Hi all -
Been away for awhile since I sold my XJR a couple years ago. Looking to possibly get back into the Jag family and purchase a gran touring vehicle for my daily driver that would be used year round in Michigan. I currently drive a '15 Mustang GT, which has been a great car, but not so much for long distances. Will the XK fit the bill? I'm looking to spend $25-30k (US). Although the power of the XKR would be enticing, the main purpose of the vehicle is to gobble up miles of interstate and two-lane roads, so I'm guessing the non-SC would get significantly better mileage. I want a supple ride, but one that will handle long sweepers with confidence. My main concern is reliability and maintenance cost. The closest dealer is around 100 miles away.

My XJR was a great cruiser, but I had problems in the winter (see Frozen Engine thread). I also struggled with the air suspension and the cost of the replacement shocks.

Looking for input, advice and possible alternative suggestions. I have a BMW/Porsche/Mercedes dealer 5 miles away, and an Audi dealer 10 miles away.

 

If I reset the display at speed my '07 XKR pulls 25+ mpg at 70 mph. That's about the most economical speed to be in 6th gear at. Driving like a hooligan with a ton of 85+ mph 20 mile commutes it's been 18-19 mpg steady. The R does seem to ride stiffer than the XK but the power difference is just so much more fun that it's worth it to me (with a bad back). Per winter I don't know yet. The only thing that concerns be is 2-3" of sudden snow on the roads during a work day / night and the ride home. Wide tires float over ridges instead of cut through them.

 

Only issue I had in the freezing winter was the door locks would be frozen until the car warmed up. Door would bounce off the jam until the door was warm enough for the lock to move. Top Jaguar shop looked at it a couple of times and nothing worked... Only when it was well below freezing. I kept that car outside all year round when using it.

 

Interesting you should say that. (baring a Bentley) There is nothing that eats the interstate like it. I saw a reviewer say that about the XKR (you can find that on youtube) and never thought much about it.

After owning one for years I can attest, there is nothing that makes the miles disappear. For one there is no struggle and drama, if you want speed quick, its right there, faster than just about any car even battery operated. The only other car in interstate performance like it that I remember was the old big block transam.

Its effortless and the comfort is supreme. So you will get better gas mileage out of yourself.

 

I have a 2013 xk conv and find it fine for a daily driver including winter. I love my car and I am contemplating keeping it for the long haul. I have had very little issues to date and would consider it reliable to this point (currently at 39K KM or 24K miles). Living in the greater Toronto area Canada, we get some unpredictable winters, but lately they have been mild. Nevertheless, on any rear wheel drive car being used in the winter its advisable to get a good set of winter tires. I have been using blizzaks and have been very happy with the performance and handling on ice and snow. On a another note....dont count on using the back seats for transporting adults or even older kids over long distances (and sometimes even short distances). They do however provide additional storage space. You have more back seat room in your Mustang.

Good luck.

 

Oh goody, the kids LS did the same damn thing on really frozen days. Pouring hot water on the door skin to warm up the latches was the only answer that worked.

 

My only comment would be that in the $25-$30k range, you are probably going to be looking at something that is getting close to needing the suspension rebuilt. Lots of threads here about complete bushing/ball joint replacements on cars around 50k miles. Be sure to budget accordingly.

 

The "Snow Mode" or whatever it's called actually works pretty well in helping maintain traction and stability. I've never driven it in the snow, but when rain comes around maybe three times in the six months of summer, the roads are pretty slimy with gunk when it DOES rain. Snow Mode helps with that.

 

Doing some research, it looks like Jag changed things in MY 2010. Different suspension (no CATS), different engine, some visual items, etc. For what my budget is, I think I can get into an XK of 2010-11 vintage or XKR in the 07-09. Are the changes significant to go with the series 2 versus series 1? According to the EPA, the R only does 1 mpg worse highway and 2 mpg city than the standard XK.

I'm fine with RWD drive in the winter (drove an '06 Mustang, and the XJR year round), but winter tires are a requirement, so I'll budget for those. Any ideas on what to budget for the suspension rebuild? Is this something that can be done in my garage? I replaced the air struts and bushings on the XJR, so unless special tools are needed, hopefully its something I can do.

Other cars I've looked at include the Audi S5 and the BMW 6 series. Don't think there's much on the domestic front other than maybe a Cadillac with the magna-ride suspension...

