Jaguar XF - BMW 5 series 2011 Manual or Jaguar XF 2011

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Sat 20 Aug 2016 01:18
Jaguar XF - BMW 5 series 2011 Manual or Jaguar XF 2011 - pramo

I had a BMW 3 series (2000 reg) earlier which I replaced couple of years back for an Audi A4 2010 model.

I rented 3 series 2016 manual model few months back and I loved driving it.

I'm looking at upgrading my car (an executive saloon is my choice) - I always love the looks of Jaguar XF (2011+) but in terms of driving pleasure, I would opt for BMW manual. I test drove Jaguar XF 2012 2.2 but wasn't very impressed , may be due to the auto shift - it didn't involve me as much as I would love to; tried test driving BMW 520d M Sport manual and loved it.

So the question is more around manual vs automatic, I love driving and I go on driving trips to Switzerland/France/Spain/Scotland from London, so the question is will I love automatic as I get used to it or if driving pleasure is the priority, is manual the one to go for ?

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Sat 20 Aug 2016 09:02
Jaguar XF - BMW 5 series 2011 Manual or Jaguar XF 2011 - RobJP

I've got a 2013 325d with manual box, and love it.

The BMW auto is a very good ZF 8 speed unit, and highly rated by lots of people. You can also get it with steering wheel paddles.

But I can also see what you mean. I like to be involved with my driving, and an autobox doesn't do that for me.

You might want to try a 520d/530d with the autobox, and see what you think.

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Sat 20 Aug 2016 13:16
Jaguar XF - BMW 5 series 2011 Manual or Jaguar XF 2011 - pramo

I'm not sure whether test driving would help much as when I drove Jaguar I felt by left arm and leg isn't doing anything which makes me think it is more of an auto vs manual and probably getting used to auto shift.

My concern here is whether will people who love driving get used to the auto gradually or they just don't like when it comes to automatic.

Seems like it would be worth renting an automatic car during a vacation before making a final decision I suppose, but if any of you could let me know your thoughts/suggestions as well, that would help.

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Sat 20 Aug 2016 14:07
Jaguar XF - BMW 5 series 2011 Manual or Jaguar XF 2011 - artill

i have had a few autos over the years but there is not one of them i wouldnt have preferred as a manual. I have no idea if you would grow to love the way an auto drives, or if it would bother you more and more as time goes on. But if i were in your shoes i would be looking at the BMW and have a manual box. Interestingly, Jaguar will now let you have a manual XF in the current car, so maybe a BMW now and a Jag later?

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Sat 20 Aug 2016 17:37
Jaguar XF - BMW 5 series 2011 Manual or Jaguar XF 2011 - Avant

This can only be a personal choice. I've wavered between manual and automatic for many years and have had several of each.

You do need a powerful engine if you want an automatic and still enjoy driving; anything below 2 litres will be a bit of a slug with automatic (although fine if your driving style is leisurely or you only drive in towns). I have a Volvo V60 2-litre diesel automatic which goes very well and will go even better when it's fully loosened up. Most diesel engines don't give of their bet until they've done about 10,000 miles.

I still miss the 'get up and go' of my previous car, a petrol manual Skoda Octavia vRS estate - but there's no doubt that the automatic is more relaxing, and on balance I think it's preferable, particularly at my age (68)! If I yewrn for a manual, I can drive my wife's Mini Roadster.

If you can afford it, try a BMW automatic with a 6-cylinder engine, either petrol or diesel - you might be hooked.

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