Hello Forum Members,

This is my first post to Jaguar Forum. I own a 2008 Jaguar 2008 XKR Portfolio with ~25K miles. The vehicle spent most of it's time in Northern California with the last couple of years in South Florida. I'm having an issue with the dash leather separating from the dash frame. I have contacted Jaguar Customer Relations Center regarding this problem. I was instructed to take the vehicle to my local Jag dealer for inspection. The dealer took pictures of the damaged area and quoted a price invoice of $5K for repairs. Jaguar's reply to me was that they would contribute $1.5K towards the repair. This is a defect that Jag should cover in full, not attempt to share the cost. I'm currently communicating with a representative regarding this issue but Jaguar is suggesting that this is not a common occurrence, I beg to differ. Anyone in the forum having similar issue should group together to demonstrate to Jaguar the frequency of this occurrence. I have posted pictures for comparison and would like to hear what others have to say.

 

Note: My 2008 Jaguar XKR Portfolio in Northern California is experiencing the same problem. Both cars were garaged keep and both have roughly 25K miles. I don't believe environment is playing a part in defect.

 

I can see how this situation would bother you but I don't have a leather dash.

However, Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

I've moved your question from New Member Area - Intro a MUST to X150 forum as this is your seventh post since December 2007.

This is not an uncommon issue with the XK/XKR in hot climates and members here with the same model may be able to help.

Graham

 

My 2010 started out in south Texas and then norther Utah where the summer is very hot and the winter is very cold. I do keep my XKR garaged pretty much all the time and I do condition the dash regularly, and fortunate for me there is no lifting or bubbling. Hope all works out for you, it is not a cheap fix.

 

My 2008 XKR has spent it's life in Sydney, similar temperatures to LA. No such issue with mine thankfully

 

Ismitha,
This is probably one of the most discussed issues on the X150 forum. I also had this problem on my 2010 XKR when I bought it, I was not going to spend $4-5000. to rectify it, and I would not have kept the car if I did not fix it, it bothered me so much. While my car was having some custom body work done, I had the shop remove my dash so that I could have it re-upholstered from new leather. I was quoted $1300 including new leather. However, once the dash was out the cause of this shrinkage became readily apparent and easily repaired by any upholsterer (or by yourself). Having worked in the home decorating industry for over 30 years, I have had my own upholsterer for most of that time. I took him the dash, and within a couple of hours he had restretched, re-glued, and stapled the leather back to the frame (which Jaguar failed to do originally and which is primarily responsible for this "shrinkage.") He wouldn't even charge me although I paid him a small amount for his time. Ask your Jaguar dealer that in lieu of a $1500 credit toward them replacing it, just ask them to remove the dash for you, give it to you and replace the dash a day or two later. The dash does not need to be replaced.

The most vulnerable parts are the plastic dash vents which are so fragile that they are bound to break during removal, but they can be glued back together, as well before they are put back in at the end of the procedure.

Check out the posts under "dash shrinkage" (I think) and you'll see posts of my before and after.

 

And Ismitha,
If they won't do that, ask for the money, drive down to L.A. for a day, and I'll have the shop I use for my fleet of cars, take out your dash, I'll run it over to my upholsterer, have him fix it right away and get it back into your car. You can use one of my XKRs for the day, it's that simple.

 

Finally,
If you go the the postings under Leather on dash 'pulling,' you'll see 12 pages of postings. Starting somewhere around page 6, you'll see my postings begin with pictures of how it was before as well as some horrifyingly bad shots of others. Just keep reading through the end of the posts and you'll see some happy endings.

 

That's awesome and very generous of you. Send me a PM and I will try and schedule a time to spend a weekend in SoCal. I will speak with my customer relations center representative tomorrow about getting monies from Jaguar USA.

Thanks

 

2008 XKR would be out of warranty. Any funding by Jaguar USA would be a "gift".

I own a 2009 Jaguar XKR Convertible Portfolio Edition with NO reported leather or dash leather problems.

I would collect the funds from Jaguar and follow the advice of Tberg.

 

Like Richzak, I have no leather issues with my 2009 XKR Portfolio convertible. It is always garaged with the top up, and I apply Griot's Garage leather conditioner every 4 months - any good quality non-silicone thin viscosity brand will do. I use Griot's because it is clear and very thin, just like the little spray bottle of leather conditioner that came from the factory with my XKR. One other very important point: when parked outdoors, always use a reflective sunshade to protect the dash and put the top up to protect the rest of the leather. With proper care, your leather should last a very long time without any shrinkage problems.

 

Ismitha,
I tried sending you a PM a couple of times but couldn't. Send me a PM and I'll respond.