Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Mon 6 Dec 2010 16:30

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - Skidmark2000

I have been pondering over which way to go for a month now, every review I read places these two cars side by side. At least I know I've picked a winner its just which one I write the cheque for.

I am looking at a 2003 SL500 (5 lire) and a 2002 XKR convertable 4.0L twin superchargers.

Both are very similarly priced and the mileage is only a couple of thousand between them.

I need some advice guidance as to where I put my money all comments and advice greatfully recieved.

Thanks

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Mon 6 Dec 2010 17:43

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - RaineMan

If I was buying using my head I would go for the Mercedes as in all probability it would be more reliable and hold its value (somewhat) better. But if I used my heart it would be the Jaguar. With either make sure you have some money in reserve in case a major repair is required when the car comes out of warranty - after all neither is that young.

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Mon 6 Dec 2010 18:52

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - Westpig

Jag looks nicer....and it's built in this country, by British workers....and has a long British heritage.

Edited by Westpig on 06/12/2010 at 18:54

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Wed 8 Dec 2010 14:54

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - SteveLee

Using the word "reliable" and "Mercedes" in the same sentence is amusing! Perhaps 30 years ago but not now. The 190 was the last proper over-engineered built-to-last Merc. Considering the rough production years the OP is looking at are the worst in terms of Mercedes reliability as well as the other common early 2000s Mercedes problem - rust.

The things to look out for on the XKR (and similar XJ) are the Supercharger bearings which can go every 50Kish miles and at about 75K the lower wishbones bushes can wear - this normally presents itself as a slight steering wheel wobble at speed. This means new lower wishbones which are about £600 per side.

I'd probably buy an XK8 over and XKR, the extra performance comes at a real cost at the pumps a gently driven XK8 will return 30mpg on a run, the XKR drinks fuel regardless of how it's driven. I have owned two XJRs (6 and 8 cylinder) and a XJ8 the difference in fuel consumption is startling. The standard XK is still a quick car. Avoid any V8-engined Jag before 2001 when the dodgy plastic camchain tensioners were replaced with metal, the (pre-2000) bore lining issues were resolved and the plastic water pump impellers made way for metal ones which did not melt! (coincidentally a problem shared with Mercedes of similar vintage) Jaguar V8s (once the early problems were ironed out) are very, very reliable. That said, my plastic water pump, Nikasil bore lined, plastic tensioner equipped XJ8 racked up 170K fault free miles - the current owner has taken it past 200K miles - still going strong.

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Mon 6 Dec 2010 18:59

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - Andy P

Is the XKR modified? When I last checked it only had a single Eaton supercharger...

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Mon 6 Dec 2010 20:19

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - SteveLee

I had an XJR which was faultlessly reliable over 50K+ miles and a real hoot to drive when pressing on despite being supremely comfortable when in cruise mode. A friend of mine had an SL500 at the same time - it felt wooden in comparison, no feel in the steering and simply fell apart (dynamically) when you pressed on - the other problem was it fell apart physically too - it was built as modern Mercs are - it spent a fair bit of time the dealers with various problems - I'd avoid the Merc if I were you. That said, another friends AMG SL was reliable, maybe AMG screw them together properly after receiving them from Mercedes? He doesn't do many miles though, his car is a cosseted occasional weekend only car.

Whichever one you choose, have the gearbox oil and filters changed by a transmission specialist (both cars share the same box) it is a specialist-only job, but one that will ensure the 'box lasts as long as the car. The dealers will not service the 'boxes as according to the manufacturer they are sealed for life, "life" being barely more than 80-100K miles if you do not have them serviced. I entrusted Stephens Engineering in Hertfordshire for this job.

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Mon 6 Dec 2010 21:18

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - daveyjp

Do some background work on who can look after the car for you. Chances are there are a lot more Jag specialists than MB specialists out there.

Get to know your local Jaguar owners club too. They are a mine of information which they are happy to share. Members often own Jag after Jag and as a result very clean motors are often available for little more than one with an unknown history.

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Mon 6 Dec 2010 22:18

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - Avant

"I am looking at a 2003 SL500 (5 lire)"

If you can get it for 5 lire, it's the SL500 every time.... A few more euros needed I fear.

Good advice above: if you like both cars then I'd say it depends - at 7or 8 years old - on which one seems to have been looked after better and feels the less worn-out. If both look immaculate I think you'll have more fun with the Jaguar.

