I sold my 2011 Infiniti G37 Premium convertible yesterday with only 5000 miles. Not a scratch or mark on it. I simply just didn't use it. Although I liked the car it lacked the special feeling and goofy grin the XKR gives me. No comparison in performance, looks and sound. I just find the XKR exhilarating and addictive. When I go to pick a set of keys, even on nice sunny days when I could enjoy the G37 with the top down, I would go for the XKR. The few days I did drive the Infiniti I was always craving the driving experience the XKR offers.

When I sold my 2011 XKR 175 in July I never thought I would miss it so much. Driving the G37 just didn't feel right--no goofy grin. I knew I had to replace the 175 with another XKR. The new 2013 XKR with dynamic pack and performance exhaust hit the mark in August, not a day too soon. It makes me feel like a kid again.

I may buy another convertible for next summer, but it will need to be a performance car. The F-type will be on my short list as well as Benz SL AMG 63, older SLS (2011), not sure about 911 Turbo S, older R8 V10 (2011). However, a GT or sports car without the performance is not for me.

Love the Jaguar commercial "How Alive Are You".

The bottom line is the XKR, IMO, is one nice driving machine.

 

Definitely love my XKR as well. It really feels like sort of a throwback car to me. It's not precise--but it loves to dance, and has so much muscle and headturning ability!

 

Shocking to do a self evaluation and realize how much this car grabs hold of your soul isn't it?!?!
Not a lot out there (in my background) that comes close.....


<sigh> I love my car.....

 

I've only had mine a week, but I cant imagine the honeymoon ending soon. And my missus loves it too, which is an absolute bonus.

 

I'm almost 2 months in with my 2013 XKR and after cant be happier with it. Great car!

 

I love mine all but the quiet exhaust and wheel stance... needs 20" and more flush - and inch lower would be nice too. I think I am going to have straight pipes made based on the feedback here. Even with the best pricing the Spires -my first choice seems to be quite a bit more when I could get my desired results so cheaply.

I went with a group on a mountain caravan/cruise a few weeks ago and my friend with a Gallardo was a little jealous that his girlfriend liked my car better. When I offered to trade him I think he was tempted haha.

 

Would rather have 18" for more comfort!

 

I agree that 20" is too much for me.

 

The 20" seem to ride much better than the 19" in my wife's Sonata. I think the XK/XKR has much softer suspension tuning.

 

Maserati is selling cars with 21" and I think even 22"...

 

Bigger cars need bigger wheels. The XKR is a big car.

 

20"s seem perfect for the '11 year at least. I wouldnt want it any harder. I had 19's in the first XF (beautiful ride) and 20's in the second (quite a bit firmer but still much better than (say) a BM). I believe that in the XF the 19's were more comfortable than the 18's. Our problem in Australia is that our roads are pretty crappy, the bigger the wheel the more likely that hitting a pothole will buckle the wheels. I have minor buckling in both of my front wheels, but nothing that you can see or feel at this stage.

 

Maybe visually? Consumer perception is driving the large wheel mandate on car, not performance or real improvement to the ride IMO.

 

^truth...
It seems a never ending debate...
In the real world, big rims hurt just about all aspects of a cars capabilities.
Buy em for looks, not handling...
IMHO of course....

 

Performance is greatly improved. Going from 19 to 20 will doubtfully be noticed in ride quality. 18" would look ridiculous on this car. It is after all a GT car and not a Lincoln. Even though it's not a real sports car it is still okay to feel the road a little and not be totally isolated from it. That's what soulless cars - mostly made by americans and asians are for.

 

HUGE wheels do hurt but proportionate wheels help grip and handling much more than they hurt ride quality. I'm not saying that 24" wheels would be okay but 20 is ideal on these cars. 17 or 18 would look just as dumb as something too big. 17 or 18 would also make the ride very mushy and awful to drive.

 

If you had known you would sell the G37 vert perhaps an XKR vert may have hit all the right marks for you???

And as far as wheels go, I love the steering precision of the 20" on the front but could see 19's on the rear with slightly taller sidewall to add a touch of flex to aid traction. And while all aftermarket and custom exhaust systems are definitely louder, I haven't heard any that actually sound better on a MY10+ XKR in Dynamic Mode to my ears.

 

I purchased a 2010 XKR convertible about 6 months ago. Before that my "sports car" was a 1984 mustang GT convertible which I purchased new. Still has the same tires as when I purchased it. Guess what never gets driven anymore...

 

The XK sold with 18's and looked darn good, and for wheel size the only real world numbers I can think of that is an improvement on big rims is "turn-in" and "longevity". Turn-in improves because of the short firm sidewalls, and longevity improves because less tire is in contact with the ground.

When you step from a 18 to a 20, grip goes down, un-sprung weight goes up, ride harshness goes up, total tire in contact with the road at any given time goes down(referencing suspension travel while driving), cost of tires goes up, cost of rims goes up, frequency of damage goes up....

Most any technical measurement related to "Performance" always puts the big rims on the loosing side. They do however look good, and that is what makes many owners happy.... (And being happy about ownership is what this thread is all about!)

 

+1