Just got an XJ8, Pretty much for free.. The owner got sick of it sitting in her yard because it wouldn't crank... All I needed was $100.00 and a tow truck.. Sat in my yard for a year before I decided to do something with it.. A fuel pump and new battery plus $900.00 later and it's my everyday driver.. lol.. I could finally give the Camaro SS a break.. Great on gas for a V8.. I love it!!
The Jag is a nice car, but the E39 5 Series is the best one that BMW ever made, and it's aged into a near classic. Sadly, it was replaced by the hideous and clunky E60, and it never again reached the elegance and dexterity of the E39 model.
having had an 530i e39 and spent quite some time driving and fixing a friends e39 540 i disagree, everything in the engina bay is made of plastic, petrol engines, especialy the v8's are running at redicilous temps and are coocking the plastics, causing constant coolant leaks, they had even more electrical gremlins than my p38 range rover(i didn't thhink that was possible) and as a drivers car i wasn't too impresed either - my old e34 was sooo much more involving to drive, so much simpler to maintain and so much more trouble free. It's ride was also a lot smoother then the e39. Only plus side of e39 is it was a little flatter in the corners(but having no lsd it couldn't really take advantage of this) and interior space and materials were better, but as a machine i was very disapointed.
@@petarpelovski4039 It depends.. the 540i can have 2 different engines and thats not counting all the smaller changes over the years... :D they developed a fix for something, then spent 3 months fixing a problem that arised from that previous fix etc. :DD also there were other things that had an effect on performance of the car overall. Like current VW group cars...order an Octavia with a "hitch" (or whatever its called) and you will get bigger brakes than without the hitch despite Škoda never telling you anything about it :D (if the car is expected to tow shit then it needs bigger brakes..) BMW does and did the same back then but also with the engine, the suspension and even the steering.
It's heartwarming to see that from these humble beginnings, 22 years of success for Richard Hammand hasn't changed him. He was a complete and utter sausage then, and a complete and utter sausage now.
@Zaid Mousa I just bought a X308 2000 Build Daimler Super V8, English Luxury combined with a US Muscle-car Engine. I tried to find a SWB(only 79 made), but U can believe me, the LWB Daimler Super V8 is Close to Rocket Science.
Hmmmm there may be a bit of patriotism going on, but in fairness, I’ve driven both cars, and his conclusions are right - the BMW and Jaguar both do “serious” very well, but the Jag does “fun” a lot better.
I had 4 BMWs and four Jags with the last one being a 2012 XJL SC. Ever since Jaguar decided no to build a new XJ, I`m pretty much done with the brand. I now have a 2023 850i GC coming.
18 years on and the E39 is still beautiful while the XJ8 looks like an antique. Compared to todays equivalent the tables have turned. Jaguar now make beautiful and modern cars and BMWs are ugly and common.
Yes, my family had a lot more BMW reliability problems (four models) than I had with my Jaguars (seven different models). I can use a 1956 XK150 every day and on long trips (500 miles) with average cruising at 75 mph-plus without worries, and at the moment my oldest one is an X300 Daimler (Jaguar Sovereign in the US) on which I have replaced only the water pump apart from routine maintenance/servicing. I'm not a US citizen so had best not comment on Trump!
The XJ looked like an antique when new that was the point, and the reason why it has not aged. Most people have troubles putting a date on the "classic" XJs (X300, X308 and less the X350), usually they just get that they are old cars in the good "collectible" way. And also they stand out of other cars a lot, you don't miss them. Whereas you can find E39s beautiful, but they did age (because their look is attached to their period), have a lot more "normal" styling, and people see them as old cars in the "used car" way. For the current production, BMW has mostly kept that way of doing: a styling that you recognize as a BMW, but without being too noticeable. They've just went more into "sporty" styling, but mostly everyone did, so... Jaguar on the other hand has in my opinion moved to a design that is merely "okay" and does not stand out at all. Before if you saw a Jaguar from a distance, you simply knew. Now it blends.
