I have always been a BMW guy. Not for the status, but because I love the car. After a few 5 series, I got my wife a 750Li. She loves it. It's a hell of a car, with power reclining rear seats, heat and AC seats front and back, etc.
I do like the car.
Then I got my XJR. Wow. It sounds like my Porsche 911 C4, and is every bit as quick. The quality is much better than the BMW, and the ride is far better. The Jag fits me.

But the biggest difference?
When I go on the BMW forum, I feel depressed about things that haven't happened yet, but might. It's a seriously complicated car.
When I come here, I am reinforced in my passion for the Jaguar. Nothing I read scares me away. The funny thing is that people still think the BMW is a better machine, and that Jags are unreliable.

I am thrilled to finally own a Jaguar, and I think I have found my brand for years to come!

 

Amen!! Drb007

 

congrats on the Jag. I know what you mean, i considered a 750...but something about it just didnt feel right to me, it didnt get me excited like the Jag did

the other awesome part is that i can throw a rock and hit a 750....but i dont see too many XJ's..i love the exclusivity

 

A Jaguar is an honest bit of kit that responds to TLC like an old labrador. Yes, I think the stupid thing is alive. So sue me! ;o)

A BMW, well - that's just a machine.

 

I have also owned a couple BMW's as well as a Mercedes Benz (in the form of a Chrysler Crossfire).

I loved the BMW's. I never had any issues outside of wear and tear items. They are very much machines. I don't think they have a lot of personality. They are very common as well. I never found myself talking to my BMW's like I talk to my Jaguar.

I did spend a lot of time swearing at that Mercedes Benz though!

 

I agree Drb007. My wife's car is an Audi A8L. A wonderful machine that has been a good car for us (other than a few sensors that cost$$$). However, there is something about the Jag that makes it more "personal", refined, special. Hard to explain unless you have one.

 

Drb007,

You are correct about the public's perception of Jaguar in general. I was looking at a demo XJ in the mall a few days ago, as an older woman walks to the car and starts saying how she hates the styling and they are unreliable, lacking in quality. Then, she states whenever you park them, you have to put a pan underneath to catch the oil(i think her friend owned one).....stupidest comment i have ever heard, espcially on a new vehicle.
I told her she was very wrong and needs to go drive one, without even disclosing that i own a XF.

Jaguars are awesome. I was highly considering a E550, but for some reason i wasn't excited about the car.

 

My first 'premium/ luxury' type of car was in the summer of 1997 when I placed an order for a new 1998 BMW 318i. It was black with tan interior. To this day, I have a very vivid and fond memory of picking up the car at the Kansas City BMW dealership on that nice fall Saturday morning -- it was like my first kiss and is what got me hooked on cars.

So, BMW's will always have a special place in my heart.

I've since sold the car and over the years have gotten to what I have today. I can't exactly describe the feeling about Jaguar's, except that they have a distinct sort of sophistication and class. It's kind of like being in a gentleman's pub. I think it has to do with the long body lines, the high-tech aluminum bodywork, and the leather interior with all of the wood paneling.

Over the years, I've heard a few forum members describe the ownership experience of Jaguars as kind of like dating a high maintenance supermodel.

 

Agreed on the BMWs being so commonplace.

There are several BMWs I like but I've really come to enjoy being the odd-man-out with a Jaguar. With a BMW I'd feel lost in the crowd.

Cheers
DD

 

I went from a 540 to an XJR. Never regretted it. I looked at e Class Mercs, newer 5Series BMWs, even Audi A6s. But nothing looked and felt like the Jag.

 

I love my BMW. I love driving it, I love that it'a vert & it's a 5spd. I love everything about. I'm very passionate about my BMW & i've modded it extensively. It's one of the most reliable cars i've ever owned. I preform maintence on that car because I want to, not because I have to. It's an act of love.

But I feel exactly how you feel about other BMW's, MB's & Lexus. You get lost in the crowd. The Jag will get you noticed because of it's timeless style & uniqueness, & frankly I just don't see many of them on the road.

The ones on used car lot's are forgotten about they sit for months at a time so the prices are more than reasonable.

 

I live in a small village with about 9,000 residence. There are at least 20 BMW's is this area. I am the only one with a Jaguar or put another way I am the only one showing a bit of class and good taste. I love it.

 

Who knows? I may have to try a BMW someday, (I HAVE looked) but I have always been drawn more toward Jaguars for their classic "old world" charm. They just seem more inviting. Also like others in this thread have mentioned, I enjoy the exclusivity. There are actually quite a few X and S types around where I live but not so many XJ8s.

 

I can totally relate to this whole thread. I owned a '83 911SC Targa followed by a '94 964 C2 as my primary drivers for 10 years.

Got married and when the first son came, I had to give up the 911s in favor of a family sedan. I had owned a 633CSi 5-speed prior to the 911s and had always favored the Beemers.

We looked at the Audi A6 (great driver, but kind of plasticky), the A8 was 1/3 more than the Jag, the M5 was awesome but not as family friendly, the 545 which was too gadgety, and then the XJR.

My very first car was a 1959 MGA, so the British mystique and charm has been in my blood from very early. (So has the disdain for Lucas electrics.) I wish there was such a thing as an affordable, reliable Mk1 sedan.

Anyway, long story short... the XJR, compared to the 964, is a very refined and luxurious "they thought of every creature comfort" motor car that can pick up her skirt and make you feel like you've been launched from an aircraft carrier. I love it. (But the designers obviously don't give a rats a%% about mechanics who have to maintain them!)