Nice vid! 😊👏🏻 Having owned both type of cars (currently still owning a X350 Super V8) I totally agree with your conclusion. Even the topic that you did not mention, being the reliability, falls well in favour of the Jaguar. In my entire life I have owned about 30 different (older) cars and I can comfortably say that the X350 is the most reliable young-timer I ever had in my possession. In contrast to the E65, technology in the Jaguar is - however very present, like for example adaptive cruis-control - mostly hidden from sight and performs it’s duties quietly in the background. And it just doesn’t break down nearly as often as on the BMW. The Jaguar engines are virtually bulletproof, opposed to the notorious BMW engines and will just go on forever. My current Super V8 now has done 331.500k km’s (207.200 MLS) and is still going strong. So there you go, ever since I bought my first Jag five years ago I am a big fan. And I’m still looking over my shoulder when walking away from my car… 🥰
@@forresg500 Generally speaking, yes. However I do not have hands-on experience with these V6 engines, nor with the Diesel engines. But they do not show up in any forums I frequent. At least not with engine-specific problems.
I daily drive 2001 Boxster despite owning a 2018 A6. It has no tech apart from ABS and Power Steering. It’s refreshing to be free without the distraction of Tech.
I was due a new Audi A6 as a company car to replace a previous generation A6. The new models with their touchscreens would have irritated the life out of me (the retracting sat-nav screen in the previous gen A6 was irritating enough - unless I was using the sat-nav I tended to drive with it retracted - so why did it need to open up when I adjusted the AC controls? I could see what I’d done by looking at the dial!). The constant need to wipe fingerprints off the touch screen would have resulted in me needing therapy. I drive a 10yr old Alfa Giulietta now (I opted out of company cars, partly to avoid having to have yet another modern German car) it has enough tech to do the job, and nothing feels like an unnecessary gadget.
I would go for the Jag every time. It still looks handsome and not too dated. When this version of the 7 series first came out, I thought it was ugly and I have not changed my mind. The inside is boring too.
That's great easiest choice ever. The Jag looks a million dollars, the Bungle BMW looked like a dog's dinner. Having driven both, the Jag feels so special to be in, but the BMW feels like you're on your way to a sales meeting. And having had to work on both, surprisingly the Jag seems to be more reliable too. Its a slam dunk.
Memories! Had a V8 XJ8, X350, absolute joy to drive. Nothing I've owned since, from newer BMW's to Audi's ever came close. Some bits were a bit plasticky, but on the road it was smoother and quieter than a Pendolino express train down to London.
From my experience owning four x350s over the last 5 years. These cars are rock solid and damn near bulletproof. If you have a issue most likely it will be the airride. New aftermarkets shocks are cheap. I can change the rear one without a lift in 20 minutes and the front one in 35 minutes. I also have two x308 one R and one S. They have needed slightly more maintenance to keep them going strong.
I have 170,000 miles on mine and no part of the air suspension has yet failed. Biggest failures where a steering rack, AC condenser and one of the turbos. I think it could do with a set of injectors and an inlet manifold now. Best car I have ever owned.
170k without an air suspension problem ? Must be nice! Mine went out at 110k. I have the 04 VDP and love it! I feel like everything about this XJ was built just for me. It never gets old.
I own a x350 Jaguar 4.2 se and it is I poly bushed the rear end it is one very underrated car 35 mpg on long runs and handles like a Subaru on back roads that its party trick and lite as a feather
You can recalibrate the throttle body with a snap on computer and change the online fuel filter and that v8 will sing it made a massive difference to mine
As an owner of the X350 I must say that it is a glorious ride. Silky smooth and love the lines of the big cat....and yes you do feel special driving every single time behind the wheel.
With over 100,000 miles in X350’s they are wonderful charismatic cars. Only negatives are that although they are very quiet on a db meter, aluminium transmits a frequency of sound that is more fatiguing than steel. You can make the same complaint about a DB9. 2nd complaint is about the state of our roads, air suspension cannot cope with holes in the road. The wheel just falls in. And when there is a pothole every five metres …… other than that the suspension is fluid and controlled and handles enjoyably. Air suspension was chosen to control the lightness of the X350, not just box ticking. The 3 litre was just over 1500kg! It is firmer though at all times than the steel XJs. We had the ugly BMW too and found the Jaguars were MUCH more fun to drive, and the Jaguar had a surprising amount of technology, but all of it from lighting, handbrake, sensors was discreetly implemented and it all worked effortlessly. The BMW was a disaster, the iDrive scrolled in the opposite direction to the controller, the handbrake didn’t engage by itself, the sensors at the front were off by default and of course Chris Bangle the revolutionary ,created one of the most graceless ugly shapes which I believe influences society negatively like leaving litter everywhere. The Jaguar had wonderful gentle recirculating ball steering with genuine feel, slow weighty and fluid; it suited the car and was expertly judged by someone who understood. The roof line was too high at the back; I would have sacrificed the space for the grace of the old cars, and if only they had brought the 6 litre V12 back. I miss our X350’s almost as much as the E32 BMW’s. Wonderful everyday cars.the 7 series used to be a special thing, a big deal but since Bangle it’s just not. It’s not desirable, nobody talks about them. Family member has a new 7, it is neither extremely relaxing or sporting; it’s compromised. The steering is electric, probably rack and pinion, it is not charming and it’s face is garish and the body ungainly. It reeks of being designed by people who don’t understand cars intuitively but consult with those who do.
