Just had an oil and filter change, lube chassis (?), adjust tire pressure, top up fluid levels service for $140.32 (including tax); but also got a "world class multi-point inspection", brake inspection, a factory "recall" reprogram of the E.C.M., and an comprehensive car cleaning for "free", so I don't feel too bad.

However, since my 2011 XJL has 39,210 miles on it, my Jaguar dealership also recommended the following services be performed:

1. Power steering flush @ $169.95
2. Air induction service @ $169.95
3. Perform coolant flush @ $179.95
4. Perform differential service @ $199.95
Total : $719.80

These costs seem somewhat excessive to me. I would think perhaps I could have these services performed equally well by local service shops for far less.

What is your opinion?

 

First check your manual and see what service is recommended for a 4 yr old jag. I had my 2012 XJL serviced in December after purchasing it with 7300 miles and I got also what you experienced as far as vehicle service, including a nice wash.

Even though my mileage is real low they still gave me the 45,000 service--based upon years car has been in service. This is my first Jaguar so I'm still learning about all this stuff.

Right now I'm not sure I could take this automobile to any other service dealer other than the Jaguar dealership. If your automobile was maybe 10 years old then I might consider somebody other than the dealership. My thoughts.

 

Hmm, I just looked at my 2011 MY Maintenance Schedule:
Replace engine oil and filter is every 15,000 miles.
Replace the air filter element on the XJ naturally aspirated engine every 75,000 miles.
Replace brake fluid every two years regardless of miles.
Replace engine coolant very 10 years or 150,000 miles.
No mention of changing of differential lubricant.
No mention of changing power steering fluid.

Ever get the feeling someone is trying to take advantage of you?

 

I'd leave PS & Diff fluids till say 10 yrs old. Coolant in a year's time at the earliest.

Instead of induction service whatever that is I'd get a cheap OBD tool that does live data (like elm327, from $10 - WiFi for iThing, BT for Android) and look at fuel trims. Easy and clean, from driver's seat. If good trims, leave it all alone.

At that car age, it's probably better now than if they mess something up!!

 

Servicing items are normally on a <miles>or <nn> months, (or years) basis.

However, of your list, the only one I'd consider would be the air filter.

Brake fluid can be checked nowadays for water content using a special electronic tester, that is what my own shop use. The only reason to replace brake fluid is water content, but before these clever devices were invented, was normally about 2 years to be on the safe side.

Maybe you should ask them why this list, as it seems to contradict your owner manual. The individual charges are not all that large at main agent labour rates.

 

Hmm this is my take on it.

The "clean your car" bit in a service is a big fat physiological con. It makes you feel better that you put your car in and got the maximum bang for your back, but in reality it is a very small cost for the Garage to take up to wash your car, to make you feel bad about the other non-required costs they added on.

Think about it, I don't know in the US or mainland Europe, but in the UK you can take your Jag to a hand car wash and between £4-6 you will get a good wash, for £10 they will do the inside too. Now compare it to the hundreds they will add on for servicing, the extra nice wash you get at the end, isn't any value at all. Its just to make you feel a bit better.

Now we all own nice Jags so we need to get them Serviced properly and regularly. However at most services they will just check the filters/fluids and replace the Oil and Oil Filter. I was quoted £400 to do a service from the main Jaguar dealer, compared to £128 at In n Out in the UK. The funny thing is In n Out did included the MOT too (a UK specific test) and got it cleaned.

Some people worry that if they don't have a Main Dealer Full Service History it devalues their car. Think about it, if you keep the car for lets say 4 years, each year thats £400, so £1600. Or you could have paid £128 a year at an average garage and paid just over £500 over 4 years. People value a car with Full Service History, BUT if you have a FSH that is not at a main dealer, lets say it devalues your car by £200, 300, maybe 500, or £1000 (unlikely depending on car value). Then you still have saved that money in the long run anyway from having cheaper servicing so don't worry about it too much.

Remember they are not doing anything special, they are just changing your oil and filter, if they need to do something they can't then fair enough take it to the main dealer but most oil filters and oil drains on a car are modular components on most cars these days that are very easy to get to and change.

 

Thank all of you for your contributions, and keep them coming!

 

John, its a fact of life I'm afraid that dealership costs will always be very high compared to alternatives......

Full service on my A6 could be around £400 for engine oil & filter, air filter, fuel filter and of course ALL the checks, fluids etc etc etc
Even an engine oil and filter change was around £130 using the correct oil etc etc

National Tyres did it for around £40 AND used the exact same correct oil + aftermarket filter

An air filter at the dealer ship would be around £39 supply & fit
You could buy the OEM filter for around £15 or an aftermarket for around £8 and fit yourself in 5-10 mins for FREE.

Doing ALL or even some of the work yourself, buying your own parts and or using a local trusted Indy or local garage you trust can and will save ££££

It will take some time, it may take some running around / waiting etc but will save a lot of money and you KNOW the job has been done..

 

Any of those services can be done in a couple of hours in your garage for under $30...

 

As long as the oil used is the proper Castrol Synthetic you should be ok. However, many of todays' sport and luxury cars are not drained through the oil pan drain plug, but is sucked out through the filler neck and is measured and replaced with the proper quantity. The oil filter is, also, accessible from the top.

 

Aren't the 2011 Jags covered with the 5 years/50k miles warranty including scheduled maintenance?

 

Yes they are, but apparently the previous owner and dealer from whom I purchased the vehicle used up the allotted number of oil/filter changes because they were made every 6,000 rather than the factory recommended 15,000 mile interval.