Well I've owned my 02 4.4 v8 for 4 years now and am hoping on replacing it with an early 5.0 S/C next year.

I just happened to be in a position to borrow a friends 4.2 Jag S/C for a couple of days and was interested especially as I roughly reckoned the 5.0 S/C full fat might be not too far off the 4.2 S/C Jag in performance.

it's been a while since I've driven a performance car but I'm impressed. The engine is not only smooth & powerful, addictively so, but what surprised me most was the handling and ride of the car. Not only did it cosset quietly like a Jag does but even with the sports suspension, the ride was fantastic, even after the RR. A split personality meant when you had dropped granny off from lunch, you could also hoon around enjoying the whine of the supercharger and amazing competence of the chassis and suspension travelling on roads I knew well, enjoying them considerably faster than ever before but feeling planted and controllable.

I know I'm getting on a bit and things have moved on but reminded me a bit of my younger days in a tuned Sierra Saphire
Cosworth 4x4 The Jekyll & Hyde personality of the car was similar although there was more feel from the Cossie & it was easier to find the limit.

Anyway, I suppose my question is, the FF feels like a bit of a bus in comparison now. How does ithe S/C handle with all that power? Is it for straight line use only ? Is the suspension just the same as my early 02 model ? Are the wheels and tyres more sport orientated ? 2002 Vogue 4.4 V8
1995 Disco 1 300tdi

Hi,

I now have a 5.0SC but have peviously owned an S-Type R with the 4.2SC. IIRC the 0-60 on the Jag was 5.2 so you have just under a second difference in acceleration.

With regard to cornering etc the Jag was miles ahead. I felt very comfortable chucking it in to nearly all bends at pretty high speeds and it was stable.

The RR is great in a straight line but it isn't for checking about in the corners. The RR is more refined and comfortable but if it is throwing it around you are after the Jag is a better option. Just hope it doesn't snow!

Yeh I suppose I'm just imagining what the FF will be like with nearly double the HP - could be interesting if pushed. I've always relished the chilled & relaxed driving the FF provides and don't see me ever giving that up but with funds not allowing a new RR sport then the 5.0 S/C has to be the best compromise 2002 Vogue 4.4 V8
1995 Disco 1 300tdi

Shandonman wrote:

How does ithe S/C handle with all that power? Is it for straight line use only ? Is the suspension just the same as my early 02 model ? Are the wheels and tyres more sport orientated ?

Like a high performance barge! Cant hide that weight! And don’t forget its a 14yr old design now The 5.0SC is still built on a 14yr old platform! Don’t get me wrong, they have progressed through the years... But if you want performance handling sir... Ahem, maybe buy the Jag

The handling of my 4.2 is miles better than my old '02 4.4. Less lean and better damping. I once likened the handling of my 4.2 SC to a drunken racehorse, and I think that's a fair analogy.

These things, as Craig said, aren't sports cars and don't handle as such, but they're fun to hustle along and they make you feel good when you get it right. Get it wrong and you'll understeer and lurch around in a smiliar fashion, I imagine, to the aforesaid inebriated quadruped.

They're rather more suited to fast flowing corners than outright twisty stuff, in my view, but it can be amusing to play with the power a little on tight corners if you're prepared to hold on. Passengers won't thank you for it, though.

Driving of this type will soon wear out your tyres, especially the outer shoulders. There's only so much grip available and you can't ignore physics.

I gather the 5.0 SC is slightly more accomplished than the 4.2.

I must add that pushing any RR in this manner isn't really the done thing. 'Press-on' driving is more the domain of the RRS owner. A FFRR driver does things with a little more decorum and taste. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Hi,

I agree with the above. They go faster than they corner and stop.
Out here, it is good to give V8 Patrol and Land Cruiser drivers a fright.
They just don't expect a FFRR to take off like a scolded cat


Cheers

Geoff Looking for FFRR

Can surprise quite a few hot hatches at the lights then Mega Embarrassment at the first corner. Get it right though and it is a wonderful experience. Previous cars:
S-Max 2007-2013 (only diesel I've had, good car but expensive when diesely bits go wrong, so what's the point?)
Galaxy 2001-2007
Mondeo Estate 1997-2001
Sierra Estate 1993-1997
Uno Turbo 1987 -1993
Fiesta 1984 - 1987
Fiat 127 1982 - 1984

As has been mentioned they are not really for high speed cornering but saying that, if i am on my own, a bit of drifting is a good laugh. You always have to be aware of the weight though.
I did have the joy of nailing a BMW who was trying to cut round people at the lights. I bet he didn't expect to see the back of me disappearing from him so fast! What doesn't kill you is just bidding it's time.