Anyone in the Chicago area / northwest suburbs that can help me with a few things - I did post a few threads in the xk8/xkr sections and need help asap :/

 

Did you ever find anyone? I've become a bit upset with the local Jag Dealer for service as I believe they overcharged me last year on a repair and we're on much more of a budget these days. I'd like to find a good independent repair shop in the North Suburbs (Vernon Hills, Lake Bluff, etc) which has experience with Jaguars but I'm having trouble finding one.

 

Larry,

I've heard that Bryan's Garage in Evanston does a good job with Jags. I own a 2001 XK8 convertible and will take mine there when I need repairs.

Burt

 

When I had my X300 I went to Golz motors in Deerfield. They did good work:

GOLZ MOTORS

There is also a Jaguar only specialist shop on the southbound side of 41 just north of IL 22 (Half Day Road) believe. Might want to check them out.

 

Hi Windycity,

I live in the Detroit area and my company is moving to Chicago (inside the Loop). I've been given the offer to relocate but its pretty cheap and I'd basically be committed to two years. Where are the nicer areas to live in the Chicago area and how much do you think it would cost me to take those trains into the Loop every day?

Thanks,

Carl

 

Chicago is the opposite of Detroit. It is very nice living in the city downtown or near downtown, but very expensive for what you get. If you live close to downtown or the "El" you can get by without a car. If you can't get by then in the nicer areas close to downtown a parking space is expensive as well.

There are some apartment buildings being developed close to the loop in all direction. But the best areas are north. Go north of the loop from the loop to the Wrigleyville area (area within a mile or so radius of Wrigley field.

Do you have a family? If so that is a consideration. No family = lots of night life downtown. Family = my own preference is for the suburbs.

Going to the Suburbs it is again the opposite of Detroit. The closer in the Suburb the more expensive the real estate and the less you get for your money. The further out the more you get for your money. If you are moving out to the suburbs and commuting you'll need to find a house a short distance from a Metra Station - and not "any" Metra station either, you need one with monthly parking passes available! Some have waiting lists that take years to clear and you don't want to have to get their early enough all the time to grab a pay by the day spot. Some have lots of space so no wait at all for parking permits.

In my opinion the nicest suburbs are to the North, Northwest and West. I think the North to slightly northwest is less crowded and congested than the suburbs to the west - although some at the more westerly end of Northwest (near Schaumburg) have lots of traffic as well. High budget - think Wilmette, Winetka, Glenview, Glenco, Highland Park (Ironic that a place called Highland Park could be in the upper crust, but it is very very nice), Lake Forest, Deerfield, and places around there. Slightly less expense but not cheap: Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Gurnee. Lots of others further west that I'm less familiar with. You need a couple days with a few different real estate agents.

Metra prices - depends on distance. Figure $130 - $200/month for a monthly pass. Taking the train is wonderful! Seems like a long trip but the time to read, or surf the net on your iPad is great. Parking - varies but figure around $400/year more or less.

 

I have taken my 1993 Vanden Plas over to Coventry Classics (see Dan) which is out in Richmond, IL (south of Lake Geneva). It might be worth driving out to see him because he is very good on a lot of the technical issues on the older Jags AND the V12s. I was very impressed with the service as well as his tenacity to get the job done - and done right.

 

I had a '97 and never needed a repair person due to warranty and going to dealer. But I just bought an '01. From another posting on the Forum I found someone recommended Import Auto Group in South Holland. That's a cruise for you. However I just talked to "Keith" there about my purchase. In an instant he named me every issue to look out for and quoted me $600 to replace the secondary tensioners (which is pretty reasonable for this area) and $1700 to upgrade the trans. drum (no idea if that is reasonable). Havent used them but they sound like they know what they are talking about. Jac

 

Its been years but I used Import Auto all the time when I lived in Lombard. He did everything on whaever I owned (XJS, XJ40) but as I remember (been like 10 years now) he wasnt fast. Great work, great pircing but just not fast. Dont know if this helps as your pretty far north but thought I would confirm the South Holland shop is good.

 

With any older car, once you lose faith in its reliability, you have to drive it further and faster every day until you get back that comfort-level that you could take it out on a long trip and not worry that it is going to overheat or fizzle out. You cannot worry about some bad connection, weak sensor or some other mechanical failure. (no matter what make)

I have gotten my 1993 Jag Vanden Plas back for about a month now and it is driving fine.

One part that was holding up its completion was the Antifreeze Reservoir Unit that is two-piece epoxy-joined unit (a Jaguar part at about $289 or so - depending on where you buy it)

If you need one, don't bother buying it from Jaguar. It is garbage.

We went through 3 of them in one week. The seam must not be epoxied well enough to hold. Each one split and started leaking after anywhere from driving 10-50 miles. Poor design (and/or manufacturing) - you don't need to be a mechanical engineer to see the problem.

Coventry Classics Richmond, IL (815-862-8176 Dan Bent) developed a better solution out of an aluminium unit from another manufacturer. If you need a replacement, don't waste your time or your money - just contact him for the "aluminium solution". It looks great, fits aesthetically, and more importantly, it works great. (plus - any mechanic can put it on if you are in another state- it is a very slick unit)

Bent is a real mechanic - not a part-exchanger. That is a huge difference in today's auto shops - no matter what Marque you drive.

 

I was treated well by Ted @ Import Specialists in Highland Park.

 

I can provide a second recommendation for Golz. One of the brothers was a service adviser at Imperial for years and knows Jaguars well. They are honest but if you are particular you need to give them very specific direction.

 

I had my reservoir replaced over a year ago due to broken overflow tube. It still smells of antifreeze, but I see no sign of a leak. And I was under the car Sunday while replacing the HIDs. I'd love to see the aluminum reservoir. It sounds classy. You might consider posting this info with a picture in the x350 forum. I think there would be a lot of interest. Can you let us know the cost?

 

Well, the north side is certainly more prestigious, but has markedly worse winter weather, higher cost of living, and more dense population. I live in Shorewood, near I-55 & I-80, and we have a small repair business, Specialty Auto, in Joliet, that did miraculous work on my XKR at very reasonable prices - the naggy gremlin electronic stuff. After I got a soaking from a specialty shop in another area. Local areas vary greatly, but commuting by rail is a viable alternative, and you can get out of suburbia fairly quickly for nice cruising.