I have three choices for getting the 60k service done.

1. The local dealer which wants $1,900 to do the service (I'll have to write the owner about their message of having market driven service prices twice that of everyone else).

2. My neighborhood mechanic who serviced my XKR (and many other cars from others of similar caliber), but who isn't familiar with this model and was put off by several hoses in the front area passenger side that had clearly leaked in the past but have left nothing on my floor in two weeks. He said he would require replacing those hoses first ($600 parts alone he estimated) before doing the 60k service. He quickly noticed my front wheel bearings needed service too (not sure if he meant just the seals as is advised for the 60k service anyway, or if they need more...).

3. Jag specialist independent shop, that first serviced my XKR, and laughed off XKR slow leak oil cooling lines that the neighborhood mechanic said had to be replaced. I suspect he will laugh off those front hoses in the XJ6 since he has seen many despite his main business being antique Jag restorations (of which he always has plenty to do so modern Jags come across as his form of community service).

In regards to my prior XKR, I eventually had the neighborhood mechanic do all the hoses as I planned, and then did, serious hot rides through the Rocky Mountains. There is no chance of me doing any fast and furious runs through the Rockies in my XJ6 for at least 5-6 months, if ever...

 

The 60k service is not any kind of Jag magic. The dealer will probably scoff at you despite taking a lot of your money. The indies would cover things better for less cash. But the bottom line is, IMHO:

Most if not all 60k services are within the scope of the home mechanic. All services could be completed for half the cost of the indies (if not less, when parts are necessary). All you need is a day set aside for getting greasy. It can be dirty, but at least it is Jaguar dirt!

The factory recommended 60k services are published, but im not able to provide them here right now. It would include ALL fluids, filters, spark plugs, belts, front bearing grease, and lots of checks for leaks and broken or worn out items (like suspension bushings).

The shops will probably tell you a suspension rebuild is in order (for high $$), but many of those parts are easy to replace yourself without a big-time overhaul.

Don't let your car become a money pit!!

Certainly there are jobs better left to pros, but the 60k services don't need them in my opinion.

You get to decide if the extra cost is worth keeping your hands clean! It might be....

 

I found another mechanic at a nearby gas station in a very nice area of town via special car nut client and that mechanic offered to do all the fluids, except the ZF transmission, for under $400.

Doing the work on my own would be a desirable experience but not likely as it would probably take me two days as I am a complete newbie at DIY maintenance, and I'm always behind handling fundamental paperwork as a self-employed computer consultant (invoices, checkbooks, etc). I'll bet the mechanic's price will double if I ask him to show me what he does as he does it, heh heh, but gaining the perspective would be satisfying.

Thanks for the reality check on NOT letting the car become a money pit. I did that with my prior XKR although this XJ6 is starting off from a much stronger state of condition both visually and mechanically.

 

Now thats more like it! True, it can be tiresome to do all that work yourself in a day or two. Its not easy to reach under the car at all. Also it is helpful to have the car on a lift in order to check things more easily. Ask that he greases the rear axle fittings while raised. Theres 4 of them.