[akj53]

I came to Manchester, U.K., in May. My son Siddharth’s BMW 525i was aging so we started looking for a change. I wanted a fast and reliable car, as he does extensive travelling and drives fast, preferably a saloon to accommodate the family. But he wanted a car with a sporty and youthful image. There was also the question of buying used or new. I read many UK car magazines and shortlisted Jaguar XF, BMW 5 series and Merc E class with a Diesel. This was also the order of choice of nearly all the magazines. I did not want Audi A6 as it has become an old model and the new A8 was too big for us. Siddharth had his eyes sat on a Merc CLS, Audi A5 and BMW 6 or 3 series with a petrol engine and even a Range Rover. Initially I sat a budget for a used one for about £ 20,000.

We decided to look at used BMW’s first and went to their showroom. Had a look at variety of used choices including 3, 5, 6 & 7 series. He was quite keen on 3 and 6 series coupes and also liked one 730LD on which we were getting a good deal. But I ruled out 730LD as it would be big for him and will also pose parking problems. We left the showroom after short listing few cars of 3 and one 6 series and left.

Then we visited Jaguar’s showroom. It was a big dealership and plenty of used Maserati, Ferrari and Lambos were also on display alongwith few used Jaguars. I did not want the old XJ or the S types as they had been discontinued so decided to see the new ones. We were bowled over by the new XJ and the XF. As XJ was too big, so we concentrated on XF diesel. David, the Salesman was quite knowledgeable about the car and Jaguar’s history. He insisted we take a test drive so Siddharth took the wheel, pressed the starter button and the theatre of firing up the XF started. The Start button pulsed, the Drive selector rose (no gear lever) and the air vents unfolded. No other car has such starting drama.

On the road, Siddharth pushed the car in gaps and it bolted like a scalded cat. It had amazing and instant acceleration but with total body control. Interior was very luxurious with lots of leather and wood with hardly any engine or road noise inside the cabin. We returned after a short drive and Siddharth had a big grin pasted on his face. We had driven the XF Diesel with 3.0 liter, 6 cylinder engine rated at 240 PS @ 4000 rpm and 500 NM torque @ 2000 rpm, with 6 speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes has a big used car showroom here. Next day we went there and saw many old and new gen E, and S Classes. Also saw the SL and CLS. SL is a lovely car but only is a 2 seater and I did not like the central wooden divider on the rear seat of the CLS. Also the current CLS is soon to be replaced by a new model perhaps in 2011. So both these cars were ruled out. S Class though a dream car, but very big for him, so the choice was limited to only E class. However we were put off by the shabby arrangement and poor knowledge of the sales person. All the cars displayed had only the price tag but no details, unlike the BMW used car display where every car had all the details neatly tagged on the car, so you could short list the car yourself. All the new model W212 E classes were priced over £ 30,000 which was almost near to new car prices so we came back disappointed. Then we visited the new Mercedes showroom to see the new E class, but Siddharth did not find them too appealing. I also considered the new 5 series as a better car so the idea of Mercedes was dropped.

I did not want to go for a Range Rover due to the frightful running costs. My choice was limited between two cars. New 520D of BMW as it was the latest car on the market brimming with latest tech and one of the lowest running costs and Jaguar XF 3.0 D as it was the unanimous choice of nearly all the car magazines, and I had liked the test drive immensely. The low budget of 20,000 and idea of a used car was dropped. Siddharth still wanted the used 6 series or a convertible 3 Series, as they were a better ‘Style statement’ in his opinion.

We again went to BMW and took a test drive. The TD car was 530D which is equivalent to the XF 3.0D with 240 PS. I found the interior quite neat and dashboard very elegant. However the transmission tunnel was high and in the front it rose almost to elbow height which was rather awkward and gave a boxed in feeling to driver. Also the ride and handling was not as impressive as XF. After the TD, Siddharth whispered to me, ‘it is no match to XF’. I then convinced him to drop the idea of 6 series and again visited Jaguar showroom.

