I picked up my car today after having the steering column replaced because of a groaning sound it would make when it adjusted automatically up and down (covered by warranty and a known problem). While it was there I had them perform and alignment and change the wiper blades........ They charged me $179.00 for the alignment and $50 for the wiper blades!!! When I gasped the service guy said it's a Jaguar and it's not your normal $79.00 alignment. Is there something special about our cars or did they screw me? I suppose I can call another Jag dealer and see what they charge but I thought I'd run it by the forum first.

 

I was quoted to have 300 bucks to have clear reflectors replace the orange!!! EEEK!!! When are they not trying to gouge us?!? I would be interested in hearing about the alignment.

Loth

 

It does sound a bit high but, it doesn't really sound like you got "ripped off". It's pretty much what I would expect from the dealer.

 

I understand that dealership labor rates are running from $85.00 to $115.00 per hour. It looks like the cost was in line, considering "It's a Jaguar".

 

The downside of most warranties - you're tied to dealers. Over here, European free-trade law says that a manufacturer can't make dealer servicing/repairs a condition of warranty because it's anti-competitive - the work must be done correctly according to the manufacturer's specs, but it can be done by anyone without invalidating the warranty. So, you can get servicing and paid-for work done at an independent at lower rates, and still take the car to a dealer for warranty work.

 

Wipers are what they cost. Barely charged you labor if at all. Good shops are charging $300 for high end alignment. Alignment is part art and comes down to the tech doing the job. Did they give you a print out of before and after? Did they sand bag the drivers seat or normalize the tire pressure first?

 

There are no dealers around here regardless of marque charging under $115.

My indy is $90 and is billing actual labor time. There's been a few jobs he did not want to do and I had to go to the dealer.

 

I was quoted $150 for an alignment from my local Jag dealer a few months ago.

 

I am paying 1500.00 dollars for a new bracket and driver seat motor. The seat back won't raise. I think that is hight,too. I did get a new XF for a loaner.

 

The 4 Jag dealers here in Central Florida charge $145 per hour. A good alignment can take more than an hour.

 

Cole European in Walnut Creek CA......$175/hr.

Get out the check book and the Vaseline. Ouch!

 

Just had service done on my 2011 xk. They went through it with fine tooth comp. Bill was $59.00 for tire balance. Had wipers replaced for free since it was being done within a year of the last replacement they covered it under warranty. Even checked the alignment, no charge. This was done at Alpine in Ft Lauderdale(150 miles from home) but thats were I purchased the vehicle and they are a very good dealership to do business with. Alignments are special on Jags and the tech needs to know what he's doing since it can cause real issues with the vehicle if not done correctly. You did OK.

 

For 300 I get an alignment and corner balancing which takes a few hours to get correct the first time. I just went in for another alignment before a trackday and it was 150 plus another 50 to adjust the corner balance due to the front end losing 60LBS with the new brakes.

 

My local Firestone dealer checked the alignment (front & rear) for free! and then charged $75 for the adjustments..................just had it done after new Tyre Rack tyres.
Hankook V12 EVO are very smooth and quite BUT I think a decrease in gas mileage (-2)! not enough miles to really say definitely...............anyone else noticed this?

Adrian

 

I know most 'sweeping generalizations' are inaccurate and therefore unfair, however, even having said that, it's still my personal opinion after dealing with car dealerships for 50 years that 95+% of them are unethical, crooked, gouging or some combination of those 3. A recent dealer's invoice on my son's car stated, in writing, that they had ... “inspected wiper blades”, “inspected exhaust system”, “inspected radiator” and my personal favorite, “inspected seatbelts” ... for which they charged him $55. So I sent the dealership owner a letter offering him some additional service ideas that his staff could claim to have done to customers cars in the future, Things like, “replaced muffler bearings”, “inspected clock”, “inspected hood”, “counted doors”, “checked roundness of steering wheel”, “checked to make sure battery wasn’t stolen” and my new personal favorite, “inspected all glass to ensure it's still transparent”. I never got a response.


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Isn't the costs related to people thinking Jaguar is a prestigious luxurious brand in the USA?

 

Same in the UK too, so probably the same anywhere. But still not in the same cost bracket as some other premium brands. Aston pricing is

 

My alignment after installing h&r lowering springs was $145. It's those wipers that shocked me! $50? Aren't they $8 apiece at Costco and install two mins? I'm I missing something?

 

Doesn't surprise me. My wipers for my VW are even $50 each. Special order only.

 

a few things to keep in mind -
#1 - when you're paying a "dealer rate" almost always you are paying "flag hours" not actual time spent working on your car. IE - a good friend of mine was a master mechanic at Acura. He could install an AC in 40 mins but charged Acura almost 4 flag hours. It was whatever the factory believes or states the normal repair will take not the actual time spent. Also most dealers charge a minimum of 1 hours rate even if something takes them a couple minutes to do

#2 - the average dealer rates range from a low of $115 - 180/hr FLAG hours

#3 - as much as I detest car dealers for their preditory ways in sales, parts, and service is still comes down to two factors - they well know that "ignorance is costly" and most people simply either do not care or do not know anything when it comes to working with them. Many also do not have the knowledge or facilities to do their own work no matter how trivial. They know most women go into dealerships with a CC and will blindly sign anything as long as they get their Starbucks, many men are the same way. Unless you do your homework you are at their whim.

Knowing this it seems to me like those who go to dealerships are blaming them all the while it is their customers that go to them by choice. Most buy parts there but complain about the prices, get their cars unnecessarily repaired there but complain about the rates. The blame ought not be on the dealerships but rather the person making the decision. Don't like it, don't go there... if you go there and willingly paid their prices then it doesn't seem right to blame them unless of course they quote one thing and deliver another... my .02 worth. Profit is not a 4 letter word, don't like paying high rates educate yourself, negotiate, and get it in writing otherwise you're going on hope or blindly pay their rates...