Do you have a video clip of the sound??

 

If you're driving the car hard, I think the one thing that would be nice to have on the 4.2 XKR is a limited slip diff.

 

5.0's have a limited slip?

 

Of course they do, don't the earlier ones?

 

5.0L XKs, which I have, do not have the LS, but I believe the XKRs do. Sigh

 

Neither XKR has a LSD as standard. The 5.0 cars have an electronically controlled differential but that's not the same thing as a proper mechanical LSD. The 5.0 XK and the 4.2 XK and XKR have a more basic diff.


I tried removing the s/c cover, didn't seem to make any difference to me. I floor mine pretty regularly, maybe it's my hearing that's not working right

 

Here are the clips from Paramount, the 4.2

and the 5.0
The 4.2 in real life sounded really awesome - I had the installation arranged by our dealers and when I arrived to get it they were all standing around listening to it rev.

The 5.0 supercharged with an X pipe sounds great too, a real howl with the grumble of overcrackle, but I preferred the throbbiness of the 4.2.

Personally, I like a car that I get the awesome sound out of while driving at legal speeds, so I figure exhaust mods are a great way to enjoy the car without being a dick.

 

Kia ora, Simon.

Things that the 5.0 XK has that the 4.2 XKR doesn't:

• a better gearbox (ZF 6HP28) with faster shifts, quicker torque-converter lockup and the ability to skip gears when shifting
• fully variable electronic dampers vs. hard/soft on the 4.2
• Dynamic Mode, where the whole suspension system, steering, diff, etc. 'toughens up' for performance driving
• Winter Mode for slippery conditions.

The 4.2 has the edge on grunt, and it has the active exhaust. But the 5.0 is not that far behind on absolute power/torque, and the nimbler 'box reduces the gap further.

Alternatively, if you can sit on your hands a bit longer until the 5.0 XKR is in your price range or you've put a bit more cash aside, you get the best of both worlds. Now that's a forever car.

 

Kia ora Ngarara,
Thank you so much for the info, I think I have made up my mind to get a 5ltr n/a XK, I think the n/a engine suites my driving style more than the s/c engine, also the fact that the car has had some refinements over the old model has convinced me the 5ltr is the best option for me. :-)

 

Simon,

I was in the same boat as you, pre-2010 xkr or 2010+ XK. If I was going to do track days etc. I would have gone for the XKR. I wound up getting a very clean 2011 XK for just under $35K (48k miles). I managed to get a car with a bit of factory warranty left, so its at my local guys shop for an inspection before its last visit to the dealer for warranty work. I probably saved 10 grand over an XKR, and I'm saving that money for tires, brakes etc. If you don't drive an XKR, you will be more than satisfied with the XK

Good luck with your search!

 

Oh, but if you DO, the whole deal changes.

 

Before settling on a 2012 XK I test drove the previous generation XKR and the new version. I have to say, and this will probably irritate the previous generation XKR owners, that the pre-2010 was very lackluster. I was completely turned off by my 45 minute solo test drive.

Driving the 2010 XKR was an absolute blast though, the extra engineering in the suspension, engine, and transmission really showed. It was a thrill ride. I also had a solo test drive and gave it the business in sport tranny mode. My previous post about that is #6 in this thread https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...13/#post738558

In the end I find the new generation XK a great car to drive, much better in my humble opinion than previous generation XK and XKR. This after trying them all out.

 

Good decision! IMO the 2010+ XKs are just better vehicles all the way around. And, if you decide to up the ante (HP); it's relatively simple to add 50-60 HP and not too expensive. See my earlier post at #18. Have fun!!

 

Great info, thanks! Since you are California I guess you could just take your car in for the ETG tune. I suppose I would need to send in my ECU. That is a pretty inexpensive cost to add HP!

I will look into this some more.

 

I believe the 2010+ XK has a mechanical LSD while the XKR has an electronic one.

I'm not a speed freak. That's been out of my system for awhile. Its so rare that I actually hit the throttle hard that when I do, the 5.0 surprises me each time. Way more pickup then I ever need. I'm sure an NA 4.2 would have been plenty enough power for me. If the 4.2 had been more efficient, I might have went that route. Heck, if the XK was available with the F-Type 3.0L, it probably would have been my pick.

Its just being honest with yourself about how much power you can truly appreciate and make use of.

 

4.2 XK and XKR and the 5.0 XK have mechanical differentials, but not of the Limited Slip variety, I believe they're "open" differentials. The 5.0 XKR (and R-S) have an e-diff, which uses electronic controls to give some of the benefits of a traditional, mechanical LSD while attempting to eliminate some of the drawbacks.

I *think* I read somewhere that the XKR-S GT does have a proper mechanical LSD but that may be incorrect. None of the 4.2 or 5.0 models have an actual mechanical Limited Slip Differential as standard though.