XF, A5, E or C?

sansnom · 15 Apr 2014 at 20:22

Hey guys

I'm in the market for a car, been looking for about 2 months now and I had my heart set on importing a 2008 FX35 from Dubai but after doing some leg work I think it's probably just too much of a PITA.

Looking at the newer models here (2009+) I just don't think it makes sense given the cost and the relatively poor MPG.

Add to the mix that my brother just picked up a 2010 M3 4 door which I was driving around for the last week and I'm in love with it but I really don't want to spend 30k on a similar piece and frankly it's a little too powerful. I imagine I would get bored with it and then be left with something fairy expensive to maintain.

Now I'm looking at an A5 sportback (though I had issues with my A5 coupe in Dubai and swore I'd never touch one again yet I think it might hold up better in the UK than it did there), a Merc C or E or a Jag XF.

I'd want something reasonably nippy but it doesn't have to be M3 performance.

Budget is around 10-20k all cash and I'm looking for something very reliable, excellent quality and generally hassle-free. Looking at the XF's they appear to be on the upper end of that scale price-wise, but would you fellas recommend them? Is there anything I should be aware of given that I've never owned a Jag?

And finally if I do opt for an XF - what trim should I look for? They have the most confusing options I've ever seen. If not the XF, would there be something similar in the Merc range that would be overall better VFM?

[TW]Fox · 15 Apr 2014 at 20:24

sansnom said:
I'm looking for something very reliable, excellent quality and generally hassle-free.

Might I suggest you look somewhere other than 3-5 year old German cars then? Your budget buys nice cars but they will be older variants out of warranty. Not conducive to hassle-free ownership.

sansnom · 15 Apr 2014 at 20:27

[TW]Fox;26165466 said:
Might I suggest you look somewhere other than 3-5 year old German cars then? Your budget buys nice cars but they will be older variants out of warranty. Not conducive to hassle-free ownership.

Absolutely, im open to anything at this point. Just trying to narrow it down to cars I generally like the look of and seem to have nice comfortable interiors.

I test drove an XF 2013 2.0 turbo in Dubai which was sublime, I'm not sure they have it here though. Seems to be mostly diesels.

Bear · 15 Apr 2014 at 20:33

XFs come in three trim levels: luxury, premium luxury and portfolio that's it. On top of that there are extra options but not that confusing really.

sansnom · 15 Apr 2014 at 20:35

Bear said:
XFs come in three trim levels: luxury, premium luxury and portfolio that's it. On top of that there are extra options but not that confusing really.

Should I be aiming to find one over another? I.e. Would the luxury with certain add-ons be the right one to go for?

Also, what's general feedback on them? Are they reliable? Prone to any issues?

Bear · 15 Apr 2014 at 20:44

sansnom said:
Should I be aiming to find one over another? I.e. Would the luxury with certain add-ons be the right one to go for?

Also, what's general feedback on them? Are they reliable? Prone to any issues?

I had an 09 plate 3.0d S portfolio for two years and it was a fantastic car. It did have a fuel filler flap that wouldn't open but was fixed but that was it, otherwise it was superb.

Personally I would go for a portfolio but then I did with the XF and have done with my current XJ. The portfolio gets you the B&W stereo, bi zenons, nicer wheels, suede headlining etc. As has been said many times on here, make sure you get one with a reversing camera as it really helps with parking.

Minstadave · 15 Apr 2014 at 22:29

XF should be either a premium luxury plus xenons and reversing camera or a portfolio (top spec level).

I spent ages looking at the XF and bought an F10 5 series in the end, just a more complete package to my mind. Though the XF tends to have a better spec at around 20k (Portfolio has a incredible stereo, heated and cooled seats, reversing camera, xenons as standard).

Reliability, servicing costs and the touch screen setup pushed me towards the BMW.

wozzizname · 16 Apr 2014 at 13:04

I've got an XF premium luxury and love it - the only thing I'm missing is the xenons, but they were a rare option on pre-facelift non-portfolios.

I also tested an F10 535d and it was also a lovely car.. I can't believe you wouldn't be happy with one or the other

K@rl · 16 Apr 2014 at 13:30

I was in the same predicament.

XF was good for the money but the sigma surrounding Jaaaaag ownership got the better of me, on the flip side the XF 3.0DS was epic. The lack of walnut helped with the interior pack. As had been said before - the higher spec XFs are much more desirable.

After testing everything Audi / Volvo & BMW had to offer I picked up a 2013 C Class C220 AMG Sport plus for only a little more than your budget.

You'd be surprised the deals you can get with a little bit of haggling.

xs2man · 16 Apr 2014 at 13:43

I did have a look at the XF's when buying my last car. I thought they did look very good to be honest. Funny with the Specs though.

I was looking for the Sport (I think it was), as it looked great with the bodykit etc... And I basically always prefer the sport models. But could I order it with nice black inlays or anything? Nope. The spec I wanted I was told I couldn't have. Despite not asking for anything Jaguar didn't already make.

Coupled with their lack of interest in doing a deal, put me right off them to be honest. Otherwise a nice enough motor though.

I REALLY didn't like the Mercs though. Easily the most boring interiors of all the cars I looked at. Softest riding too. Not terrifcally slow mind you. Engines seemed reasonable enough. But just couldn't make the sacrifice on where I would spend most of my time. Behind the steering wheel. So that was crossed off the list sharpish. Despite being by far the cheapest of the "luxury" motors I looked at (when buying PCP, per month. Not by ticket price. i.e. ridiculously exaggerated baloon payments keeping the monthly payments down).

I'd be looking at E91 335d's at that money. Should be able to pick up a relatively low mile example, with decent spec for that money (I sold my 2010 model, with 30k on it, for under your budget). Not as big as a 5 series or XF / E-Class, but VERY nice. Engines are great. A remap will put you in the same power range as E46 M3 / B6/7 S4 etc. So not exactly slow. And averaging 40 mpg is not unreasonable (I averaged 38 in mine, and I aint exactly known for lightweight right foot).