I had an xjr 6 about 15 years ago and it was wonderful so today years on I’m thinking of buying an Xj 308 over a much more sensible newer bmw 5 TD I know crazy right ! Should I do it ? Should say I’ve never had BMW
Not exactly mate. Dimensionally, the Jag is closer to the 7-series. But in weight, it’s usually closer to the 5-series (in fact the X350 onward was lighter, hence why most motoring journalists compare it’s drive to a 3-series). Interior space, weirdly, is closer to the 5-series unless you got the LWB version as pictured here. If they brought in a 7-Series, it wouldn’t be fair for BMW, because the XJ is just so much better a drive. The 5-Series, on the other hand, offers a closer drive to the Jag.
A legroom test? With half-pint Hammond? He'd have enough legroom in the back of an XJS. Now if it were 6'5" Clarkson, it'd be a real test. No offence to the little guy.
Ehhhhh gotta disagree with you there. It’s a great car, but it’s styling falls short of the Jag, and having driven both, it’s a very “serious” all the time car. That’s fine for highway cruising and if you like track days. But for a Sunday afternoon cruise or a bit of fun on a backroad, the relaxed elegance and sporting fun of the Jag is very hard to ignore.
Not many of the older BMWs around here in North America anymore sadly (when you factor how many were sold here, etc.). There’s definitely more old Jags, but they are garage queens and attainable dream cars where they are pampered and driven irregularly.
Ooo! Ooo! I think I can guess when this aired! Apr, 1st 2000? Because this video is more of a joke than my 3rd grade teacher... ... I like Richard Hammond, but seriously! This was cringe worthy!
I like the old jag looks. Its very 'flat', not unlike american classics from the 60s and 70s. Makes hard cornering look hella impressive in it too. The BMW just looks like a Taxi :)
Just got an XJ8, Pretty much for free.. The owner got sick of it sitting in her yard because it wouldn't crank... All I needed was $100.00 and a tow truck.. Sat in my yard for a year before I decided to do something with it.. A fuel pump and new battery plus $900.00 later and it's my everyday driver.. lol.. I could finally give the Camaro SS a break.. Great on gas for a V8.. I love it!!
The Jag is a nice car, but the E39 5 Series is the best one that BMW ever made, and it's aged into a near classic. Sadly, it was replaced by the hideous and clunky E60, and it never again reached the elegance and dexterity of the E39 model.
having had an 530i e39 and spent quite some time driving and fixing a friends e39 540 i disagree, everything in the engina bay is made of plastic, petrol engines, especialy the v8's are running at redicilous temps and are coocking the plastics, causing constant coolant leaks, they had even more electrical gremlins than my p38 range rover(i didn't thhink that was possible) and as a drivers car i wasn't too impresed either - my old e34 was sooo much more involving to drive, so much simpler to maintain and so much more trouble free. It's ride was also a lot smoother then the e39. Only plus side of e39 is it was a little flatter in the corners(but having no lsd it couldn't really take advantage of this) and interior space and materials were better, but as a machine i was very disapointed.
@@petarpelovski4039 It depends.. the 540i can have 2 different engines and thats not counting all the smaller changes over the years... :D they developed a fix for something, then spent 3 months fixing a problem that arised from that previous fix etc. :DD also there were other things that had an effect on performance of the car overall. Like current VW group cars...order an Octavia with a "hitch" (or whatever its called) and you will get bigger brakes than without the hitch despite Škoda never telling you anything about it :D (if the car is expected to tow shit then it needs bigger brakes..) BMW does and did the same back then but also with the engine, the suspension and even the steering.
Don’t both of these cars look better than current models…. Jag looks great and gets my vote. Looking for a decent one now.
It's heartwarming to see that from these humble beginnings, 22 years of success for Richard Hammand hasn't changed him. He was a complete and utter sausage then, and a complete and utter sausage now.
Shouldn't XJ be compared with 7 series?
Yes. Both are in the premium large class. BMW 5 is premium mid-size class.
It depends if you're comparing external dimensions or internal dimensions !
my thoughts too
Based on price yes but in range no
Indeed... 🤦♂️
The Jag just has a classic look.
I bought an XJ8this year for £895 no joke.. and it's wonderful. Best car ever the x308!
jedw how is it going ?
