Jaguar XJ6 (X350) an unbiased review

Walkaround

Retro styled exterior with leaping Jaguar ornament on the hood, adaptive cruise control, and interior is uncharacteristic mix of current technology and heritage design. No British car is a British car if there is no Burl walnut wood trim! Chrome and supple leather are generously speckled about, providing a relaxed environment that feels like a luxury hotel room in Jemeira Beach side.

XJ6 comes with a 3.0 ltr V6 that produces impressive 240bhp. Thanks to Jaguar’s all new aluminum chassis that is significantly stiffer and more precise road feel, while the reduced heft makes for a quicker, more nimble feeling car. XJ6 third generation won lot of awards during its prime time as best full size luxury car.

The Jaguar XJ6 is not your run-of-the-mill luxury car. It’s not as obvious as Mercedes Benz, it’s not as common-place as a BMW and it’s certainly not as flashy as some of the European or Japanese sports cars.

But it does have class.

You just drive in front of a luxury hotel; the roof lights and spot lights of the hotel will be reflecting and moving over the shiny XJ6’s body, xenon head light and parking light all over the car will give you this top class luxury feeling to it. Yes, arrive like a king! Unlike Merc or Beamer, no Mafia don will come out of the XJ!

In terms of features, this would have to be the most automatic car I’ve driven. Jaguar’s controversial “J” shaped automatic transmission, auto wipers, auto lights with warning that the master switch isn’t on, auto door locks, auto memory for the driver seat, auto mirror and steering column, auto park brake release when you shift gear from parking, auto tilting mirrors when car is on reverse, auto adaptive cruise control, it seems that the driver just needs to get in and steer. Of course, GPS navigation screen can be converted to Alpine stereo by the same touch-sensitive screen – easy and impressive.

Driving Impression

This Jaguar got to be the most comfortable car I had ever driven, and that is the highlight of Jaguar XJ 3^rd generation. Smooth is not enough to describe it, as my friend said floating feeling? It is so smooth you won’t even feel that the car is moving. CATS (Computer Active Technology Suspension) is standard across the new XJ range. I was fortunate to get out of a 1998 model Ford Explorer (which has leaf suspension – bumpy ride) and straight in to Jag. Chalk and Cheese! The Jag is far ahead of most things on the road in terms of ride quality.

I recently test driven my friend’s 2012 BMW 525i (I will write about it soon), Mercedes Benz S600, BMW 745Li, Audi A8L and Lincoln Town Car Executive L (supposed to be the most comfortable car), let me make it clear, there is nothing quite like Jaguar XJ as far as comfort is concerned. The CATS systems stiffen up during sporty driving to maximize the car’s handling traits. It will also lower the ride height by 15mm over 160km/h to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve fuel economy; it is able to adjust the springing rate, ride height and damper control to suit the conditions.

My favorite roads are Sheikh Zayed Road after the Dubai boarder where the speed limits are slightly better to accelerate without fearing the hefty speeding fines, and Ras Al Khor Road. Never felt tired of driving XJ.

Problems I had

One fine day just before get into the car I found a puddle of oil underneath the car, my greatest fear came alive, I heard about problems of this car; there is a saying among the mechanics “if Jaguar doesn’t leak the oil it means it is running out of oil!” and It wasn’t a mere drop of oil; as if something broken apart!

Reluctantly I drove the car to near service station (I know towing is the best option), the mechanic confirmed there is a transmission oil leak; next day I left the car at the dealer. There was a small other problem with the car, few times the Parking Brake fault lit up. So I had explained the service manager what all the problems should be solved.

Next day morning I got a call from the dealer,

“ Sir, we had checked your car, transmission oil sealant is broken, suspension bushes, engine mounting bushes need to be changed, as far the park brake trouble is concerned the problem is with weak battery, and some relay, so you need to change all that too sir”

“What is the cost for all these?” I heard my own heart beats, so loud!

I heard him hitting some freaky calculator.

“16000 Aed!”

“ WTF!” I stunned and left speechless.Went straightaway to the service center.

Service Manager was pretending as if he is confused (he is a bad actor); he reduced few bucks after calculating and recalculating. I wanted to fuck him upside down to his mouth if he tells me one more time “this discount is only for you because you are our special customer!”

