I was considering these 2 vehicles (obviously S R can't compare favorably against E55, but E55 is about 14K more and not out to general public yet) so I'm using the E500. By the time I added E2, E3, staggered 18" wheels, etc. that are standard on the S R, the E500 costs as much if not more than the S R. I like the styling of both. While Jaguar has had more than it's share of problems I've heard that their dependability has dramatically improved in the last year or two. While I've always considered Merc fairly dependable I've read enough horror stories about 1st year bugs in the new E500 to think twice. Since I am basically considering the price & styling about equal, would I be better off going with a new S-type R over an E500 for the extra performance?
I'm considering purchase in late May so any advise will be appreciated.

 

Welcome louigi1! It's good to have you with us.

The Jaguar styling has never appealed to me, so it's never been a consideration for me. What I can tell you is that I LOVE my E-Class and am totally happy with it!! I have only owned my car three months, but I have had no problems with it at all. Love it, love it, love it!!!

 

I totally agree, ricky. I love my car, everything about it. the style, the ride, the power. you can't lose

 

This is my 2 E class and i love every thing about it. there are only a few cars i would trade it for and a Jaguar S-type R is not one of them. maybe a Ferrari 360 Modena but that is about $100,000 and that is not in my price range. Jaguar are old people cars. my grandma has that car it is fast but i like my car much better.

 

How about a 2002 E55 demo with either very low or no miles for approx $60,000? That's quite a bargain right now.


https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=37886

 

I seriously considered Jaguar. I like its style over MB. Unfortunately dealers didn't have cars with options and colors I wanted, so I bought MB. MB has also better prestige value.

 

As a recent Jaguar owner, I can't recommend any of their current vehicles. The day I got rid of mine (an X-Type...lousy impluse purchase on my part) for my current BMW 530i was one of the happiest days of my life. A friend just turned his S-Type in under the Lemon Law, and what did he get? A 2003 E320, and he's SO thankful to be behind the wheel of a Mercedes. I'm replacing my 530i with an E500 Sport in the near future.

One other thing to consider that wipes out any price comparisons you've made --- RESALE VALUE. Jaguars are among the worst vehicles when it comes to resale. In all reality, the S-Type will probably cost you as much (or more) in depreciation as a 2004 E55 a few years down the line, despite the price difference between the two. Go for the Benz.

 

I spent a week week in the S type. It has some good features (the seats are soft and comfy) but is not even close to the e-calsss in any category you choise. It is a lease favorite and part of the Hertz / Avis rental fleet. Enough said.

 

I had one from Budget for a few days as well, and it does make for a great rental. I forgot to mention in my previous post that the friend with the Lemon S-Type affectionately called it his 'Taurus'. Quite the compliment...

 

I once test drove an S-Type R here in Germany and it is a nice looking car. The problems that I discovered were a mediocre build quality(window rubber loose at high speeds and whining noise from air vents above 135 mph), a loud supercharger whine that overpowers the engine note, loss of power at high temperatures(mid 80s Fahrenheit and above), and very little interior and trunk space compared to the competition. The brakes, handling and even performance at lower temperatures are not better(if even as good) than that of an E500 Sport. Go with the MB.

 

This is a good analysis. Many people only look at the cost to buy not the cost of ownership. The E 55 or an E 500 Sport are much better choices. Also, a friend has a Jag S-Type 4.0. When he took me for a ride in it all I though was dressed up Taurus. My wife's E 320 Sport is a much better car.

William Gardner

2002 S 55 AMG
2003 E 320 Sport

 

I just want to clarify that S-type doesn't share platform with Taurus. It shares platform with Lincoln LS, both cars are RWD, in opposite to Taurus FWD. Some car reviews claim that Lincoln LS outperforms BMW 540. I also read in favor to S-type R comparo with M5. After reading this forum with number of problems new owners have including delaying navigation, engine sound and so on, I'm seriously thinking about another make to my next car in favor of BMW or Jaguar.

 

I want to thank everyone for their replies so far, but I also want to clarify that I'm aware that the standard Jaguar S-type is not a good choice of luxury car. My question refers specifically to the new 390 HP 2003 s-type R. The one Car & Driver and several other mags have been comparing with BMW M5, Merc E55, and Audi RS6. Granted it's not winning vs. those cars but it is being well received, and just to be in that category at only 62k msrp, is what has me curious.

 

My mother always wanted a Jag, so there's now a 2003 S-Type 3.0 sitting in the garage. Trust me, you don't feel as if you're in a Ford (though the interiors of pre-2003 models were awful)...the only hint to a Ford is the window switches from the Contour, but then again, they're also used on Aston Martins. All in all, the car rides great, handles well, and looks damn good (black on black).

Check out JagTalk for more info.

Some points about the Jag:
1) it's small on the inside, though its more enveloping than cramped
2) they're still working the bugs out of the 6-speed auto
3) apparently there is a bug with the climate/navi combo
4) check out the new XJ...an amazing ride

 

They really need to make the dates more noticable for these people...

 

Indian Tata may own Jaguar soon, so quality will be certainly improved.

 

the E500 is great... you might have to iron out some little issues (helpful if you are buying a car with warranty) ...

the car is fast enough unless you are planning on doing drags with corovettes.. but you can eat unsuspecting Mustang GTs all day long...

go for the E

 

Wouldn't it make more sense to wait until March and then buy the 2009 XF supercharged SV8? The S-type is now in its final days. Check out the "build your own" section in the Jaguar US web site.

http://www.jaguarusa.com/us/en/xf/bu...ld_your_xf.htm