KenE55

Hi All,

Although I love all the E55's I've owned, I'm getting an itch to drive something different. I'll keep my E55, but I'm thinking of getting another car as an alternate.

I looked at the SL, but I find this car's interior too similar to the E. The SL550 is too heavy and soft, and the SL55/SL65 are just too expensive. Too much $$ takes all the fun out of for me. I really think the SL is way overpriced for what you get. It seems like less car than the E for $40k more. I don't even want a convertible, I want a coupe.

I considered a Z06, but this car is a bit too much of a racer for the lousy roads we have up in Seattle. I also find it to have a little lower interior build quality than I'd like.

So... I'm thinking of getting something I never would have considered in the past: the new Jaguar XKR. It's fast, though not quite as fast as the E55. I think it's beautiful, inside and out. It's expensive but not ridiculously so, around $85k I think. That's quite a bit cheaper than an M6, another car I might go for.

I'm just curious if anyone has this vehicle, or any comments about it. TIA.

jangy

Personally, I'm not a fan. How about a Pcar? Go with the TT as it is a bit "softer" than the rear drive versions. A bit pricier, but still nice? If not, M6 is also nice, but same price.

mclarenm8d

I find the new XKR very tempting, but in truth, I find it to be too small now that I have gotten used to my CL55. I guess the rationale I have is that if you can't really use the rear seats for adults, why not get a two seater ??

But price, performance, looks, the XKR is pretty cool, IMO. Less money than the AM V8 ... end of the day, probably not getting much less, value wise, than an AM V8.

Carl Lassiter

You're going to be disappointed going from an E55 to an XKR. For a little bit more, you really should go M6. It's a far more exquisite machine and with 300bhp/ton, gives you near-ZO6 performance without the lairy character or image.

zdkdeeier493

I agree with going with the M6. If its a step you're willing to take, do it. The XKR is a beautiful car, but an M6 is in an entirely different league. I would seriously consider an XKR but one thing that is a major turn-off for me about it is the fact that it still has a telescopic antenna. Next time you see an XK driving around look for it and you'll see how ridiculous it looks. This is the 21st century folks, if you're paying 90k+ for a car, it should at least have a more discreet antenna. I prefer not to drive a vehicle that looks like its operated by a remote control!

vixapphire

if the XKR has the same 4.2 v8, ZF 6-speed drivetrain as the S-type R, you may wish to avoid it. that drivetrain isn't up to snuff. www.thelurch.com

on the other hand, the XKR is really handsome; much more so than the standard XK.

if you're worried at all about resale value, go with the bimmer. if not, and you want something different, have you also considered the XLR-V cadillac? the V has a markedly improved interior over the stock XLR - far nicer materials. but the XLR's do have that love/hate styling that doesn't work for everyone... build quality is very high, though.

Grumpy666

Carl, check the batteries in your calculator . . .

Benz-O-Rama

+1 on this. I had the exact same problem with Jag S-type R and was the main reason I switched to my E

Carl Lassiter

I have it as 507bhp at 1.7 tons (1710kg-BMW official claim) which comes to 297bhp/ton.

The heaviest weight i've seen is 1762kg (Evo magazine May 06) and it could be said the engine is 500bhp (507ps) giving 284bhp/ton. This is the very lowest and somewhat of an anomoly.

Don't label me the new Improviz...usually, my math is awful, but i think i may have nailed it this time

eLTURCOamg

jag's values diminish like no other

Grumpy666

OK, I see the difference. You are referring to a metric ton (2204.6 pounds), not the standard USA ton (2000 pounds).

My comment was based on the data presented on the BMW USA site, which uses Imperial metrics. They list the car weight at 3909 pounds and the HP at 500. That works out to 256 HP/ton (US).

bzliteyear

instead of jag, how about this?

2005 SL65 w/ only 11k

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/car/246254078.html

i don't know the car or the owner, just thought fun to include as food for thot for anyone here.

p.s. mb of walnut creek advertising a new 2006 sl65 for $40k off msrp, but it's still $165k.

AMG_55

you already have a auto luxury car.

get a gt3

or even a carrera s, i love mine.

dont get another automatic.

m5>m6 btw, with the $ you save you can make your m5 truly 1 of a kind.

Jspeed

I have an 4.2 XJR and though the engine is great, the drivetrain is crap. Comfort wise I have no complaints but drivetrain is simply not sporty enough. Gearing sucks and it starts to feel really slow above 120mph. Gearchanges are also super slow and my Golf GTI with stage 1 mods can hang with it side by side in a race from dig. The XKR should be similar based on specs so I know you'll get bored of the power pretty fast. Interior is also more of the same and nothing to get excited about. Get an AM-V8 instead. Much better looks/interior/exhaust sound and handling. Or a BMW 335ci and mod it. For half the price its already as fast as the XJR stock and probably more fun to drive.

dragonAMG

M6 gets my vote

CY

Drove the new XK8...couldnt wait to get back into my SL....also to be honest the new XK is a joke they were willing to go almost 7k off a cab already here in LA....coupes are more in demand...."R"'s are better but not that much better. I would get either a 911, 6er or SL.....no Ford, I mean jag. I had a previous generation XK...worst decision I ever made.

AMG 17GT

XkR is a cosmetic car with no substance..............the ford engine is a complete turd with a very short powerband and a transmission that does nothing but make it even more sluggish......this is the engine they strapped into the range rover replacing the great 4.4 bmw engine.....that almost killed rovers sales......after about 20k it starts getting rough, vibration etc... not to mention all the service visits....the reason i know this is my partner had one and I drove when we had to go out of town..............he tried to turn in the lease (because the transmission literally left him on side of road and had to be replaced) (11months left) this weekend and found out that to trade it he would be 27k in the hole.............it will be his last "Jag"

Carl Lassiter

Oh lord it's so confusing. That would be my Euro-heritage to blame. Yeah 256 and 297 is a quite a huge difference. Why can't a ton be a ton, or is it a tonne?

KenE55

Thank you all for your advice and comments. I have cooled a little on the XKR idea. The local dealer have none on hand to see or drive, and a little research indicates jags do drop in value quickly. I don't care about resale for the dollars, but it indicates to me the long term reliability isn't there. I also do not like the telescoping power antenna (on a 2007?). I'm just not willing to order a car like that without driving it first anyway.

I also fear any car that feel slower than my E55 will take too much of the fun. The E55 is as very, very hard act to follow, isn't it?

I'm going to take a good look at the M6, as many advised. I like the looks, for sure.

I'll also go look at the 911, Cayman (probably too slow but I'll bet it's fun to drive), and I can't resist at least checking out the Cadillac XLR-V. If I look at the numbers, it's very hard to dismiss the Z06 as well... nothing comes close to the performance, and it's the cheapest of all the cars I'm considering. If only GM spent a few k$ more on the interior! And I wonder why Cadillac doesn't offer a Z06 in XLR clothing.

Again, thanks.