I paid the advance and left the stealers service center with big disappointment. Got a call after few days. Good news, car is ready, work is carried, successful!

Oil leak is solved, but the park brake fault is still there, I had a jolt on my spine! Now it is “ON” all the time, when I started the car that grotesque chiming sound comes with the message!

I went as the crow flies to the service manager’s cabin.

“The real problem was park brake motor, so you got to change the park brake motor!” this was the irresponsible answer I got from that thug. I was throwing so many questions at him; why the fuck did you change the battery then? He was busy attending some phone calls and smiling at some ladies those breezes in through the main door.

When I rose up my voice to his decibel capacity he answered like Walt Disney’s Goofy, “First thing to check your car’s problem is to replace the battery”

“Just to diagnose the problem you changed the fuck’n battery?! Is this shit place doesn’t have a simple battery to identify a problem, leave alone the computer program!”

My questions went unanswered.

Apparently they don’t have the part in stock, and another bill for that is about AED5000. So I spent around AED 8000 for some shit relay, cables and battery. After all these head ache and heart ache my problem not only persists, but worsen. Before the error message was coming ON sometimes, now those fuckers made it permanent! Good, now I can see Christmas lights on my odometer all the time!

I cursed and left the stealers service station for ever. I don’t think I will ever go there other than punching that fucker’s balls. OK, I don’t think even he has one!

Fortunately I found a good mechanic outside. He got it fixed for AED 1400. He said the oil leak problem is so common in Jaguar vehicles and he would have fixed it for just AED 1500!

5 differences between stealers and him is

•  He is not wearing tie and suite
•  He doesn’t have a secretary to attend me
• He don’t have an office with black leather sofas
• He don’t lie
• He knows what he is doing

Touch wood, my Jag is running strong now.

Morale of the story – Don’t take your Jaguar to stealers until and unless you have a full comprehensive bumper to bumper warranty!

Overall

If you want a luxury car that doesn't scream out; a luxury car that oozes class but isn't pretentious; a luxury car that you can sit in all day and enjoy the ambiance, well this could be it. Overall, I loved Jaguar. It's a classy, understated suggestion that yes, you've made it - and you don't need to scream about it.

Smooth. Unbelievably smooth. It's the one word that best describes everything about the new XJ. Slide into the leather seats and move off, silky engine delivers its power smoothly and without fuss. The car's ride is smooth and unruffled, even over the rougher roads -- however the smaller 18-inch tire package seems to produce more road noise than the bigger 19s.

The big cat handles extremely well, with just the right amount of feedback through the wheel and the pedals. It's low, sleek body barely rolls in corners, the air suspension working imperceptibly to keep the chassis calmly balanced.

It's amazing how Jaguar managed to build a car that's more than 200kg lighter, and yet give it the solidity and strength of a much heavier car. It rides the road beautifully, holding direction without getting flustered over bumps or in sharp corners. And yet it's in those same corners where the weight drop is most noticeable as the big cat responds to steering input with a sharpness the previous model could only dream of.

Build quality also seems to have taken a big leap forward. I especially liked the feel of the J-gate which, when shifted manually, clicks into gears more noticeably. 

If you are planning to buy a used Jaguar XJ, here is my free advice,

• Check the car thoroughly, top to bottom, and check if there is any oil leak.
• Drive the car on humps and uneven road, scroll down the window and listen if you hear any noise from shock absorbers
• Open the hood when engine is on, listen to the engine sound, if you hear any “tick” noise just avoid the car like plague. It gonnabe very expensive to fix!
• When you test drive the car, don’t listen to the owner saying please drive slowly, as you should know if the gears are shifting properly without any jerks.
• Make sure there are No error messages or yellow light on the odometer. Switch off the car and switch on again, see if anything comes up.
• Buy a Jaguar if it is really clean, check if there is any Jaguar specialist available in your area, and don’t ever take your car to the dealer, unless you have a deep pocket. (Give the car strictly only to the dealer If you have warranty)

These points are applicable for any used cars, but there are some cars that need special checking on certain area where they are porn to break. If you are planning to buy a used car let me know, I will be happy to give you guidance. All I learned from my own expensive experiences, so you gain from my loss!

Adios, catch you next time with another car review.