Jaguar XJ better than S Class!!!!!

[Jensen]

I was reading a local paper at the weekend with a motor supplement. This categorized cars "best in class" ie family, diesel, luxury etc.
To my supprise in the luxury market the S Class was beaten by the Jag XJ. Points were awarded from a panel based on test track conditions, refinement, visits to manufacture depots and other things, it seemed quite detailed.
Although the Merc was only a few points behind, it did stress that in this instance a British car had beaten the dominated German stronghold ie BMW, Audi etc..........
What a shock

 

[hawk20]

I was reading a local paper at the weekend with a motor supplement. This categorized cars "best in class" ie family, diesel, luxury etc.
To my supprise in the luxury market the S Class was beaten by the Jag XJ. Points were awarded from a panel based on test track conditions, refinement, visits to manufacture depots and other things, it seemed quite detailed.
Although the Merc was only a few points behind, it did stress that in this instance a British car had beaten the dominated German stronghold ie BMW, Audi etc..........
What a shock

I wouldn't go too much by local papers. Try this much more authoratative review by What Car magazine. Autocar comes to the same conclusions as What Car BTW.

WHAT CAR?
CAR OF THE YEAR 2007


WINNER
Luxury car Mercedes-Benz S320 CDl


The S-C1ass is still head and shoulders above its rivals. It's another easy win this year

Make no mistake, Mercedes-Benz rules this sector. Many have tried to undermine the S-Class's dominance - Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Lexus being the main protagonists - but the gulf between the flagship Merc and its rivals remains as wide as ever.

Part of this is due to the undeniable cachet of the badge, but image alone is not enough in the cut-throat world of the business traveller.
Running costs are an essential consideration and the S320’s CDI diesel engine is not only smooth and powerful. its also extremely fuel-efficient, averaging 34mpg. The Mercedes boasts the best residual values in its class, too.

Even if the diesel S-Class was an absolute money pit, we'd still find it hard to resist.
Its built to the most exacting standards using the finest materials and will whisk its lucky owner and a trio of business colleagues to high-pressure meetings in sublime comfort. It will also soothe away the troubles of the day on the return journey.

Most impressively, the air suspension soaks up bumps in a quiet, cushy fashion, yet when the route becomes more demanding, you have only to press the Sport button to tighten up the car's body movements and benefit from greater control.

Equally, all the instruments and major controls work with rewarding precision. That includes the brakes, which are hugely powerful and full of feel.

The cabin is an oasis of tranquillity. There's acres of room in which to stretch out, while scrupulous attention to detail, lashings of high-grade leather, polished wood and aluminium switches endow the cabin with unsurpassed quality.

MARCH 2007 WhatCar.com


Other tasty quotes include: -

The S class has already beaten every rival in petrol form, but now we can adjudicate the best diesel luxury car on sale in 2007.

At motorway cruising speed the S class is virtually silent…
..the most cosseting ride imaginable ….

Its vast 560 litre boot is deep and a useful square shape……

The S class is exquisitely built, with fine shutlines, lavish materials, lustrous paintwork and cool aluminium switchgear.

… jumping into a Jaguar from the Mercedes is akin to turning right rather than left in an Airbus.

The new Mercedes-Benz S class sets lofty targets for every luxury rival: build quality is exquisite; it relaxes or rockets at the driver’s whim; and the roomy cabin pampers and soothes like no other. In short it makes you feel special.

 

[robbo]

Don't take any notice of what journos come up with. take a look at both cars and make up your own mind.

 

[hawk20]

Don't take any notice of what journos come up with. take a look at both cars and make up your own mind.

I did. No comparison.

And whether Jag has a future with Ford or elsewhere concerns me. Loss making companies usually end up going to the wall eventually.

 

[television]

The S class beat the Jag and BMW in Sweden hands down by one of the best technical magazines in the world

 

[Alfie]

I was reading a local paper at the weekend with a motor supplement. This categorized cars "best in class" ie family, diesel, luxury etc.
To my supprise in the luxury market the S Class was beaten by the Jag XJ. Points were awarded from a panel based on test track conditions, refinement, visits to manufacture depots and other things, it seemed quite detailed.
Although the Merc was only a few points behind, it did stress that in this instance a British car had beaten the dominated German stronghold ie BMW, Audi etc..........
What a shock

There are many words for this. Poppycock is one and b0ll0cks is another.

There is no-way any Ford engineered, out dated, unreliable piece of excrement like a Jaguar will ever be as good as a Mercedes which is built with thought, innovation and style in mind.

Jaguar lost their way just after the E type ceased production.

 

[television]

Alfie, you are not using the spelling check.

 

[Alfie]

Alfie, you are not using the spelling check.

I was trying to be a bit pollite and avoid and scripted censorship

 

[hawk20]

Alfie, you are not using the spelling check.

No but he is making a great deal of sense.

 

[television]

No but he is making a great deal of sense.

Thanks Hawk, Alfie always does that

 

[stever]

My old man has a new XJ diesel and loves it. But I'm not sure it's a direct competitor to the S class - inside it's about the same size as an E-class. I guess if you want this size of car with a higher standard of refinement (and it is certainly more refined than the W211 he had before) then it's a great choice.

