Discussion
The tech is slightly better, if that’s a concern for the XFR-S. I’ve had mine 4 years last Oct. it’s been a fantastic car but heavy on warranty. I still love it though as I prefer a 4-door powerful car over a 2-door. Tyres make or break them with Michelin PS4S being the tyre of choice - much like the XK I’d guess. For a heavy car, it really handles impeccably, though you may be starting the re-bush now depending on the age.
I normally change cars every 2.5 - 3 years. So being in its 5th year with me, it has to be special. Mine was (I think) the last R-S built - mid March 2015 build. Some are registered later but with earlier numbers. Mine has every option that was available too, so carbon inside and out. Lovely car and still makes me smile much despite the problems - but I have been unlucky.
I normally change cars every 2.5 - 3 years. So being in its 5th year with me, it has to be special. Mine was (I think) the last R-S built - mid March 2015 build. Some are registered later but with earlier numbers. Mine has every option that was available too, so carbon inside and out. Lovely car and still makes me smile much despite the problems - but I have been unlucky.
My thoughts from last January's Spotted:
I have one in black, with the small wing.
First off, its deceptively long. When you park it in a multi-storey you really notice. The fuel tank is way too small (65 litres I think) which means you are stopping for fuel constantly. It makes the car feel much thirstier than it actually is. The heated seats take too long to warm up. It was too quiet when I got it, but a pair of Spires back boxes gave it a voice. And what a voice! It was very, very unruly on the original Pirelli P Zeros, but a geo check and change to MP4S tyres have changed its behaviour significantly.
On the plus side, its a proper character. A devious little devil, a playful goader and a rear tyre bully. The engine is strong from go, but really picks up above 4k. It feels much less linear than the C63 or M5 which either makes it less effective or more characterful depending on your view (I lean towards the latter). The steering is lovely: weighty, oily, direct, consistent and talkative. I thought the ride pretty firm when I got it, but it is a heavy car and with miles, I feel they have got it right. I was thrashing it in the Highlands at one stage and thought it would be too firm to switch into dynamic mode and yet when I did, it just stepped the body control right up and made the car feel very biddable rather than slightly running away with you which it felt in standard mode. It can be driven neatly very quickly indeed without ever feeling like its going to bite you. But it does want to oversteer. Pretty much always. Pretty much everywhere. But the delivery is so progressive, the steering so direct and the chassis so biddable that it never feels intimidating. It really does make you feel like a hand.
And yet... is it a better car than my CLS55 was? I'm not so sure. It does Mr Hyde with bells on, but it doesn't do Dr Jekyll quite as effectively as the big Merc did.
I have one in black, with the small wing.
First off, its deceptively long. When you park it in a multi-storey you really notice. The fuel tank is way too small (65 litres I think) which means you are stopping for fuel constantly. It makes the car feel much thirstier than it actually is. The heated seats take too long to warm up. It was too quiet when I got it, but a pair of Spires back boxes gave it a voice. And what a voice! It was very, very unruly on the original Pirelli P Zeros, but a geo check and change to MP4S tyres have changed its behaviour significantly.
On the plus side, its a proper character. A devious little devil, a playful goader and a rear tyre bully. The engine is strong from go, but really picks up above 4k. It feels much less linear than the C63 or M5 which either makes it less effective or more characterful depending on your view (I lean towards the latter). The steering is lovely: weighty, oily, direct, consistent and talkative. I thought the ride pretty firm when I got it, but it is a heavy car and with miles, I feel they have got it right. I was thrashing it in the Highlands at one stage and thought it would be too firm to switch into dynamic mode and yet when I did, it just stepped the body control right up and made the car feel very biddable rather than slightly running away with you which it felt in standard mode. It can be driven neatly very quickly indeed without ever feeling like its going to bite you. But it does want to oversteer. Pretty much always. Pretty much everywhere. But the delivery is so progressive, the steering so direct and the chassis so biddable that it never feels intimidating. It really does make you feel like a hand.
And yet... is it a better car than my CLS55 was? I'm not so sure. It does Mr Hyde with bells on, but it doesn't do Dr Jekyll quite as effectively as the big Merc did.
I have a MY2010 XKR and my wife has an XF-S Sportbrake so not exactly the comparison you're asking about but a couple of thoughts. As an everyday prospect I sort of prefer the XF-S. It rides better (granted the Sportbrakes all have air suspension at the rear), the 8-speed gearbox is way better and it just generally feels better made. I prefer the seats in her XF as well, think they're the same as in the XFR but not sure if the XFR-S has the same ones again or not.
She had a W164 ML320 Sport before the XF so if I had to go anywhere I'd almost always take my XKR out of the garage even for a short trip, rather than just jump in the ML. Obviously things are skewed just now with Covid etc. but I seldom take mine out of the garage unless I'm going for a hoon or she needs to use the XF for something at the same time. If she hadn't bought the XF-S then I'd probably be looking at changing mine for an XFR by now.
She had a W164 ML320 Sport before the XF so if I had to go anywhere I'd almost always take my XKR out of the garage even for a short trip, rather than just jump in the ML. Obviously things are skewed just now with Covid etc. but I seldom take mine out of the garage unless I'm going for a hoon or she needs to use the XF for something at the same time. If she hadn't bought the XF-S then I'd probably be looking at changing mine for an XFR by now.
They are very rare certainly. What do you get in the R-S that you don't get in the regular XFR? I know the ECU mapping is different, I have the R-S mapping on my XKR and the extra power and torque made really very little difference. I was considering looking for an XKR-S but not sure how much more special one of those is than a regular XKR, just wondering if an XFR would give you 95% of the experience for a lot less cash and be far more readily available.
I know that you are probably making the switch for the extra seats/room in the XF so this is almost certainly a moot point but I looked at the same 18 months ago. I was in the market for either an XF-RS or an XK-RS. I test drove both and IMHO the XF simply didn't have the sense of occaision that the XK offers. You need a French Racing Blue one though, in either case!
8bit said:
They are very rare certainly. What do you get in the R-S that you don't get in the regular XFR? I know the ECU mapping is different, I have the R-S mapping on my XKR and the extra power and torque made really very little difference. I was considering looking for an XKR-S but not sure how much more special one of those is than a regular XKR, just wondering if an XFR would give you 95% of the experience for a lot less cash and be far more readily available.
You get a free ironing board on the XFR-S 
Slightly lower than the R; firmer ride than the R; carbon-effect leather; Bigger wheels; Exhaust has no valves - though I've got a Spires on mine anyway; front bumper is a bit more of an occasion.
Mine had all the options ticked when new. I got it 18 months old and 2600 on the clock.
Edited by fatboy b on Friday 8th January 15:59
that is a great looking car, but i do like the french racing blue, and you are correct i would like four seats more convenience ! but without the smile that my xkr gives me will look at something else ! for me its not all about performance, i could easily spend £1500-£1800 stage one etc ! but like the look of xfr-s xkr-s !! really good reading
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