Hi guys,

I know this is a Jag enthusiast forum but I was wondering, what would you rather get:

Bentley Flying Spur (2007), V12 552 bhp





Jaguar XJR (2011), V8, 503 bhp





While new Jags look nice I don't feel like their design hold any lasting value like old XJs did, it will look outdated just like all these Audi, BMW and other clone cars. I am not a fan of Phaeton clone too though.

On a positive note, XJ engine purrs like no other and it packs far more tech. However, I am also a huge fan of 4 seaters and it looks like XJR version with 2 seats in a back is not suited for my budget.

Anyway, looking for opinions.

 

Well, the Bentley is a really lovely car, and I should know, as I have been round the factory and seen them being made. You can see from my details I live in Crewe where the cars are made, but I don't work there. There is an awful lot of craftsmanship in that car in the trim area. Mechanicals are known to be reliable and that W12 engine is an incredible piece of engineering. I have seen one disassembled at a local museum; it's really awesome !!

On the other hand, you are clearly considering purchase of a used Bentley or Jaguar, but even so, I would have thought the Bentley will cost a whole lot more than the Jaguar even though the Bentley is four years older, however, maybe they are comparable. What will not be comparable will be the running and fuelling costs. The Bentley will be in a completely different ball-park I am sure, so make sure you check these out carefully.

HOwever, I'd love to have this choice, and I have to say, I'd love having the Bentley, but it would look a bit strange on my driveway, as we are not in the Cheshire footballer belt. Around here one sees lots of Bentleys and other very up-market cars, but few of the current XJ models. Loads of XFs of course.

 

Dj, good taste man.

Flying Spur is an amazing vehicle with a sumptuous interior. The W12s in them can sprint the 5400 pound monster to 60mph in 4.9 seconds.
The only disadvantage i see is the year.


The XJ, again full of luxury and cosseting. Closet thing to a Bentley. Now, i think it will perform better in certain ways, due to it being only 4100 pounds.

Shifters in vehicles are a big turn off to me now, after spending time in a XF and XJ. Could never go back.

I would go with a XJ SC or XJ Super Sport.

 

I did actually consider the option of a 4 year old Flying Spur as an alternative before going for the XJL, however , even though the Bentley would have not depreciated so quickly being a used car, the running costs ( I have the diesel twin turbo XJ) would have been hugely more together with huge servicing costs. Thousands not hundreds !
There was also the fact that the Jaguar had the 3 year warranty and also was brand new, I had never ever had a brand new car.
I also think I made the correct decision 2 years on as I am still thrilled with the Jaguar and it is quick enough and fast enough for my needs, it will hit 60mph in 6 seconds and I have seen 155 mph on the clock as well !! On a "private " road of course !
The Jaguar seems to have a more sporting image rather than the limo look of the Spur.
All said and done though, the Bentley is a lovely car as well, both amazing cars which ever you choose.
I cannot actually remeber the month edition but the UK Autocar magazine did a comparison some while ago between the new XJ and a 4 year old Flying Spur, you may find something on the internet regarding their magazine back issues.

 

I like the continental GT better than the Spur, and between Bentley x XJ, I'd go Bentley if I could.

The biggest disadvantage of the bentleys in general, is that no matter how old they are, the Bentley dealer that will service it will always know the car is older, but will charge you **very** current prices to fix it.

I think those cars are in different categories, as one is mass produced, while the other has a lot more hand built sections, lower production volumes.

Not to mention you'd have to wear your hat to drive a spur. And I'm not a big fan of the rear end design of that car.

 

Just found the edition of the Autocar magazine, it was dated 18th May 2011 .

Here is an edition for sale on ebay.co.uk
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTOCAR-ma...-/380481332095

 

Well now, just had a look at Autotrader for the Bentley Flying Spur and really it looks affordable to purchase in comparison with an admittedly younger XJ. I found a 2006 on sale with 58k miles for £34,750. In Metallic Green with black leather. Looked a peach !

In comparison, a 2010 XJ 5 litre V8 Portfolio with 18k miles is up at £32,995 in Liquid Silver with Ivory leather.

Bentley does around 13-15 MPG (UK gallon), whereas Jaguar will better the 20s. It has to be the weight that does it - 2335 Kg for the Jag and 2940 for the Bentley means the Jaguar is 1331 lbs lighter, which is about 1/2 ton. This plus the Bentley has another litre of engine capacity, of course.

As for servicing, just look at this website, a Bentley specialist in the West Midlands, so not London prices.
Rolls Royce and Bentley Service - Balmoral UK Ltd, Rolls-Royce and Bentley Independent Specialists

And for comparison, a UK Jaguar specialist in Stockport, near Manchester
John Delany Motors, Stockport | MOT Testing | Vehicle Servicing | Bodywork Repairs

 

Thanks, guys.

Appreciate you taking time to reply and help a fellow stranger on the Internet.


Haha, I would too look funny in Bentley, mostly because I am cheap and wear worst clothes you can ever find (like from used clothes store and so). Lost my ego some time ago but still am addicted to that leather and wood smell.