Made a very similar comment here some mere minutes ago, however lacking most, or all of your eloquence. Sadly English is not my first language, blabla, etc… I applaud you for your essay and of course for celebrating the Jaguar X350. 👏🏻😁👊🏻
Like both of them. Very nice. Still see high mileage 2003 all aluminium body jaguars around and amazingly still look brand new with hardly any body corrosion whatever. Think that they are very reliable too.
Thankyou. Really interesting, your conclusion. In 1977, I bought a 10 year old XJ6 Mk1 4.2. In 1991, I bought a 2 year old BMW 535i Sport. Several of your comments struck me. I just felt more comfortable in the XJ6. Once I was in it, it didn't feel its size. The BMW, I always felt aware that I was in a largish car. Also, with the BMW, although it was a very, very capable car, I just never felt at ease in it. I could never sit back, relax, and drive fast in the way that I could with the Jaguar. I only owned each of them for about a year, but I distinctly remember these impressions. The Jaguar, I had to have the timing chain replaced. Something like an £800 job, as I recall, even from an independent specialist. That convinced me that I wasn't at that point really in the financial league to maintain a Jaguar. The BMW, I never really enjoyed, and replaced with a Mercedes 300E.
I have two low miles X350s in my garage. X350 still maintains the timeless classic look and they still look better than any other new cars on the road. Easy fix, low maintenance, and readily cheap after market parts. Who wants to drive a new overpriced 4 cylinders turbo when you can drive a V8 4.2 L for $0.10 on a dollars. Any V8 luxury now a day would cost over six figures.
I find your comment very interesting about the maintenance costs. If you living in the US there is no way you getting aftermarket parts for Jaguars other than filters, brake discs and pads. I know that because i lived there and had a Jaguar. I always got quickly the “go to the dealership “answer in the auto services. There are very few independent Jaguar parts dealer company and there are also some salvage companies on ebay but there are no aftermarket parts or if you find one it will does not fit. I went through all of these so i not just talking to the air. Your best chance is if you can see the ford part numbers on the old part as well so you can search on the internet as ford parts. Jaguar parts numbers starting always with XR. The maintenance costs were never low for Jaguars. They will be always high even in the UK.
@@NZotyoka81 Rock Auto ; fuel pump and housing $100 ish- coolant reservoir $40.00. Coils- 8 pack Amazon, air shocks $400.00 for pair. Air compressor for $150.00. Ford transmission oil cheap and identical. Jaguar dedicated reader $150.00 (must have). control arms are identical to ford. And of course, junk yard has X350 show up once or twice year. Parts are super cheap. I have a shelf with X350 used parts and sensors. X350 repairs are well documented online.
After test driving a BMW 730d I went for a Jag 3ltr XJ, beautiful car to own and drive. I now have a new shape XJ Portfolio, luxury, performance and economy. Plus its so much better to look at than the big BMWs!
I could have told you the answer before the video started and therefore totally agree with your conclusion at the end. Jaguar has always built the XJ with the twisty B road in mind, not just the motorway cruise, so for me its Jaguar all the way.
I own a Jaguar sovereign 4.2 v8 2006 model, which I bought in 2019. I was looking at the same model BMW and for me I liked the interior more on the BMW, then the Jaguar. But I bought the Jaguar because let's face it nothing looks and feels ( drive ) like a Jaguar!!!!. My dad had Jaguar's in the 80's till the x308 and I loved them. My personal opinion is that if Jaguar improved on there interior to keep up with it's German conter parts and just left the exterior alone, that's what made Jaguar distinctive like the Porche 911.
I’m a BMW man but prefer the earlier stuff and if I was going for something from this century then it would be the Jaaag all day long as I hate the look of anything that bangle put his hands on plus BMW reliability after 2000 really isn’t something to write home about. I bought an old 2005 S type for my Dad a few years back from a mate at work for £300 and although it was a Ford in drag it was a beautiful car to drive and ultra reliable and everything worked on it perfectly and you wouldn’t get that from a BMW of that era.
