Need advice - XKR 5.0 of F Type R RWD?

Jaguar F-Type Buying Forum
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opposer
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Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2024 6:48 pm

Post by opposer »

hi
I heard many people say that rwd ftype r has bad balance - heavy engine at the front and short wheelbase, and the car is dangerously tail-happy because of that, easliy goes to wheelspin etc.

But the revievers on the youtube (autocar, evo etc) didn't seem to have this problem in their reviews.

How true is that? Should I buy an xkr 5.0 instead of f type r rwd? it costs 25k usd less in our country, xkrs are very underpriced here.
Or should I buy xkr, try it first and if it won't be enough - sell it and buy f type?
I drive a cayman 2009, so i'm looking for something raw and emotional. Is ftype more fun than xkr?

Is f type r rwd really dangerous? I go ice drifting a lot so i'm able to keep my right foot under control

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scm
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Post by scm »

I found my 5.0 XKR could be very tail happy so if the F-Type is similar (I have the AWD which is very well planted) the main deciding factor will be do you want those two little back seats? The only thing I miss about the XKR is the lack of interior storage (those rear "seats" were handy for bag and coats, etc). They're both great cars - drive both and see which you prefer. I prefer the F-Type as it's more driver-focussed (IMO) than the XKR and has more physical controls rather than having to do stuff through the touchscreen (I hated having to select seat heating/cooling from the screen - the dials in the F-Type are so much better). The stick selector in the F-Type is better (again IMO) than the pop-up rotary dial in the XKR, which looks cool, but the stick can be used instead of the paddles for "manual" shifting in the F-Type, which is cooler!

Oh, and if you have to change the battery, it's much more conveniently situated in the boot in the F-Type - in the XKR it's behind the rear seats so you have to stretch right across the boot to get to it (bad for the back!), in the F-Type it's right at the back of the carso you can lift it straight up..

Drive 'em both and choose!
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Tom Sawyer
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Post by Tom Sawyer »

There is no way I consider my 600bhp rear wheel drive V8 as dangerous, you can make it dangerous if you drive like a dick, pretty much the same as any car
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Lux37
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Post by Lux37 »

Agree with SCM on his comments. The XKR was tail happy in the wet/cold so you had to treat the car with respect even at relatively low speeds. You do get a lot of car for the money though for a great straight line cruising car with plenty of storage space compared to the F-type.I do prefer the look of the F-Type and whilst mine is AWD I think it's a much better drive IMO.
As suggested test drive both and then make the decision. They are both great cars so you cannot go wrong!
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elugelab
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Post by elugelab »

Those many people are just not right. The RWD V8 is a joyously balanced car, oversteer available when you want it but it isn't snappy or surprising at all. When you encourage it to oversteer, it is perfectly balanced and easily caught.

The only thing it needs to not be scary is good, newer tyres. Older PZeros or similar will not give you the grip you need, but newer PS4S or similar makes the car wonderful overall.

Anyone who says the F Type is badly balanced as no idea what they are talking about. Just watch Chris Harris' review of the coupe when it launched!
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opposer
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Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2024 6:48 pm

Post by opposer »

Is ftype diff really that unreliable like chris harris said? Can it survive during several drift runs if you change oil in it every year?
elugelab
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Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:37 pm
Location: Herts, UK

Post by elugelab »

He didn't say it was unreliable, just that it can overheat when pushed hard and stop locking until it cools. I've never experienced it despite doing a reasonable amount of sliding about... Not like C Harris though.

This point seems to be something that car reviewers liked it bring up at the time but I suspect it was only Harris that experienced it, and the others were just parroting to pretend they can drive as heroically as CH!
MY16 IRR V8R RWD Coupe
BMW F31 340i
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