Advantages of the 4.2 engine over the 5.0?
#1
09-03-2019, 08:47 AM
Advantages of the 4.2 engine over the 5.0?
Hello fellow esteemed Jaguar enthusiasts. I spent some time searching and exploring the forums before making this post, and wanted to consolidate the community's perspective and experience about this matter.
Are there any pros of the 4.2 engine over the 5.0? The 5.0 obviously produces more power, but what about advantages the other way round?
Here are some thoughts I found expressed around the community:
1. Sounds better (?)
2. More reliable (?)
What do you think?
Are there any pros of the 4.2 engine over the 5.0? The 5.0 obviously produces more power, but what about advantages the other way round?
Here are some thoughts I found expressed around the community:
1. Sounds better (?)
2. More reliable (?)
What do you think?
Last edited by GGG; 04-25-2021 at 05:27 AM. Reason: Your thread title defies all my attempts to remove the typo!
Top Answer
09-03-2019, 03:30 PM
Veteran Member
I have both; a supercharged 4.2L 2009 XKR Portfolio Convertible with 420HP and a supercharged 5.0L 2013 XJ with 470HP. Both have approximately 45K miles but I don't drive the XKR in bad weather. I bought them after having been used by the first owners for less than 2 years. I don't put a lot of miles on either one. Neither has any engine mods.
My 4.2L engine has been bullet proof, with no repairs whatsoever and only routine maintenance. No so for the 5.0L, which is on its second water pump - the first one was replaced under warranty at 30K miles (it didn't last long). The second one was done about a month ago together with rebuilding the supercharger isolator snout. That's also a common repair.
The 4.2L exhaust note sounds much better than the 5.0L, as the pitch increases with the revs. I removed Fuse 19 to keep it from being too quiet. The 5.0L has a much lower pitch and guttural sound.
I still don't know which one I enjoy more, but they're really different and you really can't compare apples to oranges. They're both great cars. Many owners will tell you to get the more powerful 510-550HP supercharged 5.0L because it also has the E-diff and other improvements over the 4.2L. That's true, but where can you use it unless you track it? And all that power makes it a dangerous weapon in the hands of the uninitiated even with the electronic nannies.
The 5.0L power is intoxicating compared to the 4.2L because of the massive low-end torque. But the 4.2L is no slouch, and is more than adequate for most owners for everyday driving. Truth is that both 4.2L and 5.0L supercharged engines are overkill because you can't use all that power legally on the streets anywhere near my home. But it sure is fun!
And I'm told that if no one saw you do it, it never happened!
My 4.2L engine has been bullet proof, with no repairs whatsoever and only routine maintenance. No so for the 5.0L, which is on its second water pump - the first one was replaced under warranty at 30K miles (it didn't last long). The second one was done about a month ago together with rebuilding the supercharger isolator snout. That's also a common repair.
The 4.2L exhaust note sounds much better than the 5.0L, as the pitch increases with the revs. I removed Fuse 19 to keep it from being too quiet. The 5.0L has a much lower pitch and guttural sound.
I still don't know which one I enjoy more, but they're really different and you really can't compare apples to oranges. They're both great cars. Many owners will tell you to get the more powerful 510-550HP supercharged 5.0L because it also has the E-diff and other improvements over the 4.2L. That's true, but where can you use it unless you track it? And all that power makes it a dangerous weapon in the hands of the uninitiated even with the electronic nannies.
The 5.0L power is intoxicating compared to the 4.2L because of the massive low-end torque. But the 4.2L is no slouch, and is more than adequate for most owners for everyday driving. Truth is that both 4.2L and 5.0L supercharged engines are overkill because you can't use all that power legally on the streets anywhere near my home. But it sure is fun!
And I'm told that if no one saw you do it, it never happened!
Last edited by Stuart S; 09-03-2019 at 03:33 PM.
#2
09-03-2019, 09:03 AM
Veteran Member
I've never heard both, can't comment on sound.
More reliable may change with age, as the 4.2L will be an older engine, plastic and rubber ages.
The 5.0L does seem to need more care and benefits from shorter maintenance intervals.
One other aspect is the gearbox, not the same for both cars.
There are some users who have gone from a 4.2L XKR to a 5.0L XKR, in terms of performance they would never go back.
More reliable may change with age, as the 4.2L will be an older engine, plastic and rubber ages.
The 5.0L does seem to need more care and benefits from shorter maintenance intervals.
One other aspect is the gearbox, not the same for both cars.