Jaguar, hands down. It's the only one of these 2 that I really like. The only con with the Jag for those, including myself who live in North America is the available top speed being restricted to a MUCH lower top speed than any other European luxury car out there, down to being more like a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac Sedan DeVille while it still happens to have lots more acceleration than both of those. But the Jag still has reliability that later BMWs and Audis don't have. Jaguar, I've always found to be the underdog to any German luxury car make. And it's always impressed me since 2000 (when I realized I really like Jaguars as well as many other cars) to see the Jags score higher in more categories and customer satisfaction. In winter 2001, I heard that Jaguar had scored 1 point higher than Lexus in overall customer satisfaction.
I found the iDrive system absolutely fine once you're used to it in the E65. The BMW is amazing dynamically; all the pre-LCI had Direct Drive as standard, which made them handle brilliantly and ride beautifully - the one you had must not be working properly if it was choppy? The LCI (2006?) looks better too, and I think it has aged well. Ruinously expensive to run though - I'd go for a 730i for max reliability, no turbos to worry about or V8 woes.
Fantastic review first of all. And I agree with you guys; in this case the Jag has it completely in the bag; it has all the style and feel of a fast luxury limo. And indeed; if you want a smaller but equally stylish super sedan of that era, a sorted E39 or E46 will be great, even the non M versions are completely enjoyable at average speed over twisty roads.
Comments were more informative than the video, thank you fellow viewers with experience of both! I'm trying to decide between X350, E65/66 and W221 in LWB for mostly motorway journeys. As much as I admire the Jag (I used to work there and drove X350s when they were new) I'm thinking W221 should be the weapon of choice?
BMW 7 series E38 could be compared with XJ. E38 is a stylish lady, but E65 is a bit ugly to be compared with X350. Jag is a blending of modern options and classic look, which breaks the frame. She is a luxurious retro-car, which will not leave you indifferent, even if you are not a Jag lover.
I had an e65 745i and now have a 2.7 diesel x350. Both excellent cruisers, BMW more modern and gives a noticeably bigger interior space, the Jag has a bit of 'reverse tardis' about it given its exterior dimensions. One thing I would say is to avoid the V8 in the 7. If I was doing it again I'd get a 730i/d. If you can be bothered with the incessant issues of the V8 you'd be as well going for the V12. Would have preferred the 3 litre V6 Jag but I inherited the diesel, more than aware it has it's own potential for issues.
I looking to buy friends 2004 jaguar xj6 3.0v6 as very occasional car It gets very early 30s on gentle run I've driven it and it lovely drive for 166,000 miles Last owner changed gearbox
Great show - and verdict (I love Jag. ;-). It would be helpful if you could give us some approximate estimate (in euros or UK pounds) of what the annual maintenance & repair cost would be - assuming 7000 miles per year. I know it can't be exact - especially because road condition & weather are harsher here in the US - but anything would help. Thanks!
The 7 series was when BMW started to go wrong & is still going wrong to this day due to chinese market! Jaguar is the way to go in this comparison test by far!
The thing about the jag which I absolutely love is other motorists letting you pull out at junctions giving them time to admire the gorgeous lines of that aluminum body... 👍👌❤️
I was offered as a gift my choice between the XJ of this type or a facelift E65 , with the comment I would have the 750i but it’s up to you . Frankly the Jag looked pretty but so dated . Ironically I now have an older Bentley because I don’t need the tech and nothing beats 6.75 ……
The X350 was released less than a year after the E65 and both competed throughout their lives - the E38 was dead by the time this generation of XJ came out
The suspension in the BMW is probably shot and needs a refresh. Any 20 year old BMW need new bushes and most likely shocks too Edit: the avg fuel economy from half a tank is hardly a reliable figure.. Also I'm confused if you're comparing and reviewing them as they are now in 2022 or as if it's 2002
A 2005 XJ8L was tortured by me for 285,000 miles and it was the most lovely thing I have ever known, besides my 18 year old gray tabby Delilah. Best sedan, reliable, economy, luxury, comfort, and FUN. As you go faster, it gets lower and the steering is more tight. Toss it around a track and you will be glad your are not in a German sedan. Granted, at low speed the German pretends to be sporty. This cat is excellent. I moved on only because of the new model, I'm too old for its styling.
