Hi everyone, I'm new to Jaguar personally. I've been an owner of other Brit cars but mainly Germans have inhabited my garage.

Just a spur of the moment/impulsive buy, I just bought a 2012 XKR-S with 50k miles for next to nothing through a national (US) used car chain.
Having to make room in the garage, I separated with my heavily tuned BMW E92 335i.
I had recently tested a F Type R and was mightily impressed, whereas the XKR-S didn't strike me the same way. I needed the extra trunk space so the XKR-S sounded like a better buy, plus it's gorgeous.

Not sure if I'm having buyer's remorse and I was expecting more from the XKR-S.

Talk me out of returning it or at least tell me what I should keep an eye out for on the V8.
Taking the XKR-S to the local Jaguar dealer to do a once over too.

Any help or words for wisdom/encouragement is appreciated.



Edit- Quick shots for those who asked.

 

Next to nothing sounds like a great price!
Did they have 2?

 

I'll buy it off you for 95% of next to nothing

 

You said "... I was expecting more from the XKR-S." Please explain in detail what you were expecting, and why those expectations weren't met.

 

The performance was somewhat muted compared to the F Type R. Was looking for that throw the driver into the backseat feeling, however from a roll from 20-70mph in 2nd it was underwhelming in comparison. 542 bhp doesn't feel like enough.
My tuned E92 335i 6spd with about 420 rwhp felt immensely fast, but being smaller and lighter is a very big factor in that.
Now it is smoother than the F Type R and felt softer while still accurate and pointy.
Exhaust was louder in F Type R, but that was also a droptop. lol

 

I am coming from the six cylinder 340 hp F Type that I had for three years to a 2010 XKR with 510 hp. While I can feel the additional power for sure, and the 420 hp 2008 XKR was definitely not as fast as my F type, I understand what you're saying. They are very different cars. The XKR has lots of power but it is still a grand touring car and will have more body sway or roll, and a heavier more luxurious feel. The F-Type is a true roadster sports car and even though it has comfort features it has always felt like more of a performance car. There is no extra room inside the F-type and yes the trunk was small. Do I miss my F-Type? You bet. . As I've only had my XKR for a few months and I'm doing less driving. Time will tell how I bond with this new beauty.

I suggest you give your new XKR a few months and see how you bond with it. Don't expect it to be like another car cause it's it's own thing. Love it for what it is or if it's not for you then eventually get the F-Type.

 

Spend the money you saved on a smaller supercharger pulley and tune. You should be able to add another 50-100 bhp by doing that.

 

Actually I have no idea what this car weighs wet.

My E92 was 3500lbs give or take. So a pretty heavy car as coupes go.
The torque was immense though, which probably is what I’m missing.
Also noticing significantly less intake side noise or supercharger whine.
Overall it’s quite insulated, which considering it’s a Jaguar and a GT at that is quite nice.
Harder ride than expected but quite a bit softer than E92 and definitely my old Lotus Esprit V8TT.

What’s the ownership experience like for these cars? I know Jags were filled with electrical gremlins in years past, but how are they now?
Wife has a F Pace which has not had problems but is 2018 and she’s hasn’t driven it at all.

 

Can the V8 take the extra power? Any other weak spots?

 

You have bought an extremely reliable GT with plenty of power and torque. On the left side of the center console to the rear of the shifting disc you will find a button with a checkered flag. Depressing that button will put you into dynamic mode. In addition shift the disc to S on the far right (counter clockwise) then you have put your car into what I call super dynamic. Now you can control the shift points as well. If your XKR-S didn't come with the owner's manual download one at no cost from the stickies at the top of this thread.

Remember when you are comparing your new XKR-S, it is a GT and the F-Type is a sports car. If you still need more power it is easily available by getting a tune and a small pulley for the supercharger. Those two will add 60+ BHP. As others have suggested give the XKR-S a chance and in all likelihood it will grow on you.
One known weakness is the water pump and if your new car is not a daily driver keep it on a battery tender such as a CTek. The water pump will probably have to be replaced shortly if it has not already been replaced.

 

You’re at around 3900 pounds and 550BHP. There are several tuners out there than can push this car well past 600HP/TQ and if you want to get aggressive with weight you can shed a few pounds with simple mods.

The slushbox transmission is adaptive and perhaps the previous owner drove it like an old lady. You can switch to S on the rotary shifter and use the paddles to force it into gear. Also throttle response between this and your previous may play a factor in how it feels to you.

These are extremely reliable cars and easy and inexpensive to work on compared to BMW. Biggest issues are E-diff, coolant leaks/water pump and occasionally failed injectors which happen to many other Marques as well.

The R-S is a very special version and stickered for well over $120K.

 

Not sure if the R-S needs it, but remove fuse 19 (between the rear seats) for a louder exhaust note right from start-up.

 

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Took it out today and it’s been a nice drive. I may have to drive it in sport and shift gears myself permanently. The car is drop dead gorgeous, sounds insane from the outside. Perhaps I need to find it’s limits before I am besotted by it.
Will be a busy weekend. Wish me luck!

 

You DO realize that any XKR is NOT a Sports Car, right? These are GT cars, made to travel great distances in relative comfort and style, all while chewing up many miles rapidly.

 

Turbo vehicles can be very deceiving and can give you that push in the back feeling obviously due to the way the power is delivered , with the s/c jaguar it has a very linear power curve although it might not feel as quick as your modified 335i I would bet my bottom dollar the jag would easily have the beemers measure in a roll race

 

I have done over 80 quarter mile passes in mine in the last three years, 15 either in standard form or with the XKR-S tune and the rest with a > 600 bhp tune and no issues so far.

The Lister F Type and F Pace both have a 666 bhp version of the engine.

 

no issues, no end play on a turbo and in your case 11 sec 1/4 miles definitely a proven package.

 

And they do that superlatively. Better than any other car I have owned. The only one that came close was my Mercedes S Class, but that is a saloon (sedan) and so a totally different sort of thing. Not really sensible IMO to compare cars from different genres with each other as they are designed for entirely different purposes.

 

You bought a pretty fast GT car. Apparently without much research, due to price. Enjoy it, instead of complaining about what it's not, or sell it. It's that easy...

 

Yes, cooling. If you go nuts tuning, you will start having heat soak issues.

Also standard weak points apply - water pump, timing chain.