 

[Alfie]

........................................... I guess if you want this size of car with a higher standard of refinement (and it is certainly more refined than the W211 he had before) then it's a great choice.

But not compared to an S class it isnt!

I suspect the Jaguar is a bit smoother and possibly quieter than an E class. BUT what happens when you get to a bend in the road? I suspect the Jaguar corners like a yacht!

 

[stever]

You're kidding?! He much prefers the drive to the e-class, and test reports all suggest it goes, handles and rides superbly. But my point still stands - and if you look at the list prices it does fit between the E and S class, which I think is about right. He paid about 37k for the 2.7 diesel - you can't get an S class for that!

 

[hawk20]

You're kidding?! He much prefers the drive to the e-class, and test reports all suggest it goes, handles and rides superbly. But my point still stands - and if you look at the list prices it does fit between the E and S class, which I think is about right. He paid about 37k for the 2.7 diesel - you can't get an S class for that!

No and you cannot get lots of E class cars for that either. It is directly competing with the E class with prices in the 30's. (Mind you the E goes on up a lot further with AMG etc).

The S class diesel with modest extras comes in around £60k. Chalk and cheese.

 

[Alfie]

You're kidding?! He much prefers the drive to the e-class, and test reports all suggest it goes, handles and rides superbly. But my point still stands - and if you look at the list prices it does fit between the E and S class, which I think is about right. He paid about 37k for the 2.7 diesel - you can't get an S class for that!

You can get a used one which will outlast the Jaguar by probably a hundred thousand miles or more, be a superior car in all respects and retain more value. Plus its not a Ford!

 

[BRP]

Here are my experiences with Jag and MB.
Had a new XJ6 quite a few years ago and it was always breaking down from new. A mixture of faults including some sort of fuel cut off which took about a year to trace. (car cut out without warning - good fun on fast lane of motorway). I was so disappointed that I sold it when warranty expired, as always at a massive loss! This experience put me off for so long but I did get an X type 3.0 SE AWD (51 Reg) and in the first 4 months from new it required 3 transfer boxes and a million electric repairs. Fast and quiet though. Sold when 11 months old as I needed a car every day. After reverting to Range Rovers for a few years I took delivery of my W221 S class last October and have to agree with the press it is certainly one of the best cars I have owned and apart from a couple of minor problems it has been faultless. It is the best 'mile eater' for my long continental journeys with amazing economy and very comfortable. Plus all the safety equipment, night vision, dystronic plus etc.

 

[stever]

You can get a used one which will outlast the Jaguar by probably a hundred thousand miles or more, be a superior car in all respects and retain more value. Plus its not a Ford!

You can't get an S-class used unless it's the older model, which doesn't fare so well against the XJ. I believe that the new "S" is supposed to be better built than many recent mercs which is a relief - many of the ones I've looked at simply don't compare with the build quality of my '79 W123, including my dad's W211. And as for the Ford comment, well we all know that people would be clambering over each other to buy the new mondeo if only it had german badge on it.


Anyway, I'm not going to start merc bashing on a merc forum, especially as I own one, but as I've said before, the XJ is a lovely car that in my view is targeted at people who want the space of an e-class or similar with a little more exclusivity and refinement. It's fast, handles well, economical (40mpg!) and extremely refined. For that it fits the bill perfectly, and it is simply wrong to make a like for like comparison with an S class which is a bigger and more expensive car.

 

[gworilla]

The S-Class technology is also head-and-shoulders above anything on the road today. Most of the improvements, we see today on modern cars particularly around active and passive safety are as a result of the S-Class which rightly sits at the top of the tree for luxury marques whether petrol or diesel. Top Gear once ran a piece on how many "firsts" were introduced into the S-Class over the years and it really was phenomenal.

I have driven an S-Class and various XJ/ XK variants and other than the sheer effortless performance of the supercharged XJ/K-R's, the rest are quite mediocre. However, Mercedes also have their own bag of tricks in the Brabus creations which are awesome and with their S63 and S65 AMG versions - you never need buy anything else.

A three pointed star of quality and distinction or re-hashed old technology, engines and designs!!! Hmmmm tough one that.....

 

[gary350]

If it went on looks alone the Jag would win hands down it has a classy look the S is a bit of a barge. I have been to the MB dealer 3 times to change my SLK for a 5 seater (my budget includes the S Class) and have come back disenchanted. To be truthful the present range leaves me cold even the CLS (which is a 4 seater) has its bad points - the rear. BMW are even worse with their selection only the 6 appeals and it is not a 5 seater.

 

[hawk20]

I have been to the MB dealer 3 times to change my SLK for a 5 seater (my budget includes the S Class) and have come back disenchanted. To be truthful the present range leaves me cold even the CLS (which is a 4 seater) has its bad points - the rear. BMW are even worse with their selection only the 6 appeals and it is not a 5 seater.

Great shame they have not revived the convertible E class IMO. Took four full sized adults. Isn't the CL the beast you are looking for? Great value secondhand BTW. Have you driven the S. It is mighty impressive IMO.