Hello all,
Just purchased a '14 XKR-S vert and had it for a couple of weeks. I have noticed the exhaust is much quieter than my '10 XKR. The XKR had a lovely pop and crackle in the exhaust.....this XKR-S doesn't. So my question to all the veterans.......what gives? Was the XKR just a mean dude, or has the XKR-S been tamed (as far as the exhaust notes)?
And I also have noticed the B&W sound system in my "new" XKR-S isn't near a sonically pleasing as the '10 XKR. What gives? Again.
Thanks in advance.
UKWyldcat

 

The XKR has mid-pipe resonators and the R-S doesn't, but has an X pipe instead. The back box on the -S is slightly different inside.
The -S has a bit hotter tune, but not by much.
-S suspension tuned a bit stiffer and extra aero on the -S.
Does your -S have the BW sound setup? I can't hear great anymore so the audiophile stuff all escapes me.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes…B&W sound system. There aren’t that many audio settings and I’ve tried all combinations…it’s just different. So if one wanted to get the exhaust pop and crackle, what would be involved?

 

Never mind the question about the exhaust, I found a great thread regarding the same. Thanks.

 

I share your frustration re the hearing Cee Jay!

 

The Oder XKR must have had modified exhaust. The XKR-S should snarl and pop somewhat. Check to make sure the muffler bypass valves are not stuck closed.

 

How would one check the bypass valves?

 

Your rear muffler should look something like this. The red circled thingies are the bypass valves. They are vacuum operated. They need vacuum and the engine running, to close them. At idle, and when the dynamic feature is engaged they open. So, the easiest way to confirm they are opening is to feel if exhaust is coming out of the outer pipes, with the dynamic feature engaged.

 

First off, pull fuse #19 behind the center rear seat. Fuse 19 provides the power to CLOSE the valves using vacuum. They should always be open with no electrical power supplied.
With the engine running, hold your hand over the outer-most tail pipes. If the valves are closed, those won't have air flow. To assist, have a helper rev the engine a bit more to produce more exhaust.

 

I moved from 2010 XK Portfolio with B&W to 2012 XKR-S with B&W a while back, and B&W sounded identical to me in the R-S. I used to play several musical instruments at some point in my life… but I wouldn’t describe myself as an audiofile per se (never had a high end hi fi system at home), if that helps.
XK exhaust sounded much more tamed compared to that of R-S obviously.

 

@UKWyldcat A simple Google search answered your question:
https://www.jaguarforum.com/posts/1203032/

 

What does that mean? My op was about exhaust and the sound system.

 

That's the title of your thread!

 

See…that’s a great reason I don’t follow many forums….wise guys like you. Your comment was unnecessary.

 

I was just about to mention pulling the Fuse 19 in the rear seat fuse box..

 

The “B&W” package isn’t really B&W, it’s not even made by them. Like many vehicles it’s primarily marketing. In this instance it’s a DSP map and cosmetics. The hardware’s essentially the same components as the premium sound system.