What's the downside to an XK?
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From: Jackson NJ 08527
I have a 2010 XKR that I drove about 1000 mi to Canada, and I thought that it was pretty comfortable. I have the 19 in wheels. Clevername, what size do you have on both of your vehicles? just wondering if this could have been a factor. I've never ridden in any XK/XKR other than mine so I know not. I did shy away from buying the 2010 with 20 in wheels in anticipation of a bit smoother ride, but I can't confirm that is the case. Anyone else?
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From: Naperville, Illinois USA
The first Jaguar I drove was to test drive a 2007 XKR. I put about 75 miles on the car, 60 on the tollway. It had 20" wheels, but I honestly can't tell you the ride quality, because my brain was grinning each time I stepped on the exhilerator while doing 80+, and getting that kick in the backside as you quickly rocket over 100. 
Didn't buy the car (it had been poorly cared for), and as there were no other XKRs on the market in my color choice at the time, I bought my XK sight unseen (pictures only). Don't get me wrong, I love my 2007 XK, but they don't come with an exhilerator.
I switched from 19" to 20" wheels last fall, so I'll see if I notice any ride quality difference this year.
Didn't buy the car (it had been poorly cared for), and as there were no other XKRs on the market in my color choice at the time, I bought my XK sight unseen (pictures only). Don't get me wrong, I love my 2007 XK, but they don't come with an exhilerator.
I switched from 19" to 20" wheels last fall, so I'll see if I notice any ride quality difference this year.
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From: Sydney, Australia
[QUOTE=kj07xk;1653307]
The first Jaguar I drove was to test drive a 2007 XKR. I put about 75 miles on the car, 60 on the tollway. It had 20" wheels, but I honestly can't tell you the ride quality, because my brain was grinning each time I stepped on the exhilerator while doing 80+, and getting that kick in the backside as you quickly rocket over 100.
Didn't buy the car (it had been poorly cared for), and as there were no other XKRs on the market in my color choice at the time, I bought my XK sight unseen (pictures only). Don't get me wrong, I love my 2007 XK, but they don't come with an exhilerator.
I switched from 19" to 20" wheels last fall, so I'll see if I notice any ride quality difference this year.
19s made way for 20" senta ??
The first Jaguar I drove was to test drive a 2007 XKR. I put about 75 miles on the car, 60 on the tollway. It had 20" wheels, but I honestly can't tell you the ride quality, because my brain was grinning each time I stepped on the exhilerator while doing 80+, and getting that kick in the backside as you quickly rocket over 100.
Didn't buy the car (it had been poorly cared for), and as there were no other XKRs on the market in my color choice at the time, I bought my XK sight unseen (pictures only). Don't get me wrong, I love my 2007 XK, but they don't come with an exhilerator.
I switched from 19" to 20" wheels last fall, so I'll see if I notice any ride quality difference this year.
19s made way for 20" senta ??
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From: Naperville, Illinois USA
Absolutely!
Put the 19" Carelia's in storage, and put on the 20" Senta's.
I've always liked the looks of the Senta wheels.
Put the 19" Carelia's in storage, and put on the 20" Senta's.
I've always liked the looks of the Senta wheels.
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From: Pacific Northwest
I have a 2010 XKR that I drove about 1000 mi to Canada, and I thought that it was pretty comfortable. I have the 19 in wheels. Clevername, what size do you have on both of your vehicles? just wondering if this could have been a factor. I've never ridden in any XK/XKR other than mine so I know not. I did shy away from buying the 2010 with 20 in wheels in anticipation of a bit smoother ride, but I can't confirm that is the case. Anyone else?
Wouldn't touch 20's with a ten foot pole....
I've had two XKRs both with 20 Senta wheels, the ride quality is as good as the R36 I had for 4 years. Only driven an XK150 for about ten miles with 20 inch wheels the difference in ride wasn't a big factor for me
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From: Sydney, Australia
Carelia's in a shadow colour looks absolutely brilliant however you can't go past the Senta rim it suits the shape of the jaguar so nicely
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From: Los Angeles CA
Having owned an 08 XK(19" wheels), 12 XK(19" wheels) and now owning 13 XKR(20" wheels) and having made road trips in each of the three with total miles ranging from 650 in the XKR, 2k in the 12 XK and 800 in the 08 XK. I can state the following; ride differential not too significant, power differential the XKR hands down, exhilaration and grin factor in XKR once again no comparison. The XKs are wonderful tourers while the XKR is that + power, speed and handling bar none when desired. The bottom line for me is I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
I also had the use of an early F Type R for four days when they first came out. While it is a fun sports car, it is not a daily driver or touring car for me.
I also had the use of an early F Type R for four days when they first came out. While it is a fun sports car, it is not a daily driver or touring car for me.
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From: Gold Coast, Oz
20"s are fine in the XKR once the seat softens up a bit. The same for the F Type though I have 19"s on mine. My F type at 8,000kms is almost as comfy as my XKR was at 60,000km, and that is with the performance seats. The passenger seat (which is rarely used) however on both the XKR and the F Type was/is much firmer, and doesnt absorb the bumps as well.
Which is a long way of saying that I think that stretching the leather in the seat is pretty much more important than the size of the wheel, and if your wife complains about the ride, get her to drive.
Which is a long way of saying that I think that stretching the leather in the seat is pretty much more important than the size of the wheel, and if your wife complains about the ride, get her to drive.
I thought you were going to say get a new wife!
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From: Gold Coast, Oz
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From: Pacific Northwest
It's been covered in other threads, but it all boils down to understanding the suspension and tires job as it interacts with it and the road.
