Calling E class estate drivers

[st4]

Would you consider a Jag XF sportbrake and if not why not.

All the reviews give it a serious thumbs up. There are reports that trim and quality isn't all that, but its spacious, capable, better looking and comes with an upto date drive train.

Thing is, as you know the shooting brake CLS will be my next car, but every review I've read the Jag does better the Mercedes. Its not quite as dramatic looking as the CLS, but not quite as sombre as the 212 wagon.

Is it really the perfect compromise or large estate. Should I really be looking at those in 3years time. CLS SB prices are also a lot higher and probably will be for the forseeable future.

 

[Benzowner]

Would you consider a Jag XF sportbrake and if not why not.

All the reviews give it a serious thumbs up. There are reports that trim and quality isn't all that, but its spacious, capable, better looking and comes with an upto date drive train.

Thing is, as you know the shooting brake CLS will be my next car, but every review I've read the Jag does better the Mercedes. Its not quite as dramatic looking as the CLS, but not quite as sombre as the 212 wagon.

Is it really the perfect compromise or large estate. Should I really be looking at those in 3years time. CLS SB prices are also a lot higher and probably will be for the forseeable future.

But its not a Merc and really, your sig almost tells the truth, apart from an E Class estate

 

[st4]

I know, I've come very attached to driving Mercedes cars, I just like the feel of them. From A to S class and everything inbetween I've driven pretty much the lot.

An E estate is too big really, which is putting me off the CLS SB as its one big car but the design is so good and the cabin looks perfect.

Byt that Jag is arguably better looking and IIRC they've invested a lot into JLR so I believe its also a quality product and all the reviews are so strong?

Anyone here looking at them?

 

[mika]

Weve got the W212 E350 petrol estate
as you say it doesnt look particularly exciting - but in terms of performance practicality and comfort it takes some beating, its also extremely discreet and understated imo
I dare say the CLS will be delightful too
good luck with the Jag

good point about the e class being a bit too big - i agree , why dont you get a c class estate

 

[st4]

I'm keeping the C class a good 2-3 years but I've never kept a car longer than 3 years. I tire of them. I'm loving my car but I won't replace it with another 204 facelift as they rattle (too many reports). My pre facelift is superb no rattles.

A CLS SB it will more than likely be, maybe a W205 estate or the Jag. The Jag looks compelling on paper.

 

[C240Sport97]

Jag's "beauty" (not even sure that Sportbrake qualifies as the rear is really rather pedestrian) is but skin deep.

And the platform dates from the S type .. bit like a 212 being built on a 210 platform.

CLS SB looks awkward in light colours, and with anything less than 19" wheels.

Is the SB's footprint materialy smaller than the XF SB's footprint?

 

[st4]

Theres very little in it. I've driven a Jag or prodded about one. I was under the impression quality was ok but not stand out. I've prodded around a CLS saloon (218) and found it to be a most excellent car marred by mirrors mounted lower and too far back on the doors.

 

[bpsorrel]

A very good friend of mine has an XF. First glance, it's a great looking car. It certainly drives very well (he has the 2.7 V6) but I can honestly say, despite (or because of..) the blingy stuff inside (raising gear selector, closing air vents etc) it really doesn't feel that high quality, and not as well put together as my CLS. The whole thing still feels a bit too "Ford" for me.

Just my view. My mate loves it and despite one or two issues dealt with under warranty and a few quality niggles he wouldn't have anything else.

Stick with the CLS Steve!

 

[st4]

Does it rattle etc or just cheap feeling trim or is there evidence of cost cutting.

Mercedes interiors in regards to that are excellent. Looking around the Jags the panel gaps look tight, proper tight indicating a precisely made car.

But I love that CLS SB but the Jag is ugly as a saloon is a rather handsome car as an estate.

I'd look at 4pot diesel versions of both cars.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I think the Jaguar looks great. If it has a practical enough load area (always an issue in far too many of these cars) I could easily see myself in one. It is a shame Jaguar didn't do a sportbrake before as I'd love to have a Jaguar.

Of course if they did an XJ estate, that would be better!

 

[st4]

They're supposed to be such a lovely drive, better ride and superb handling for what they are. Over our nasty rutted roads thats a plus.

Anyone here actually considered one or tried an XF to comment on it?

 

[Mr E]

I tootled around in one earlier (saloon) when considering the change to the current car. Ride was OK (not as good as the E-class AG, esp in the Sport trim), looked good in the Sports trim, seats were OK-ish, touch screen was a bit laggy at times (and you ended up with finger marks all over the screen). Plenty of room, but the saloon was a bit dark in the back.

The seats was the thing for me - I wasn't convinced after a couple of hours in the car that it would suit my back. MB put me in a demo car (for 3 days) at the exact spec I wanted within a week, JLR couldn't do it at all, even with my contacts at the factory.

List pricing has got a bit better, but according to our fleet operator the residuals are not fantastic when compared to others. That may improve with time.

At the end of the day, the E is probably the more practical considering the size and shape of the load space.

Problem I find with reading reports and asking opinions is that the latest model often comes out on top. So many of these things are subjective that I've given up taken into account other people's opinions and just get out and drive the things myself and ignore whatever anyone else says.

 

[developer]

There is no finer car than an E class estate

 

[Mercator]

I will stay with the E because I need the 7 seat option occasionally.

If I didn't need the 7 seats I would probably look at the new Cayenne Diesel S.

The Jaguar estate somehow strikes me as a marketing afterthought.

 

[st4]

There is no finer car than an E class estate

Do I need to troll your facebook:bannana::bannana::bannana::bannana:

I passed a 212 estate and it just looks like a blown up version of mine, both the Jag and CLS have a style about them that 5 series, A6 and E estates simply don't have which all look like blown up versions of their junior counterparts.

The C has enough boot space for my needs, a CLS SB or XF ample but an E is too cavernous for a BBQ/SLR camera/camping chair lugging hog on tour.

JOhn would you consider the XF, it comes with a two turbo V6 engine, something MB doesn't yet offer?

 

[bpsorrel]

I've driven my mates XF (as above) and nice though it was, it was no match for my CLS (granted the CLS is a 3.0) but the ride was good, very compliant, possibly better than mine, but somehow the CLS just feels a more special place to be.

Silly things in thr XF would annoy me such as the plastic base of the driver seat cracking because the weight of the driver pushes the seat squab over it and breaks it.

The silver panel on the dash is not a perfect fit, lifting slightly at the bottom right corner, Things like that skim off the quality feel, for me.

Overall, the XF just feels cheaper.

And, for me, the estate looks like a big Insignia, a total no-no for me!

 

[developer]

JOhn would you consider the XF, it comes with a two turbo V6 engine, something MB doesn't yet offer?

What's important to me is the loading length from the rear of the front seats to the tailgate.

When there's an E competitor in that area I'd be interested.

I do like Jags, despite being Indian, not British now, however, I looked at a police XF estate at Autosport and the mouth of the tailgate opening seemed compromised.

 

[st4]

What's important to me is the loading length from the rear of the front seats to the tailgate.

With your line of work, I can understand that?

 

[Troon]

What's important to me is the loading length from the rear of the front seats to the tailgate.

When there's an E competitor in that area I'd be interested.

The XF is bigger than the S211 in that measurement, on paper at least.

 

[developer]

Thanks, that's worth knowing - I've not done any comparisons.