You are here: Forums Sedans High Performance Luxury Sedans

High Performance Luxury Sedans

1038 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2008 at 12:12 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Jaguar XJR, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, Audi S6, Maserati Quattroporte, Audi S8, Sedan

#955 of 1038 BMW Video by merc1 Oct 04, 2005 (2:44 am)
German Taxicab
#956 of 1038 video by avatt Oct 12, 2005 (11:11 am)
Thanks for the video merc1
#957 of 1038 1998 XJR by seabush Oct 21, 2005 (12:56 pm)
What's a good price to pay for a 1998 XJR with 55K miles on it? The dealer is has a list price of $21,900. I was thinking to offer around $17,400. Thoughts?
#958 of 1038 Possible purchase - 1999 XJR by xjr2b Oct 31, 2005 (8:39 am)
I have a few newbie questions on the XJR, as I am considering buying a 1999 that I found locally.   1. Any major areas of concern at around 80K miles? I'm going to have a pre-purchase check, and I'd like to ask them to focus on possible trouble areas. The car had a $1200 brake job in the last year.   2. The owner has some aftermarket wheels on it, and I would want to return to stock. The dealer says they are $500 / wheel, so I've got a local wheel shop looking for some. Are the stock wheels staggered - meaning wider in the back? Is the recommended tire size for stock 255 / 40 / 18? Any recommendations for places to look for a set in good condition?   3. How is the handling? I am going to drive it tomorrow night, but this is the one concern I have with Jags. I recently had a 2001 Audi S4, and the handling was amazing. I'm certain the jag will be different, and likely less responsive, but how does it compare to other sport sedans?   Thanks for indulging my questions. -Grady Replies to this message: habitat1 (Oct 31, 2005 9:41 am)
#959 of 1038 Re: Possible purchase - 1999 XJR [xjr2b] by habitat1 Oct 31, 2005 (9:41 am)
Replying to: xjr2b (Oct 31, 2005 8:39 am) Can't help with your first question. No personal experience.   On your second question, you might try calling the Tire Rack. They would likely know exactly what the OEM wheel and tire sizes were for your car, and may even have some suggestions.   On your last question regarding handling - the XJR would be the least "super" of the super sedans in this forum. An architect that does work for me has one that he fondly refers to as his "BB" (i.e. British Buick). He got it for his wife at a bargain basement price, but he claims his own 2004 E500 Sport is a much better handling car, at least on the winding roads he drives on his daily commute.   I have not driven an XJ or XJR personally, but ridden in one on several occassions and it does seem to be oriented more towards luxury first, power second and handling a distant third. Include some nice winding roads in your test drive.
#960 of 1038 Thanks! by xjr2b Oct 31, 2005 (10:15 am)
I've already got my test drive route mapped. Replies to this message: edkunkel (Nov 05, 2005 10:27 pm) fenn (Dec 01, 2005 11:45 am) scottphillip (Dec 07, 2005 8:22 am) and 1 more...
#961 of 1038 Re: Thanks! [xjr2b] by edkunkel Nov 05, 2005 (10:27 pm)
Replying to: xjr2b (Oct 31, 2005 10:15 am) the newer aluminum XJRs handle quite well, they are tighter and lighter than previous ones. the air suspension keeps them pretty much flat around corners. I think mine breaks five seconds to 60, and the Brembo brakes are fine, alittle touchy maybe, but very, very good. The whole, light, big car with 400 horsepower is quite a thing unto itself. Replies to this message: fenn (Dec 01, 2005 11:45 am) scottphillip (Dec 07, 2005 8:22 am) fenn (Dec 16, 2005 1:35 pm)
#962 of 1038 XJR by fenn Dec 01, 2005 (11:45 am)
Replying to: edkunkel (Nov 05, 2005 10:27 pm) I have an '04 "new version" aluminum XJR. The concept of the light body and the supercharged engine really delivers in all around performance with decent fuel economy. The car is a joy to drive---when it is not plagued with a problem.   However, my XJR is an absolute nightmare. It has been in the shop for an average of one visit per month since I leased it 26 months ago. Everything that can go wrong, has gone wrong! I have had problems with electronics, such as locks, adaptive cruise, air bag warning lights, and error messages. The interior trim has peeled off of the console and dash surround on three occasions. But, it gets worse: The steering, rear end and suspension have been creaking and noisy from the start. They have replaced the rack and pinion, the differential, and today the car is in the shop awaiting a drive shaft and subframe.   The car has never been hit, and is well maintained. but it is a disaster. I hate this thing. Mine may be the lone ultimate lemon, but it is hard for me to recommend one of these vehicles to anybody based on my experience. After 27 months of ownership, I can say that this is the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned.   I have been reasonable with Jaguar. I am trying to get them to replace the car or take me out of my lease..I told them I would even start over with a new lease, if they would support the buy out residual at 27 months, but they will not. Meanwhile the dealer is offering me $5000 behind blue book to take me out of this one. That shows how bad these XJR's depreciate! No confidence shown by the selling dealer or Jaguar!   I told them I just want to get out of this one...And, I told them I would give them a second chance by starting over with an '06 XJR, but they are not interested in taking any responsibility. I was a fool for not going after them earlier under the California Lemon Law, but now I am too far into the lease to get easy relief.   As for those of you that think these are good cars and have not experienced any problems...I would keep my fingers crossed.   They drive nicely, but they are nightmares in the long run. Replies to this message: scottphillip (Dec 07, 2005 8:22 am) fenn (Dec 16, 2005 1:35 pm)
#963 of 1038 Re: XJR [fenn] by scottphillip Dec 07, 2005 (8:22 am)
Replying to: fenn (Dec 01, 2005 11:45 am) If you keep good records, why not pursue the lemon law claim? BTW, I think that I remember when you purchased it. You used to post regularly. I have always wanted a Jag, but your comments have me re-thinking the idea. I have a Land Rover now, but, knock wood, haven't had any problems in my first 5,000 miles. Replies to this message: fenn (Dec 16, 2005 1:35 pm)
#964 of 1038 Re: XJR [scottphillip] by fenn Dec 16, 2005 (1:35 pm)
Replying to: scottphillip (Dec 07, 2005 8:22 am) Jaguar has offered a concession and some money to me if I take another Jaguar. I am getting a new '05 XJR at a bargain price and giving them back the '04 with its 52,000 miles of problems. It is sort of like kissing your sister to go back to them for another XJR after all that I have endured, but I am going forward with the assumption that I got the worst one, while hoping for better luck with an '05.   If the new car has any issues I will be vigilent and use the lemon law. If it just drives nicely and acts like a good XJR should, I will be a happy camper.   By the way, my '04 was built in early '03 so it was one of the early incarnations of the new XJ, so I am hoping that the '05 will be more evolved in build quality. We shall see. huh?   I should mention that I test drove a new BMW 750, an Audi A-8 and a Mercedes CLS 500 during the past week before agreeing to go back to another XJR. The fact is that IMO the XJR feels lighter, more responsive and fun than any of the others. The horsepower to weight ratio is hard to beat with the XJR, and the other cars with normal engines price out at about the same price as the Supercharged XJR. However, the Audi build quality and interior was hard to resist.

You are here: Forums Sedans High Performance Luxury Sedans