There are some users who have gone from a 4.2L XKR to a 5.0L XKR, in terms of performance they would never go back.
#3
09-03-2019, 10:09 AM
Ironic that this is posted today, I recently was reading several post about the 5.0 liter inevitably needing to have guides and tensioners replaced, just a matter of when. I recently purchased the 4.2 because of all different post about its reliability.
I could have bought either but was more interested in replacing my X300 with something just as reliable. That being said, after driving the na 4.2 I could imagine what a blast the r version or 5 liter must be. However, after 6 months and 5000 miles I love this car!
The reason I was looking up on it is because looking forward to an F- type in the future I am trying to research the 6 cylinder versus the same 5.0.
I could have bought either but was more interested in replacing my X300 with something just as reliable. That being said, after driving the na 4.2 I could imagine what a blast the r version or 5 liter must be. However, after 6 months and 5000 miles I love this car!
The reason I was looking up on it is because looking forward to an F- type in the future I am trying to research the 6 cylinder versus the same 5.0.
#4
09-03-2019, 10:40 AM
Veteran Member
Both have their strong points. The 4.2L can have a used engine bought for less money. They don't have the water pump shenanigans the early 5.0L engines have. They don't have direct injection; but Jaguar's DI is fairly decent.
The 5.0L is more powerful and really the drawbacks are minor. I bought a 4.2 car because it was for sale reasonably priced and 420HP is nothing to sneeze at; but given time I will probably add a 5.0L SC engine in an F Type R.
The 5.0L is more powerful and really the drawbacks are minor. I bought a 4.2 car because it was for sale reasonably priced and 420HP is nothing to sneeze at; but given time I will probably add a 5.0L SC engine in an F Type R.
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#5
09-03-2019, 12:11 PM
Veteran Member
I don't think either question can be answered without bias. Sound - what type of sound are you looking for? Hard to gauge what you're really asking here.
There are guys that love different sounds from full on obnoxious "I can hear you coming from 1/4 mile away", some want a milder growl without highway drone. Some think a drone is something you fly on weekends. Personally, I want to be able to hear my wife talking (ok that's a lie, but I do want to hear my tunes.) So I prefer stock.
Reliability. Look in the X350 forums and S-Type for more information on the 4.2 supercharged. There are simply more of them so the complaints about reliability will give you a better sense.
I've had the Super Charged in an X350 and have the N/A in my XK. I learned to live without the super charged but fully admit that I loved it and I miss it.
Both 4.2 and 5.0 are reliable. They have plastic parts in the cooling system that will harden and need replacement over time. They both can have dash issues and headliner issues, something you should know given your country's climate. The 4.2 has a coolant line the runs under the supercharger and will need to be replaced. It's expensive to do and it is a question of when, not if. The 5.0 water pump os probably a question of if, not when.
I never wanted the 5.0. I'm not a fan of direct inject (my wife has it in her Cadillac). I also absolutely hate the little round "dial a gear" knob in the 2010 onward. Just personal preferences on the last two comments and no direct experience with the 5.0 models.
There are guys that love different sounds from full on obnoxious "I can hear you coming from 1/4 mile away", some want a milder growl without highway drone. Some think a drone is something you fly on weekends. Personally, I want to be able to hear my wife talking (ok that's a lie, but I do want to hear my tunes.) So I prefer stock.
Reliability. Look in the X350 forums and S-Type for more information on the 4.2 supercharged. There are simply more of them so the complaints about reliability will give you a better sense.
I've had the Super Charged in an X350 and have the N/A in my XK. I learned to live without the super charged but fully admit that I loved it and I miss it.
Both 4.2 and 5.0 are reliable. They have plastic parts in the cooling system that will harden and need replacement over time. They both can have dash issues and headliner issues, something you should know given your country's climate. The 4.2 has a coolant line the runs under the supercharger and will need to be replaced. It's expensive to do and it is a question of when, not if. The 5.0 water pump os probably a question of if, not when.
I never wanted the 5.0. I'm not a fan of direct inject (my wife has it in her Cadillac). I also absolutely hate the little round "dial a gear" knob in the 2010 onward. Just personal preferences on the last two comments and no direct experience with the 5.0 models.
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#7
09-03-2019, 12:17 PM
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#8
09-03-2019, 03:30 PM
Veteran Member
I have both; a supercharged 4.2L 2009 XKR Portfolio Convertible with 420HP and a supercharged 5.0L 2013 XJ with 470HP. Both have approximately 45K miles but I don't drive the XKR in bad weather. I bought them after having been used by the first owners for less than 2 years. I don't put a lot of miles on either one. Neither has any engine mods.