With the E65, there is a vast difference between models. If the car you drive had dynamic drive, there is no way you could be disappointed with the quality of ride. Problem is, each shock is roughly 1000gbp a piece. The ride quality is no worse than a Bentley. The idrive is easy when you are used to it and don't use that many things in the menu day to day. Settings are memorised to your key.
@@williamskagen9901 . No, they have variable damping and so you can select comfort or sport settings. EDC it's called. If you look at the parts for E65 there are various options. EDC with self levelling is the top option. Couple that with the dynamic drive sway bars and 2.4 tonnes feels surprisingly stiff when you throw it through a bend.
Was thinking that too, or maybe they got a BMW with broken suspension or something, it didn't make sense. The two cars they compare are both entry level base models.
@@YOLOnyc . Usually the 745 has reasonable options. 730d is usually poverty spec. I have an X300 XJ12 too. Plus an S500 W140, even an L322 5 litre supercharged. The 750li is by far the more superior car for comfort and driving dynamics compared to all. And by some margin.
Too much Tech ?, Let’s face it, once you have your favorite settings in your car, entertainment, seating, heater controls, woe betide anyone that messes with it 🤨😂😂
It seems bizarre to say that a Jaguar wins on reliability, but. honestly, it does here. Ford built the Jaguars fairly well, and they were comparitively simple. The BMW was overly complex, badly engineered and a total reliability disaster. It's also pig-ugly, inside and out. Betweent the two, I'd have to choose the Jag.
Exactly the reason that I own an E65. They are rare now and are pretty exclusive. Honestly I do love mine and I am aged 41. Maybe if I was 70 years old i'd want the Jag?
I simply could not buy the BMW because it is so horribly ugly. Therefore I would buy the more handsome Jaguar albeit with serious qualms about its reliability.
@@ClassicsWorldUK I would also take the Jaguar, and I'm Canadian. The Jaguar has space where I need it. It extremely easy to adjust the car to fit. The BMW takes time to fiddle with in order to be comfortable. The BMW also has less grip. I discovered this one day getting onto the dual carriage motor way. Coming down the slip road I very nearly T-Boned a 7 series of this generation. As throttle was added to accelerate onto the highway the back end snapped sideways and the car ended up blocking the on ramp. What was a surprise when the BMW pulled onto the shoulder and I followed to make sure the people were fine. The car was on 1 month old Michelin Defenders. What did really surprise them was that my 1990 Volvo 240DL Estate still on dedicated winter tires did not even come close to losing grip.
that jaguar is too low and way to cramped for what it is, noticeably lower quality product. the only reason you would have it over bmw 7 series is if you particularly want a jag for some reason.
Nice vid! 😊👏🏻
Having owned both type of cars (currently still owning a X350 Super V8) I totally agree with your conclusion. Even the topic that you did not mention, being the reliability, falls well in favour of the Jaguar.
In my entire life I have owned about 30 different (older) cars and I can comfortably say that the X350 is the most reliable young-timer I ever had in my possession. In contrast to the E65, technology in the Jaguar is - however very present, like for example adaptive cruis-control - mostly hidden from sight and performs it’s duties quietly in the background. And it just doesn’t break down nearly as often as on the BMW.
The Jaguar engines are virtually bulletproof, opposed to the notorious BMW engines and will just go on forever. My current Super V8 now has done 331.500k km’s (207.200 MLS) and is still going strong.
So there you go, ever since I bought my first Jag five years ago I am a big fan. And I’m still looking over my shoulder when walking away from my car… 🥰
Is the xj6 2004 3.0 v6 petrol pretty reliable
It ford based unit
@@forresg500
Generally speaking, yes. However I do not have hands-on experience with these V6 engines, nor with the Diesel engines. But they do not show up in any forums I frequent. At least not with engine-specific problems.
I will have the Jag please
Simple answer. Technology - is there too much in modern cars? Yes.
I daily drive 2001 Boxster despite owning a 2018 A6. It has no tech apart from ABS and Power Steering. It’s refreshing to be free without the distraction of Tech.
I was due a new Audi A6 as a company car to replace a previous generation A6. The new models with their touchscreens would have irritated the life out of me (the retracting sat-nav screen in the previous gen A6 was irritating enough - unless I was using the sat-nav I tended to drive with it retracted - so why did it need to open up when I adjusted the AC controls? I could see what I’d done by looking at the dial!). The constant need to wipe fingerprints off the touch screen would have resulted in me needing therapy. I drive a 10yr old Alfa Giulietta now (I opted out of company cars, partly to avoid having to have yet another modern German car) it has enough tech to do the job, and nothing feels like an unnecessary gadget.
