Is there a better year to buy? The older or newer engine? I am looking to buy but is there a big difference in acceleration in the 4.3 and 5.0 engines? Is the over all reliability better in the older or newer models xkr's ?


JDog

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-5-0-a-222724/

There are many more differences than just the engine. Is integrated iPod connectivity important to you or Alcon brakes or a factory backup camera? Different features for different model years. If all that matters is acceleration, then 5.0L is faster. But a 4.2L can be modified to be as fast or faster than a stock 5.0L.

 

Although the original 4.2 was right "out of the box" when introduced in 2006, the same was not true for the 5.0 litre. The original engine has proved less troublesome than the later one but that being said, we don't see many reports of serious issues on our forums.

More important than YEAR is the PO. Future reliability depends to a great extent on how well the vehicle has been maintained. Not just scheduled maintenance but keeping on top of the little things that go wrong. A Jaguar from a mechanically sympathetic and enthusiast owner is worth the search.

When I last changed, I specifically wanted the final model year to benefit from development and build specification. The one I have now is the eighth I looked at but maybe I'm too picky!

Graham

 

This is true, but if you do the same mods to the 5.0................ well, you already know.

 

If I were to do it again, I'd probably go for a 2012 or later. Mostly due to slightly nicer looking front end and Backup Camera. Those ooey-gooey buttons are a pain though.

 

Personally, I prefer the 2010/11 in every way except I wish it had the backup camera.....

 

I've have had the 4.2 SC and currently have the 4.2 base. The 4.2 SC is a beast. Both I would call bullet proof. The Valley hose is the biggest issue in the engine bay on the SC. It's a $12 coolant hose that runs under the SC and requires removal of the SC when it craps out (heat and age will do this).

I'm guessing the stock 4.2 base could be beaten on the track by a newer Camry out of the gate. But that's not why I bought it so I'm good with the base.

Sounds like you want something faster.

Also as Stuart says, there's more than just speed with basic features he notes, that by todays standards are common place. You will not find them in the earlier models.

Looks are way to subjective. I'm not a fan of the knob gear selector. I don't know why, I just don't like it on any car, not just the Jag. Enough so that I would steer clear of the newer models. Weird right?

You don't want too few miles on the car either. Kitty was meant to be driven. As Graham points out, how it was driven and maintained are the most important.

 

Go for as new a model year as you can.

 

Last Year of the first generation with the 4.2, or 3rd generation with camera.
I have the second gen XKR, and am parting with it while keeping my 1st gen XK.

 

I don't know how typical I am, but I went for the 4.2 SC car, 2008 MY. I could have afforded to buy one of the earlier 5.0 SC cars (2010 on?) but I made my decision on the basis that the 4.2 engine had had years of development and so was maybe more reliable overall. I'd heard the word 'bulletproof' from more than one source. I have no idea if this is true or not but it was my thinking at the time. I accept that the 2008 4.2 XK-R is not as fast as the 2010 5,0 XK-R but it is plenty fast enough for me, so that didn't influence me too much. I do prefer the looks of the front end of the 5.0 models but I am happy enough with how mine looks in Lunar Gray with Ivory interior. If money was no object, I'd go for the very last model they made, hoping that by then, any problems had been ironed out in production. Not suggesting this as a course of action to anyone - just saying what my own thinking was, right or wrong.

 

Since I'm , my Jaguars must have wood trim and two-tone leather. A beautiful body and quality of materials and workmanship together with performance are what distinguish Jaguar from its competitors. Jaguar understands that the market changes and younger buyers may prefer spun aluminum or carbon fiber and that's why they now offer those choices. But Jaguar will always offer wood.

 

And tattoos and cigarettes, but that is now. The world is young.
Its always changing, the hot-tramp thing is so overdone right now.
Plus they are finding out anyone can be a tramp, even a tramp.

 

I like the wood and I'm 32. It's neat that they offer both though.

I have the 4.2SC and will say that it is very entertaining and reliable. I have done valley hoses on both of my 4.0L SC cars and honestly, not horrific. I did the hoses when I did the SC coupler in one and a fuel injector on the other. The 4.2L is plenty easy to work on, but I cannot state an opinion on the 5L (have not worked on one). Buy the newest and best condition car you can, and buy from the most above board buyer you can.

 

There is not nearly enough wood or brightwork on modern Jags; so I'll take whatever they offer on either!

 

Having owned to 4.2 xk verts and now a 2013 XKR vert all of which I have driven in excess of 45k miles each it is my considered opinion that the 5.0L 2013+ XKR is the most satisfying of the three. On the other hand, any XK that has been driven a respectable number of miles and is well cared for represents an extremely good buy. Go out and hunt well and you will probably end up happy!

 

How much more wood do you want? My 2013 XJ:




And my 2009 XKR Portfolio:

 

Your missin a critical piece of wood in your portfolio there Stuart!

 

Can't miss something that the factory never made.

The wood steering wheel was available only in 2007 and never with Rich Oak veneer, which was unique to the 2009 XKR Portfolio.

 

I like how they did the door panels on the XJ, but still lacks a lot of wood on the dash and neither version have any inlays. Wood work has been a defining feature of Jaguars for decades and now is just a minimal afterthought. XK had more visually as being an older design. Each newer Jaguar design omits more wood. Today's Jaguar interiors do not look "British" and that is a disservice to the marque, IMO.

 

The current XJ offered a variety of wood inlays. See Post #6: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x.../#&gid=1&pid=6

This is Figured Ebony Veneer with Ribbon Laser Inlay.


P.S. The photos don't do the wood justice. In the sunlight, the veneer has 3-dimensional depth and the various colors in the burl wood are spectacular. Mother Nature is amazing!