As we were discussing different trim levels, the salesman showed us a XF 3.0D Sports. It had a 275 PS engine with 600 Nm torque. We asked for a test drive of that and away we went. Siddharth pushed the car wherever possible. The acceleration was ferocious and body control amazing. Ride was very good and there was hardly anything to complain about.

The car had Sports seats with 18 way power adjustments and Active ventilated heated / cooled seats. The thick side bolstering and lumbar support plus seat ventilation were ideal for Siddharth’s comfort, (especially his back) on long drives. Though I did not like the idea of buying additional power as he sometimes drives recklessly, but still gave in due to the driver comfort factor. Siddharth still wanted to explore 6 series but then I vetoed the idea and we booked the car 2 days later.

The car we booked was Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Diesel – S in Premium Luxury trim With Metallic paint, Parking Camera and Ivory Softgrain leather trim as optional extras.

[himanshugoswami]

WoW! one question.....will you adopt me

Congrats- so I asume you bought a new XF and not a used one (since you wrote"booked"). Now, some pics would round this up perfectly.....

[akj53]

There were multiple other factors which tilted my decision in favor of Jaguar.

BMW 5 series is the latest car in the market so has the advantage of latest tech while XF is now 2 years.

XF 3.0D S with 275 PS is equivalent to 535D which has slightly more power at 299 HP while torque is identical at 600 Nm. BMW engine is better but Ride, handling and overall driving experience is definitely better in XF. BMW has tried to make the ride more comfortable on run flat tires but somehow the driving dynamics are lost in the process. Optional Adaptive Drive addresses this issue but that is @ £ 2200 extra which adds up to the price which is already high.

BMW’s standard offering is a bare bones car. By adding all the required options, price shoots up beyond competitive offerings. Also while selling the old car you don’t get the price of options as the used market goes by the pricing of standard trims. Jaguar has loaded the different trims with options so there is hardly any need for options. This will help in getting a better price in the used market. So Jaguar was a better buy. However BMW offered a better maintenance package for 3 years but that made only a difference of £ 400. Fuel efficiency of BMW is also marginally better but we decided that these factors could be ignored. BMW's insistence on Run flat tyres is another problem causing harsh ride and high replacement cost on every puncture.

Interior of BMW though very nice and functional are more ‘Business like’ in appearance more attuned towards volume market, while a Jaguar has a more aristocratic feel in the interiors. It is like difference between a clinically efficient top class business hotel and a top class traditional hotel like Ritz or Taj Mahal Bombay with old world charm, personalized service and attention to detail.

Mercedes and BMW are very popular cars here and so are common place, but 80% of these cars are 4 cylinder models with a cheaper price tag. Jaguar starts from a 6 cylinder model so competes in the upper segment only of the market, so the image of the car and the owner is much better. David told us that Mr. Tata has told the company to rise above the Audi / BMW / Mercedes level and to aim for the standards of Bentley. And the results are showing. The new XJ is being lauded as a superior alternative to the reigning champ, the S Class. The fully loaded XF and XJ Portfolio editions are definitely in the league of true luxury cars. I have sat in Aston's Rapide and XJ both and I found XJ far more luxurious and practical.

Jaguar truly reflects their tag line, Grace, Space and Pace.

‘What Car’ summarizes XF as a Brilliant combination of a Sporting saloon and luxury limo. Refined, classy and well equipped.

I fully agree.

I will be posting pictures and driving impressions shortly.

[akj53]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

WoW! one question.....will you adopt me

Congrats- so I asume you bought a new XF and not a used one (since you wrote"booked"). Now, some pics would wound this up perfectly.....

Yes the car is brand new and it was bought by Siddharth. I only facilitated the purchase.
Now if you still wish, I am willing to adopt you.

I will post the pictures after 1 hour

[NOS Power]

@Akj53,

You are making me go weak on my knees. Boy I want that car so badly, where are the car gods now, have been praying to them for so long .

Waiting for the pics.

One question, when you say the Beemer has a better engine, how? Refinement or sportiness? Driveability?

[issigonis]

>>> akj,

Please congratulate your son for an outstanding selection. As far as I am concerned, it takes a lot to choose a car (any car, even a Porsche) over a Bimmer!
Your initial driving experiences (your son's actually) will be awaited impatiently in India- a lot of potential customers will likely be reassured that a Jag is the right choice, over the no-brainer choice of a Bimmer.