 

Having owned to XKs ( 2008 and 2012); and now owning a 2013 XKR. My comments are as follows. By all means get a 2010+ XK or XKR. the 5.0L engine is superior to the 4.2L engine and the suspension is somewhat better (more agile) as well. One thing to look is water pump issues. During your negotiations for the 2010+ car see if you can't get the seller to install the latest water pump if the car doesn't have one. In my 2012 I would average 22-25 mpg at 75-85 mph. in the XKR I average 20-24mph.

And the car is a lot more fun. Good hunting. You are in for a treat no matter which one you buy.

 

Hi. I have had the 4.2 and 5.0 in the XF, and the 5.0SC in the XKR. The best sounding engine by far is the 4.2. It isnt particularly potent, though, and it is quite thirsty. The 4.2SC sounds the goods and has plenty of performance, slightly better than the 5.0NA with better delivery. It is still thirsty, though. It would be my pick over the 5.0NA which is a nice engine but doesnt sound great, it is too metallic and raspy.

The drawback to the 4.2 XKR is that it doesnt get the internal and external facelift of the 2010 models, but a lot of people prefer the look of the previous model anyway, without the "cheek pouches".

The 5.0XKR has oodles of power and is pretty frugal if you arent driving it too hard. In a reasonable mix of city/highway I was getting about 10% better efficiency out of it than I did out of the 4.2NA and the 5.0NA - in your terms about 20 - 22mpg. That is probably because I drove the 4.2 and the 5.0 harder, when you dont need to in the 5.0SC.

 

If you go the easy route and buy all new control arms, then you can spend 4-5K on rebuilding the suspension. If you just buy bushings and replace them, you can do it for about $1K. I replaced my bushings and it was the hardest car job I've ever undertaken, but that was because I didn't know how to remove bushings. I could probably do it in a third the time if I had to do it over.

 

Do you have part numbers for the control arm bushings - that Jaguar only lists part numbers for as an assembly (arm + bushing)?

Get a Harbor Freight hydraulic press and the bushings are EASY to remove and install. Or, for $5 or $10 each most machine shops will change out the bushings if you bring them the parts.

 

Hi -
My only adds are:
- my 2010 XKR is my daily driver - it's the only car I own - BUT I live in LA. So I can't speak to winter issues. Weather aside, it's a great daily.
- I just drove it across the country. I can attest that you can bang out 600 highway miles and be happy for more.
Hope that helps.

 

My two cents. You said that your main concern is "reliability and maintenance" cost, with that said my suggestion is to get a 2007 Jaguar XK, 4.2 engine coupe (in British Racing Green preferably). Look for one with less than 75K and an excellent service history. As far as I am concerned it is the best looking version of the Jaguar XK and the best mechanically as well. It also has the wooden steering wheel (discontinued afterwards)and a normal shifting console (no rotary knob).

 

The bushings are oil filled rubber with thin walls, the press just makes a mess of things. I even took one arm to a shop with a hydraulic press and they couldn't push one out with 4 tons of pressure (the thin wall started to crumple before it started sliding out). Drill a hole near the edge of the bushing then use a jig-saw with a metal cutting blade to put a slot in the bushing (careful not to hit the actual control arm) and then it will slide right out with a few taps of a wooden dowel.

I bought Poly bushings for mine (last forever, but squeaky), I believe there was another thread where someone listed part numbers for traditional bushings:

Jaguar XK - XKR - X150 (2006+) Performance Suspension Bushings

 

So it sounds like I should look for 2010 or newer, as the MPG is better with the 5.0 vs the 4.2 (even the SC version). Is the waterpump issue with 5.0 engine or the 4.2? Is the suspension an issue on the 2009 and earlier or only the 2010 and later? Any other "gotchas" beside those two items?

 

My 07 XK has logged 115,750. Used Rain, Shine & Snow. In winter I fit 4 Blizzaks and go, go, go. Car looks immaculate. Won 2nd Place in JCNA santioned Concours D' Elegance a few weeks ago.

 

I drove mine through one Michigan winter and it did surprisingly well but you need to turn the traction control off completely (10 sec) to move in 2 to 3 " of snow this is with Continental DWS. No I garage it and drive the jeep in winter but It will do it but a Porche Carrrera 4 would be a better buy for winter.

 

Thanks for the input. I thought about the Porsche, but didn't think the ride would be able to soak up the expansion joints and pot holes as easily as the XK. I've always thought of the 911 as more of a true sports car and not a grand touring ride.