RJC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwRWnzYYt_8

It would be a 2012 facelifted "R" Cab, Metallic Black, Black Top, Charcoal Interior with Ivory Stitching and Black Piano Wood. 510hp

Ready to give the depo, thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks

EKLASSDOM

Go for the sl

RJC

I checked it out, too frumpy and common for me (they're everywhere around here) and due for a major redo very soon. The XKR was a blast to drive and the cabin makes the SL's look kinda cheap. The engine is a monster, ultra smooth and just about everything is standard for $103k including the 510 HP engine.

EKLASSDOM

I'm not a jag fan due to many fam and friends that have owned and cursed them. I know they have come a long way though I'm just not impressed with them. Of corse that's just me, if you dont want common what about a Aston ?

RJC

I can't justify the price difference especially since they are both designed by the same person. The newly redesigned 12's also now share the Aston style side gills. The new Jags also have a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty with all scheduled maintenance and wear items, sans tires, included. If you haven't driven a new XKR Id suggest you give it a try, I was very impressed and the 12's should be even better.

AMGfan

I love it...the interior is primo. Go for it!

RJC

Thanks man, the aroma of the English leather is intoxicating; love your GTR.

220S

I drove the XKR coupe on a pretty extensive test drive last year up into the Santa Monica Mtns of Malibu (the dealership is in Thousand Oaks.) I think I might have posted something here about my experience in a thread.

Bottom line is that the car handles extremely well and feels very agile. They lightened up the car a lot by using all aluminum. Some of the roads around there are fairly bumpy in the corners and the car was comfortable and never felt twitchy (no bump steer and it stays flat in the corners.) Plenty of low end power, too.

The brakes were not as good as my AMG but still decent. And to top it off, the design is simply scrumptious. The R branded leather seating is better than the MBs. They offer some nice paint options, too, esp in the grays and blues. And much more interior combo choices (without paying extra.) The Bowers & Wilkins stereo system is very good.

If the dealer near you is competent (getting good service and repair would be paramount), then go for it. It's overall more of a fun factor car. You'll really enjoy driving this car much more than a MB, imho. The MB would be more of a conservative choice while the Jag would be a treat and a lot more entertaining. btw, I'd consider the $2k for the optional adaptive cruise control.

It's more expensive than the E Class, but a lot more car, too.

Do it.

RJC

Thank you for the affirmation. They offered me $3k under invoice for an 11 but the changes for the 12 I've simply got to have. The dealership is a very high volume store and they have a very nice facility so I'd hope the service is as good. I'm probably only going to put about 5-7k on the car each year. I will have to wait until Sept for delivery and they are trying to get a factory spec'd launch car to my color, leather preferences. This will be my first English car as I've been a primarily German car guy for many years.

220S

For your intended usage, I think you'll be happy. It's a beautiful car and just that alone is worth a lot to me, personally. And its performance ranks way up there. Again, it's a car that will be a lot of fun to drive.

Waiting for it to arrive will be the hard part.......

RJC

Thank you again. It's torture waiting right now.

Here's another video featuring the entire '12 line sans the XKR-S, I like the direction Jag is going even though I'm still having trouble with the XJ.

Btw, the XKR-S should be a monster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkEbh...e_gdata_player

220S

British designers are tops, imho. And of course some of the Italians, too (Bertone, Giugiaro)

Unfortunately I'm not too enamored with the latest Mercedes design language and I sometimes wonder about Gorden Wagener's aesthetic sensibilities.

I actually thought about the XKR-S. Although I think it might be a tad bit too 'boy racer' looking for me. The XKR coupe is perfect in my eye. Svelte and even somewhat subtle in a very handsome way.

RJC

Very well penned. I truly admire the aesthetics of the coupe as well but had to have at least a pano or sunroof so I went with the convertible. Some colors for '12 will be delayed due to the situation in Japan as will some rim designs; there is a gorgeous new wheel called the Venom but it will be delayed and it's a 20 which is too much for my simpler tastes.

220S

btw, here's what C&D said about the 2010 XKR:

"In a lot of ways, the XKR is a better car than the M6, which is a techno overload on wheels. The Jag rides better, we prefer its styling, and it is actually quicker. It lacks the cachet of the Mercedes SL63 but is cheaper, more stylish, and less ubiquitous. We don’t think it’s as gorgeous as the Aston Martin DB9 inside or out, but the XKR is more practical, faster, handles better, and is about 60 percent of the price. In fact, we think its closest rivals are the Porsche 911 Carrera S, which carries a similar sticker once it’s been optioned out, and the BMW M3 coupe, which is way cheaper but doesn’t have the high style of this British GT."

RJC

Interesting thank you. My 07 C2S has a low rent cabin and 911's have been so so since the last of the air cooled cars. I've owned 2 928S4's in the late 80's and they are a closer match to the XKs imho. I did not realize the XKR was faster than an M6, interesting.