I am curious to read about better handling (driving dynamics) of a Jag over a comparable Bimmer; better ride over a Bimmer, perhaps yes, but handling? I await your posts.

Drive safe.

Regards

[akj53]

Please give me 1 hour more as I have to select and then resize all the pics before posting. I am as eager to post and then read your bouquets and brickbats.

[akj53]

Before unveiling the XF



Happy to pose with XF


XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Sport in Ultimate Black with Black mesh grill


20'' Senta Alloys


Massive tyres 255 x 35 x R20


Iron fist


In a velvet glove


more to follow

[akj53]

Originally Posted by NOS Power

@Akj53,

You are making me go weak on my knees. Boy I want that car so badly, where are the car gods now, have been praying to them for so long .

Waiting for the pics.

One question, when you say the Beemer has a better engine, how? Refinement or sportiness? Driveability?

BM's engine is slightly more refined, produces more power though at higher RPM and produces identical torque at slightly lower RPM than Jag.

But I believe that the car should not be selected on one factor only. Decision should be based on a combination of all the relevant factors.

I join you in praying to God for an early sanction of your application for a new Jaguar. I am also going to put up my application for my own XF in India

[akj53]

Sports coupe or 4 door luxury saloon, you decide


does it look inviting enough?



wide opening rear door allows comfortable entry & exit



Leather covered heated steering wheel, a joy to behold

[akj53]

Originally Posted by issigonis

>>> akj,

Please congratulate your son for an outstanding selection. As far as I am concerned, it takes a lot to choose a car (any car, even a Porsche) over a Bimmer!
Your initial driving experiences (your son's actually) will be awaited impatiently in India- a lot of potential customers will likely be reassured that a Jag is the right choice, over the no-brainer choice of a Bimmer.

I am curious to read about better handling (driving dynamics) of a Jag over a comparable Bimmer; better ride over a Bimmer, perhaps yes, but handling? I await your posts.

Drive safe.

Regards

Sir I selected the XF and Siddharth signed the cheque so it was a joint decision therefore I also deserve some credit.

BMW feels like a big car and tends to float at speed. The steering also feels some how different. This is being attributed to Electric steering and new suspension setup. Jaguar never feels like a big and heavy car under any speed and on any kind of roads. Body control and steering are amazing.

[sanchit.j]

@akj53

In premium luxury trim, climate control at rear isn't offered? Please confirm.

Thanks!

[shamik.bose]

That is a gorgeous car, akj53. Great choice by your son. Drive safe and may you and your son have many wonderful miles with the cat.

[issigonis]

Originally Posted by akj53

Sir I selected the XF and Siddharth signed the cheque so it was a joint decision therefore I also deserve some credit.

BMW feels like a big car and tends to float at speed. The steering also feels some how different. This is being attributed to Electric steering and new suspension setup. Jaguar never feels like a big and heavy car under any speed and on any kind of roads. Body control and steering are amazing.

>>> Sir,

If the son takes an optimal decision, part of the credit to the parents ( I am not discounting Mrs Jain!) is implicit.

Hmmmm, floating at speed is not good at all. The electric steering seems to be the culprit in the 5; Bimmer beware.

If the XF seems to shrink around you (and your son) and goes where you want it to go at unholy speeds with stability and without losing its composure, well that's terrific and good for Jaguar.

Enjoy and keep updating. I am sure there will be lots of people back here in India who will read your thread and choose wisely.

Drive safe.

Regards

[theragingbull]

Congrats akj53!! Even if I was in your son's place, I'd have gone for the XF! There is something about this car that makes you choose it instead of the Bimmers. Gorgeous looks and one of the best interiors in class coupled with raw performance! Must say, your son has chosen the perfect color, both exterior and interior! The 20'' Senta Alloys complement the car very well. Again, excellent choice

The XF 5.0 is already quite a hit in India, and I am sure the diesel version would garner even better sales.
How's the fuel efficiency like?

Wish you many wonderful and safe miles ahead.