I thought the BMW was ugly when it was introduced, was told I would get used to its styling. 20 years on I still find it ugly and own an XJR
I would go for the Jag every time. It still looks handsome and not too dated. When this version of the 7 series first came out, I thought it was ugly and I have not changed my mind. The inside is boring too.
That's great easiest choice ever. The Jag looks a million dollars, the Bungle BMW looked like a dog's dinner. Having driven both, the Jag feels so special to be in, but the BMW feels like you're on your way to a sales meeting. And having had to work on both, surprisingly the Jag seems to be more reliable too. Its a slam dunk.
Memories! Had a V8 XJ8, X350, absolute joy to drive. Nothing I've owned since, from newer BMW's to Audi's ever came close. Some bits were a bit plasticky, but on the road it was smoother and quieter than a Pendolino express train down to London.
From my experience owning four x350s over the last 5 years. These cars are rock solid and damn near bulletproof. If you have a issue most likely it will be the airride. New aftermarkets shocks are cheap. I can change the rear one without a lift in 20 minutes and the front one in 35 minutes. I also have two x308 one R and one S. They have needed slightly more maintenance to keep them going strong.
I have 170,000 miles on mine and no part of the air suspension has yet failed. Biggest failures where a steering rack, AC condenser and one of the turbos. I think it could do with a set of injectors and an inlet manifold now. Best car I have ever owned.
170k without an air suspension problem ? Must be nice! Mine went out at 110k. I have the 04 VDP and love it! I feel like everything about this XJ was built just for me. It never gets old.
@@athenastarbrite2955 I think that the shocks are getting soft though. It feels like the wheels are skipping on smaller bumps.
Love them both but if I was spending my own money then it would be the Jaguar
I own a x350 Jaguar 4.2 se and it is I poly bushed the rear end it is one very underrated car 35 mpg on long runs and handles like a Subaru on back roads that its party trick and lite as a feather
We love ours for the same reasons!
You can recalibrate the throttle body with a snap on computer and change the online fuel filter and that v8 will sing it made a massive difference to mine
As an owner of the X350 I must say that it is a glorious ride. Silky smooth and love the lines of the big cat....and yes you do feel special driving every single time behind the wheel.
With over 100,000 miles in X350’s they are wonderful charismatic cars. Only negatives are that although they are very quiet on a db meter, aluminium transmits a frequency of sound that is more fatiguing than steel. You can make the same complaint about a DB9. 2nd complaint is about the state of our roads, air suspension cannot cope with holes in the road. The wheel just falls in. And when there is a pothole every five metres …… other than that the suspension is fluid and controlled and handles enjoyably. Air suspension was chosen to control the lightness of the X350, not just box ticking. The 3 litre was just over 1500kg! It is firmer though at all times than the steel XJs. We had the ugly BMW too and found the Jaguars were MUCH more fun to drive, and the Jaguar had a surprising amount of technology, but all of it from lighting, handbrake, sensors was discreetly implemented and it all worked effortlessly. The BMW was a disaster, the iDrive scrolled in the opposite direction to the controller, the handbrake didn’t engage by itself, the sensors at the front were off by default and of course Chris Bangle the revolutionary ,created one of the most graceless ugly shapes which I believe influences society negatively like leaving litter everywhere.
The Jaguar had wonderful gentle recirculating ball steering with genuine feel, slow weighty and fluid; it suited the car and was expertly judged by someone who understood. The roof line was too high at the back; I would have sacrificed the space for the grace of the old cars, and if only they had brought the 6 litre V12 back.
I miss our X350’s almost as much as the E32 BMW’s. Wonderful everyday cars.the 7 series used to be a special thing, a big deal but since Bangle it’s just not. It’s not desirable, nobody talks about them. Family member has a new 7, it is neither extremely relaxing or sporting; it’s compromised. The steering is electric, probably rack and pinion, it is not charming and it’s face is garish and the body ungainly. It reeks of being designed by people who don’t understand cars intuitively but consult with those who do.
Made a very similar comment here some mere minutes ago, however lacking most, or all of your eloquence. Sadly English is not my first language, blabla, etc…
I applaud you for your essay and of course for celebrating the Jaguar X350. 👏🏻😁👊🏻
Like both of them. Very nice. Still see high mileage 2003 all aluminium body jaguars around and amazingly still look brand new with hardly any body corrosion whatever. Think that they are very reliable too.
Thankyou. Really interesting, your conclusion. In 1977, I bought a 10 year old XJ6 Mk1 4.2. In 1991, I bought a 2 year old BMW 535i Sport. Several of your comments struck me. I just felt more comfortable in the XJ6. Once I was in it, it didn't feel its size. The BMW, I always felt aware that I was in a largish car. Also, with the BMW, although it was a very, very capable car, I just never felt at ease in it. I could never sit back, relax, and drive fast in the way that I could with the Jaguar.
