Ok, I told him I would do it for $800 (rebuild, not R&R) and he said he'd go down $100, so I authorized the work -- total including R&R and tax, $1,716.00 -- not too bad if you ask me.

Can't wait to get my car back, but it probably won't be ready until after I leave for my Thanksgiving trip to the soon-to-be great white north!

 

Considering that most folks pay over 2K just for the trans, that sounds good.

 

I think it's a fair price, especially if it comes back "good as new!" A good rebuild should allow me to get a good number of years of enjoyment out of it.

 

I gotta tell you Mike, beating up that rebuilder took some stones. He offered a good price to start and is also taking time to document and photo stuff for your "curiosity". I'm glad you aren't my customer.
You should be hammering on that R&R man.

 

Shop time for removal & reinstall of XJ X308 transmission is 9.2 shop hrs per my documented repair bill (labor bill was $550 for the 9.2 hours).

Jim Lombardi

 

$60 an hour labor rate! I'm coming to Ct next time I need work I can't do. $90 here, $130 at dealer.

 

He probably will not do it again (he is a part-time mechanic 20 years; was full-time railroad engine mechanic now an full-time railroad engineer) - spread work over days (2 days removal, 2 days install).

He also did a full service job on my timing chains and tensioners (both the secondary and primary) 12.5 hours.

Jim Lombardi

 

I was hammering on the R&R guy -- I didn't have much direct contact with the rebuilder and I'm pretty sure the "discount" is coming out of the R&R budget. The R&R guy took the photos for me, too. The only time I directly spoke with the rebuilder was when I called him myself just to feel him out and get a ball-park price from him. He told me $1,800 if I took it to him directly and by-passed the R&R guy, so I ended up saving another $100 by doing it my way!

 

He offered to do it for cheaper if you took it from the guy that referred him?

Low.

 

No, not really. I didn't make it clear to him that it was at the other shop, but he knew what car I was talking about. Or maybe it was "low!"

 

I'm really excited about getting my car back -- maybe I can get it tomorrow! If I do, I'm seriously thinking about driving it to CT on Tues/Wed rather than taking the S-Type. But it's supposed to snow, so maybe I'll leave it at home, safely in the garage! LOL

 

I would not be brave enough to take a car out of the shop on a long trip. But whatever you do, have a good Holiday.

 

Wx doesn't look good for either Jag in the NE mid week . .

 

I know it might be risky, and that's another reason it'll be easier to take the other car. In fact, I'm probably going to semi-retire the XJ8 and put some miles on the S-Type. The XJ8 has almost 99k and the S-Type is still under 32k, both 2003s.

 

Old Mike
You sure you want to come up here to CT - 24 degrees with windchill in the upper teens.

Jim Lombardi

 

Jim....this Midwestern-born boy can't wait!

 

Any update?

Chris

 

FINALLY -- I got my car back! I paid $1,716.31 including tax and the car feels like new. I drove it approx. 75 miles today and can't believe how much better it feels. I'm going to say that the transmission was never this good, at least while I've owned the car. I put 35,000 miles on it and always thought in the back of my mind that sooner or later the transmission was going to fail...unfortunately, I was right. I have a one year/12k mile warranty on parts and labor, so I'm feeling pretty confident right now!

I drove my S-Type up north for Thanksgiving and can say that it's great to have the XJ8 back. I love both of these cars, but the XJ8 is my favorite! I feel like it was money well-spent.

Thanks for all the advice and support from all my friends here on the forum!

Mike

 

Well done, Mike, and congrats on the up and running car! I still can't believe the good price you got on the rebuild. Shocked, actually - but it gives me hope for if (when?) mine does the same… Thanks for sharing the process with us. Cheers!
Scott

 

I'll bet you're glad this is over. Rest assured you didn't leave any money on the table either, great price.
Happy motoring!