Drove XFR for 30 minutes... thoughts -

Had an opportunity to take a new XFR out on a half hour drive --
1) It's all the small things where BMW outshines Jag --
a) the Jag nav screen washes out in daylight - and the software is really dated - like 2004 Toyota - plus the screen is smaller too
b) all the other small nits are still there with the Jag - for example the gear knob is so polished that when the sun hits it, it's almost dangerously blinding. Also the rear deck speaker covers are silver/chrome and in the sunlight create a strong reflection in the rear window -- lots of other similar little items that I don't see in my BMW
c) interior room (and I confirmed this by doing a spec comparison on automobile.com) is the same as a 3-series! Not a 5-series! Rear room both head and leg is MUCHworse than the 5-er. And about an inch less front headroom (matters when I have a helmet on)
d) stereo worse than Logic 7 in power and clarity - which was a surprise to me frankly
e) light steering - was connected though
f) worse leather quality - another surprise to me, but the leather is clearly cheaper - much like a regular 5-series
g) side bolstering on seats sucked
h) safety - no corona rings or rear bar lights -- I like being more visible on the road with all the terrible drivers out there - another area where BMW has obviously led the pack

2) Positives
a) good tranny
b) great motor - no supercharger lag, felt very strong
c) no brake fade -- 1/2 the time I was on a closed track
d) active cruise control standard (although, again, worse interface than BMWs - I have it in my 335 convert so I know)
e) no options -everything included like vent seats etc

Verdict -- at $80K it's worth thinking about for sure - but M5 still much better than this car. Only reason I'd buy one is the M5 will take a big depreciation hit when the new M5 comes out in a year or so and this one is obviously a new model and a good looking car from the outside anyway. Latest XF's have been very good from a depreciation perspective so to have one for a couple of years before the new M5 is out is something I'm thinking hard about.

superchargers typically don't have lag like their Turbocharged cousins...