Hi All - apologies if that has been raised a lot, but just wanted to get a view on expectations re servicing costs now.

I'm based in North Essex and my usual servicing garage has closed due to retirement.

My car is a 95 Celebration and just got a quote from a place in Suffolk and a light service is estimated at £468.95 and full service at £884.05...that sounds quite high for standard services compared to what I've paid in the past...but I may be losing the plot.

Does that sound reasonable and are there any garages in North Essex / Suffolk that anyone would remonned please?

thanks

 

Rickman,

You really need to get a detailed list of exactly what they are proposing to do for the money on a "light" service and a "full" service, before one could opine on whether it's a reasonable cost.

Are you a member of the JEC? You may get better recommendations posting on the JEC forum (which is mainly UK-centric) and / or contacting the local regional representatives to get recommendations.

Good luck

Paul

 

Thanks Paul - the 'light' breakdown as per below + VAT.

Actually thinking about it, I'll try and grab the nice guy who years ago originally recommended Greencats near Colchester and see if he still has his e-type and who he's using now...doh...thanks for triggering my dopey brain.

It does seem challenging now to find garages that service XJS' round here - a number of companies have advised they won't touch them.

 

I can't speak for the labour rate or time but the part numbers for the Oil & Air Filter are correct and are standard retail Jaguar prices.

I guess it depends if you're looking to have the service done to get a stamp in the service book, or to ensure that the car is well maintained? If the latter, then it would depend on how many miles you've done, how many in the last year and what previous maintenance has been done and what you can do yourself. So, should it have also have the following changed this time: Transmission fluid & filter, fuel filter, brake fluid, Coolant, Diff fluid, Spark plugs etc? What is most important is that you find a specialist garage who understands XJSs, and can recommend the right approach for your car.

As I said, recommendations from local club members would be a good start.

Cheers

Paul

 

Thanks Paul; BTW, rememeber me? It's Richard with the Topaz Celebration...had it 16 years this year...it's getting older...like me! Shame we don't see each other on the London to Brighton runs any more...

Hope you're all well.

 

Oh, Hi Richard!

Sorry, I hadn't realised it was you! Whereas you had obviously somehow worked out it was me!!

Welcome to the Forum! I hope the car is still looking good and going strong. I miss those LtoB runs!

Paul

 

IF you are going to have someone else perform the work, you must find a garage that both knows the XJS and wants to work on it. If the garage doesn't possess both, they will inadvertently or deliberately overcharge.

It shouldn't take a pro 2.9 hours to perform that service, so they either don't know or don't want to do the work. Follow Paul's advice, and good luck.

 

Lol - I suddenly noticed the user name ptjs1 and knew it was you. Still loving the car...had the seats re-trimmed a couple of years back and now when people see the car looking quite tidy, they can't believe it's done 135k miles.

Hope yours is all good and didn't recall you having a pre-HE as well...wow, I'm jealous!

 

At 135k miles and nearly 30 years old everything Paul mentioned should've been done a couple times or more. For example, a brake fluid flush should be done every 3 years. And repacking the front wheel bearings should be added to the list. And by now the coolant hoses should've been changed, and drive belts

Gather up all your past service invoices and look for these items.

The generic minor-intermediate-major service packages/menus often don't touch all the bases.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug - sounds like I need a full ticklist which given my lack of mechanical knowledge may be a challenge (but will use the above as well)...that said I have a book created with all the servicing / maintenance I've paid for over the past 15 years included, so will have a look through.