19's will give you a smoother ride (thanks to more sidewall flex), better grip (thanks to a larger footprint), and lower costs.
20's will give you faster turn-in response (Thanks to minimal sidewall flex), Lesser grip (thanks to both smaller footprint and higher tire pressures), easier rim damage (again due to minimal sidewall) and higher overall cost of ownership.
Buy hey, at least they look cool, if that's what matters to the owner.
20's look ok, but you like to push your Jag, (or enjoy that tad extra ride comfort) she will ride softer, yet push harder and faster on 19's.
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From: Naperville, Illinois USA
My 19's will go back on the car for long road trips through unfamiliar territory (the extra sidewall gives a bit more pothole protection), and there is only ~5000 miles on those tires, so I need to wear 'em out somehow.
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From: Cheshire, UK
Disappointing that the OP who started this thread, his one and only, has not commented, contributed a thought or even expressed a word of thanks for all the valuable comments of others.
Was he swayed to get the XK, or did he go for the Corvette or Porsche - will we ever know or will it remain one of life's mysteries??
Marco
Was he swayed to get the XK, or did he go for the Corvette or Porsche - will we ever know or will it remain one of life's mysteries??
Marco
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From: Gold Coast, Oz
Haha! Yes I agree tyres make a difference - my XF on 19"s had a much better ride than my XF on 20"s though the 20"s cornered better (but strangely enough the 19"s rode better than 18"s on the XF). And I never drove a volvo on 20"s that didn skitter about on bumpy roads.
But in the XKR when I drove on a bumpy road I could feel through my **** the elasticity in the seat taking up the jiggles. So I'd be thinking how great the suspension was, while next to me her ladyship was bouncing away like she was on a whacker packer and looking unhappy. And then sitting in the passenger seat on the same section of road, it was like a different car - jiggly and jarry.
And we have the same thing with the f type.
So yeah I do appreciate the side wall/suspension rate issue but dont underestimate the **** factor!
But in the XKR when I drove on a bumpy road I could feel through my **** the elasticity in the seat taking up the jiggles. So I'd be thinking how great the suspension was, while next to me her ladyship was bouncing away like she was on a whacker packer and looking unhappy. And then sitting in the passenger seat on the same section of road, it was like a different car - jiggly and jarry.
And we have the same thing with the f type.
So yeah I do appreciate the side wall/suspension rate issue but dont underestimate the **** factor!
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From: NY
I think ride is subjective to the people riding in the car. My Lexus is smooth and like riding on my couch. It's riding on 17"" wheels and all season tires. My new Silverado is on 19" all season tires and rides good but as a pick up it does have tail bounce. My XKR is on 20's and ride very good . It is below the Lexus but far better then the Silverado. Then again maybe the suspension in the 2010+ XKR is different/better then the 06-09 XKR. As for driver seat vs pass. seat there is no difference in comfort in our car. My bride and I usually split the drive when going on 400 mile + trips and I don't find it any different in the pass. seat. I find the Conti's DWS06 to be excellent for our type of driving.
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From: Pacific Northwest
Good point Marco Polo... Is the OP even still around?
Vince
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From: Nanaimo, B.C.
I've been looking around at a second fun car and the XK has popped up on my radar. I have been mostly contemplating a C6 Corvette or a 987 Boxster, but have been a little reluctant about them because I feel like more of a GT car would be a better fit for me than an all out sports car. Notably I'm looking for something I can drive comfortably around town, take on trips on curvy roads and maybe do the rare track day (or at least a high performance driving class). I do not plan to race it much at all beyond the driving class, so that's not my focus.
The XK seems like it would fit the bill nicely. Would get me more luxury and comfort than the Boxster or C6 for around town driving, but presumably would not quite match the handling they may offer. But that seems like a decent tradeoff. On top of that IMO the XK is far better looking than either of those cars...
My one concern is that jaguar does not have the best reputation for reliability, but I feel like that would mainly plague older cars. My budget is around $30k though and it looks like I could pick up a 2010 XK around there. How reliable are the newer ones? I would definitely stick to 2010+ and I really want a car that is not going to be a hassle to own. I don't mind somewhat expensive maintenance but I'd like a car that has a good shot at not being in the shop multiple times a year for annoying little issues, and Jaguar has kind of a bad rep in that department.
Anything else I should know? Anyone compared this to a Corvette and Porsche and have thoughts about how they stack up? I live in a relatively small city and it's hard to track these cars down to drive so I'm trying to keep my list of potentials as small as possible...
The XK seems like it would fit the bill nicely. Would get me more luxury and comfort than the Boxster or C6 for around town driving, but presumably would not quite match the handling they may offer. But that seems like a decent tradeoff. On top of that IMO the XK is far better looking than either of those cars...
My one concern is that jaguar does not have the best reputation for reliability, but I feel like that would mainly plague older cars. My budget is around $30k though and it looks like I could pick up a 2010 XK around there. How reliable are the newer ones? I would definitely stick to 2010+ and I really want a car that is not going to be a hassle to own. I don't mind somewhat expensive maintenance but I'd like a car that has a good shot at not being in the shop multiple times a year for annoying little issues, and Jaguar has kind of a bad rep in that department.
Anything else I should know? Anyone compared this to a Corvette and Porsche and have thoughts about how they stack up? I live in a relatively small city and it's hard to track these cars down to drive so I'm trying to keep my list of potentials as small as possible...
You see, I only get out with the Jag on nice sunny summer days and as result, in 9 years I've only accumulated 12645 KM. The car remains as new and has never had an issue other then a new battery.
Yes the downside is that I don't drive it as much as I'd like but the fussy man that I am has an upside as well. I never get bored looking at and driving my "still basically new" Jag!