My 4.2L engine has been bullet proof, with no repairs whatsoever and only routine maintenance. No so for the 5.0L, which is on its second water pump - the first one was replaced under warranty at 30K miles (it didn't last long). The second one was done about a month ago together with rebuilding the supercharger isolator snout. That's also a common repair.
The 4.2L exhaust note sounds much better than the 5.0L, as the pitch increases with the revs. I removed Fuse 19 to keep it from being too quiet. The 5.0L has a much lower pitch and guttural sound.
I still don't know which one I enjoy more, but they're really different and you really can't compare apples to oranges. They're both great cars. Many owners will tell you to get the more powerful 510-550HP supercharged 5.0L because it also has the E-diff and other improvements over the 4.2L. That's true, but where can you use it unless you track it? And all that power makes it a dangerous weapon in the hands of the uninitiated even with the electronic nannies.
The 5.0L power is intoxicating compared to the 4.2L because of the massive low-end torque. But the 4.2L is no slouch, and is more than adequate for most owners for everyday driving. Truth is that both 4.2L and 5.0L supercharged engines are overkill because you can't use all that power legally on the streets anywhere near my home. But it sure is fun!
And I'm told that if no one saw you do it, it never happened!
My 4.2L engine has been bullet proof, with no repairs whatsoever and only routine maintenance. No so for the 5.0L, which is on its second water pump - the first one was replaced under warranty at 30K miles (it didn't last long). The second one was done about a month ago together with rebuilding the supercharger isolator snout. That's also a common repair.
The 4.2L exhaust note sounds much better than the 5.0L, as the pitch increases with the revs. I removed Fuse 19 to keep it from being too quiet. The 5.0L has a much lower pitch and guttural sound.
I still don't know which one I enjoy more, but they're really different and you really can't compare apples to oranges. They're both great cars. Many owners will tell you to get the more powerful 510-550HP supercharged 5.0L because it also has the E-diff and other improvements over the 4.2L. That's true, but where can you use it unless you track it? And all that power makes it a dangerous weapon in the hands of the uninitiated even with the electronic nannies.
The 5.0L power is intoxicating compared to the 4.2L because of the massive low-end torque. But the 4.2L is no slouch, and is more than adequate for most owners for everyday driving. Truth is that both 4.2L and 5.0L supercharged engines are overkill because you can't use all that power legally on the streets anywhere near my home. But it sure is fun!
And I'm told that if no one saw you do it, it never happened!
Last edited by Stuart S; 09-03-2019 at 03:33 PM.
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#9
09-04-2019, 07:29 AM
I have both; a supercharged 4.2L 2009 XKR Portfolio Convertible with 420HP and a supercharged 5.0L 2013 XJ with 470HP. Both have approximately 45K miles but I don't drive the XKR in bad weather. I bought them after having been used by the first owners for less than 2 years. I don't put a lot of miles on either one. Neither has any engine mods.
My 4.2L engine has been bullet proof, with no repairs whatsoever and only routine maintenance. No so for the 5.0L, which is on its second water pump - the first one was replaced under warranty at 30K miles (it didn't last long). The second one was done about a month ago together with rebuilding the supercharger isolator snout. That's also a common repair.
The 4.2L exhaust note sounds much better than the 5.0L, as the pitch increases with the revs. I removed Fuse 19 to keep it from being too quiet. The 5.0L has a much lower pitch and guttural sound.
I still don't know which one I enjoy more, but they're really different and you really can't compare apples to oranges. They're both great cars. Many owners will tell you to get the more powerful 510-550HP supercharged 5.0L because it also has the E-diff and other improvements over the 4.2L. That's true, but where can you use it unless you track it? And all that power makes it a dangerous weapon in the hands of the uninitiated even with the electronic nannies.
The 5.0L power is intoxicating compared to the 4.2L because of the massive low-end torque. But the 4.2L is no slouch, and is more than adequate for most owners for everyday driving. Truth is that both 4.2L and 5.0L supercharged engines are overkill because you can't use all that power legally on the streets anywhere near my home. But it sure is fun!
And I'm told that if no one saw you do it, it never happened!
My 4.2L engine has been bullet proof, with no repairs whatsoever and only routine maintenance. No so for the 5.0L, which is on its second water pump - the first one was replaced under warranty at 30K miles (it didn't last long). The second one was done about a month ago together with rebuilding the supercharger isolator snout. That's also a common repair.
