have appreciated... (ie. no sunglass holder)

Regards,
Tom
2004 XJ8
205,000 miles and still purring....

 

I did just that! Had a 2004 XJ with 34,000 miles. A great car with very few problems. I sold it and bought a new 2012 XF Base. I really am glad I made the change with the '12 model. The Base had everything I wanted(+auto-entry system), and the NA 5.0 V8. I love it and have had more complements on it than any other car I have owned.

 

Going from the XJ to the XF you will immediately notice the ride is stiffer but the 5.0 V8 is significantly better than the 4.2 V8. 300 HP vs 385 HP. The XFR has an even stiffer suspension. I would go with a 2012 NA XF. Test drive both and then make a decision. The XF/XFR is a wonderful car! You can't go wrong.

 

I am thinking the same thing because I am kinda over the air suspension and although the suspension is stiffer on xf models it is still very smooth.

 

That's right! No air suspension, no compressor, no leveling system, etc.!


I think we get really spoiled with the ride of the XJ so in comparison EVERYTHING feels bumpy. But that 5.0 V8 and the exhaust sound is very nice! Overall the XF is a sportier car but still very unique and elegant.

 

The XF is tuned as a drivers car. While it is a stiff ride, how it handles the bumps and curves in the road makes you smile as the driver. It almost feels like it's on a magnetic monorail. For the passengers, it's not a luxurious ride. It's stiff for them.

Since the back seat is so unroomy, Jag is sending a message to you that the XF is not about the passengers.

 

Thanks guys...
I have it narrowed to either a 2011 or 2012 Supercharged XF.

My XJ8 has 205k miles and the rear lower bushings are toast... Tires are due also, I test drove the XF Supercharged. Suspension feels close, maybe a little tighter, to my worn out XJ.

I am wanting MORE horsepower as I have gotten used to the 300 I have. Funny, when I jump into the company F150 or my wife's Mountaineer, both V8's - they make a lot of noise but don't go anywhere when you punch it compared to the Jag....

Unfortunately, the weather was not so good last week, (Minnesota) so I couldn't see what the 470 HP would feel like. I will have to wait until I pull the trigger.

I did check the rear leg room. While not near the same as the XJ both my wife and I are short, (5'6, 5'3) so where I had the front seat set there was sufficient room in the back for the occasional passenger... Usually the two wives.

Regards,
Tom
2004 XJ8 205K

 

If you can swing the 2012, I would get over the '11. The seats, switches feel as some other improvements are worth it. I love my Supercharged and would miss the power. Good luck.

 

At those heights, you will have plenty of room in the rear seat since your front seats will be up so much. I am 6'1" so it's not good when someone has to sit behind me, but it's also rare in my case to have people in the back. I just move the steering wheel all the way forward, and then move my seat up a couple of inches.

 

if you drive alot id get a visor extender, they just made it awfully short for the new gens.

 

I did it -
took home a 2011 XF Supercharged this evening....
dealer loaner car 17,520 miles
$36,425

Let the fun begin....
options on it are Jet Liner, Heated Windscreen.
(I see what you mean by the funny glare from the heating elements)

Tom
2004 XJ8
and now a new to me
2011 XF SC whew whooooo

 

congratulations! now if it would only warm up so you could use all that power!

 

Congrats great choice. If I could go back, I would have got the Supercharged - but I still love my NA V8 .

 

ISN'T THAT THE TRUTH...
fish tailed rear end at 50mph kick-down... That was fun

Tom
04 XJ8
11 XF SC

 

Congratulations! What color combo did you get? Do you have the Selena wheels?

 

Lunar Gray, Black Interior/Ivory Stitch, Jet Suede Liner, Dark Oak Veneer - Gorgeous!!
YES - Selena Wheels! 8.5 front, 9.5 rear

Let the mod's begin...
pulley and tune to follow