I wouldn't personally bother with the 3.0 petrol V6. They're all very early models and the engine isn't bad, but it's lacking in torque if you're after a bit more pace.

After that the petrols are the V8s, which may be out of your budget. The SV8 is the 4.2 super charged V8 which is fantastically reliable but expensive when it goes wrong. It's also the thirstiest in the bunch, but insurance is usually quite reasonable. Tax is the top band. They're also like hens teeth to find.

The 5.0 supercharged R is good, slightly better fuel economy than the 4.2 but more expensive insurance and slightly less reliable. Again, top band tax. Easier to find.

The 2.7 diesel is gutless and rather boring to drive, I'd avoid it. Again it's fairly reliable. Tax and fuel economy are reasonable.

The creme de la crème and top pick if you want a good mixture is the 3.0 diesel V6. Fairly good in all areas but earlier models suffer from intake manifolds cracking/splitting under boost pressure and you've got to be careful with the DPFs. Not any good if you're doing low mileage really.

 

Thanks for the super-quick response!

I think as my current 3.0i is reasonably torquey and free revving, the V6 petrol might be a let down and unfortunately I'd imagine my purchase price bracket would probably only buy a less loved V8 example. So, V6 diesel it is then

You mention 'earlier models' are prone to weak intake manifolds - any idea on the years affected?

 

Welcome to the forum #firstname#

As Phil said, forget the 3.0 petrol ... it's slow & thirsty.

The performance of the standard diesel will be similar to your BMW & the previous Merc, the S is quite a bit quicker (+100nm helps).

I wouldn't discount the 2.7D because many of them have every conceivable optional extra fitted. With a tuning box the performance is similar to the 240bhp 3.0D.

At the age you're looking at, a belt change & transmission fluid change would be wise.

Some of the early 4.2 S/C & 5.0 NA cars must be slipping towards your price point now ... but both are pretty rare.

 

CAptC - welcome, hope you find what you're looking for.


I've had two XFS diesels.

The first was a X250 (MY2010) Portfolio Sport (Trim and engine) - and I loved it.

The 2nd was a X260 (MY2017) XFS - Although Jag stopped doing the combined Sport and Portfolio. Interior is still very nice.



If you can find a good example with FJSH - go for the Portfolio Sport in the 'Classic' version (more bulbous headlight units), or the Prem Lux trim (more options as standard) in the 'facelift' (2011 onwards - with J-Style DRLs in the headlight units).

They come with 20" alloys usually - but don't let that put you off - the ride is very good.

You can always fit 19 or 18" alloys if need be.

If you get a sport with the 355mm front brake discs - 18" is as small as you can go - otherwise the wheel won't fit round the brake caliper.

 

There are a number of both NA 4.2 (non supercharged) and SV8s on autotrader in around that price range. If you look at up to £10k there is a nice looking SV8 with around 60k miles, which is nothing to that engine.
You could still enjoy the pleasure of V8 motoring

 

Hi, I have the 2.7D but with a ECU upgrade and I can confirm that it will easily match the 3.0D in performance, don't discount it as already stated you get a lot of bang for your buck on this model, they had things as standard that became options on the later models. Phil

 

Hi
Have a 2.7 that I will be putting up for sale soon it has had the following done to it
full ecu upgrade
cam belt changed
gear box oil changed
plus thousands spent on other bits
full carbon fibre diffuser
genuine quads
carbon fibre boot lip
hydro dipped carbon fibre grill
full piano black dash never seen this on any other
portfolio interior heated and chilled seats
indigo blue with black alloys
I might keep the genuine carbon fibre mirrors on if I get the asking price
will be selling with a full yrs mot
189000 miles on the clock but has had a new engine fitted by jaguar at 100000
this car has never let me down and still pulls through all the gears
forgot to mention its had a brand new break pedal switch and rotary selector
looking for £4000 ono

 

Thanks again all for your continued input.

