Help Needed... Am I Mad? Want to swap my 430d for an XK
Discussion
Hello all, I am a first time poster and a long time admirer of this awesome brotherhood/sisterhood.
I am faced with a dilemma...
I am a bit of a car nut and in my 30 years of living have been through a whole list of cars including the following:
2003 Porsche Boxster (986)
2007 Porsche Boxster (987)
2011 Jaguar XF 3.0D
2016 BMW 320d
2007 BMW 330i Coupe (Auto with the N53 - what a dog that turned out to be)
2012 Audi S5
...
And so on.
I have always been a sucker for driving the best possible thing my budget and circumstance could allow. I think I peaked when I had the Jaguar and Boxster together, was a fantastic 2 car garage. Alas, circumstances changed and now I live in London and need the wisdom of the community to help me with the next decision.
My current car is a 2014 BMW 430d Luxury. It is probably the most complete all rounder that I have ever had. Quick, comfortable and surprisingly practical (managed to get a double mattress in there to take to the tip)! It just leaves me a little... cold. I don't really get on with the steering and whilst the engine is brilliant and economical and obviously rapid, it does dump out the torque and isn't the most progressive. For B road driving and countryside blasts outside of the M25 it just doesn't put a smile on my face as much. Am I mad?
So, onto the dilemma. I have been offered a straight swap with a 2007 Jaguar XK - I must admit, I've always had a soft spot for these and by all accounts the 4.2 is a very solid lump and still plenty quick enough while being NA to fulfil my linear power dreams. The drawbacks are obviously the increased tax and thirst. Weirdly, the insurance is cheaper though. The back seats are also a bit useless for anyone with legs. But... it is calling to me. Is this a dumb idea?
Both our cars are in great condition and have good service history and tyres and so on.
Please send help - sleepless nights await. Stick or twist?
Thank you.
I am faced with a dilemma...
I am a bit of a car nut and in my 30 years of living have been through a whole list of cars including the following:
2003 Porsche Boxster (986)
2007 Porsche Boxster (987)
2011 Jaguar XF 3.0D
2016 BMW 320d
2007 BMW 330i Coupe (Auto with the N53 - what a dog that turned out to be)
2012 Audi S5
...
And so on.
I have always been a sucker for driving the best possible thing my budget and circumstance could allow. I think I peaked when I had the Jaguar and Boxster together, was a fantastic 2 car garage. Alas, circumstances changed and now I live in London and need the wisdom of the community to help me with the next decision.
My current car is a 2014 BMW 430d Luxury. It is probably the most complete all rounder that I have ever had. Quick, comfortable and surprisingly practical (managed to get a double mattress in there to take to the tip)! It just leaves me a little... cold. I don't really get on with the steering and whilst the engine is brilliant and economical and obviously rapid, it does dump out the torque and isn't the most progressive. For B road driving and countryside blasts outside of the M25 it just doesn't put a smile on my face as much. Am I mad?
So, onto the dilemma. I have been offered a straight swap with a 2007 Jaguar XK - I must admit, I've always had a soft spot for these and by all accounts the 4.2 is a very solid lump and still plenty quick enough while being NA to fulfil my linear power dreams. The drawbacks are obviously the increased tax and thirst. Weirdly, the insurance is cheaper though. The back seats are also a bit useless for anyone with legs. But... it is calling to me. Is this a dumb idea?
Both our cars are in great condition and have good service history and tyres and so on.
Please send help - sleepless nights await. Stick or twist?
Thank you.
I take it you only have the one car now?
But yeah, a na v8 will be a lot thirstier than any diesel. How many miles do you do? And do you need usable back seats or much practicality?
Personally if you can stomach the thirst and impractical shape, I say go for it. Clearly you're not adverse to swapping cars, so suck it and see, if you don't like it, swap back. But a v8 is cool any day of the week.
Alternatively, if you want a more engaging 4 series, how about a 435i? Remapped they're 360+ bhp easily, stonking engine.
But yeah, a na v8 will be a lot thirstier than any diesel. How many miles do you do? And do you need usable back seats or much practicality?
Personally if you can stomach the thirst and impractical shape, I say go for it. Clearly you're not adverse to swapping cars, so suck it and see, if you don't like it, swap back. But a v8 is cool any day of the week.