I am becoming more and more excited by this car and will need to be medicated or put into a cryogenic freeze for the next 90 days lol. I'm having trouble finding a very active XK forum on the net and certainly nothing like this board; MB World is one of the best and I truly enjoy interacting with the many members here. MB's will always have a soft spot for me as will Porsche, BMW and Ferrari; we'll see how the new Jag compares over time.

I was able to see there was a previous recent euro only XKR-S which was quite nice and not as over the top as the new one. I agree with you about the boy racer look especially in the ultra high profile light blue with black wheels. Any chance you might go for the R coupe when you sell the 63?

220S

Actually I was about ready to do it (go for the XKR) right after I took that test drive. I like what's on the table for 2012 with Jag and between a FI car (turbo) or a SC car, I'd take the SC. But right now I really like this 6.2 liter NA motor and can't seem to get enough of it. But the XKR could well be on the horizon for me.

Just for fun here are some of Gustav's videos of the XKR. It's a fast car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fCrH...feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPlXG...feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6xQR...feature=relmfu

p.s., the last one is the XFR

ImInPA

This is sort of a no brainer for you. Enjoy the XKR!!! Keep the rubber side down.

K-A

I was just talking with my Cousin who's in town from France. He owned an XK and an XF, but sold the XK recently (has a Wedding coming up) and kept the XF. He loved his XK, and said that in France the car obviously was seen as an exotic.

If you love the car, and can swing the difference, then go for it. There aren't many around, so you will have a very exclusive car, and won't be "one of the heard", yet on the other hand, owner/Forum/etc. support won't be as big, and you won't be able to enjoy seeing how your car looks on the road and in different elements (something that I enjoy seeing personally).

I would recommend to check out the 2012 6-Series (wasn't too impressed when I saw it the other day, but I hate Verts and will withhold final judgement until I see the Coupe.... But the interior was surprisingly underwhelming), and even the CLS.

If this car speaks to you, then I don't think you can go wrong with it. Very classy and refined choice.

hyperion667

YUM........Jaguar.........

yes, the inside of those cars is amazing..

go for it!

K-A

The two modern Design Captains that are responsible for the modern great Benz Designs are Sacco and Pfeiffer. I agree that the jury is out on Wagener.

The W204, W221, W212, and upcoming CLS were all done during the final years of Pfeiffers reign, and it's obvious that these cars are influenced a lot by Wagener's ambition.

IMO, from what I gather about Wagener, he's extremely ambitious, and has his mind set on revolutionizing, yet he seems like the kind of person who could create masterpieces when under a watchful eye of someone more conservative and with a more mature vision (like Pfeiffer). This is why I personally think there's what could be either a perfect or odd mixture of ambition and conservatism in the current Benz language.

I am really uncertain about the future models that are Wagener with free reign. The upcoming A-Class is said to be his first full Design (without Pfeiffer as Captain), and the lines on the side of that car look ridiculous, they make the current E and even funky CLS look reserved and simplistic. The side profile of the upcoming S-Class will also have the "squiggly nonsensical" lines running all cursively on the profile, which could be a disaster.

On another note, I've heard that there's a quiet discontent amongst the Designers of M-B regarding the SLS. Due to it being Pfeiffer who wanted it to be an homage to a Classic model, whereas Wagener seems to have an ego that would want to create something with less obvious ties to the past. If true, this would also prove to me that Pfeiffer was a top notch Designer, as the SLS is simple, pure, and future/retro in a perfect mix that will allow the car to be individual yet timeless, yet classic.

ngerstman

What can we say other than "Tata"!!! Regards. Ned.

dariusf

Its a gorgeous car. I love the lines. I was trying to push the wife to go for the 2011 XF but in the end she chose the E class. I'm sure you will be very happy with the car.

220S

Did you know that Tata and Daimler had a joint venture going back in the 1950s? Tata has some big money now and I do hope they sink plenty of it into Jaguar. The irony of all this of course is that the colonized are now the owners of their former colonizers famed auto company. Rudyard Kipling is probably rolling in his grave.

K-A

Ahh, took me a minute (or two) but I get it.

RJC

Thanks for all the well wishes and positive support. Tonight at dinner while walking to our car a beautiful diamond white E550 Cab with a light cocoa colored top and two tone interior swung around to the valet area, what can I say it's a beautiful car and tremendous value for the money; I guess that's why I ordered one in the first place. The Jag however is in another class and it should be for $15-$30k more.

It won't be "ta ta" as I really love this forum especially the E sections and I've been a member here for years and some 4000+ posts. I am awaiting to here from my dealership if the rep got a launch car changed for me...we'll see by next week hopefully.