Yesterday I went to my local dealership to buy a new cap for my expansion tank, it's best to replace them from time to time. Jaguar sell this part in the UK for £11.61, less to me because I get trade prices. This is not an unreasonable amount of money for a part from a premium brand. I quite often buy my parts from Jaguar because they are normally the cheapest or best value for money.

So my cap was £11 from Jaguar, but there are people on eBay selling used caps for £15+. Browse through some of the things on offer and we see many used items listed at ridiculous prices and in poor shape in some cases. There are a large number of NOS items, which are often competitively priced against the used stuff, but again sometimes it's cheaper to go to Jaguar for it. People think because it has a picture of a cat on, they can charge whatever they like.

Now sometimes I'll check the price of a part from a parts "specialist", and see a pattern part may be £60 and genuine OEM may be £75. More often than not it's best to pay the extra £15 and buy OEM, because it's made to their exact standard and will in all likelihood work first time. Plus you'll get no questions asked support from JLR if you have an issue with it.

Now we know that some parts are best replaced with non OEM items, the Thermostat towers being a good example. But even these can be hit or miss in terms of quality. I've seen ones which are poorly cast and have rough threads, but I've also seen ones that look almost as if they've been billeted the quality is so good. As my Granddad used to say "Buy Cheap, Buy Twice".

So what I'm saying here is before you go buying a used part, check how much it is from Jaguar. As long as people are buying OEM and there is a demand for new parts, Jaguar will keep making them. But if not we could end up in the whole rare parts scenario having to rely on questionable poor quality imitations.

 

Been saying this for years as you well know Stu

With the JDHT and their website specifically for earlier cars I'm certain that most parts will be available into the future. Some parts aren't, but that's what breakers are for in most cases.

 

I think Jaguar Dealer prices aren't expensive at all. Especially compared to VW or even Ford here. I can still get most parts I need for my 1989 XJ-S brand new from Jaguar. A few parts like nuts and bolt not, as they are standard imperial size parts (commonly) but otherwise all available for some very pleasing prices... With the odd exception.

The only thing I don't understand: the little adjustment discs of the eccentric screws on the lower front wishbones cost each around €100 here - for a small metal disc! The screw with the same disc only costs around €15/piece. Pricing is def wrong there.

Otherwise I avoid used parts as they are normally well overpriced. I bought an intake manifold (complete with injectors) for like €50 used in NL. The same one should have costed in Germany around €200... People think here, as soon as a Jaguar stamp bis on the part, that it is worth a lot more.

 

A big +1 to all your statements...I have run across so many folks who when I say I have a Jaguar, they cringe and say that's too expensive for me. I then explain to them in terms as y'all have laid out and they start to raise an eyebrow and nod. I also tell them how my X308 is fairly easy to work on compared to my Corvette. Parts fit when replaced, bolts come undone properly and the ride is so much classier. I also have a saying against a popular Corvette saying...they state "Wrap your *** in glass" I respond with "But you better watch out for the splinters!"

 

Some parts like the 14HU diff are rubbish from the factory and should never have been used in the first place (on Supercharged variants)- non offset or not!

 

lol @ the Count, you fell out with the dudes that spec'd the 14HU?!

 

I have a couple of Jaguar dealer websites bookmarked on my computer and they are usually the first place I check for a part, Like you Stu, I find its best to buy the OEM inmost cases. and nost times cheaper or just a bit more than some are asking on EBay and/or Amazon. Plus side is I sometimes get free shipping

 

I found one exception to this general rule/idea. Normally I'd only buy OEM, but I found a part so cheap I figured if it didn't work I wouldn't be out much. Coolant level sensor! Something you'd think is very specific and not common to find aftermarket. So I tried it and viola! No more 'Low Coolant Level' error! Duralast SU13203 for $12.99! All the used ones I found on ebay were $30+ and a new OEM one is $60! Spread the word if you know anyone looking for one. As long as the coolant tank float is freely moving and floating this sensor will work (if that is where the fault lies).

 

Jaguar retail the Coolant level sensor, part number LNA5740AB, in the UK for £18.60 or $24.94USD. Not a bad price and again there are sellers on ebay who seem to think this part is worth £40+ on it's own used.

 

I was looking on eBay a few days ago and noticed someone was offering USED plastic tensioners... €130 for the top two... Even if they are cheaper, I think only a loony would buy them!

 

They were idiots. Browett and Ball. One is a folk singer loving moron.


Didn't care so much about their jobs and just went through the motions.