Hi all,

Been lurking for awhile and this is my first post, so a bit of background. I'm actually a Porsche guy and never really gave much consideration to Jaguar (outside of the E-type) until I started shopping for a new 4 door sedan for the family and noticed some of the older 2010-2011 XF models were within my price range. I test drove a 2011 Premium NA 5.0 V8 over the weekend annnnnnd I'm hooked. The performance (albeit mostly in a straight line) was great and exactly what I'm looking for in a daily driver. I'll be putting less than 6K miles (~10K KM) on the car per year, so I've opted for used options in the 30-50K mile range (20-80K KM) to cut some off the price.

I'm now trying to decide if I should purchase a NA 5.0 locally or take the time to travel a bit out of my local market and look at a supercharged version (for slightly more $).

I have a few questions I was hoping to get some feedback on - if any of these questions are redundant with existing thread, please feel free to point me in the right direction:
1.) Do you think the Supercharged vs the Premium 5.0 NA version provides a noticeable performance/overall experience enhancement?

2.) Is there considerably more/costly maintenance with the supercharged vs NA engine? (I know there other threads on this, but my experience with turboed vs non is the costs are pretty similar).

3.) Any test driving advice or major failures to look for in the coming weeks?(I've read about the rear diff make a grinding/groaing sound at low speed sharp turns, but have not seen much else)

Thank you in advance for your help/suggestions. Any other advice you have to offer as I conduct the search for my first XF is welcomed.

Looking forward to joining this great community of Jaguar owners.

 

2012 5.0NA is your best bet for a daily driver. Of course I am biased.

 

Gooday. I had the 5.0 NA and now have the XKR. The 5.0 is plenty quick though the engine note isn't as good as the XKR/XFR IMO, or in fact as nice as the 4.2 which has a lovely sound. Ignore all that if engine note isn't your thing. The supercharged engine is massively faster than the NA, but that means that you cant throw the car around as much and you have to be very careful in the wet. That said my wife thinks that I drive the XKR better than any car I have before, probably because there is so much in it I don't hit it as much.


I haven't seen any maintenance issues between the engines. I understand that in the XKR at least, the 2010 models had potential water pump failures.

 

Neither, get into a 2012 NA 5.0. There are a lot of these coming back off of three year leases right now. They have the updated front end and some other nice features the 2010's don't. If you can find a CPO you are golden. I have two of these and couldn't be happier!

 

For daily driving I would recommend the NA 5.0. I am a long time SCCA racer, so fast driving has been with me... Having said that the NA car has plenty of power for that daily drive and very good fuel economy. My wife's locally driven XF gets around 21 mpg, while my mostly Highway-driven 5.0 NA XJL is close to 25 mpg. On the other hand my SC XKR never gets close to 20.

Yes, you get gobs more power with the SC, the question is, do you really need it over the 385 hp NA? If you have it, how are you going to use it? If stop light racing is your thing, the SC is your choice. I, a very experienced racing driver, can keep up with just about anything on winding roads in the NA XF.

The 5.0 is a very reliable engine in either configuration. The car, as a whole, is too.

 

It all depends on how much trouble you want to get in. I have an XFR. I have a friend with the SC and I've driven the 5.0 NA as a loaner. All great cars. One thing I would advise you of is that the XFR and SC are basically the same car under the sheet metal. If you get the premium trim level, you get the smooth, softer leather and the suede headliner, B&W sound system, etc. One thing you will also get is the adaptive suspension, which in my opinion makes the car much more dynamic than the standard suspension and worth a few more dollars.

At any rate, I'd suggest you do some research and test driving of all the models and determine what is important to you. I need the look and the power of the XFR, since mine is a weekend car. I also love the upgraded interior (the standard is ok, but not special to me). And I was willing to pay more for that. There will be a trim level and price that works for you. You may have to shop a bit though...

 

Just on point on fuel economy, my experience has been a little different to axr6's, but I think it is because I drive the XKR so much gentler than any car I've had before. In my 4.2NA I was getting about 14l/100km, down to 13l/100km if some trips were thrown in. I got the same out of my 5.0NA. But after an initial stint in the XKR getting around 18l/100km (probably less than 15mpg) it has settled to about 13l/100km, down to 12l/100km if some trips are thrown in.

That's pretty good economy, but I think it is because it has such power that I treat it with much more respect. Which then gets back to the fun thing, you cant really throw it around as much as the NA because it'd be so easy to get into trouble, at least for limited skill drivers like me.

 

I had a 2011 5.0 NA and it was great. That lease was over last year and I got a CPO 2012 XFR with 20k mi on it. I dont know what your budget is but I would definitely agree with looking at the 2012+ CPOs. The updated front looks better. I dont think the supercharger is going to really add/subtract from maintenance costs, fuel costs will be higher though. Having a warranty was the most important thing for me and Ive already had to take it in for repairs that would have been costly if it was on my dime.

Things to look for: yes the rear vibration (mine has it, dealer says its fine), leaking coolant from water pump that goes bad. Look for bubbling dashboard leather.

 

The NA is plenty enough power for me. In fact I will drive in "snow mode" most of the time around the city so I don't give any passengers whiplash.

 

Last year, I bought a Certified Pre Owned lease returned 2011 XF-s with the 5.0l NA motor. I love that car and never regretted buying it. Last night, a newer Mustang pulled up beside me and as I tried to merge over in to his lane so I could make a right turn, he kept his speed up to prevent me from moving over. So I punched it and got enough room to merge over. Well, he pulled in to the driveway behind me. And he kept apologizing saying that he was admiring my car. He also said that he was amazed at the acceleration of the car. It has plenty of power and tons of luxury comfort.

 

I have an '11 supercharged. When I drove the NA, the body roll is what convinced me to get the dynamic suspension that comes with the SC and XFR, as already mentioned. I do like the 470 hp. now that I have it. It's what is important to you that matters. Get a 12 if you can swing it as already suggested. Many improvements. I had my water pump replaced at 17k or so. I like the car alot.

 

I have the 2009 XF SC and love it. I had it now for about 3 years and now looking to grab one of those 2012 SC coming off lease. Love this car especially because when I go to a restaurant or any place with valet parking I get a lot of people admiring the car. I'm sure you guys know what I mean. LOL

 

I have a 09 SC and love it, don't think I could go back NA even though the 10+ NA is just as fast as mine.

 

I have 2010 NA V8 and commute a lot it is fantastic. If at the time there was a SC, i would have got that and paid a little more. So go for the SC.

Here is a thought-saying........."A vibrant man never complains about his car being to fast"