Well I have used Mike at the Independent Jag Workshop and he was very good - but very expensive. I am also not sure Mike would do much for free or go out of his way to help - he is very very busy. I then found Aaron Goldman at Classic and Prestige at Geebung. I met Aaron on the first day he opened and he has gone out of his way to help me, advise me - give me free parts - lots of things. I am a newby Jag owner but now own 3 Jags - 98 XJ8, 1988 XJ40 AND 1982 XJ6. The XJ40 was a total disaster when I bought it - paid not much for it and everything was wrong with it - but Aaron has spent lots of time on it for me and turned a tip of a car now into a beautiful driving machine. I cannot recommend him enough - he knows what he is talking about and the best thing is - if something isn't quite right - you take it back and he fixes it. Great guy and great mechanic. Just my experience.

 

+1 for Aaron

 

Mike Gilbailey? Of "The Independent Jaguar Workshop" at Sandgate (07 3269 6363)? Hmmm, not surprised Shane.

I have dealt with the family business dealership of Graham Percival at Roadbend Motors in Perth WA. I have no connection with the firm other than as a super impressed customer. Currently, I am buying my "new" 2004 XK8 from Graham who as soon as he learned I had moved up north to Inverell, has encouraged me to use Mike for servicing of any and all Jaguars.

Y'see, Mike trained at Roadbend and his former boss Graham still reckons that Mike is the best Jag tech around . . . period. That's high praise from any former employer so I expect him to be much in demand; very busy; and price his skills accordingly.

Perhaps an economic solution would be to position more basic work to others (or better still, DIY) and save the tough, really expert stuff for the stand-out experts.

This is a great thread; well done and thanks for all the contacts.

Ken

 

Ha Ken, so I was on the money in my recent (2 minutes ago) Pm to you.

 

Yes Clarke, you sly fox. I share your horror that I am buying this XK8 "by correspondence" - lots of pics but sight unseen and certainly without even a modest test drive. My comfort lies in the faith I have in this indie dealership's integrity and honesty in presenting and describing this car accurately . . . and the fact that they have been servicing and maintaining it for the previous owner.

For others . . . there is evidently a clear linkage from Roadbend Motors in Perth WA (Graham Percival is MD, wife is Office Manager, John is Service Manager?) through Mike (The Independent Jaguar Workshop) to Aaron.

I guess this all goes to the crux of the "2 way trust" you hope to build with a dealership, indie or supplier. Nor am I unique . . . last week, Roadbend sent 2 other cars, both beyond $100K, into Queensland, sight unseen. Graham's business ethic seems based on many years and many customers building their enviable reputation. I would be amazed if those same attributes were any different with Mike or Aaron.

Cheers,

Ken

 

Great post Ken - you might be correct. I suppose I am yet to test Aaron's technical skills - all I know is I had a bomb of an XJ40 that I purchased and he has revived it to a beautiful running machine and helped me and spent lots of his time and very little cost (compared to what was wrong with it lol) to help me revive it. Not many other businesses who I understand fully are there to make money would have helped the way Aaron has helped me.

 

So Shane, in the spirit of why I assume this post was created, how can we measure the "value" of such a relationship. I don't believe we can - nor that we should try.

However, IMHO, we do need to acknowledge and honour it. This forum (and I truly believe the spirit flowing through these Australian forums is second to none), is built on trust; on friendship; and on genuine desire to share both knowledge and skills to benefit all of us.

We have great mentors like Cambo, Grant Francis, Doc and many others who grace these forums internationally with their well respected knowledge. As you may know, Grant is pretty well bugga'd at the knees, his hair has all fallen out and he drools. Cambo. on the other hand, since his epic Concours win some time back, is now very "delicate", hits the turps rather frequently, and thus, is a bit soft in the memory banks. We love 'em, OK? I mean, despite, or perhaps because of their obvious handicaps, we look our for each other, right?

Back on topic, I see this sharing of experiences and in particular, our preparedness to recognize and share stories of great service, is fitting payback for a job well done and appreciated. Aaron should hear of your praise and the reaction of your audience . . . to the extent he has impressed you so much, you owe him that.

Best wishes Shane,

Ken

 

Thanks Ken - I owe Aaron a huge debt of gratitude and appreciation as I also owe thanks to Murray Scoble from Peninsular Jag for his help. I recognise these guys on forums like these when it is appropriate and when I get the chance. The have looked after me - my job for their efforts and quality work and assistance is to recommend them to others. I also thank them personally often so they know I value them. And I will continue to recommend them based on the quality of work/service/advice they deliver to me. Your words resonate with me greatly. Thanks

 

Then . . . Shane,

To me, you are fulfilling the return part of that important partnership. I note also the visit proposed by Clarke to Murray Scoble's "Peninsular Jag" workshops. That's another that I will find very difficult to avoid the necessary K's to attend.

