Need a Seattle Specialist
 

Hey there, I'm going to get started on my DIY STR but I was hoping to bring it to a specialist who can put it on a lift and give me a laundry list of things which will be needing work. I don't see any suggestions in the pinned directory post, but does anyone know of a good specialist in the Seattle/Eastside area who you recommend (and isn't a dealership)?

Also, looking for a used parts broker in the area, someone other than Pick n Pull.

Seems we have so few around here that have Jag skills.
Park Place LTD has had several owners sing their praise, but I think it still came at a price (but should be less than dealership).

BOL
Vince

Thanks. I spoke with John at Park Place yesterday. I found him in an older thread elsewhere in here; apparently he's "Jag John" and has been around for a while. I'm seeing him Thursday, having him do a once-over.

He's pretty expensive (hey, it's a Jag), but asked me a few questions about my STR's electrical which were spot on.

Their service department is well respected. Not so much their sales floor...

Mechanic
 

Crown Hill Automotive has an excellent Jaguar mechanic. Their on Holman Rd just north of Ballard.

Yes, I'm in the same boat. Need someone to do a front brake pad/rotor/sensor job. Dealer wants $1057!!!

The people have horrible reviews. I pass by their shop everyday and not sure if I trust them with my XJS.

I am still looking for an expert around here who knows what they are doing.

Jag John appears to be the only name in the PNW, we have to have more specialists around.

I've got someone in Gig Harbor that a Jag Gal was singing praises to, but I've forgot the guys name or business. Really wanted to talk to him as GH is close to me (I'd quickly know what kind of mechanic he is...).
Kinda sucks gettin old... I had intended to write it all down before I forgot.

Guess whaaaaaat?........................I fergot....:icon_dunce:

OP: Sorry... somewhat sidetracked....

My initial point is don't look at the shop, talk to the mechanic... There are a lot of older skilled mechanics just wanting to live close to home, or work civil hours, maybe even less hours as they get older... These are what your looking for... not always the fancy shop with the brash punk that cant twist a screwdriver without a computer telling them to do so.
Crown Hill may or may not the right crew, but 'driving by' is hardly a valid assessment.

Still, if anyone else has personal experience with them (good/bad), then please post up! We all win when (wow how often do you get to type that? 'win when') we share what we know!

V

Good thread guys, going to click on in this as I live in Silverdale which isn't far from Gig Harbor and it would be nice to find a guy worth trusting that doesn't charge a mint. I do most stuff myself but I am considering an XKR / XKR-S and it wouldn't be a bad idea to have someone around. Currently fighting a non-working blower motor after I got water in the passenger footwell from a plugged AC drain. Got a thread going about that now and probably have a solution.

I've seen you around I think (Headed towards shipyard?). I'm currently in Bremerton. I see Jags at Helmits on 6th as he advertises as a European repair shop, but have not heard any good or bad about them. Triangle Import Repair (off Kitsap way/Seabec Hwy intersection) is into VW and BMWs, so he has some light European knowledge, but services all brands. Owners name is Ken and is a nice guy and easy to talk to.

As I have both an 07 XK (Silver coupe) and a 2010 XKR (Red) I can probably offer assistance troubleshooting if you ever need it. I have no garage, and my tools are in storage so I cannot help work on cars at the moment, but I normally try to do all my own work.

Vince

Hi Vince, I used to own a Benz and have had my vehicle to Helmuts several times in the past. The old german guy Helmut is long since retired and the shop is now run by a family of islanders, I believe they are Filipino. Their work is excellent, timely and fairly priced. I have never seen a Jag there so I'm not sure if they would know how to work on it. But I do trust them to be honest and do good work. Good tip, I never considered them for the Jag, certainly wouldn't expect them to understand or know the sometimes complicated issues that Jag owners deal with.
Thanks for the offer, I do most work myself when I have time, I have an auto hobby shop on my property. I think you may have actually given me a thumbs up once from your red XKR heading towards Tacoma, it might have been you :)

Could be... I try to do it with all Jag owners I see. Unfortunately the complement is seldom returned. I miss that from my Audi days, when you always got a wave... Ah well, I keep trying!

If you need manuals for your 07, let me know. I can help there too.

V

I have used Jaguar John and Crown Hill. (Ask me off-list for my experiences.) I presently use Car Tender (http:://car-tender.com) on Capitol Hill in Seattle, where the Jaguar mechanic, David, is very knowledgeable and thorough. He has rebuilt the carburetors on my E-Type to deliver very good performance and fuel economy, and fixed a variety of problems on my XJ6 with others could not. I was a bit hesitant about posting, since it may further increase his backlog, but he was recommended to me by another Seattle Jaguar Club member. Some fixes do take a while, especially if parts are hard to source, but they have been willing to take my car in when it has an urgent problem and diagnose the problem quickly, even if getting the parts takes a while.

Hi, I own a hobby shop in Bothell, I've worked on a few jaguars including couple STR (have one myself that I'm currently restoring)
I'd love to help / repair any Jaguars within Seattle area.
I'm just a younger mechanic doing this as a hobby/ side work and looking to grow more connections with others.

I've been doing this for several years now, and was part of a formula race team as driver / dtm crew tuning and designing suspensions. Even won a podium 2016 at Formula Lincoln :D
Anyways, just throwing it out there. Would love to meet other Jaguar owners in Seattle area.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...a6a3390102.jpg

I remember, you bought mine :)

I actually might want to ring you up later in the summer or next fall; I've just put a lot of money into mine but there's some rust underneath the rear end and I'd love to team up with you and use your lift a bit, plus get some wrenching lessons.

i wish you find it

Just came across this thread, I'm from Seattle and would be down to meet up. Currently though struggling to pull my supercharger so it will have to wait.

Vince do you live around Gig Harbor? WE moved here 4 years ago and really like the area. I took my MB 430 to MacAuto and they seemed to be pretty comprehensive. Don't know how familiar they are with Jags though, if you memory gets back in gear I would like to know the name. Thanks

Hey
 

Hey, Im in Bothell/Kenmore area. Roughly 20min north from Seattle. Feel free to bring it by Id love to check it out! You can message me

I'm up in Bummertown but frequent GH for Costco shopping and movies at the Galaxy.

Sorry for my shot memory.... Just another name...in another time I guess...
Thanks for the heads up on MacAuto thou!