Great isn't it! One in top top condition no more thank 2k.. great load of car for the price
Ridiculous. I've owned 3 E39 540's and this video has no relevance as to why I love them.
@Zaid Mousa I just bought a X308 2000 Build Daimler Super V8, English Luxury combined with a US Muscle-car Engine.
I tried to find a SWB(only 79 made), but U can believe me, the LWB Daimler Super V8 is Close to Rocket Science.
@alanrtment porter Because they are crap?
Don't be so dam serious.....
The same Jag is still on the road and has never failed an MOT. That's unexpected!!!
Terrible comparison. The XJ8 competes with the 7 series, not the run-in-the-mill 5 series.
The Current one is the same size as a 7, but the old one was smaller
Overly flippant and lacking in any real information.
promerops so normal review from these guys then lol
Jag is the winner every time you can’t beat the beautiful XJ
Bmw is very good car i owned e34 and e39 before,but today i like this jaguar
Hamster being wonderfully biased!
Hmmmm there may be a bit of patriotism going on, but in fairness, I’ve driven both cars, and his conclusions are right - the BMW and Jaguar both do “serious” very well, but the Jag does “fun” a lot better.
I think the question here should be where is the sun?
haarp ate it.........
England doesn’t have the sun
No way you would get a 540i as a company car these cars, you’d be given a poverty spec 320d
Noicce gramma
Till you get smoked by a turbo remapped 320d
I had 4 BMWs and four Jags with the last one being a 2012 XJL SC. Ever since Jaguar decided no to build a new XJ, I`m pretty much done with the brand. I now have a 2023 850i GC coming.
I like both these cars...!!!.👍😊
18 years on and the E39 is still beautiful while the XJ8 looks like an antique. Compared to todays equivalent the tables have turned. Jaguar now make beautiful and modern cars and BMWs are ugly and common.
I'm reporting you all to the taste police.
Yes, my family had a lot more BMW reliability problems (four models) than I had with my Jaguars (seven different models). I can use a 1956 XK150 every day and on long trips (500 miles) with average cruising at 75 mph-plus without worries, and at the moment my oldest one is an X300 Daimler (Jaguar Sovereign in the US) on which I have replaced only the water pump apart from routine maintenance/servicing. I'm not a US citizen so had best not comment on Trump!
The XJ looked like an antique when new that was the point, and the reason why it has not aged. Most people have troubles putting a date on the "classic" XJs (X300, X308 and less the X350), usually they just get that they are old cars in the good "collectible" way. And also they stand out of other cars a lot, you don't miss them. Whereas you can find E39s beautiful, but they did age (because their look is attached to their period), have a lot more "normal" styling, and people see them as old cars in the "used car" way.
For the current production, BMW has mostly kept that way of doing: a styling that you recognize as a BMW, but without being too noticeable. They've just went more into "sporty" styling, but mostly everyone did, so... Jaguar on the other hand has in my opinion moved to a design that is merely "okay" and does not stand out at all. Before if you saw a Jaguar from a distance, you simply knew. Now it blends.
soundseeker63 blasphemy
looks like an antique. you need to get your eyes checked lol .
Proto-top gear
I had an xjr 6 about 15 years ago and it was wonderful so today years on I’m thinking of buying an Xj 308 over a much more sensible newer bmw 5 TD I know crazy right ! Should I do it ? Should say I’ve never had BMW
Nowadays you can get both for less than 5 grand lol
Did he just say 'good old fashioned spunk?',i've got that by the bucketload.
Also have to add this, damn Hammond was right fit back then.
Those 540s were/are badly in need of a proper LSD!
It would have undermined the M5.
So really we are sending Hammond to test the cars for stretch out room. That is like asking 3 liter pot if it can fit a 1 liter fill.
They tried to make this funny? I would say they failed big time
What a load of bollocks this was
It’s like watching Stan Laurel! 🤪
so great to rescue all these videos. Hamster is the best
Jag all day! Have driven both!
The e39 is a way better drivers car mate
Take the Jag all day everyday
Proper sleeper cars
jag xj = bmw 7 series not 5 series.......
Not exactly mate.
