Sorry to hear that - that sucks! I will not diminish that you feel the car and Jag is a piece of s... - I understand I would feel the same way, but I do think that Jag is equally good in these terms as other brands, but such an experience will color ones opinions undoubtedly - and an engine should not break like this... I know you can get used engines with say 50-70k miles on them for 4k - and per Brutal install is approx. 2k -of course on top of what the break down until now has been - I suppose that is what makes sense now if the extended warranty will not cover?

 

A manufacturer assist without investigation in helping with the cost for a blown engine on an eight year old car with non-main agent service history ? I don't think so and I don't think Merc, BMW, Lexus or any other manufacturer will ever step up to the plate in similar circumstances, especially when the engine was admitted as being maxed out.

However, I do sympathise with your predicament, and suggest you take Brutal's advice and fit another used, but good, engine. Failure of these engines is an extremely rare event. And maybe put a small block of wood under the throttle pedal to curb being too enthusiastic in future, (no, only kidding !).

I have to say the letter from Jaguar NA is extremely crass and off-hand. I just hope the people at the HQ are not all like Vasquez-Ahmed. I suggest you send it to Jaguar HQ here in England so the new management can see how Jaguar NA deal with problems. In my view a Jaguar examination of the failed engine with a report on cause could at least have been offered, I think. Maybe help with some parts, who knows ?

 

When I supposedly had a hole in the piston - Jaguar told me that they would have a representative come out to inspect - so it is something they do even if the car is out of warranty - my car was admittedly just out of warranty when that incident happened. The people you talk with at Jaguar USA are clearly lawyers.

 

I completely agree with Brutal. If I were thrashing a car in the way you did, I would hold myself accountable and not chase after a manufacturer who's warranty is 4 years expired.

I used to work for Greenleaf selling used engines and whatnot, before LKQ acquired them. You can buy a used slug and add warranty coverage to the used engine purchase, all the way up to lifetime coverage with a labor warranty as well.

I would take my lumps and pony up.

 

They should have investigated such an issue further. I have driven many many cars, and never delt with any thing like this. I would understand if the car had 100k+ miles but a well maintained Jag with 68k miles needs a motor? That's not normal. I sold my 98' 540i with 172K miles, and that motor repeatedly saw redlined and launches. I always treated the Jag way nicer. However, If you sell me a car with 390HP and "R" logos all over it, it should be able to perform without having a heart attack.

 

Ps I ordered a used motor for about 4k and the extended warranty jumped right in and has paid their max payout (3K). I'm still out 5-6grand and haven't driven my car in 41 days. It will be another 10 days or so before I'm back on the road. This is ridiculous.

 

I'm really pleased to see that you are going to get back on the road. Hope you can stick with Jaguar, but clearly what has happened makes one think a lot about things. I think we will all understand if you move to another marque.

All I would say is that not being the first owner, you really never know what the previous owners have been up to with the car you have bought; it is always a risk. OK, you can see service records etc etc, but you have not been there all the time, (obviously), so can never know what has been concealed from you until something horrible happens like this.

FWIW I have never bought a new car in my life, they have all been used, so I suppose one could say I am a big risk taker. Actually, I try to get a warranty covering at least some cost of major parts, as I see you did, so haven't to find the FULL cost, even though what you are having to find is quite 'eye-watering'.

Of course one can buy a new car and get the warranty protection, and pay the enormous depreciation instead.

 

A few months ago you wrote about a cooling system problem. You cleared the codes, but did not write about actually replacing the thermostat or any other remedial work. Your plan was to wait and see.

A Jaguar, or any other car, with a neglected cooling system is a ticking time bomb.

Going WOT just magnifies the problem.