German Car Zone

How does Jaguar's XF diesel fare against BMW's competent 535d? We find out...

I like diesels. I’m not saying they’re better than petrols, but neither do I think diesel and the thrill of driving are mutually exclusive terms. The car that convinced me of this? The BMW 535d naturally enough.

Two main reasons for this. I once lapped Nardo at 175mph in a 340bhp DMS-tuned version in a quest to gain entry to the Guinness Book of Records (thrown out on a technicality – I’d neglected to get the correct authorisation from the FIA far enough in advance) and I also ran a Touring version for a year. The finest long term car I’ve ever had the privilege to run, bar none. You just can’t argue with a 600-mile range, a kid-proof cabin and a torque-heavy, tail-happy rear end.

That car earned my undying respect and admiration and I’ve pined for it ever since, so although I came to this test with as much of an open mind as I could muster, I seriously doubted the Jag’s ability to lay a claw on the 535d in the crucial areas.

That’s not to say I’m not aware of the BMW’s drawbacks in the not-so-crucial departments – I never got 100 per cent comfortable with iDrive, the solid ride and the sheer austerity of its cabin. In those areas the XF kicks it in the wheel nuts.

But for the purposes of this test, I’m going to concentrate on the driving and explain why the Jag mauls the 535d, despite the fact its brand new twin turbo V6 is less potent, torquey and economical than the BMW unit.

Let’s begin with the start-up procedure. In something exotic and Italian turning the key is an event in itself, a summoning to life; you are Dr Frankenstein and this is your monster. Diesels are a bit more prosaic – you want them to be calm and unruffled, ideally not even hint that they’re diesels at all. The Jag does that, coughing softly into life. The BMW’s straight six is harsher, but more importantly there’s a detectable body movement as the engine catches and a hint of vibration thereafter. First blood to the Jag.


Full Story: EVO - Jaguar XF DS vs BMW 535d


M

I swear the God Merc, you are searching all over the net to post tests where the 5-series loose. You are a evil man!

The Jag is a really good car, looks like the journalists are warming up to it now, it was beaten by the 5-series in very many tests in the beginning, even in the UK. That said, there is no way I would pick a 5-series over an XF today. Unless it is an M5.

I'm off to Greece for a week!

Look at that amazing thing in red... stunning, elegant, sporty, hot, sleek & mean!

Newbies are winning every war against 6-years-old E-60! Can't wait for the next one to hit the roads!

It's a wonder if diesel will ever take off over here. There are signs of hope through the success of diesel cars selling well here such as the new Jetta TDI, but I wouldn't be caught dead in one. If compelled to choose between these two though, I'd have to take the E60 535D no matter how much I love the Jags sensual and elegant styling.The Jag sure does sound like a nice trip for a drive.

The XF is so gorgeous and my favourite executive saloon at the moment, but I feel the next 5-series will come out with guns blazing.

That's more like it. Amen.

I never noticed, but that could very well be the case knowing Merc

Ohw well, the 5er loosing tests always means ONE thing: the replacement is very near!