[Postcab]

Well the nice man from Manheim came today to pick up my F31 330d MSport XDrive. Was sadder than I thought I would be, but after 4 years its time to move on.

I don't do as many miles now, so have decided to go back to petrol. Having a bit of time on my hands I had extended test drives in 8 different cars including the Golf R, A4, C350e and Giulia Veloce. However, the car that really hit the spot for me was the Jag XE. Ride, handling, refinement and performance were all top notch (250 Portfolio).

What really got my goat with the 330d X Drive were:
- road noise (truly appalling on Continentals)
- diesel clatter (in the winter, and despite using BP Ultimate, it sounded like a tractor)
- X Drive handling (I know this can be improved but I don't like messing with PCH cars).

On the plus side, I'll miss the 4 wheel drive traction, the mid range grunt, the 40+ mpg and touring body flexibility.

I don't post much, but I've enjoyed my time on here so will stick around, if you don't mind .

[Rbrown]

Will be good to hear what you go for.

Good luck!

[Postcab]

Sorry, should have been clearer - I get my Jag XE tomorrow.

[Rbrown]

Enjoy!

[willjames]

Stick around and banter with us 👍

[330Stevie]

How did you find the Alfa?

[Postcab]

Originally Posted by 330Stevie

How did you find the Alfa?

In a single word - 'boring'.

Attractive external design, but the seats weren't very comfortable and some of the interior plastics made even the XE seem luxurious.

Off boost it was as dead as a Dodo and I suspect they've got more work to do on the gearbox software. Rowing it along on the paddles it was quite quick. And if you were expecting an Alfa exhaust note you'd be disappointed.

Some great value PCH deals about though..

[dopper99]

Good stuff. Post some pics up when you get it.

And do a write up, let us know if it's any better than a F3x.

[Tom Tallon]

Postcab

I drive a 330D xdrive saloon LCI model - its virtually sound free - is there something wrong with your car mate? I do have non run flats and Michelin PSS on however.

PS Have looked at XE but concened about back seat room -. Incidentally do you know there is a 300 PS 2 litre Ingenium XE on its way soon?

[dbramley]

Https://www.xeforums.co.uk is decent, looked on there a bit when the XE came out.

[Postcab]

Originally Posted by Tom Tallon

Postcab

I drive a 330D xdrive saloon LCI model - its virtually sound free - is there something wrong with your car mate? I do have non run flats and Michelin PSS on however.

PS Have looked at XE but concened about back seat room -. Incidentally do you know there is a 300 PS 2 litre Ingenium XE on its way soon?

Mine was pre LCI and they're known for bad road noise. Partly due to the run flats (although mine was on Continentals not the noisier Bridgestones), but I believe cost cutting was the main issue. My F10 on run flats was lovely. I've been in an LCI and didn't find it that quiet, so perhaps the MSS are working their magic.

The 300PS will be fast, but the 250PS was still plenty quick (and its quite a bit cheaper on PCH). The 250 does 0-60 in 6 sec.

Agree the XE is snug in the back, but our kids are now grown up.

[Postcab]

Originally Posted by dbramley

Https://www.xeforums.co.uk is decent, looked on there a bit when the XE came out.

Thanks - I have joined but seems pretty quiet. Certainly not the banter you get here .

That site nearly put me off the XE. Reliability seems to be questionable, certainly on the earlier cars before production moved to Castle Bromwich. Although must say my F31 was not great either.

[isleaiw1]

Welcome to the world of petrol and being a non BMW driver on here... looking on the bright side yours isn't an Aldi or an SUV so you will get away lightly!!

[mcoops]

Really liked the XE on a test drive except for the puny 2.0D. Limited engine choices at the time. Not many JLR fans on here so would love a proper review once you?ve collected and had time to gather your thoughts.

[Danny Fireblade]

Enjoy collection today and plenty of pics please.

[Tom Tallon]

Originally Posted by Postcab

Mine was pre LCI and they're known for bad road noise. Partly due to the run flats (although mine was on Continentals not the noisier Bridgestones), but I believe cost cutting was the main issue. My F10 on run flats was lovely. I've been in an LCI and didn't find it that quiet, so perhaps the MSS are working their magic.

