posted initially about this in the other thread but has taken such a wild turn in the past day it might warrant it's own discussion

original post:
https://www.autobahnluxurymotorcars....97d767ac9712d3 Here's a 2013 V6 Portfolio I'm considering going to look at locally this week, seems priced below market and decent mileage. Some interior wear particularly the buttons but I've had success fully removing the buttons lamination on my previous 15 XF, which I am looking to replace after getting rammed into on the fwy recently, really wanted another Stratus Grey which was the main draw to the XJ since the color is so hard to find now.

Thoughts on this listing? CarFax looks relatively clean https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...wa1c77d8v49760
just trying to negotiate out a supposed 'mandatory' $2K anti theft accessory fee the dealer is claiming all their vehicles have added on

also maybe a bit skeptical why the it hasn't sold being listed over 5 months, would def get a PPI and beforehand grill the dealer on if anyone else has done so previously or why other viewers backed out

---

so I could only get them to knock down the hidden accessory fee by 500 (so it was just an unlisted part of their selling price), so actual price is around $22,500 before registration fees/taxes- still a bit below avg
They have no issues with me taking it anywhere to get inspected, and getting the historical service records requested for me to review before going to look at it


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


so I went and looked at it last night, standard minor paint imperfections and good amount of wear on center console (which cover can be replaced easily), but rest of interior was in really good condition and no noticeable drive issues, massage seats have some issues activating but that seems common(?)
I set it up to be taken to a place that does very thorough PPI in the next day or 2, however just today I got a condensed summary of the actual services performed at the previous dealer (JLR Sacramento):

"Hello, I cannot send the actual RO, as customer info is on it, but here are the dates and mileages with repairs in a condensed form
12/2016@22k miles – oxygen sensor and trans pan leak repaired
6/2017@23k – supercharger isolator, high pressure fuel pumps, replaced for rough idle concern
9/2018@35k- engine replaced
2/2019@40k- replaced high pressure fuel pumps and lines
5/2019@42k-replaced transmission pan and fluid, for trans slipping concern
8/2019@43k- replaced transmission
That is all we have for records here"

has anyone ever seen a more aggressive service log for a vehicle before 50K miles? was able to speak to the advisor for a bit who didn't have too much info other than seemed the engine had overheated from a coolant leak, unsure of transmission, but both were done on an extended warranty
I requested he try to send the full service records with more details for the engine and transmission replacement with customer info cut out, but may take some time
will obviously have the pre-purchase inspection focus on assessing based on the above

any thoughts on this? on one hand I would be essentially getting a car with a pretty new engine and trans replaced by factory dealer (likely with updated components), on the other it's a vehicle seems to have not the best maintenance luck to say the least..

On my 15 XF purchased in 19 I did add an aftermarket warranty through Infinite Auto Protection that's supposed to cover most major components Coverage Options - Infinite Auto Protection (Prime) for a pretty solid deal +5yrs/75K miles for $2334 with $0 deductible, surprisingly never had to actually use it to date so unsure on extent of coverage, but would def try to get it transferred or restructured to this XJ if possible
-wouldn't plan on keeping this car much past 100K/couple yrs before upgrading

will update info as I get it

 

So to recap...

Replaced engine
Replaced transmission
Wrecked
Mileage nearing suspension EOL
Sketchy independent dealer with questionable fees tacked on
No real recourse other than court if anything goes a way I don't like



Or you could get really, really, really lucky.

I would not be brave enough to go for this one at that price.

 

Well the selling dealer may be sketchy though also oblivious
But the actual work was all done at a Jaguar dealer and gonna get the parts records and have it all thoroughly assessed at PPI

 

Way, way too many previous problems. Do NOT get this car.
Keep looking there are ones in excellent condition. This one has been put thru a wringer!
.
.
.

 

Honestly the engine out at 35k miles fits an overheated engine/water pump failure as the pump tends to die at about 30-35k miles.

Strongly agree with everyone else, this one is a no-go, there's far better options out there.

 

what are the arguments to getting an essentially new engine and transmission, given confirmation all factory parts/components were used and replacement was performed at JLR, and PPI checks everything was performed correctly without impact to any other areas

 

You are not going to get anybody to agree this is a good idea.

Like I said, you may get lucky. If you are a gambler go for it. But me I would fold this hand and wait for a better choice. Less than a year ago I found a 2011 with 14K miles for $24K. Has 10 years of service history all at same Jag dealer I bought it from. Came with brand new Pirellis and new headliner. Even got the original window sticker. Car is damn near perfect. So a better choice is out there you just have to be patient. I looked at hundreds of these over many months until I found the right one.

We all want you to get one of these cars as much as you do. You are going to be really happy - eventually.

 

yep def pulling eject on this one after getting the full service records for the engine/trans replacements, looks like they put in a "used engine", and all the parts costs seem low for full engine/trans replacements
seems like because the work was performed on an extended warranty, used/generic parts/components were required for the repairs

here's the records for anyone interested, they're pretty wild with various other concerning notes

 

Glad to know you are moving on in your search.

That $1700 "handling fee" line item is an interesting one.

 

my suggestion.....RUN FOREST RUN

 

I'm curious if you ever found out what this was all about. I'd seen something on the TV news some years ago that many used car dealers (and even some new car dealers) would put a tracking device in a car so that they could find it to repossess it and even remotely disable it if the buyer failed to make the payments. But in that same story, the reporter was critical that they weren't even disclosing it, let alone charging an extra line item on the bill for it. And they were installing the devices by default as soon as inventory arrived. The car you bought had one whether you financed it or paid cash. They filmed a guy removing a device from his brand new Dodge truck and repairing the hacked wiring after he got it home. They were calling for the practice to be stopped or regulated but then I never saw anything else about it and forgot about it until just now. Certainly the same device could be used to find the car if it were stolen. Could that be how they are getting around some legal mandate for disclosure, by calling it an "anti-theft accessory", when all they're really doing is protecting their loan collateral?

 

They 100% put a used engine in this car. The list price on a new engine is $28K I tell our customers all the time, DO NOT LET a 3L or 5L JAGUAR OVER HEAT! It's a 28K mistake... plus labor cost.
I am a little concerned that in the notes it says "swap high pressure fuel pump" but there is no where (that I have identified on the R.O) where the fuel pump part and cost is. Does anyone see that part?? It would surprise me for the dealer not to have put that on the repair order.
The notes from the mechanic also says he used 0w20syn oil but the repair order has 5w20syn. If it was the 5w20syn OE by Castrol that's great but Jaguar did recently change to 0w20syn after Castrol stopped producing the 5w20syn OE (or at least that's what our dealership advised us). It seems like the mechanic and service writer weren't communicating with each other very well on what parts were used/replaced.
Putting a used engine in a car isn't a bad idea, assuming the engine never overheated and had low miles. But there is quite a lot of previous repairs done to the car. I would 100% have a master mechanic give this car a full diagnostic before making the investment.
I love reading everyone's views on this as we get asked the question, can we put a used engine in one of these cars and it's nice to see other Jaguar enthusiasts point of view! Thanks for this thread!

 

Rothwell you're right! There's a $1000 misc handling fee and a $1700 handling fee. I have never seen that before and would be curious to know what that fee is for.

 

You are so right! You just can't run these engines hot at all. Thanks for emphasizing that point!!
.
.
.