Alternatively, if you want a more engaging 4 series, how about a 435i? Remapped they're 360+ bhp easily, stonking engine.
Edited by brillomaster on Wednesday 12th November 16:48
I adore my XK, its attractive, elegant, and has plenty of power for my needs. Its been to Le Mans twice, Salon Privé twice, and a host of other Jaguar days out.
Reliability has been good, and its just needed general maintenance and wear and tear stuff.
The only car I've ever owned where I didn't miss my L322 Vogue SE TDV8.
Reliability has been good, and its just needed general maintenance and wear and tear stuff.
The only car I've ever owned where I didn't miss my L322 Vogue SE TDV8.
Bear in mind trade in on a 2007 XK is about a bag of crisps and a curly wurly. A nice 4.2 non R on, say, 60k miles is £6k trade if it's lucky so stick the reg and mileage of your car and the XK into WBAC to make sure you're not getting the shaft. I have no idea what the BMW is worth mind you, but I know XKs are killer value.
Also the later 5.0 cars drive a lot better with their continuously variable damping, 2nd gen ZF6 gearbox, tarted up interiors, and the engines are much more powerful. Also base spec XKs have quite a lot grottier leather and dashboard trim, less adjustment on the seats, and a really quite crap stereo so you want a Portfolio or one that's had some options ticked really.
Other than that they're superb cars, reliable, fast, handle very enjoyably on a good road (sports GT, not out and out sportscar), sound wicked, and parts are very reasonable. I use a 2010 XKR convertible as my daily. Do bear in mind that they are getting old and no matter how well they were made, and they were well made, they will have old car issues like failing radiators and hoses, bearings, tired bushes etc. I'd pit one against an ageing sooter BMW for running costs over a few years and some proper miles though.
Only criticism is my car is too big and too powerful for proper B road/windy single track mountain road hoon, but you could say that about everything bigger than an MX5/Elise etc.
Also the later 5.0 cars drive a lot better with their continuously variable damping, 2nd gen ZF6 gearbox, tarted up interiors, and the engines are much more powerful. Also base spec XKs have quite a lot grottier leather and dashboard trim, less adjustment on the seats, and a really quite crap stereo so you want a Portfolio or one that's had some options ticked really.
Other than that they're superb cars, reliable, fast, handle very enjoyably on a good road (sports GT, not out and out sportscar), sound wicked, and parts are very reasonable. I use a 2010 XKR convertible as my daily. Do bear in mind that they are getting old and no matter how well they were made, and they were well made, they will have old car issues like failing radiators and hoses, bearings, tired bushes etc. I'd pit one against an ageing sooter BMW for running costs over a few years and some proper miles though.
Only criticism is my car is too big and too powerful for proper B road/windy single track mountain road hoon, but you could say that about everything bigger than an MX5/Elise etc.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Wednesday 12th November 17:02
If practicality and thirst aren't an issue, then it sounds like quite a fun swap. I recently went from a diesel daily car to a V8 and I'm loving it. Admittedly, I barely do 6k a year so it's not even daily but I do have access to a more practical, family car as well albeit it's my other half's car.
Thanks all for replies so far.
Just for context I do around 8-10k miles. Mine has around 120k miles, the Jag around 105k. My trade in value is absolute peanuts anyway, think WBAC is giving around £5.3k as well. Values might be around the same-ish with potentially some room for negotiation like a first year's tax my way or something.
Also sometimes the back seats do come in handy but I do have access to a Mercedes C200 when necessary (it's a family member's car which is barely used) so it's not the end of the world losing that aspect.
Hope this helps add more detail.
PS. @GeniusOfLove - "bag of crisps and a curly wurly" - brilliant!
Just for context I do around 8-10k miles. Mine has around 120k miles, the Jag around 105k. My trade in value is absolute peanuts anyway, think WBAC is giving around £5.3k as well. Values might be around the same-ish with potentially some room for negotiation like a first year's tax my way or something.
Also sometimes the back seats do come in handy but I do have access to a Mercedes C200 when necessary (it's a family member's car which is barely used) so it's not the end of the world losing that aspect.
Hope this helps add more detail.
PS. @GeniusOfLove - "bag of crisps and a curly wurly" - brilliant!
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