Hello,

Having just handed back the nice 14 plate XJ (3.0d premium luxury) in exchange for my fixed X350 2.7d Executive I thought I'd place my thoughts about the newer car here.

My first impressions were obviously the outside - man that was a good looking car, with real menacing stance. Not quite the limousine wafter I like an XJ to be though

The interior shocked me though, asides from being black leather (Bleurgh).

There was so little wood!! I also noticed that the car lost a few features that I thought were standard on the X350 - like adjustable pedals and electrically adjustable front headrests. Does anybody know why these went away?

I'm not sure about the lacking of the J-Gate, but certainly in the 351 the shift knob got hot in the sun rather a lot.

I found the whole start stop system frustrating and annoying, with it firing up randomly (due to some electrical need I guess) ruining the serene silence. Why does the system stop operating when fuel is low?

When sat in traffic I had some **** behind me a little too close and I made the mistake of putting the car into Park gear. This put it through reverse on the way back to Drive, kicking the car into parking mode, meaning that until I hit a certain speed (I couldn't) the guy behind me was tripping the rear sensors . I liked the camera, but the front sensors were SOOO loud it was unbearable especially as it was just detecting a fir tree that I hadn't touched yet.

Loved the boot powered close and open, but the boot opening was a little small to me, more like a draw than a boot.

Anybody else driven both got any thoughts?

 

More or less what I thought, and also the window line seems much higher, so you seem to be driving a tank, (I suppose you are !!). I suppose cost has eliminated the headrest and controls adjustment, but TBH, they never get moved on my car once I adjusted it in 2010. I find all this electric control stuff is a bit OTT to be honest. Air suspension is now only on the rear, the fronts are steel coils. On the last of the X350s, and these cars, the aluminium calipers have been replaced by badly finished cast iron that soon looks really horrible through the gaps in the wheels.

 

I know the Portfolio (top spec) has electrically adjustable front headrests.

 

Only the lower-end X351s have non-painted calipers. The supercharged/supersport models have larger, painted calipers that don't rust.

 

This "feature" can be muted/turned on/off via a button on the overhead console

 

My understanding is that the boot lid opening height is adjustable; you may wish to consult your owners manual. That being said, the opening itself as defined by the body structure, is rather minimal, mostly due to styling restraints (it is difficult to be both sexy and also practical).

 

[QUOTE=johndahlheimer;993900]My understanding is that the boot lid opening height is adjustable; you may wish to consult your owners manual. That being said, the opening itself as defined by the body structure, is rather minimal, mostly due to styling restraints (it is difficult to be both sexy and also

I adjusted the height on my boot lid opening, and it will raise almost perpendicular to the ground. It's quick and easy to adjust. Instructions are in manual.

 

The "lower-end" cars are listed at £56,870 here in England. That is a lot of money and surely more than enough to fit a better finished brake caliper. They could revert to the aluminium ones for a start.

 

I have a Portfolio xj and the headrests and lumber etc are all electric plus massage in the front.

 

Pray tell, what does the term "14 plate" refer to? Just curious. Thanks.