Oh man... As someone who loves minimalistic design, you just made me paranoid about buying a car with shifter. LOL!

For me, XJs were always a perfect blend of both. You want smooth and luxurious ride? Sure. You want to drag race that cocky 30y old with his Porsche who has no idea that your 2 ton monster will annihilate him? Sure

After driving Daimler V8, I can't stand sitting in a non long wheel base car.

One has to wonder if my brain is trying to compensate for something but as long as I don't want Hammer, i should be good to go

Thank you, ordered and waiting patiently. Although the magazine does seem very expensive. Funny how that works for me, you are buying a car for 60k and it's fine but a magazine for 5 GBP with 5 GBP shipping? No way! Rip off!

Or people who complain that after spending $600 on Lumia 920, their favorite app costs 99 cents.

I think my wallet just shrank after looking at these prices.

---

TL;DR I have decided to wait (At least till magazine arrives), but I am now settling towards a long wheel base XJ 4 seater, which while more expensive would be a superb option. Just need to wait some time till it fits my budget as spending more than x% of my equity is out of the question.

Thanks again, will try to scan XJ vs Spur article once I get my hands on it.

 

i too considered a used Flying Spur...but there was something about it that didnt quite catch my eye like the Jag did. the FS is just too bland looking. Driving it felt like I was driving a limo, didnt have any sporty characteristics.

the biggest downfall was that I couldnt lease it due to it being used. and i got a smoking deal on my XJ

 

Not to mention that I couldn't ever do this




On a side note, dear Santa..

 

I am very surprised, as to why Bentley hasn't come up with anything more creative, given the fact that technology is there for them to take advantage of.

I was hoping the new Mulsanne would have something else instead of the standard and boring shifter, but nope.....

 

The older Continental Flying Spur isn't very pretty in my opinion, but the new one is absolutely handsome.
Old: Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)
New: Bentley Flying Spur (2014)

The new one also has that lovely "hump" over the rear wheels, just like the X-Type <3

 

I'm afraid Jaguar have got some way to go yet before they can equal the hand made build quality & top grade materials used in a Bentley.Its a bit like comparing Caddilac with Jaguar . Caddys are great looking cars ..But havnt yet come far enough from Chevy . There is only so much you can do with leather seats & a plastic wood dash .

 

totaly off topic;
WHO rides in there cars with a fancy,shmancy back seat, that almost never get used!

i'm trying to get some logic out of this thread.

 

When you explain the logic for people spending $80,000 to go from point A to point B in a Jaguar, i will answer your quesiton.

 

That's an interesting point.

On a side note, can any XJ owners explain the ride quality to me? Some say it's too soft, some reviews complain it's too rough and is below old Jags. I hope they adjusted suspension.

That's a tough question and a logical one. I just love the way car looks with 2 seats in the back and when every single car has 3 seats, you get that false and warm feeling that there is Jaguar and then everything else.

 

haha touche.......ive ridden in the back of my jags maybe once in my whole life. ended up having too many to drink and let the fiance be the DD.

The ride is soft, but stable. Personally I like my cars to be stiff....and the XJ is not (especially compared to my G37)....but with that being said the car is not rough at all! A lot of owners say it has to do with the tires being too thin, low profile, not enough support.

with that being said, its an improvement over the X350 air suspension which felt SUPER floaty. too soft

the 2 vs 3 seats is a dilemma. my G coupe has 4 seats, and had I not had my XJ...i would have found myself in tough situations trying to fit 5 people. its a very rare situation.

 

i will never buy any bentley as long as it is original Bentley made with 6.75L engine.
that bentley is a VW pheaton Rebadge... you just pay extra for the Bentley name. and All car VW made is junk... they break down and stay in the shop more than they run in the road.

i stick with Jaguar XJ..because it still a Ford design with a pretty similar Mustang 302 engine except the direct injection.. and Ford is way more reliable than VW.

XJ supercharger X351 will be my future car..over other brand...the XJ improve the handling alot compare with it old X350 and the front one is coil spring and electronic shock..only rear Air. Not fully air suspension like the old one before.

but to be honest..if i'm looking for a car and driving purpose only..i will take a CTS-V...but for Both driving and comfort XJL is the best choice. it is not so much fun like the CTS-V but it is the best in class for Full size sedan.

 

The Flying Spur is definitely NOT a VW Phaeton rebadge ! However it does use the W12 engine also seen in the VW, and in the Audi too. The bodyshells are made at the factory where the Phaeton bodies are made, as due to the sales flop of the Phaeton, there is spare capacity. The Continental shells are also made there. You could ask the question why VW ships body shells several hundred miles from Germany to Crewe, but the very high price of the car allows costs like this to be absorbed.

At one time, Jaguar Mark 2 bodies were made in Swindon, about 75 miles from Coventry. Later on the bodies were made at Castle Bromwich and trucked to Coventry, although this was only a short road move of a few miles.

 

X351 XJ isn't related to Ford in any way and hasn't for about 5 years now.

And, the masterpiece 5 liter engine is designed by Jaguar.