Exec, GT-esk cruiser - Jag XJ or Merc CLS
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I'm currently in the process of deciding between two cars and could really use some advice from those who have experience with them. I'm looking to move back to an executive-style cruiser and have a budget of between £12,000 and £15,000. My minds is open to alternatives but haven't got the onions for a cheap Porsche Panamera, unless convinced otherwise
The two cars I'm considering are the Jaguar X351 and the Mercedes CLS C218 350. I've had an early XJ 351 before and absolutely loved it. The power delivery, elegance, and smoothness on motorways were fantastic.
However, I've never driven the CLS or the 350 engine, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts. How do the driving experiences compare? What about the comfort and reliability of each? Any insights or personal experiences with either car would be greatly appreciated.
Feel free to suggest any others I may have overlooked.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I'm currently in the process of deciding between two cars and could really use some advice from those who have experience with them. I'm looking to move back to an executive-style cruiser and have a budget of between £12,000 and £15,000. My minds is open to alternatives but haven't got the onions for a cheap Porsche Panamera, unless convinced otherwise
The two cars I'm considering are the Jaguar X351 and the Mercedes CLS C218 350. I've had an early XJ 351 before and absolutely loved it. The power delivery, elegance, and smoothness on motorways were fantastic.
However, I've never driven the CLS or the 350 engine, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts. How do the driving experiences compare? What about the comfort and reliability of each? Any insights or personal experiences with either car would be greatly appreciated.
Feel free to suggest any others I may have overlooked.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I have had three of each, varied engines and trims.
CLS is well built inside, ride is decent and will likely be on all steel on a coupe. Air is a rare option, two of mine were and it is better.
The 350d unit OM642 is fine, a bit underpowered and can hunt for revs at idle. 35mpg is standard.
The lights are excellent, the space is fine, the sound system good, leather is good, refinement is good, it handles nice enough, but can lose composure when on air. Never had a single mechanical issue in circa 100k miles across three.
XJ, if post facelift, is better appointed. The engine feels more turbine-y, and it handles much better. Ride is similar, though the car itself feels more cocooned. Which means rear seat space is worse. Headroom is worse. Every one had issues, none were fatal, but include electronics, speed sensors, filters etc. MPG was also easy 35mpg.
Tech is better in a post facelift XJ, as it will have native AA / Car Play and a full digital dash.
If I was buying one of them tomorrow as a main car it would be...a 400 petrol c218 CLS if you can find one.
CLS is well built inside, ride is decent and will likely be on all steel on a coupe. Air is a rare option, two of mine were and it is better.
The 350d unit OM642 is fine, a bit underpowered and can hunt for revs at idle. 35mpg is standard.
The lights are excellent, the space is fine, the sound system good, leather is good, refinement is good, it handles nice enough, but can lose composure when on air. Never had a single mechanical issue in circa 100k miles across three.
XJ, if post facelift, is better appointed. The engine feels more turbine-y, and it handles much better. Ride is similar, though the car itself feels more cocooned. Which means rear seat space is worse. Headroom is worse. Every one had issues, none were fatal, but include electronics, speed sensors, filters etc. MPG was also easy 35mpg.
Tech is better in a post facelift XJ, as it will have native AA / Car Play and a full digital dash.
If I was buying one of them tomorrow as a main car it would be...a 400 petrol c218 CLS if you can find one.
Deangtv said:
Hi everyone,
I'm currently in the process of deciding between two cars and could really use some advice from those who have experience with them. I'm looking to move back to an executive-style cruiser and have a budget of between £12,000 and £15,000. My minds is open to alternatives but haven't got the onions for a cheap Porsche Panamera, unless convinced otherwise
The two cars I'm considering are the Jaguar X351 and the Mercedes CLS C218 350. I've had an early XJ 351 before and absolutely loved it. The power delivery, elegance, and smoothness on motorways were fantastic.
However, I've never driven the CLS or the 350 engine, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts. How do the driving experiences compare? What about the comfort and reliability of each? Any insights or personal experiences with either car would be greatly appreciated.
