[QUOTE]Originally posted by UK_S2000
[B]Why not have a butchers at the ATR?

 

might even consider returning to the 'dark side' and get a 5 series

 

you've still got time to delete this post before the majority of users log on

 

 

 

Zero, I had an X-Type for a couple of days for a test drive while we were choosing what eventually became the Passat, in some respects it's a tarted up Mundano, but in others it far excels the Ford.
Bad bits - the interior, it just isn't 'Jag' - even if you threw all the options at the car, it's just a bit too 'repmobile' and that's not what a Jaguar should be, I was hoping for a scaled down version of the gentlemen's club atmosphere of an XJ, but it didn't have the right feel, more like a cheaper car trying too hard.
The gearbox was an auto and just didn't have the capability to keep up with the rest of the car (maybe it was my driving, I don't know) - the power was always a bit too late to make a difference, I have driven quite a few autos which need a bit of forward planning, but this needed a letter of intent before it would react. it hunted up and down the ratios at times too.

The good bits - the 4wd is rear biased, I took the car out on a really wet night, the car felt like a planted RWD but with loads of grip. It just wouldn't unstick under power through the corners but always felt like a RWD car. The chassis is excellent, you really feel what the car is doing underneath you, it prompts a lot of confidence and the car can really be hustled along twisty B roads, I actually found myself smiling while driving it.

On balance, I would have had one for the driving, but it would have had to have been loaded to the gills with toys to come anywhere close to being a 'proper' Jag, and even then, it's difficult to shake the feeling that this is the poor relation and somewhat of a Ford marketing ploy.
Unfortunately Mandy decided she needed more room for horse stuff and we ended up with a boring Passat Estate.

 

it's looking more and more like a 5 series at this rate...........

 

......nobody will let you out at junctions........

 

DON'T DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!

Can't you go for some bargain high depreciator, like an Alfa Romeo 166? Imagine you would be able to get a fully loaded one, with gorgeous 3 litre engine, for much less than Beemer money.

 

thing is 5's are like 911's/Boxsters round my way.....they are everywhere so you blend in to the background and cause there's so many Beemers they are cheap

no offence intended to anyone by the way