I've been casually looking for a 2010+ XKR for a couple of years now. (I currently own a wonderful '07 XJR)
Just came across a 10K mile '12 coupe (DOP 05/11); met red over gray. 2 or 3 owner (not clear); clean carfax. This will be a long distance, cross country driver for me...
- Roughly, what's it worth? (The "S" bit isn't of much value to me, I don't think. Is it worth much of a premium in price? I'm not a collector. I do all my own mechanical work)
- Sellers description says "S" has firmer suspension, etc. My current E46 M3 vert is too damn stiff. Is the XKR"S" another bloody skateboard, or a reasonable long distance grand touring ride?
- I read through this forum a couple years ago, and know the 5.0 can be fragile (esp overheating). With an 05/11 car, anything to really watch out for here?

Appreciate any advice...

 

Any /R-S will be easily double the price of a typical /R.
Coolant pipes under the supercharger are prone to leakage/cracking. The water pumps are also sometimes subject to fail.
Of course, with 550 HP in the -S, there are those trade-offs.

 

Just saw this car pop up on BaT. I think it will fetch high $$ because of the low mileage.

 

Think about it. , Im guessing your over 30. So , Short wheel base, Medium Weight, Great HP, Big Tires, yeah its a skateboard.
If your under 30, maybe not. Its a pleasing ride depending greatly on road surface as feedback is really good. Tire choice is Key to a quiet ride..
100 mile or less trips are easy. 500 not so much. I looked at a 650 Bimmer Vert and thats a GT cruiser.

My $0.02 others may have differing view points.

 

I wouldn't mind having an /R-S, but the price point difference is ludicrous for what it is.
Stiffer springs.
Different steering.
An extra 40 HP that you can get with a file swap in SDD.
A weird looking front end and a goofy wing on the back.
Nah, I'll keep my /R. Course I do prefer the look of the 2012+ front end. Add the catfish and maybe back to evens.

 

A face only its mother could love ...

 

As a cross-country driver myself, I would say that's gonna be too stiff for you. I had an XKR, and even that was a little stiff for that drive, but do-able. Wait for an XKR... and there's nothing better than sunset/night driving with the top down. Consider a convertible. Just sayin. (Of course the cabin of a coupe will be quieter, if that matters)
Also, beware: with the 20-inch wheels, narrow sidewall+aluminum wheels= potential for a cracked rim from rough roads.
Ask me know I know, and where it happened. (And THANK GOD the 2010, at least, has a driveable spare)
Mainly, though, the XK series is an AWESOME car for a cross country drive. I highly recommend it.

 

This really made me laugh! 😂😅🤣

[/QUOTE]

 

Thanks everyone!
(Appreciate the experienced advice)
Yeah; seems this '12 car is best seen as a low mileage collector's garage queen. As you suggested, believe I'll keep looking for a garden variety XKR, as I'll end up putting big travel miles on it. My lovely old XJR looks and drives as new, but is now pushing 155K miles - having done 9+ cross country trips with me. Phenomenal road car, IMHO...

Great forum; thank you!

 

Aside from this specific XKR-S, is there a reason you’re looking for a 2010+ model? My impression would be that a nice low miles 4.2 XKR (2007-2009 in the US) would better fit your desired use case of interstate driving. The 5.0 engines seem to be a bit more fragile especially relative to failures that could strand you without much warning - e.g. coolant leaks. The earlier 4.2s have their share of annoyances (e.g. the “duckbill”) but those seem to be more gradual problems.

 

Thing is though, that's a fake R-S because it's on a 10 or 11. I disavow those.
R-S started in 12, at least in US. If GB had them in 9-11, they were gross.

 

"Aside from this specific XKR-S, is there a reason you’re looking for a 2010+ model?..."

Thanks Ram. Honestly, no. Guess I just wanted an X150 with latest updates, etc.
The SC 4.2L V8 in my XJR is an absolute gem; still tight and smooth at 155K miles. I have done all coolant hoses, pumps, etc, etc just based on mileage, but never a problem. Zero oil usage. The XJR suspension is short-lived however. Just finished replacing all four front lower control arms for the second time in ~ 75K miles of ownership. And, old is old - regardless of mileage. Replaced the headliner last year, etc.
Its a great and truly beautiful car, way beyond the age and mileage I normally keep, but nothing I've driven recently is even close to a match.

Assume the '07 - '09 XKR's are kinda' similar to my XJR, maintenance wise? Seems the drivetrain and suspension are pretty closely related? Do they hold up OK to big mileage and long trips?

 

I will say this...and only because I haven't gotten my car on the track yet (boo!), my XK has a great, long-distance drive composure to it. I will routinely take it on 3-4 hour trips now.

Do I wish I bought the R or R-S? I will when I go to the track, which appears to be never at this point. But, I really do want to see how they'd perform as I pull my best Jeremy Clarkson impression and drive it hard.

 

While I do drive my XKR hard, I certainly don't get it up to track abuse. I have another car for that, although for the digs and not twisties. 1.4 second 0-60 is scary-fun enough for me, thirty minutes of hard lefty-righties seems like abuse to my arms and neck.
Still though, double the cost for not a lot more seems excessive. Maybe when they were new and only ten percent more would have been okay.

 

I've only had my '08 XKR for 4 months now, but I would agree with your assessment. I previously had an '03 S-type R with the 4.0 supercharged engine and also a Lincoln LS with the 3.9 normally aspirated AJ-V8, and both of those were spectacular long distance cars. I think the engines and suspensions are all quite closely related amongst all of these cars.

 

The MY2012 XK/XKRs were delivered from about 03/2011 and the US got them about the same time as the UK (important market for Jaguar) so it is quite likely to be a "real" XKR-S.

 

Look carefully at the pic. It’s actually from a very old post about body kits. This car was for sale long ago, a home made kit for an older XK.

 

I have owned three different XK verts. 2008 XK, 2012 XK (tuned and Mina exhaust) and currently own a 2012 XKR. I put roughly 50k miles on each of the earlier verts and currently have 52k on the 2012 XKR. All three have been driven on 1-3k mile road trips. IMO the 2012 XKR has been and continues to be the best of the three vehicles. Granted the water pump failed in each of the 5.0 L engines at about 35k miles and was replaced under warranty. If you are going to go for a 5.0 L car, I would go for a 2012 or later. Also remember a 2012 is now at least ten years old. In addition to the 5.0 L engine, there are some minor differences in the suspension and the R version has stiffer suspension and handles better through the twisties without creating too harsh a ride for a road trip. These are great cars and it is a shame that Jaguar discontinued them.

 

Thanks Ralph!
(I'm actively looking for a 2012+ XKR. Appreciate your advice...)

 

That's some good feedback, @Cee Jay . I wish I had the skills to throw mine around the track. I'd probably go for smooth (slow hands) instead of quick, jerky stop and go stuff anyway. Season is over so I don't see myself getting the blue beast out to Road America this year. I did drive it up to Wisconsin today for some hiking with my 16 yo kid. I may have enjoyed some of the nice curvy roads enroute. Good stuff.