I only owned each of them for about a year, but I distinctly remember these impressions. The Jaguar, I had to have the timing chain replaced. Something like an £800 job, as I recall, even from an independent specialist. That convinced me that I wasn't at that point really in the financial league to maintain a Jaguar. The BMW, I never really enjoyed, and replaced with a Mercedes 300E.
I have two low miles X350s in my garage. X350 still maintains the timeless classic look and they still look better than any other new cars on the road. Easy fix, low maintenance, and readily cheap after market parts. Who wants to drive a new overpriced 4 cylinders turbo when you can drive a V8 4.2 L for $0.10 on a dollars. Any V8 luxury now a day would cost over six figures.
I find your comment very interesting about the maintenance costs. If you living in the US there is no way you getting aftermarket parts for Jaguars other than filters, brake discs and pads. I know that because i lived there and had a Jaguar. I always got quickly the “go to the dealership “answer in the auto services. There are very few independent Jaguar parts dealer company and there are also some salvage companies on ebay but there are no aftermarket parts or if you find one it will does not fit. I went through all of these so i not just talking to the air. Your best chance is if you can see the ford part numbers on the old part as well so you can search on the internet as ford parts. Jaguar parts numbers starting always with XR. The maintenance costs were never low for Jaguars. They will be always high even in the UK.
@@NZotyoka81 Rock Auto ; fuel pump and housing $100 ish- coolant reservoir $40.00. Coils- 8 pack Amazon, air shocks $400.00 for pair. Air compressor for $150.00. Ford transmission oil cheap and identical. Jaguar dedicated reader $150.00 (must have). control arms are identical to ford. And of course, junk yard has X350 show up once or twice year. Parts are super cheap. I have a shelf with X350 used parts and sensors. X350 repairs are well documented online.
I have to agree with both of you. The Jaguar is better.
BMW flogs it
After test driving a BMW 730d I went for a Jag 3ltr XJ, beautiful car to own and drive. I now have a new shape XJ Portfolio, luxury, performance and economy. Plus its so much better to look at than the big BMWs!
I could have told you the answer before the video started and therefore totally agree with your conclusion at the end. Jaguar has always built the XJ with the twisty B road in mind, not just the motorway cruise, so for me its Jaguar all the way.
I own a Jaguar sovereign 4.2 v8 2006 model, which I bought in 2019. I was looking at the same model BMW and for me I liked the interior more on the BMW, then the Jaguar. But I bought the Jaguar because let's face it nothing looks and feels ( drive ) like a Jaguar!!!!. My dad had Jaguar's in the 80's till the x308 and I loved them. My personal opinion is that if Jaguar improved on there interior to keep up with it's German conter parts and just left the exterior alone, that's what made Jaguar distinctive like the Porche 911.
Jaguar is the best car 🚗🚙🚘👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I’m a BMW man but prefer the earlier stuff and if I was going for something from this century then it would be the Jaaag all day long as I hate the look of anything that bangle put his hands on plus BMW reliability after 2000 really isn’t something to write home about.
I bought an old 2005 S type for my Dad a few years back from a mate at work for £300 and although it was a Ford in drag it was a beautiful car to drive and ultra reliable and everything worked on it perfectly and you wouldn’t get that from a BMW of that era.
Stand by for an S-Type road test in March!
Jaguar all-day 👌🏻
Jaguar, hands down. It's the only one of these 2 that I really like. The only con with the Jag for those, including myself who live in North America is the available top speed being restricted to a MUCH lower top speed than any other European luxury car out there, down to being more like a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac Sedan DeVille while it still happens to have lots more acceleration than both of those. But the Jag still has reliability that later BMWs and Audis don't have. Jaguar, I've always found to be the underdog to any German luxury car make. And it's always impressed me since 2000 (when I realized I really like Jaguars as well as many other cars) to see the Jags score higher in more categories and customer satisfaction. In winter 2001, I heard that Jaguar had scored 1 point higher than Lexus in overall customer satisfaction.
I found the iDrive system absolutely fine once you're used to it in the E65. The BMW is amazing dynamically; all the pre-LCI had Direct Drive as standard, which made them handle brilliantly and ride beautifully - the one you had must not be working properly if it was choppy? The LCI (2006?) looks better too, and I think it has aged well. Ruinously expensive to run though - I'd go for a 730i for max reliability, no turbos to worry about or V8 woes.
The purchase price is just the tip of the financial iceberg, with these wonderful machines.
In my experience that is not the case!