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Mon 6 Dec 2010 23:10

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - gordonbennet

With either car certain failures will be very expensive, and as you've investigated both have their weak points, if the SL has air suspension you could if it's the later model be looking at a grand for shockers....each.

The MB does have an advantage of very good aftermarket suppliers for parts, i don't know if the Jag enjoys a similar situation.

For me it would be the Benz simply because i have just about the oldest established competent indy close by, it doesn't have the 7 speed box does it?

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Tue 7 Dec 2010 18:31

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - Collos25

Must have lot of spare money for insurance,petrol,tyres etc.The fuel gauge will probably go down as fast as the speedo goes up.

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Wed 8 Dec 2010 09:48

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - PatrickO

If you can't decide on paper then a long test drive of each car will provide you with more information to make a decision as to which is right for you. They're both great cars so whichever you choose it won't have been the wrong choice. If all else fails decide which poster you would have had on you wall as a nipper.

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Wed 8 Dec 2010 10:20

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - injection doc

skidmark200, stevelee sums it up really and having worked for jaguar and owned jaguars myself and Mercedes, the XKR is always going to win in the grin factor. Merc's arn't all there cracked up to be and infact having recently had a brandew E class on a 59 I couldn't wait to dispose of it! Wooden drive sums it up very well and forget reliability. With a Merc its purley the BADGE !

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 10:19

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - barney100

'A Merc is purely the badge' is going a bit far. I've had three and they have all been excellent. Friend of mine of the other hand bought a new Jag and it broke down on the first trip. He exchanged for a basic Merc 180 and has been delighted with it. On the other hand another bloke I know has a Jag, loves it and has had little bother. Apparently 68% of diesel Mercs built since 1949 are still on the road.

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Fri 10 Dec 2010 12:15

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - Andy P

"Merc is just a badge"....try driving a CLK Black.... :-)

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Sat 11 Dec 2010 14:37

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - SteveLee

'A Merc is purely the badge' is going a bit far. ... Apparently 68% of diesel Mercs built since 1949 are still on the road.

Yes that's because Mercs were relatively simple over-engineered and beautifully made cars much in the same way older Volvos were built, modern ones are simply not. they have dull uninspiring chassis then tonnes of nanny-state electronics thrown at them in a bid to make them handle - Jags handle because the basic car underneath is designed to do so, then are nicely set-up toboot - electronics or not. In a bid to compete with BMW on paper, the Mercedes approach has been more and more power (which their chassis already struggle to handle) plus lots more electronic interference in an effort to make a silk purse out of the pig's ear of a chassis - plus the biggy - the accountants have taken over the company, cost cutting heavily in every area, the result: unreliable, uninspiring and yet still overpriced cars. With very few exceptions they are little more than built-to-a-price Chryslers with an expensive badge. If you want an example of modern Mercedes reliability look up C-Class blue efficiency injector issues (which they will not admit to), the Mercedes M-Class (just about the only car that breaks as often as a Land Rover'til you discover the G-Wagon!), the A-Class which is quite simply riddled with problems, go to any car auction and watch the dealers avoid them like the plague. I've seen them selling for less than a Fiesta on the same year. The S-Class saloon seems to have escaped most of the modern Merc issues and are at least (an acceptable) average in terms of reliability.

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Sat 11 Dec 2010 18:15

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - ForumNeedsModerating

Having owned a couple, one from the 'golden age' pre-1995 & the other a pile of manure 2003 C-class diesel, I have the view that they're not a good ownership prospect after 3 years (or extended warranty period). If you can afford to take the hit in depreciation for the first 3 years, you'll probably have a marvelous car (current injector issues aside) with many comforts & sophistications.

So, true, some models have that heady cachet: lovely interiors, powerful & refined engines & sheer presence on the road. As has been said, when they go wrong, they go wrong very,very expensively - and if you're forced (or have no practicable alternative but ) to use a franchise, you could be contemplating repairs costing a significant part of the car's value.

The only ownership 'profile' I would consider now would be: good local specialist indy, a pre-1996 W124 petrol (2.2 or 3.2) coupe or cabrio & used for fun, special occasions etc. You might even retain the nominal paid value if it was looked after & without large mileage.

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Sat 11 Dec 2010 19:51

Jaguar XKR Mbenz SL500 - So close I can't decide - Dutchie

I used to like driving the Mercs now over ten years ago as test cars for the Adibis Oil test centre .These where petrol engines and they have a nice presence on the road .I know its maybe childish but I always liked seeing the merc batch on the bonnet.It is a shame that accountents take over.Mercedes Benz always stood for reliability and quality.

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