I am looking to purchase a used XF in the next six months. I have been eyeing them for the last year and have found some nice 2009 supercharged models that I like. I also have seen some 2010 portfolio and luxury models with low miles. The 2009 models still have the 4.2 liter. From the model year 2010 and up they switched to the 5.0 liter engine. From what I have read, the performance of the 5.0 liter is pretty comparable to the 2009 supercharged models. Any thoughts and opinions on he he merits of the two engines. Thanks for reading.

 

The 4.2 supercharged is a well developed engine with any reliability issues long since fixed. The replacement 5.0 is a much more advanced powerplant but as for any newly engineered device may not be quite as robust. By now I expect any defective 5.0 will have been repaired or replaced but you never know.

I have only driven the 4.2 naturally aspirated and the 5.0, both are excellent engines to drive. The 4.2 supercharged cars are a relative bargain though.

The portfolio trim is well worth getting if the price difference isn't too much. The base car is very good. I think the supercharged 4.2 only came with the portfolio level or premium luxury as it was then.

 

Yes, I suppose I am thinking the same thing. The price range of the 2013 and up XF is still higher that what I want to pay for a daily driver, and i think it takes at least three production cycles before any major issues are resolved. The 4.2 liter is the same engine that the early model XK and XKRs used from as far back as 2001 or even earlier, but with updated electronics. I guess I just needed validation from someone to nudge me over the edge...lol

 

Actually, the 4.2 replaced the 4.0 in about 2003. The 4.0 had lots of problems with the cam-chain followers and the cylinder liners. The 4.2 solved all that and was/is a super dependable engine.

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My karma just ran over your dogma
'08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2 "Satin Edition" (250.06 hp / 259.67 torque)

 

Drive them both and see what you think. I have the 4.2L SC in my STR and the 5.0L SC in the XFR is a monster!
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Yeah. I would love to compare the 4.2 liter in the STR with the 4.2 liter XF SC. I. Wonder if anyone has any thoughts on that. I will check out the specs tonight and see what jumps out at me.

 

There were slight changes in the 4.2L SC in the XF. To be honest the 2009 XF 4.2L SC is a rocking deal right now (low $20k). You won't find a better car for the cost. You can almost buy two for the cost of a XFR. The 09 SC came with every single option except for two. You could add a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control. The NA 5L's will all have a ton of options to sort through so make sure you get what you want if you go that route.

 

I think many say that the 4.2L sounds better than the 5.0L.

But the 5.0L has direct injection / variable intake exhaust cam timing and is overall a more modern engine. So better fuel efficiency for the power. SC 4.2L is more powerful than the 5.0L but i think fuel economy is very bad (comparatively).

 

Nobody suggests that the 4.2 is better than the 5.0. However, there have been some failures of the new engine designs if that's what you mean. Jaguar has simply replaced those that fake during warranty no questions asked. That points to a known QA issue with some parts supplier out there who is eating a big chunk of warranty claims.

The original 4.0 version of the 4.2 suffered bore failures due to conflicts between Nikasil coatings on bare aluminum cylinder walls and sulfur in the fuels. Iron (or possibly steel though that seems unlikely ) sleeves were the solution and the 5.0 also uses those.

Current engine failures seem to be a result of failure of the low friction coatings on the aluminum pistons used in the continuing search for fuel economy. Kind of déjà vu in a sense since it is the piston coating failing now.

 

Just get a good Vehicle history report like CarFax. If the trouble items have already been delt with by a dealer it should show, and you should have a solid ride. 4.2's are cheaper but the 5.0 is still around and as dependable as any AMG, LSA, or M engine with proper care.

 

Forced myself to wait. I was shooting for the new XE, But the XType started making a noise like it is about to throw a a rod. Went with a one owner 2011 XF 5.0L. Electronics are already giving me problems in the form of TPMS failure. That system is the biggest consumer rip-off in the history of the world. Every owner, on every make and model hates the dam thing. It provides absolute profit for service departments . The fact that the auto industry pushed this through congress shows how much our politicians are lining their pockets while we get hosed!

 

I think I just channeled my dad....those cannot be my words...someone direct me to the nearest strip club!!!!

 

Gotta disagree with you Cherry, IMHO there are at least two much bigger consumer rip-offs!
Number one by far is CAGW, which costs the taxpayers of developed countries (ie mainly the West) billions if not trillions of $ every year, and the "speed kills" fraud used to justify billions of $ in speeding tickets.
You could argue these are political rip-offs and not consumer rip-offs, but in my view the end result is to hit consumers (of energy, fuel and cars) in the hip pocket.

 

That last part still sounds like my Dad!