In 120,000 miles from new, one of our X350’s needed one differential gear at £400 outside normal servicing.
The E38 was the last good looking BMW. Fight me.
More of the same please, loving classic comparisons!
Stand by for plenty more! They’ll be nearly as regular as road tests in 2022...
Fantastic review first of all. And I agree with you guys; in this case the Jag has it completely in the bag; it has all the style and feel of a fast luxury limo. And indeed; if you want a smaller but equally stylish super sedan of that era, a sorted E39 or E46 will be great, even the non M versions are completely enjoyable at average speed over twisty roads.
Rather have a mint xj40 tho
Um, I don't think that's a 2002 XJ. This is at least a 2003. 2002 is the non aluminum x308. XJ X350 debut was 2003.
I am not surprised. Jaguar really nailed it with the XJ until the very last models.
Comments were more informative than the video, thank you fellow viewers with experience of both! I'm trying to decide between X350, E65/66 and W221 in LWB for mostly motorway journeys. As much as I admire the Jag (I used to work there and drove X350s when they were new) I'm thinking W221 should be the weapon of choice?
BMW 7 series E38 could be compared with XJ. E38 is a stylish lady, but E65 is a bit ugly to be compared with X350. Jag is a blending of modern options and classic look, which breaks the frame. She is a luxurious retro-car, which will not leave you indifferent, even if you are not a Jag lover.
Much prefer the Jag.
I had an e65 745i and now have a 2.7 diesel x350. Both excellent cruisers, BMW more modern and gives a noticeably bigger interior space, the Jag has a bit of 'reverse tardis' about it given its exterior dimensions.
One thing I would say is to avoid the V8 in the 7. If I was doing it again I'd get a 730i/d. If you can be bothered with the incessant issues of the V8 you'd be as well going for the V12.
Would have preferred the 3 litre V6 Jag but I inherited the diesel, more than aware it has it's own potential for issues.
Talker & Lacy on the Jaguar number plate -very well known Jaguar specialist local to me here in Leeds 👍🏻
The winner? Jag in a landslide!😎
Excellent review well done. As top gear used to be before clarkson and co came along with their clown show.
I looking to buy friends 2004 jaguar xj6 3.0v6 as very occasional car
It gets very early 30s on gentle run
I've driven it and it lovely drive for 166,000 miles
Last owner changed gearbox
Great show - and verdict (I love Jag. ;-). It would be helpful if you could give us some approximate estimate (in euros or UK pounds) of what the annual maintenance & repair cost would be - assuming 7000 miles per year. I know it can't be exact - especially because road condition & weather are harsher here in the US - but anything would help. Thanks!
Yes a video comparing luxury cars I can actually afford 👌🏼
The 7 series was when BMW started to go wrong & is still going wrong to this day due to chinese market! Jaguar is the way to go in this comparison test by far!
The thing about the jag which I absolutely love is other motorists letting you pull out at junctions giving them time to admire the gorgeous lines of that aluminum body... 👍👌❤️
Gotta jump in. I currently own an 03 760Li v12 bi turbo. The seats are insane. This car kicks ass. Sorry jag. No sale here.😎
JAGUAR designers think rear seat passengers sits in the trunk. Small rear seat space vs one mile long trunk size
Jaaaaaaaaaaaggg! All day, every day!
I was offered as a gift my choice between the XJ of this type or a facelift E65 , with the comment I would have the 750i but it’s up to you . Frankly the Jag looked pretty but so dated . Ironically I now have an older Bentley because I don’t need the tech and nothing beats 6.75 ……
Clearly.
Why am i just now finding this video
Makes you,wonder how they ever sold even one BMW when it was so ugly…
The looks are certainly...divisive.
The E65 pre-facelift is definitely ugly. But the E65 LCI looks nice and has aged well.
Ahhh it's Mr Skelton in the Jaaaaag.....!😃👍 Surely the E38 is a fairer/classier comparison?🤔🤔🤔
The X350 was released less than a year after the E65 and both competed throughout their lives - the E38 was dead by the time this generation of XJ came out
@@ClassicsWorldUK Ok fair point when new, yet the E38 isn't going to be forgotten..
Is this the ex-saudi 7 series ... had my eye on it on Autotrader but was a little too late.
Yeah I noticed that too!
Where do I get one of these three grand M5's?... ahhhhhh... a 540i, yeah? Great review - more please :)
Where can I buy this car for 3k? I have Jaguar SuperV8, price is anywhere about 20k
The suspension in the BMW is probably shot and needs a refresh. Any 20 year old BMW need new bushes and most likely shocks too
Edit: the avg fuel economy from half a tank is hardly a reliable figure..
