From all that I've learned in this forum. The Jaguar X-Type is Jaguar designed car with a Ford motor and Volvo AWD. My question is simple. Should I take it to get serviced at Ford or Jaguar. The nearest Jaguar dealer is an hour away from me. Trying to see if it would even be worth it. Of course alot of maintenance will be DIY but tere is some things I'd rather have a shop do. Thoughts? Opinions?

 

Few owners of older Jaguars consider using Jaguar Dealers for service and repairs. Two reasons for this:

1. cost
2. expertise - Jaguar Dealers no longer have the knowledge, training or experience on older models unless they have older techs who have worked on them

The best option, if you don't want to to DIY, is an independent specialist. If you add Location details (City, State) to your forum profile, members here or in the relevant Region forum could give recommendations.

Graham

 

I agree with GGG. Find a Jaguar specialist.

 

Yup, yup. DIY or independent expert like the one I have access to (an ex-Jag tech who now has his own shop). The very large Ford dealer about a half mile from me said they don't even want to work on my Jag, lol. They don't even have cross reference parts in their computer system. I asked do they have straight Jaguar parts list = nope ("go call SLC Jaguar"). Ok then.......

 

Who you calling old graham???????????
Ive been here 22 years before that car even came out. And there are guys here longer than that going back to series 3
part avail always comes into play as these things get older now too. So you have to see whats avail to you for shop expertise at dealer and indie

 

This is rather off topic but I wanted to ask you a few questions about your career.

1) Did you go to a school like UTI?
a) What is your opinion of those schools?

2) If a guy wants to get into the field and work for a specific high end make like MB or Jaguar does he typically work his way up from Ford or Chevy or go right into that?

3) How much did you have to invest in tools?

4) Do you get an employee discount on new cars at the dealer you work at?

 

@AJ = I'd also look at the suits filed against them, just an f.y.i.

The Harkin Commission noted that: "Compared to public colleges offering the same programs, the price of tuition is significantly higher at UTI....The same Certificate costs almost 20 times more at UTI than it does at the public college."

 

I've never heard of the lawsuits. I did hear stories of their graduates only being able to work as porters or at a quick lube type place.

 

How OLD a guy? Younger than 22, go to the nearest shop that handles the brand you are most interested in, and talk to the shop manager. He or she may be looking for someone to do simple stuff, which is a good way to see if you really want to pick that career (or make of car). It will also put you with the people who are doing the "skill level" work, and most of those folks will be happy to help you learn the practical stuff.

As far as tools, when the tool truck shows up, RUN THE OTHER WAY. There is nothing in that truck worth half of what they charge. You need a decent tool box, which can be found on Craigslist or at the local swap meet for about a tenth of what you'd pay for that sticker bragging about the brand name. You need decent hand tools, and nobody ever got fired for buying Craftsman. USED Craftsman. Used, made in 1970 Craftsman. Used, made in 1970 and at the same swap meet or CL page as the tool box Craftsman.

With some simple-jobs experience and a decent set of tools, you will be surprised how quickly you are comfortable with more complex jobs, and how well you UNDERSTAND them. Your employer may even foot the bill for you to get the certifications when you need them -- IF you need them -- because you're on track to having a long, happy and profitable career as the guy people ask for advice, and they want you to be doing that in THEIR shop.

The guys who buy the shiny new toolbox full of shiny new tools and the wall full of certificates for stuff they don't actually ever do will be in debt for many years to come, which is why they drive ratty old fixer-upper (someday) pickup trucks while you will have the factory-fresh X-type for a daily driver, and the 1966 Mustang convertible to take to car shows.

 

Cost of course comes into the equation. I have recently had two new front road springs. My local garage did the job in a couple of hours. Cost was around £160. Further £30 for re tracking. They made a decent profit on that deal!
Jaguar main agent wanted £850 plus tracking. They would have used the same springs. But would not give me a quote in writing "as extra work may be required"
I am fortunate that I have a trusted small shop ran by two guys with a lifetime of experience.

 

OLDER, I said OLDER techs!

I was going to say you're UNUSUAL still being at the same dealership for so long but you're likely to get even more upset with that description.

Two of the Parts Department guys at my local Jaguar Dealership have been there for more than thirty years and I've been a customer since before they started but the techs are all in their 20's or early 30's. Easier to move around dealerships in a small country. There's four Jaguar Dealerships within 25 miles of me.

Graham