Calling E class estate drivers

[HotJambalaya]

Whats the back of the cls sb like? is it a 2 seater with a center divide or a 3 seater? Thats the only thing that put me off the cls in the past, an absolute dealbreaker for me

 

[Troon]

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

Quite significant, actually. S211 brochure shows 1857mm from back of front seats to tailgate (worst case bit of tailgate, not centre); XF has "loadspace length" of 1970mm. Might not be apples-to-apples, but that's 4.5".

 

[st4]

CLS SB IIRC is a 3 seater...

I might pop round to a dealers and have a look.

 

[Charles Morgan]

the mouth of the tailgate opening seemed compromised.

That is my biggest bugbear about most estates - it doesn't matter what the loadspace is, if you can't get things through the aperture then you are wasting your time.

 

[wemorgan]

Near enough the two cars are the same price. I like the style of the XF, but prefer the product engineering of the E, so if I had to buy one it would be the E.

 

[After Shock]

Don't get the "it's to big" statements. Sorry but never had problems with it being to big.

I'm being serious too. Had to point that out after reading what I had typed!!!!

 

[st4]

Don't get the "it's to big" statements. Sorry but never had problems with it being to big.

I'm being serious too. Had to point that out after reading what I had typed!!!!

Big isn't always better


DSC_0387 by [email protected], on Flickr

 

[Dieselman]

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.
despite one or two issues dealt with under warranty and a few quality niggles he wouldn't have anything else.

Real mirror image cars then, one feels a bit tacky but is reliable, the other feels good but has problems.

 

[Dieselman]

Quite significant, actually. S211 brochure shows 1857mm from back of front seats to tailgate (worst case bit of tailgate, not centre); XF has "loadspace length" of 1970mm. Might not be apples-to-apples, but that's 4.5".

That surprises me as the XF doesn't appear as long in the passenger compartment and loadspace as a W212.

It's possible the seats are further forwards.

 

[st4]

Real mirror image cars then, one feels a bit tacky but is reliable, the other feels good but has problems.

Thats what I want to get to the bottom of. Are they reliable.

I have every faith the body work and painting is better. Its clear from visual inspection the panel gaps and paint finish is better. Its just the electrics, and mechanicals.

 

[bpsorrel]

Real mirror image cars then, one feels a bit tacky but is reliable, the other feels good but has problems.

Exactly. Probably comes down to brand loyalty/perception more than anything.

Since my XJ40 many moons ago, I still think of Jags as a bit "fragile"...

MBs on the other hand, despite recent models, still have that feeling of carved from rock quality. All nonsense now of course, but perceptions stick.

 

[redbaron]

I wouldnt touch the Jaguar with a double bagged 50ft stunt ****. They are dated inside the telematics are a joke and dont trust them to be reliable or have dealers capable of resolving when then are not. Worst money i ever spent was in Jaguars direction.

F30/F31 f10/F11 on the other hand is where my money would and has /is going.

 

[219]

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.

Don't you just wish MB had put this 'fastback' into production ( built as a 'car of the future' and used as a test bed before the launch of the W126 )

Something very 'Citroen-esque' about that back end .

 

[st4]

Don't you just wish MB had put this 'fastback' into production ( built as a 'car of the future' and used as a test bed before the launch of the W126 )

Something very 'Citroen-esque' about that back end .

That's pretty nice. Bet you would have had one if they made it.

 

[st4]

I wouldnt touch the Jaguar with a double bagged 50ft stunt ****. They are dated inside the telematics are a joke and dont trust them to be reliable or have dealers capable of resolving when then are not. Worst money i ever spent was in Jaguars direction.

F30/F31 f10/F11 on the other hand is where my money would and has /is going.

Keep us updated re your BMW on order. It would be good for the forum to read about an owners experience of the new 3 series.

 

[V12]

Been in a few XFs, on the surface they look great, but upon closer inspection the interiors aren't great. Totally echo what was previously said. Start poking around at the edges of trims etc and the fitment/quality isn't great.
A good friend had a brand new one 2 years ago and he was so excited to show it to me on the day he picked it up...first drive down the road as a passenger and my seat/the centre console was squeaking. I'm only 5'11" and 12 stone so not exactly overloading the seats!
Haven't had a proper drive myself as he was nervous of his shiny new car, but I couldn't fault it's ride and handling from my limited experience of it.

 

[grober]

The problem with the CLS SB, lovely expensive art object that it undoubtedly is, is that it suffers from Schizophrenia --- and Mercedes already produce a really good looking large estate with no "personality problems".

 

[gIzzE]

I had a look at a couple of Sunday, I was at a friends kids first birthday party and took the dog for a walk on the green next to the Jag dealer in Watford.
Have to say I went from really thinking I might like one to totally writing it off just by sitting inside and having a fiddle.

Thought the interior looked and felt pap.

Like the design of the thing, but wouldn't want to spend loads of money on one.

 

[st4]

I had a look at a couple of Sunday, I was at a friends kids first birthday party and took the dog for a walk on the green next to the Jag dealer in Watford.
Have to say I went from really thinking I might like one to totally writing it off just by sitting inside and having a fiddle.

Thought the interior looked and felt pap.

Like the design of the thing, but wouldn't want to spend loads of money on one.

What about at 3yrs old £18k would you feel it's a better purchase then?

 

[gIzzE]

No, I wouldn't want to own one full stop.

There just seemed to be a big slab of plastic trim running across the dash, it just looked cheap to me.