Feel free to suggest any others I may have overlooked.
Thanks in advance for your help!
When you say 350 do you mean the petrol one? I'm currently in the process of deciding between two cars and could really use some advice from those who have experience with them. I'm looking to move back to an executive-style cruiser and have a budget of between £12,000 and £15,000. My minds is open to alternatives but haven't got the onions for a cheap Porsche Panamera, unless convinced otherwise
The two cars I'm considering are the Jaguar X351 and the Mercedes CLS C218 350. I've had an early XJ 351 before and absolutely loved it. The power delivery, elegance, and smoothness on motorways were fantastic.
However, I've never driven the CLS or the 350 engine, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts. How do the driving experiences compare? What about the comfort and reliability of each? Any insights or personal experiences with either car would be greatly appreciated.
Feel free to suggest any others I may have overlooked.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Both are good units with the diesel getting the nod, also look for the Premium Plus models:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504040...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412207...
If petrol is an option then the Genesis is hard to look past at this price point:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406170...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...
I have a CLS 350d estate… It’s a fantastic car. I’ve done about 40k miles in it, now at 100k miles. Touch wood very little has needed fixing beyond routine servicing and a turbo oil leak.
A key difference if it matters is the XJ is a 5 seater, the CLS saloon strictly 4. If you need 5 seats and want the Merc then you’ll need the shooting brake/estate.
I like the look of the Jaguar XJ, and the interior looks interesting, albeit the Merc I think is better quality.
Apart from the transitional 2014 cars, facelift CLSs all have CarPlay/AA.
The CLS adaptive LED lights are astonishingly good.
I’m not a fan of the lion V6 in the Jaguar due to the weak crank.
I’d also recommend the CLS400. It’s petrol, and very well specced as standard, but only available as a saloon.
For the 350d, get a Premium Plus if you can.
A key difference if it matters is the XJ is a 5 seater, the CLS saloon strictly 4. If you need 5 seats and want the Merc then you’ll need the shooting brake/estate.
I like the look of the Jaguar XJ, and the interior looks interesting, albeit the Merc I think is better quality.
Apart from the transitional 2014 cars, facelift CLSs all have CarPlay/AA.
The CLS adaptive LED lights are astonishingly good.
I’m not a fan of the lion V6 in the Jaguar due to the weak crank.
I’d also recommend the CLS400. It’s petrol, and very well specced as standard, but only available as a saloon.
For the 350d, get a Premium Plus if you can.
Edited by Robertb on Saturday 24th May 16:11
Edited by Robertb on Saturday 24th May 16:19
No comparison in my mind; The CLS is at the end of the day a squished E Class while the XJ was taking on S Classes and teaching them a lesson or two, particularly when it comes to special feeling interiors.
From even mid trim level upwards a XJ will have soft quality leather absolutely everywhere instead of that dreadful textured plastic stuff on places like the dashboard and door card tops, oodles of quality wood veneer, high quality switchgear and amazing colour options if the original person specing the interior was feeling spicy.
Engine wise they're about a draw assuming you're thinking of a diesel, driving dynamics wise, I'd say the XJ was better, despite their dimensions they are reasonably lightweight and I find them to be surprisingly firm and responsive for a big barge. A E Class/CLS is fine, nice enough to eat up miles but nothing remarkable, especially when lent on a bit.
From even mid trim level upwards a XJ will have soft quality leather absolutely everywhere instead of that dreadful textured plastic stuff on places like the dashboard and door card tops, oodles of quality wood veneer, high quality switchgear and amazing colour options if the original person specing the interior was feeling spicy.
Engine wise they're about a draw assuming you're thinking of a diesel, driving dynamics wise, I'd say the XJ was better, despite their dimensions they are reasonably lightweight and I find them to be surprisingly firm and responsive for a big barge. A E Class/CLS is fine, nice enough to eat up miles but nothing remarkable, especially when lent on a bit.
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