Hi,

I'm new to the forum and have always owned Japanese and American cars. I'm considering an XJ8 or an A8/750/S-class.

I like to do my own basic maintenance....oil changes, brakes, tie rods, shocks, sometimes even sensors using my scanner.

Is an XJ8 reasonably DIY friendly? I don't want to have to take my car to a dealer just to change a batter or to shut off the check engine light when I do an oil change.

Anyone have experience with the newer German luxury cars as it relates to DIY?

Thanks!
Don

 

I get my oil changes at the dealer. Not only am I lazy but I sure do like having good records for when I resale. It may cost a bit more but actually not much. Documents are good.

 

Recently i had to change one of the shocks. I am typically a DIYer, but decided to get it done at a shop. 2 shops said it was out of their league to change, and Jaguar wanted about 1500 bucks to do it. So i said i'll try it myself. 2 hours later and it rides on air (literally) Not that hard at all really. The only DIY things that seems to be trouble is a tranny flush bc the units are "sealed for life" but doing that yourself is often messy and never complete anyway as i found out on my Camaro. Comes with spare fuses in the trunk if you blow one, so Jaguar is not totally against you working on your own car haha

 

Don,

If you limit yourself to the items you listed you should have no trouble. You can add most suspension components to your list if you care to. The problem for most shade tree mechanics desiring to work in areas outside the most routine is documentation and computer knowledge/software.

JTIS is obtuse and difficult to use. Software is expensive even if you can obtain it. "Haynes Manuals" are unavailable for love nor money because they don't exist. We have some dudes on the forum you really get down into it but they are exceptional.

 

I would consider General Maintenance easy on these cars if you have the proper tools. I service everything I own, I have seen too many dealerships screw up too much stuff to allow some $10 an hour monkey screw up my toys.

I am a DIY'er that if I need a tool I go buy it, so next time I need it I have it.. after 20 years of that practice I now have a garage full of tools and can pretty much do anything I need short of major computer diagnosis.

Changing Oil, Brakes, Fluids, other wear/tear etc.. is all straight forward on these cars.

 

1

 

I just did the front brakes on my XJ8. No different from my wife's minivan. Basic oil change procedure unless you have an owners manual with incorrect oil capacity.

 

The Jag will be easier than Audi or BMW for DIY with less dealer specific engineered machines needed.

 

...short of a major overhaul, you can do practically anything with some mechanical aptitude, the right tools, and elbow grease. If you're stuck and need help, tons of knowledge here.

 

So far I've done the oil, and brakes, rotors and brake flush. All standard really.