Separate post regarding update of my M56S and M235i switch:
I spent a few hours in an F-Type yesterday while waiting for my XF to be fully prepared. And I intentionally chose a base model with 340HP. Why? Well...
I'm thinking of passing up the M235i. I just can't see myself going from an M56S to a 2-series. My heart is truly set on one car and one car only. I've been doing a lot of research into tuning these new Jags and it's very possible I'll end up in a base 2017 F-Type. The invoice on 2017 base model F-Types will be around $59K - and these cars come loaded with Nav, Meridian 770W Audio, Variable Exhaust mode, In-Control App, Bi-xenons w/LEDs, Leather, Dual Zone Climate, and others.
The 340HP is a simple inexpensive flash away from being 380HP... it takes 20 minutes to do and essentially unlocks the car's power reserved for the V6S model. My Jag dealership regularly does software flashes on 340HP models and even fits some of them with exhausts and aftermarket hi-flow cats by Velocity Automotive Performance. The base model is also the lightest of the cars weighing only 3450lbs (they have removed the standard glass panoramic roof, which improves integrity and top mass). It lacks a proper LSD, but it does still employ torque-vectoring by braking, and if that's good enough for McLaren on a P1, that's good enough for an F-Type.
It only comes with 18s, which I'll quickly replace with something else. But at least it offers red as a standard no option color! Also, the black car I drove all afternoon yesterday broke so much neck, it was incredible. Definitely tinting this car if I get it. I was pleasantly surprised by the base model and I actually reaaallly liked the standard seats with the Suedecloth center inserts between the leather of the seats.
Anyway, back to power, the tuning world is opening up for these cars and Velocity has base F-Types making 410HP with just a tune + CATs running conservative maps. That's plenty of power for me, especially considering that the base model is 700lbs lighter than the F-Type R and is also RWD, unlike the R which is AWD only now. I'm thinking I'm on to something here.