The 4.2L exhaust note sounds much better than the 5.0L, as the pitch increases with the revs. I removed Fuse 19 to keep it from being too quiet. The 5.0L has a much lower pitch and guttural sound.
I still don't know which one I enjoy more, but they're really different and you really can't compare apples to oranges. They're both great cars. Many owners will tell you to get the more powerful 510-550HP supercharged 5.0L because it also has the E-diff and other improvements over the 4.2L. That's true, but where can you use it unless you track it? And all that power makes it a dangerous weapon in the hands of the uninitiated even with the electronic nannies.
The 5.0L power is intoxicating compared to the 4.2L because of the massive low-end torque. But the 4.2L is no slouch, and is more than adequate for most owners for everyday driving. Truth is that both 4.2L and 5.0L supercharged engines are overkill because you can't use all that power legally on the streets anywhere near my home. But it sure is fun!
And I'm told that if no one saw you do it, it never happened!
My 5.0L SC XF did not sound anywhere as nice as my XKR does-not even close, nor did it's drivetrain calibration feel as sporty or responsive, .
Last edited by yidal8; 09-04-2019 at 07:31 AM.
#10
11-07-2019, 01:06 PM
Veteran Member
Pleas stop pretending all 5.0L V-8 will have tensioner problems.
Many armchair internet experts blather on about this and they are wrong.
Please read what Brutal a factory tech says about tensioner problems;
It is a minor issue on the 5.0L V-8 and he has only seen it on a handful of cars.
This is from a guy who's job is to work on Jaguar's at a factory dealership.
.
.
.
Many armchair internet experts blather on about this and they are wrong.
Please read what Brutal a factory tech says about tensioner problems;
It is a minor issue on the 5.0L V-8 and he has only seen it on a handful of cars.
This is from a guy who's job is to work on Jaguar's at a factory dealership.
.
.
.
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#11
11-07-2019, 01:47 PM
Veteran Member
The 5.0L engine is more likely to develop tensioner and other internal problems if an incorrect motor oil is used. Jaguar recently changed the 5.0L motor oil specification from 5W-20 to 0W-20 that meets STJLR.51.5122. If you use the proper motor oil and change it at least once a year (or sooner, depending on mileage and operating conditions), you minimize the risk. Everything mechanical can break; there are no guarantees that it won't. Lots of factors determine the longevity of an internal combustion engine.
#12
11-07-2019, 01:54 PM
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#13
11-07-2019, 02:17 PM
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#14
11-08-2019, 09:08 AM
Veteran Member
Having two 4.0L Jaguar engines with Nikasil and factory crap tensioners and guides (which have been replaced), I suspect the worst 5.0L cars still have better reliability numbers overall. I still trust my 2 older cars and they objectively are worse, and I think maintenance, regular inspection and just generally staying alert to changes with your car's mechnical condition, are the keys to any car being as reliable as possible.
#15
11-08-2019, 04:12 PM
Veteran Member
5.0l engines built late 2012 utilize a different system to prevent a well identified premature failure of the tensioner arm thanks to repeated hardened steel on aluminum impact damage. This includes a TSB recommending use of only the newly designed parts on any early model engine.
Will your early 5.0l fail? Maybe.... Maybe not.... But for those of us with the early 5.0l, the design flaw is there at this very moment..... The odds of failure for us are much higher than those using the newer redesigned parts.
Can it be mitigated? Certainly! Frequent oil changes!
Can the poor design be magically eliminated with a liquid (oil) answer? Not at all. If that were the case, the redesign would not have been needed at all.
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#16
11-10-2019, 12:22 AM
Senior Member
I have both; a supercharged 4.2L 2009 XKR Portfolio Convertible with 420HP and a supercharged 5.0L 2013 XJ with 470HP. Both have approximately 45K miles but I don't drive the XKR in bad weather. I bought them after having been used by the first owners for less than 2 years. I don't put a lot of miles on either one. Neither has any engine mods.
I have had 2 STR's and now the XKR with the 4.2 and can attest to its strength and reliability; having sold the STR's with well over 150k miles on one 170k on the other and the XKR at 105k miles, I can say good maintenace pays off on these. The 5.0 has less than 25k so no idea what this will bring.
#19
08-10-2020, 09:16 AM
Veteran Member
#20
08-10-2020, 01:40 PM
Veteran Member
Oil will break down even when not in use. I don't put much more than you on my car but change it every 6 months. My owners manual doesn't give that information but I think Graham might have a maintenance schedule.