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Comments
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6041&sid=17- 8&n=158
M
It will be nice to see what Jaguar offers to compete.
Thanks
M
Thanks for the input. It's a shame, but living in central NJ, it is difficult to purchase a vehicle that works for 3 seasons and is then garaged. the e430 4matic I have works like a charm but really want some more power like the E55. Do you believe that Renttech could be a viable alternative. They claim increases in BHP from 285 to 400.
thanks.
M
I was wondering if you or anyone has had any experience with Renntech or Brabus or any other upgrade shop and any comments other than location (West Coast vs East Coast) that you could share with me regarding the experience you had.
Thanks
Kevin
The only Brabus shops I know of are in just those places (Cali & Florida) What about a 2004 E500 4Matic?
M
Here in So Cal, Bimmers and MBZ's are everywhere.
I have owned all 3 makes, but sold my '00 s4 shortly after buying it for a 911. I know what I am getting...a big sedan that won't see any track time. It will however make trips to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear (in the Mtns for those out of So Cal)
I searched the threads and rather than starting a new one this seemed the most appropriate place to post. Would love to hear any and all opinions and experiences.
thanks.
M
Thanks for the info. A 2004 E500 4matic just wouldn't be powerful enough. I have an E430 4matic already which drives very nicely. The jump would be marginal. I really want the effect of an E55 in a 4matic version.
M
Thanks.
-rollie
rdollie@att.net
M
Going for something close to invoice like a Jag, BMW, or Lexus instead.
More to the point, I'm not sure that I can afford a bike let alone an e55 anymore! My wife just entered the real estate and notary businesses and all my money is flowing rapidly in the wrong direction!(And I need to buy her a SUV - almost certainly a XC90 T6 or Executive.) I hadn't anticipated this at all. I guess the good thing is that since we live in South Orange County, CA the Mrs. is almost assured of making good compensation eventually (it just takes awhile to build referral business I'm learning.) Actually since I work in the semi-conductor industry now I'm thinking about getting a broker's license as a backup - semicon is not a kind place to be these days!
Meanwhile I'll continue driving the Volvos we have...for now
Thanks.
-rollie
rdollie@att.net
M
Pablo is a very discerning Jaguar observer, but to the unabashed folks, I do not believe that it is so obvious....Virtually every review of the new car has noted the similar look of the new car to the Jags of old. Jaguar did a great job of making the totally new car look quite like an XJ from a casual glance.
By the way, I mentioned that I did not like the brakes on my SL55 and my dealer insisted I bring the car in and have the pads and rotors replaced. I wonder what they know that I don't?
American version and European version? Does the
american version have a speed limiter than the
European version? Or is it a different version
engine?
M
If the media cannot pay enough attention to the cars it's covering to be able to easily tell apart two completely different cars, I think it just goes to show how much effort they don't put into their work at times. It's not like we're trying to pick-out every different body tweak between an X300 and X308 XJ, and even those aren't difficult at all. My question is how can someone not see the difference between the new and old XJ, even with a casual glance, as their proportions are even completely different?
I saw this evidenced the other evening when a new 2004 XJ pulled up at the valet parking outside of a popular L.A. restaurant, and I was the only one in our group of three couples that noticed that it was a new 2004 XJ.
The fact is that Jaguar sought to maintain the XJ essence in the new car......And, they succeeded.
M
From an elegance point of view, nothing in the current sedan landscape could touch the old XJ, even to the ignorant layman's eyes, because it was low, long and simply perfectly proportioned. of course, it did cheat: the price was an interior that was more GT than the exectuive sedan category it supposedly competed in.
The new XJ of course still has a distinctive design, but the interior room has come at the price of more mainstream and less elegant overall proportions. It is geometrically unavoidable that it looks a bit more bloated.
That said, when compared with the extremely clumsy shape of the new BMW 745, or the more sterile design approach of the Merc and especially Audi, the Jag still triumphs when it comes to elegance. Tradition is nice in luxury automobiles, and the Jaguar's visible hommage to its roots clearly makes the point.
But, personally, the old XJ is the only sedan I'd own. Well, I *did* own the XJR as my "techno-bubble-mobile" of choice, and it was a great grand tourer - I'd still very highly recommend it to those who don't feel they *must* ensure spacious accommodation for 4 at *all* times.
Interestingly, when the XK came out, I actually preferred the XJS. Which is interesting considering that the XK now is wiedly regarded as one of the micest designs on the road - I till felt the XJS was more distinctive, and that a more evolutionary approach -as they have done now with the XJ- would have been nicer. But that's just very personal opinion.
Jaguar needed to fix this, and they did a good job in keeping a Jaguar look, while improving space and ergonomics. I agree that the old car is more crisp and elegant, but they needed to create more space.
They did such a good job that that it looks like I may have to bite the bullet, and get myself a 2004 XJR. Damn.
Can't go wrong with the XJR, old or new. Phenomenal car.
Welcome!
I love the new one but unfortunately, the funds needed to buy one go to more important, read kids, things. Any input from previous owners would be greatly appreciated.
Anything specific to look for when shopping? What fails on this car?
I could lease the new X-Type for the $279/mo as advertised but the used XJR is so tempting and much bigger inside.
Thanks for the help
Phil
And truly take into consideration that the XJR is very expensive in maintenance. If kids are the priority, justifying $2k on new tries every 10k miles ("normal", Jaguar told me) can be hard to justify.
It's a great car, though, just not as utilitarian as its appearance might lead many people to conclude (and the car magazines never mention the "other side" in their big HP sedan articles).
The CLK 500 seemed very soft after I got the other two AMG cars. I have to say that AMG works magic on Mercedes. Everything is sharper- brakes, suspension, throttle response, transmission. Driving the C 32 killed my affair with the CLK.
The C32 is more of a boy racer experience, it never relaxes. The suspension is firm, the steering is firm, you always hear the whine from the supercharger. This is usually great fun, but I wanted something more mature.
Someone in my office asked me the other day how I decide which AMG to drive. The E55 is very laid back and can pass for just another E class if you want it to. I also love how AMG dresses up the interiors with better leathers. The SL55 can be driven mildly as well, but the agressive sounding exhaust always eggs you on. Believe it or not, I think the E55 handles better than the SL55, crisper turn in and feels lighter on its feet. The dealer changed my pads on the SL55 and the brakes are quiet now.
I could live with either car as a full time ride.
Also, I'm glad to hear you're seemingly satisfied with your Benz products, I thought MB was going to loose you at one time.
M
I think that between the E55 and the SL55, I am pretty well set for a while.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Good luck!