The 300PS will be fast, but the 250PS was still plenty quick (and its quite a bit cheaper on PCH). The 250 does 0-60 in 6 sec.

Agree the XE is snug in the back, but our kids are now grown up.

P.

It its not too much trouble could you give us a short critique on the 250 ps XE as it conveniently falls below the £40,000 tax threshhold for me even in 4 wheel drive form. Unfortunately you will see its a smidgin above the 149 emission cut off so more tax in year one. Would greatly appreciate your reaction.

[Postcab]

Following a few requests, I'm pleased to say the pickup of the XE went very well. Lancaster Sevenoaks did a great job, just as they've done all the way along. Really did feel like a premium experience. They weren't phased when I asked them to only give the car a quick wash (I wanted to inspect the paint on pick up). I've spent 5 hours detailing it this afternoon and I must say some of the swage lines and detailed design work is beautiful.

I'm afraid the photos are a bit rubbish, but you'll get the idea. I was a little worried about the tan interior, but I think it goes really well with the Corris Grey paint.

They were preparing for an E Pace Customer event so I had a good look at one of the 4 cars doing the rounds of UK dealerships. Must say it looks really good.

[Postcab]

Originally Posted by Tom Tallon

P.

It its not too much trouble could you give us a short critique on the 250 ps XE as it conveniently falls below the £40,000 tax threshhold for me even in 4 wheel drive form. Unfortunately you will see its a smidgin above the 149 emission cut off so more tax in year one. Would greatly appreciate your reaction.

mcoops was after my views as well, so here are a few thoughts.

I think the chassis sophistication is the best thing about the car. Its supple without wallowing, and you can throw it around with confidence (from my test drive not today!). I tested the Portfolio and that's what I went for. It doesn't have the sports chassis but that's fine by me. I have a bit of a 'thing' for the quality of leather in cars, and I think the Jag Windsor leather (its perforated nappa) that you get as standard in the Portfolio is better than the Individual Merino in my F31.

The new Ingenium 250 petrol engine (again from my test drive) is really swift, and you can put the ZF box into sport like the BMW, and also independently put the throttle mapping and steering into dynamic mode. Its not a creamy 6 cylinder, but for a 4 it seems good. The economy figures seem decent, but guess I find out whether they are fantasy or not.

Rear visibility is poor, so I went with the parking pack that includes a rear camera (pic quality is excellent) and front sensors. Only other options I went for were metallic and privacy glass. Equipment levels are a little mean, but probably on par with a 3 series. There is a Meridian sound system in the Portfolio which seems at least as good as the HK, but I need to fiddle some more.

I think most people know the rear seat is snug, but the boot isn't huge either.

Hope that helps, and happy to answer any specific questions.

[Hooded]

Good looking cars the XE and XF

Congrats

[330Stevie]

Originally Posted by Postcab

In a single word - 'boring'.

Attractive external design, but the seats weren't very comfortable and some of the interior plastics made even the XE seem luxurious.

Off boost it was as dead as a Dodo and I suspect they've got more work to do on the gearbox software. Rowing it along on the paddles it was quite quick. And if you were expecting an Alfa exhaust note you'd be disappointed.

Some great value PCH deals about though..

Useful thanks! I’ve had 5 now, but am loving my 330 so can’t see me going back. Enjoy the new ride!

[JustChris]

Lovely looking car. All these AUDI and other threads have me thinking a lot of people are mot fancying another F series BMW really.

Hard to disagree with your thought on the 335D x drive, I had very similar thoughts.

How was the E Pace size wise?

[Postcab]

E Pace was a decent size, with enough space in the back for a 6 footer. Boot was ok. Optically a little unusual, as it looked almost as long as it did wide, but that may have been due to the colour? Predictably, it was high spec with a lovely black leather interior and big alloys. I think it really did look the dogs, and takes the small/mid SUV on a step from the generic Q3/ X3.