Also I'm confused if you're comparing and reviewing them as they are now in 2022 or as if it's 2002
A 2005 XJ8L was tortured by me for 285,000 miles and it was the most lovely thing I have ever known, besides my 18 year old gray tabby Delilah. Best sedan, reliable, economy, luxury, comfort, and FUN. As you go faster, it gets lower and the steering is more tight.
Toss it around a track and you will be glad your are not in a German sedan. Granted, at low speed the German pretends to be sporty.
This cat is excellent. I moved on only because of the new model, I'm too old for its styling.
Jag all-day long
The jaguar looks ok only rearpart is a bit down.
With the E65, there is a vast difference between models. If the car you drive had dynamic drive, there is no way you could be disappointed with the quality of ride. Problem is, each shock is roughly 1000gbp a piece. The ride quality is no worse than a Bentley. The idrive is easy when you are used to it and don't use that many things in the menu day to day. Settings are memorised to your key.
Isn't the dynamic drive shocks pretty similar to the standard ones? I thought dynamic drive only controlled the hydraulic swaybars
@@williamskagen9901 . No, they have variable damping and so you can select comfort or sport settings. EDC it's called. If you look at the parts for E65 there are various options. EDC with self levelling is the top option. Couple that with the dynamic drive sway bars and 2.4 tonnes feels surprisingly stiff when you throw it through a bend.
Was thinking that too, or maybe they got a BMW with broken suspension or something, it didn't make sense. The two cars they compare are both entry level base models.
@@YOLOnyc . Usually the 745 has reasonable options. 730d is usually poverty spec. I have an X300 XJ12 too. Plus an S500 W140, even an L322 5 litre supercharged. The 750li is by far the more superior car for comfort and driving dynamics compared to all. And by some margin.
Jaguar any day
Have a 56 jag x350....and a 16 bmw f10 535d....
Jag is such a better car....always leave the bm parked up in preference of the jaaaag.
Jag is the personal choice. Just prettier in my opinion
Would have taken the Jag but for that front! Hideous!
It’s divisive, but if you’re not a fan, remember you can’t see it from inside 😉
I Take the Jaguar.
nothing like x350 its masterpiece
It would be interesting to throw the Mercedes S-class of the time into the mix.
Too much Tech ?, Let’s face it, once you have your favorite settings in your car, entertainment, seating, heater controls, woe betide anyone that messes with it 🤨😂😂
They're not limousines...
It seems bizarre to say that a Jaguar wins on reliability, but. honestly, it does here. Ford built the Jaguars fairly well, and they were comparitively simple. The BMW was overly complex, badly engineered and a total reliability disaster. It's also pig-ugly, inside and out. Betweent the two, I'd have to choose the Jag.
Buy a boring Lexus LS400 instead
The Jaguar sounds more expensive
Exactly the reason that I own an E65.
They are rare now and are pretty exclusive.
Honestly I do love mine and I am aged 41.
Maybe if I was 70 years old i'd want the Jag?
Bmw ruined 7 series with this car. It'll never be as Good as xj
Well it is hard to like the bmw!
you saying bullswhit
I said it 20 years ago and it still stands, the BMW looks hideous (that from a BMW fanboy!)
The E65 LCI looks nice though ...
Agreed - the Jaguar is a much nicer car, but not in that horrible blue! 🙂
The worst wheel choice for that E65.
JAG-YOU-WHAR🤷♂️
I simply could not buy the BMW because it is so horribly ugly. Therefore I would buy the more handsome Jaguar albeit with serious qualms about its reliability.
The BMW looks so ugly
British will choose British. Everyone else will choose German. Fact!!!😆😆😆😆
Between them, Sam and Joe own Italian, French, German, Swedish AND British cars - we can assure you there’s no bias towards British here! 😉
@@ClassicsWorldUK I would also take the Jaguar, and I'm Canadian. The Jaguar has space where I need it. It extremely easy to adjust the car to fit. The BMW takes time to fiddle with in order to be comfortable. The BMW also has less grip. I discovered this one day getting onto the dual carriage motor way. Coming down the slip road I very nearly T-Boned a 7 series of this generation. As throttle was added to accelerate onto the highway the back end snapped sideways and the car ended up blocking the on ramp. What was a surprise when the BMW pulled onto the shoulder and I followed to make sure the people were fine. The car was on 1 month old Michelin Defenders. What did really surprise them was that my 1990 Volvo 240DL Estate still on dedicated winter tires did not even come close to losing grip.
that jaguar is too low and way to cramped for what it is, noticeably lower quality product. the only reason you would have it over bmw 7 series is if you particularly want a jag for some reason.