Jag Techs South US
Just joined the forum. Wanted to share my good experiences with Southside Motors (http://southsidemotorsinc.com) in Huntsville, AL. A great independent shop specializing in all things European. Gary Brazier, Service Manager, has taken great care of three old cars for us - two Jag's and a Mercedes. Excellent quality work that they stand behind (i.e. they fix it right the first time or no charge for any follow-on work); fair pricing; Gary even helps me with DIY suggestions since he knows I do a lot of work myself. Highly recommend Southside.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
From: Greenville, South Carolina
Watson Import Specialists - Greenville / Greer, South Carolina
Hello guys;
I'm a new XK8 Coupe owner, but I've got some experience with classics and sportscars, and would like to recommend William Watson of Watson Import Specialists in Greer, South Carolina (near Greenville).
He's got about 30 years experience under the hood, at least 16 specializing in Jags, and his lead mechanic (Billy) has 14 years of Jag experience.
William is an honest, no BS guy, and he's just as likely to tell you what you DON'T need as he is to tell you what you DO need.
William Watson
Watson Import Specialists
13817 East Wade Hampton Boulevard
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 848-0110
I'm a new XK8 Coupe owner, but I've got some experience with classics and sportscars, and would like to recommend William Watson of Watson Import Specialists in Greer, South Carolina (near Greenville).
He's got about 30 years experience under the hood, at least 16 specializing in Jags, and his lead mechanic (Billy) has 14 years of Jag experience.
William is an honest, no BS guy, and he's just as likely to tell you what you DON'T need as he is to tell you what you DO need.
William Watson
Watson Import Specialists
13817 East Wade Hampton Boulevard
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 848-0110
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: TN
Chattanooga area Jag Tech?
hi all,
Looking for a good Jag Tech in the Chattanooga area. I just brought my S Type into the import car shop for some transmission problems (reverse gear stopped working). They wanted to replace the transmission entirely along with the shifter cable, which was some serious $$$. Looking to find a good Jag Tech in the area that can rebuild rather than replace the transmission. Anybody know of anyone?
Looking for a good Jag Tech in the Chattanooga area. I just brought my S Type into the import car shop for some transmission problems (reverse gear stopped working). They wanted to replace the transmission entirely along with the shifter cable, which was some serious $$$. Looking to find a good Jag Tech in the area that can rebuild rather than replace the transmission. Anybody know of anyone?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: HSV
Just joined the forum. Wanted to share my good experiences with Southside Motors (New Page 1) in Huntsville, AL. A great independent shop specializing in all things European. Gary Brazier, Service Manager, has taken great care of three old cars for us - two Jag's and a Mercedes. Excellent quality work that they stand behind (i.e. they fix it right the first time or no charge for any follow-on work); fair pricing; Gary even helps me with DIY suggestions since he knows I do a lot of work myself. Highly recommend Southside.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 255
Likes: 32
From: Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA
hi all,
Looking for a good Jag Tech in the Chattanooga area. I just brought my S Type into the import car shop for some transmission problems (reverse gear stopped working). They wanted to replace the transmission entirely along with the shifter cable, which was some serious $$$. Looking to find a good Jag Tech in the area that can rebuild rather than replace the transmission. Anybody know of anyone?
Looking for a good Jag Tech in the Chattanooga area. I just brought my S Type into the import car shop for some transmission problems (reverse gear stopped working). They wanted to replace the transmission entirely along with the shifter cable, which was some serious $$$. Looking to find a good Jag Tech in the area that can rebuild rather than replace the transmission. Anybody know of anyone?
I'm buying a 2000 XKR Convertible and live in East Brainerd.
Me too - ever find anyone? My wife has a 2001 XK8 Convertible. It's time for upper shock mounts, and secondary timing chain tensioners. Hers is British Racing Green with tan roof and 7 double spoke wheels. If you see us out there, give us a honk.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Sorry FL Jag Tech
Hey Tom,
I'm about to join the Jaguar owners world as I am purchasing a 98 XK8 that needs an engine replacement due to the famed Nikasil curse. Did you ever find that Jag tech?
Thanks,*****
I'm about to join the Jaguar owners world as I am purchasing a 98 XK8 that needs an engine replacement due to the famed Nikasil curse. Did you ever find that Jag tech?
Thanks,*****
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Hi, Jag techs and DIYers, does anyone know of a decent Jag shop in the Hampton Roads (VA) area? The only one I know of is Checkered Flag Jaguar and, quite frankly, they are snotty little gits who don't like to deal with the hoi polloi that aren't stroking them checks for 6 figures.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 120,859
Likes: 6,641
From: PHX some of the time
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 2
From: Norfolk, VA
To: wasp69
Have you found someone reputable to work on your car? We just bought a 2006 Vanden Plas this year and have been taking the car to Express Auto Electric, 362 N Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 519-9200. They have taken good care of the car and are pretty reasonable. The place we purchased our car, services all there foreign vehicles there and that is how we found out about them. Also, heard Abacus Racing, 1372 Baker Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-8878 is good.
Have you found someone reputable to work on your car? We just bought a 2006 Vanden Plas this year and have been taking the car to Express Auto Electric, 362 N Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 519-9200. They have taken good care of the car and are pretty reasonable. The place we purchased our car, services all there foreign vehicles there and that is how we found out about them. Also, heard Abacus Racing, 1372 Baker Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-8878 is good.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 101
Likes: 11
From: Hampton Roads, VA
My experience with Checkered Flag: I took the X-Type that I used to have to them to diagnose a vibration at about 40-50 mph. I had to make an appointment a couple of weeks in advance to drop it off, and they kept it for several weeks before anyone even looked at it. Then they charged me around $200 to tell me that their tech didn't know what was wrong with it, but that if I wanted him to try to diagnose it by replacing things, he would start with the motor mounts for $1600. I declined, and about six months later, the vibration stopped on its own. I have also purchased parts at their parts department, where the prices are generally 50-100% more than from Davis Auto Group (parts@jaguarparts.com) in Cleveland.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 565
Likes: 57
From: USA
Sadly, that happens with a lot of high-end dealerships. Even those that have decent people on staff (and most do) have dealership owners who ride them hard and care only about money, not cars.