I've owned my 2013 XF 3.0 for a couple months now and today I dropped it at the dealer for service per the idiot light, plus there was a recall that needed to be fixed and I had a few rattles I wanted looked at under warranty.

When I first inquired with my SA about the scope of the service he said it would be an oil change plus cabin filter, if necessary. I proactively replaced the cabin filter myself before taking it in for service to spare the cost of labor.

My SA was nowhere to be found when I arrived at the dealer this morning, so I was helped by another advisor that typically works on the Land Rover side. She tried getting me to commit to over $600 worth of service. When I balked and asked for a detail of the work, she gave me a two page long list of items. I must have read the work "inspect" at least a dozen times. The breakdown was roughly $300 labor and $300 parts. I told her I just wanted the $180 oil change per my normal SA.

I wish I would have kept the work order because now I'm racking my brain trying to think of what other parts would have been on her list.

Car has 20,000 miles and was last serviced by the previous owner a year ago.

 

Update - the tech noticed the Water Pump was leaking so I have to take it back Monday for the fix.

Bad news is when they pulled the car up for me to pick up I noticed a silver dollar sized scratch on the front bumper. I'd never seen it before, but this dealer is smart and photographs all cars on arrival. I was cordial upon the discovery and my SA brought out the digital camera with a time stamped photo that clearly showed the scratch. I have no idea where it came from, but it's clear it was there before I dropped the car off.

Dealer thinks it will be around $350 to repaint the from bumper. Does this seem reasonable or should I take it elsewhere?

 

For the bumper painting, $350 = £246, so about right for a workshop. However, here in the UK there are home touch-up firms that will repair and paint small paint damage at your home. Obviously the best jobs are done when it's dry and warm. I mostly do my own now, as the car is worth little.


Here is the biggest firm. It relies on a franchising business model.


https://www.chipsaway.co.uk/services...ork-scratches/


I would think you have similar operations in the US.

 

Final tally. Now I know why they call it a "$t@aler$h!p."

1 Oil Filter - $34.93
9 quarts of Synthetic Castrol Oil @ $9.65/qt = $86.85
Labor - $120.00
Shop Supplies - $16.80

Total for an oil change = $270.50

Granted, I took it to the dealer for these services because there were other items I wanted them to address (rattling dashboard for one). Not only did they fix the rattles, they also found a leaky water pump and replaced under warranty. And I had a loaner for 3 days. So, yes I'm sure I paid way more than an independent shop, but I got a bunch of "extras" that made it worth it in my opinion.

 

yep.

 

That's why I am ok with spending the extra every year for the oil change. Keeps them willing to take care of me when the time comes, and believe me, the time has come a few times so far. And my dealer is awesome!

 

Yes OUR dealer is!