XF V8s (4.2)

[texasjohn]

Prices of the NA and supercharged are now moreorless the same.

Any reason why you'd pick the 4.2 over the SV8? Is there much of an MPG advantage to the 4.2? I can live with mid twenties overall and 300bhp will be ample hence the question.

Or is there any reason why one might run a mile from early XFs? Or perhaps the 3.0d is a better choice?

Thanks in advance - never owned a jag before!

[The Leaper]

You make also like to include in your consideration the normally aspirated 5.0 V8. In my opinion the best of the XF range in terms of a Jaguar like experience. Mind you, I would say that as I have one.

R.

[8bit]

The 4.2 V8 XFs share engines and transmissions with the X150 XK and XKR. Both are solid, reliable power plants and the ZF 6HP26 transmission is similarly well put together. 4.2 XK owners will see better economy figures than XKR owners but obviously driving style is a factor. I have a 4.2 XKR that does occasional runs around town (low to mid teens) and blasts around B-roads (mid to high teens). Mid 20's are perfectly achievable if you behave and your mileage isn't all urban or hooning.

The SV8 will be a lot quicker than the 4.2 V8 certainly, if that's what you're looking for then that's the best you can do short of the 5.0 XFR. The normally-aspirated 5.0 V8 XF isn't much slower than the SV8 though, and later ones have the 8-speed ZF transmission.

I bought my 4.2 XKR about 2 and a half years ago. My budget wouldn't allow a 5.0 car but at no point have I ever felt like I was having to "make do", it's still a special machine that makes every trip feel like an event.

[Dodsy]

Not an XF but I have an XJR. I first bought an XJ8 4.2 but found the 300BHP just wasnt enough. Quickly swapped it for an XJR and couldnt be happier. The XF is only fractionally slower 0-60 than the XJR with that same engine and the XJR feels rocket powered.

Im not overly familiar with XFs but I assume you are talking about either a N/A V8 4.2 @ 300BHP or a supercharged V8 4.2 at 400BHP.

Suggest you drive both types and you'll see one is a gentle cruiser the other one is a beast (but can be a gentle cruiser should you use a light right foot).

[The Leaper]

The N/A 5.0 V8 in the XF produces 384 BHP.

R.

[texasjohn]

Thanks for the comments. I drove an XF 4.2NA and it made the right noises but just lacking the extra oomph that I am used to from a larger engine, having had experience of the BMW 4.8 and Mercedes 5.5. Earlier that day I'd driven the XF3.0DS and to be honest there was very little in it between the two cars from a performance perspective, as you would expect. Both cars were 'classic' shape XFs.

I do need to try the SV8 or possibly the 5.0NA. The trouble with the 5.0 is that there aren't many about and they are knocking on the door of £20k which opens up a whole lot of options including of course the XFR.

I did find the ride on 18s very nice but 20s seem to be a bit too much for my liking. 19s might be ok for me, will have to try.

[The Leaper]

The N/A 5.0 XF has 20s as standard wheels. I agree that 20s could be considered too harsh and jittery for the average owner. Mine has 19 Carellia wheels which give a good compromise ride, more like I expected and wanted from a Jaguar.

R.

[8bit]

I guess ride really is subjective. My 4.2 XKR is on 20" wheels with 35 front and 30 rear profile tyres but to me the ride is lovely.

SV8 would seem to be a good value option then, OP. Personally I've never been a fan of the standard wheels on those anyway so I'd want to change them, Jaguar wheels are pretty easy to come by on eBay anyway. I got a set of 20" Cremonas for my car there a few years ago at a great price.

[pmanson]

The Leaper said:

The N/A 5.0 XF has 20s as standard wheels. I agree that 20s could be considered too harsh and jittery for the average owner. Mine has 19 Carellia wheels which give a good compromise ride, more like I expected and wanted from a Jaguar.

R.

My XFS is on 20s and the ride is pretty good (although i prefer a firmer ride).

[ali355]

Owned an SV8 for 6 months after having had an XJ with the N/A 4.2 V8 for four years. Couldn't fault the supercharged engine. If anything I found the SV8 a little too subtle and subdued- made for a great Q car though. So now own an XFR. Tried the 3.0 diesel in S trim before I bought the XFR and performance felt on a par with the N/A 4.2 but I couldn't live with the diesel power delivery.
So for me XFR>SV8>4.2 V8>diesel S.
Don't know where the 5.0 N/A would go in that scale as I haven't tried one.
Also in terms of ride- the SV8 on 20" Volans rode beautifully. Firm but the right side of crashy. Handled nicely as well. The XFR is a step up in terms of firmness, but I guess that's to be expected with the extra power; despite that I have found it fine to live with on a day to day basis.

Edited by ali355 on Saturday 16th January 11:18

[texasjohn]

Thanks for all the advice. I have gone for an E500 (on 18s) in the end!