Fascinating...I can't find a TSB or Recall for this problem anywhere. Not on the '03, '04 or '05. You would think with a problem this prevalent that there would be some kind response from DC. Also interesting to note that when I look up reviews on the XF I've actually read things from Professional Reviewers that reference the "buttery smooth manual transmission as being the one to choose over the Autostick. Buttery smooth? Granted I only found two references that alluded to that, but it shows how much subjectivity there is when comes to things as visceral as "feel". As has been stated before, I think I'll really need to take a real world drive in both before I make my decision. But the reality is, for me at least, I don't know if I'd ever be happy with the Auto, no matter how well it works. I just love to be part of the driving experience and for me that entails being able to clutch, shift, downshift etc, etc. I've always felt more with a stick as though I'm the master of the vehicle.
Thank you for all your interesting and knowledgeable opinions. It's helped me a lot!