Interested to hear that the 2.7 potentially come with additional kit, is that as optional extras or does a prem lux on a 2.7 come with more than a 3.0? I tried to download a brochure from the sticky but they've disappeared

All this talk of ECU tuning makes me lean more towards a 3.0 and tuning box

@starkgr - hmmm, an SV8 close to my budget you say - time to work some man maths magic and attempt to justify ...

@teldoug - that sounds pretty unique, do you have a picture? Would be a tough one to sell to SWMBO on the mileage though

 

The Premium Lux 2.7 was top of the range. Many of them are also 'loaded' because options were comparatively cheap.

 

Hi CaptC

If you pm your email address I will forward the photos on to you as im having trouble uploading on this site
forgot to mention that it has the aero bumper and genuine DLRS also alll the window trims have been professionally sprayed black
this was just the basic model but all the interior has been upgraded to the portfolio plus it has the uprated breaks from the 4.2

 

I was in the same boat just over a year ago. Was looking at my first Jaguar XF. I went with a 2008 Sv8 with 36000 miles. Went to view it and test drive and put a deposit down straight away. I instantly fell in love with it. I picked the car up a week later and had a spires exhaust fitted which makes it sound magnificent. In that time it's been totally reliable with only 2 services and 1 set of rear tyres in its first year or so with me. I've not heard of any major faults with any of the engines. I'm not a diesel fan myself but if your doing higher mileages an XFS might be the way to go. I only do 5000 miles a year but if I was doing 10k+ I'd find the V8 hard to justify. All in all they are fantastic cars and miles better than the German equivalents in my opinion. As usual do all the pre purchase checks and buy on condition and service history rather than mileage. There's a few lovely SV8's on Auto Trader right now. There's a lovely silver one up for 10k with about 60k miles I belive. If you need to know any more don't hesitate to chuck me a Pm. And I'll happily let you know all about my car and anything else I can help you with. Keep us posted mate

 

With that mileage it was a 'nearly new' 10 year old car!

 

Another SV8 owner here.

Good bits ...

It's been fairly reliable for a car of its power/calibre and it's been used as a daily driver for short journeys for the time I've had it with the odd long trip.

The quietness of it is wonderful, I've always had a thing for subtle. And the SV8 is about as much of a sleeper as you can get. The only things which give it away from the normal XF is the SV8 badge and the wider rear tyres (and even that you'd need to know your stuff).

The trim level is enormous. Mine has pretty much everything you could want. TV, heated seats and cooled (properly cooled not just ventilated), heated steering wheel, radar cruise control, Bowers and Wilkins stereo, rear sunblind, blind spot monitoring etc.

The Bowers and Wilkins ICE. I've listened to both the B&W and the later Meridian and the B&W is a million times better. Richer warmer sound and still has enough power to rattle the windows when you want it to.

Bad bits.

The seats. They're not exactly what you call supportive. They are really lacking is side support for something of this calibre.

The costs.... (I'll break it down a bit further)

Tax - it's never ever nice to fork out nearly £600 a year for tax.

Tyres - if you want to enjoy it, you need to be paying for some good tyres. That's £250 a tyre for the rears and £220ish for the fronts. Driving in snow is doable if you either get winters (£300> a tyre) or snow socks.

Fuel economy - don't expect any more than 15-20mpg around town and a very maximum of 32mpg on the motorway.

Engine - fairly reliable, but weak points are the valley coolant pipes (£3-400 to replace) and aux coolant pump (£3-400 again).
Servicing not too bad, just an extra belt and more spark plugs over your usual car.

 

Thanks for the additional information all.

Much as I really would love to make the SV8 work, at ~12-15k miles per years it's a tough one to justify on the wallet. So, I think I'll be going for a 3.0 diesel as this appears the best blend of power and economy and plenty available on the market - off to view a couple tomorrow.

@teldoug - thanks for the notification on your sale, but for the time being I'm going to stick to looking at the 3.0 rather than 2.7. GLWTS.

 

Great stuff. I don't think you'll be disappointed regardless.

See if you can find an S with the better seats.