Interesting. Is the SWB floor a shortened LWB, or does the LWB have a 4.5" plug?...or two different floors? Does the LWB share the same wiring harness with an extra extension in the middle?

I have one of both of each and love them both for different reasons.

wombat

 

In Europe, the SWB seems much more appreciated; the second hand market is very difficult for LWBs.

I think the LWB was developed more for the Asian and US markets.

 

Yes the SWB is a shortened LWB. Nothing was added to the LWB as the designer (I think Ian Callum?) said the lines of the car required the LWB but the market realities also demanded a SWB version because of size the car. This is all just second hand stories too! So maybe or maybe not true?
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I agree that the SWB looks better, the LWB looks too much stretched to me, too much out of proportion.
By the way, I have the same SWB but in black and the same wheels, love them and love the combination.
The only thing I like better from the LWB are the make-up mirrors in the back.
I miss them in the SWB, as a curiosity, and if I would ever buy a LWB it would only be for those mirrors which I also have, exactly the same, in my 1996 Daimler Century V12 6.0 (standard and only in LWB) which has exactly the same outside size as the 2012 XJ SWB. 5m125cm.
I have big passengers regularly in the back of both of them and never any complaints, on the contrary, so don't need any more space whatsoever.
Parking difference doesn't really matter to me by the way, but ofcourse it's less convenient parking the LWB.

 

As far as XJs, I've had a 2002, 2009 and now a XJ8L Portfolio Edition and it drives superbly on all surfaces and is very, very comfortable and roomy for all inside. I am getting super good mileage on the road and decent
mileage in the city. I bought a used one on EBay and was able to review repair records, etc. You can do a VIN check on several sites and you could always have it inspected by a good mechanic where it is and before you
purchase.
Ken In WV

 

At least in the US, the LWB had a significant price advantage over the SWB. The Portfolio interior option on the SWB was virtually the same price as the LWB, which came with the Portfolio trim as standard.

 

Buy it

 

It was 7 YEARS AGO and he didn't.





Some threads just never die.

Graham

 

What a "wuss" he turned out to be!! (I wonder if she's still his wife.....)

 

Yes very old thread!!
One other difference is you can't get the rear door window sun screens on the SWB car. That is only available on the LWB cars.
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