Pauly's plan for yet another visit to the Air Museum - I wonder if they are interested in replicating the once famous speed contest of a Spitfire against a Jag, perhaps an XK? - leaves you banana twisters as the standout JagFans in all Oz! Or, am I just a wannabe misplaced refugee?

Always fun reading your posts!

Cheers,

Ken

 

Ken,
If all comes together we should have a fairly interesting year.
I am trying to plan something once every month or two if possible, getting people out and about sounds easier than it actually is.
But we had a few meets last year with good turnout. Paul(Paulyling), James (34by151) and Rob (Champir- with XKR) are usually willing starters for most. Having the usual suspects makes it happen, and new comers join in.

 

Great to hear Clarke,

And for Springtime, I hope we can chase up some starters for an interState bash somewhere along the border. It's 2 years since our inaugural at Ballina and perhaps we can entice another meeting of the clans.

My newly adopted home town of Inverell sports the renowned National Transport Museum - with hundreds of rare and collectibles, from Gogomobiles to old buses, motorbikes and yes . . . mighty fine Jaguars. A seriously delicious S3 E-Type caught the eye . . . all the more so for being owned by a remote parish priest who used it for many years to tend to visiting his flock.

Then there is sapphire panning for the kids . . . and serious gem-cutters and jewellery setters for the ladies. Lots of good country pubs, motels and restaurants fill out the drawcard.

Cheers,

Ken

 

Ken, that sounds like a good interstate meet mate

I'd be keen if I am not traversing the seven seas...

 

Thanks Ken - yes I truly try and repay my specialists and suppliers as best as I can. A visit to Murray's workshop is very interesting - he always has some lovely Jag up on the hoist. I want to see his 12 cylinder manual XJ6 that he has just created.

 

Ken, Has it really been 2 years. Now I think about, you are right.

Country pubs, always a draw card for us. When we trip around, finding country pubs and enjoying a meal and hospitality is our favourite. Just got to remember which ones were good.....any excuse to go back.

Paul, you need a job at home like mine. That gives you 221 days off a year to get to these things(except for OT). It's tough, but I'm getting used to a 3 day week after 13 years of it.

Shane, there is nothing like repaying a suppler or service with word of mouth. Even my local exhaust guy has commented on finding his business name mentioned on JF when googling. JF comes up 3rd after his own website and yellow pages.
The visit to Peninsula jag will happen. There will be plenty of PM's to all Qld members and Ken when we get the ball rolling.

 

Just found this place today.

Jag & Rover Spares in Windsor, Brisbane, QLD, Vehicle Spare Parts - True Local

One of those old tin shed type of places with so much stuff around there wasn't a clear path to get around and not enough space on the counter to put your wallet down. Plenty of series 1 parts.
I stayed for a while and chatted about a lot of interesting stuff, two series 1's wrecking. I walked away having learnt a few things and knowing I will return.

Friendly guy with plenty of time to chat and give advice.

 

Yes Clarke - is nice to recognise what others do. I can throw Toys Mufflers into the mix at Redcliffe - have done a great job on making the XJ40 and s3 nice and loud and was very cheap both times.

 

Clarke was the Jag and Rover Spares guy at Windsor cheap? So far I have found the price of parts generally in Australia exorbitant compared to the cost in the UK and the additional postage costs. I have been lucky and stumbled on some private sellers here selling parts really really cheap but mostly prices seem outlandish for what I can get in the UK.

 

I only bought a gasket from the guy, so don't know what his prices are like for parts.
I have found parts for my S1 to be reasonable and easy to get.(compared to my 96' Jeep I had for over 15 years).

Most of my parts come from the below links.

Jaguar Spare Parts Supplier - Jagdaim - Australia's Largest Independant (Doug) knows his parts well, and happy give advice over the phone.

Gary Ayre at Jag1 Jag1 in Oakleigh South, VIC - White Pages®

AJG Spares in Esk. Very good to deal with, I have been using them for 15+ years(for Jeep and now the S1)AJG Spares | New and Used Car Parts for Jeep, Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover models

Jaguar Spare Parts Supplier - Jag Prestige Spares- H/H Prestige Spares - Australia's Largest Independant - Used Land Rover Discovery Spare Parts Phil is good to deal with, but have had slower delivery times than the others.

 

Home - Peninsula Jag

PENINSULA JAG P/L | Automotive | Gumtree Australia Ipswich South - Kooralbyn | 1032442376

I just bought a reconditioned 4.2 XK short motor from Peninsula Jag. Murray Scoble is a pleasure to deal with and very professional. He responded to my enquiry on a Sunday morning and we had the deal done and settled the same day.
Have done about 400 miles on it so far and couldn't be happier.

 

Can anyone recommend a good Jaguar mechanic in the far north? I'd prefer it to be around Cairns/Tablelands area, but would travel as far as Townsville for the right person.