When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Bear with me, I'm a female so please be patient! I have a pristine, one owner 2003 XJ8. It has 32,000 miles on it and I love this car. It's my 3rd Jag but as this was the last year they made this model, I want to keep it. My car went to dealership for 30,000 service and they are saying that the Rear Sub Frame is rusted (I live in Ohio, lots of salt) and it will be $4000 to replace. Part will be new, shipping from the UK, they say part is $1500 and the rest will be labor. Thoughts?
Bear with me, I'm a female so please be patient! I have a pristine, one owner 2003 XJ8. It has 32,000 miles on it and I love this car. It's my 3rd Jag but as this was the last year they made this model, I want to keep it. My car went to dealership for 30,000 service and they are saying that the Rear Sub Frame is rusted (I live in Ohio, lots of salt) and it will be $4000 to replace. Part will be new, shipping from the UK, they say part is $1500 and the rest will be labor. Thoughts?
Get a solid used sub frame from a junkyard down south. Couple hundred and then another 3-4 hundred labor.
Look at the thread by Naso. He documents changing the front subframe on his.
I have moved your thread from the forum for the X350 to the forum for the X308, which is the Jaguar factory project code for the XJ8s made from 1997 to 2003. If your U.S.-spec car really is an X350, let me know and I'll move your thread back.
If the problem is just surface rust, it may be possible to simply clean it, treat it, and repaint it. If it is bad enough to pose a safety risk, then Panelhead's suggestion of a good salvaged part is your best bet. I would recommend that you get a second opinion from a good independent shop that specializes in Jaguars or European vehicles.
If only the lower A-frame (Part 12 in the diagram below) is affected, it can be replaced in a few hours without dropping the differential and the rest of the independent rear suspension (IRS):
If other components need to be replaced, the entire IRS can be dropped in a few hours and reinstalled in a few hours more. The photos below show how it's done on our '93 XJ40, which is actually quite similar to a X308:
Finally, there is no reason to apologize for being female. We assume that since you're smart enough to join Jaguar Forums, you're smart enough to learn anything the rest of us can, and we're all here to learn from each other.
Highly unlikely even in Ohio. Although, oil spraying is really
helpful. Even then, I have seen the same part from 1995 models
with 200,000 miles in salt country that would be considered safe
although a little ugly to look at. I even paid money for it. Nothing
a coat of paint won't fix.
Now, if it is actually justified, part #12 is the likely culprit.
From playing with one of these, I suspect that a creative person
could replace it without dropping the remainder.
In either case, if work is done, make sure parts #13 on each side
are replaced at the same time or at least carefully inspected.
Labour at $2500 and $125/hour shop rate would imply 20 hours.
That's way over the top or at least very generous.
Generally, your best bet for a Jag of that age is to find a good independent shop that specializes in Jags or British cars in general.
I don't subscribe to the line that dealers rip you off, but they are the most expensive option. At most dealers the service dept is the most profitable part of the operation.
If only the lower A-frame (Part 12 in the diagram below) is affected, it can be replaced in a few hours without dropping the differential and the rest of the independent rear suspension (IRS):
Missed the fact that the advice had already been given.
Highly unlikely even in Ohio. Although, oil spraying is really
helpful. Even then, I have seen the same part from 1995 models
with 200,000 miles in salt country that would be considered safe
although a little ugly to look at. I even paid money for it. Nothing
a coat of paint won't fix.
Now, if it is actually justified, part #12 is the likely culprit.
From playing with one of these, I suspect that a creative person
could replace it without dropping the remainder.
In either case, if work is done, make sure parts #13 on each side
are replaced at the same time or at least carefully inspected.
Labour at $2500 and $125/hour shop rate would imply 20 hours.
That's way over the top or at least very generous.
Ditto like Plums sez ;o))
Frankly, I think your friendly ******* is busy drumming up trade!
Get it independently inspected and I feel sure it's nowhere near as bad as they make out.
Rear Sub Frame on 2003 XJ8