Dimensionally, the Jag is closer to the 7-series. But in weight, it’s usually closer to the 5-series (in fact the X350 onward was lighter, hence why most motoring journalists compare it’s drive to a 3-series). Interior space, weirdly, is closer to the 5-series unless you got the LWB version as pictured here.
If they brought in a 7-Series, it wouldn’t be fair for BMW, because the XJ is just so much better a drive. The 5-Series, on the other hand, offers a closer drive to the Jag.
I’m sure the woman in the “family car” played the sister in a brother/sister combo in a programme in her younger years.
A legroom test? With half-pint Hammond? He'd have enough legroom in the back of an XJS. Now if it were 6'5" Clarkson, it'd be a real test. No offence to the little guy.
Short men belong in cars. Lanky men can take the bus (or the ferry to Brugge)
540i without the comfort seats?
Leccy sport seats are better than the comfort seats anyway. The contour comfort sport seats from the e38 though were the absolute best BMW seats ever.
Cant compare. Bmw e39 best sedan made to date
Ehhhhh gotta disagree with you there. It’s a great car, but it’s styling falls short of the Jag, and having driven both, it’s a very “serious” all the time car. That’s fine for highway cruising and if you like track days. But for a Sunday afternoon cruise or a bit of fun on a backroad, the relaxed elegance and sporting fun of the Jag is very hard to ignore.
Only one has something in common with porcupines and it ain't the Jag.
On This One I'm Gonna Have To Go With The Bmw Alll day Everyday. Anyone Agree With me?
I would say that the Audi A6 2.7t quattro is the best choice for executive car of this year
Both legends
In the early 2000s classy snobby people owned BMWs now thick plumbs own them
Chavs with money or Sikhs with money. The Chavs will paint their wheels black however.
Depreciation for the masses
Shouldn’t this test be with people that don’t know what’s going on
should have rather watched them race each other
Do u have a god damn sun there in England?
Our favourite tabloid!
hilarious car review !
5:46 ah the bmw v8 sounds so nice :)
W567MCF lasted until 140,000 miles
Jaguar looks horrible in 2019. BMW still looks respectable. That Jaguar won't make a statement any more
@Matt Frazier Jaguar is low like sport cars and full of chrome like Rolls-Royce. BMW is high and fat like 2000 - 2019 cars. I prefer lower car.
i preferd the jag interior ans tbe Bm exterior🙄
It's a pity he thinks he is capable of being a comedian and did'nt just do a review of the bloody cars.
Which one is still found on the road today?
Both though the bmw usually has more miles but there are less around
Not many of the older BMWs around here in North America anymore sadly (when you factor how many were sold here, etc.). There’s definitely more old Jags, but they are garage queens and attainable dream cars where they are pampered and driven irregularly.
My Annaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun!
BMW - Bland Miserable Wheels. My brother had a 7 Series, much nicer car but hideously expensive to repair. More so than any Jaguar.
What’s the point of review like this?
Fun
That was funny.
was that funny?
540 is better than a jaguar!!÷
That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. But I don’t share it. Both are fine cars, and have their pros and cons.
Sun ☀
2nd comment...at least I called it!
this is hilarious
is this hilarious?
Ooo! Ooo! I think I can guess when this aired! Apr, 1st 2000? Because this video is more of a joke than my 3rd grade teacher...
... I like Richard Hammond, but seriously! This was cringe worthy!
What adick
Biased video.
Бмв пизже
And 18 years later, the e39 5 series is the winner while the Jag turns out to be the loser with a piece of junk history.
Respectfully yours.
679th like
Hello
Max Jemielity Hiya
Good day to you squire
A 2018 Review from me. The jaguar is ugly and the Bimmer still looks good. Review over
Shame the first comment is wrong really!
I like the old jag looks. Its very 'flat', not unlike american classics from the 60s and 70s. Makes hard cornering look hella impressive in it too.
The BMW just looks like a Taxi :)
I’ve had both the jag is 10x the car
B.m.w.=black man's wheels. (That goes for Asians too.) Great taxi.
The e39 m5 is one of the best looking cars ever.
Bmw > Jaggar.