Hi all - I'm in the market for a new to me sedan to replace my aging '98 XJ8. It's been a great and mostly trouble-free car but I think it's time to move on.

After a couple drives I'm hooked on supercharged V8s but had thought about changing it up and going to MB. Then I found a super-clean loaded 2005 XJR and am thinking about sticking with Jaguar trading a little more luxury for raw power. Anyone have any considerations to push me one way or another?

Lastly, the XJR has all options I'd want and more (DVD, GPS, F/R park sensors, rear air...everything but Sepangs and a warranty). Although super-clean it has just over 50K miles so more than I'd want. Thoughts on price?

 

is this xjr for e55 or e55 amg?

 

I'm trying to decide between XJR and E55 AMG (469HP beast). Like to drive rapidly (weekend car is a 911) but am not into drag racing. Have always appreciated Jag's balance of handling and ride.

 

I was in your same boat and ultimately decided to go with the jag. My reasons were...mb's are a dime a dozen, even the e55 amgs, i see them quite a bit. I've only seen one other xjr and that was at the drag strip. I believe the looks of the jag trump the amg, both good looking cars, but the jag lines are sooo classic. Another reason was price, the e55 is gonna cost you more money. Same year, same mileage, unless you find a killer deal, that e55 is gonna cost you quite a few thousand more. Lastly, mpg's....I know, we are driving performance luxo sedans, but still, it's something to consider that 5.5 liter in a heavy *** car, drinks the fuel like no other. The xjr gets good gas mileage compared to that. What the amg has that the xjr does not is the performance. A e55 amg will out perform the xjr, simple as that, unless you plan on heavily modifying the jag.

Just my .02, I've loved jags for a long time, the performance numbers pulled me towards the e55 amg, they are def staggering, but I settled on the xjr for the classic looks, price, and mpg's

 

Exactly ! You hit the nail right on the head.....and to add to this the jaguar xjr is the bang for the buck period.

 

I have 04 VDP - softer ride than XJR and the handling is not that great. It wobbles quite a bit. Do a test drive in both.

Jags being rare has one dissadvantage: maintenence. No indie shop in my area has the tools to diagnose the 04 or newer vehicles. I have to go to the dealers for most repairs. Mercs are more popular, so you have a better chance scoring cheap parts from eBay or finding a local mechanic who specializes in German cars.

/puts flame shield on

 

I dumped a 2004 E55,it made the Jaguars look cheap.The E55 and a lot of parts that are AMG and you need to go to the dealer.Also not all Indie shop are able to do the AMG cars.

 

There's a E55 in my neighborhood that i have been stalking and trying to catch and see how we match up.

 

Oh I've seen how our cars match up with a W211 E55. It is not pretty.

IF you watch the video I posted in Sights & Sounds of my XJR vs a 350Z, the E55 beat me as bad as I beat the 350Z.

 

I will check out the video and when and if i catch the E55 thats in my neigborhood i will get back with you sincere results.

 

Great feedback - thanks all for the input. I'm not looking to win any speed contests - there's always a faster car out there anyhow - I'm more interested in a 'fast enough' car to give me an exhilarating ride but that will also be comfortable and reliable. Looks like the XJR might be the better balance for me. Now the hunt for the right car begins!

 

I had a 2006 E55..when the lease ended, i bought an '08 XJR....If I had to do it all over again, I would stick with E55....You can find a low miles 05- 06 e55 in the low 40's - high 30's. They feel about the same to 80 mph or so, but then the E55 will put bus lenghts on the JAG. Yes the Jag looks prettier and there are less of them around, but the merc. has better build quality ( the interior panel gaps are much smaller...less squeeks/ rattles etc...)...if you look closely, the body panel gaps are also much smaller...As far as MPG, I average 20-21 mpg in the Jag ( mostly highway, around 80-85 mph )..In the merc, I used to get 19-20 mpg.

Anyway, I think the E55 is a better choice....more of them around, but also more support, more parts/greater selection, large owner community, many tuning options etc...most are more reliable too ( no air suspension issues to make you car into a low-rider. no canister valve tapping noise bull**** )...I turned my merc in with 60000 miles of lead foot driving and have had a pretty much trouble free experince. which is more than I can say for my XJR with 18,000 miles on it.....Just my 2 cents

 

Thanks. So far I'm having a tough time finding a good deal on a low miles XJR in my color preferences - but E55s seem plentiful although a tad higher priced. If I end up going E55 then I'll probably pick up a VDP for my wife so we have a "luxury" car for longer road trips.