My motor mounts are toast. I am going to change both of them and the transmission mount as well. As I was pricing out the parts and tools I would need, checking with a mechanic started to make more sense. Specially since I would need an engine support bar and none of the local parts stores have any for rent.

I found an independent Jag tech who is willing to do the job, but he only uses OE Jaguar parts. The shop owner quoted me $140 for each motor mount, $90 for the transmission mount, and $160 in labor (he quoted 2 hours). Then he hinted at a “first time customer/student discount” but didn’t disclose how much that would be, nor did I press him on it. The total comes out to $530, which seems fair to me. What do you guys think, is this a good price?

I was very impressed with the guy and his shop. He seemed very knowledgeable about Jags. Among the cars I saw there included: an X350 XJ8, an 01’ XKR which looked like a twin of mine, an F430 Scuderia, a Macan, and multiple S-Types (at least 5 of those).


He later told me he was a Jag tech for the local dealer before they were bought out. He was also impressed with my car. He immediately took note of my exhaust note and asked if I had some aftermarket exhaust on it. He was quite fond of the sound my car made. He noticed that all my cooling system hoses were new, and he was impressed by my Mina gallery intake. The first thing he did after checking the motor mounts from the top was to look at my shock mounts and he was surprised to see the Welsh urethane mounts in great shape. He told me, most owners have the original foam mounts which have turned to dust. He had never seen the urethane mounts before.

He complimented me on my XKR. Said that, apart from the paint, it’s the most reliable and best maintained looking one that had come into his shop.

 

If he's using OEM parts, then the pricing looks fine to me. Those engine mountings aren't cheap

I wouldn't have any quibble with the labour either. I believe the driver side mounting is a bear to get at.

Your Vee-mounts OK?

 

I don’t know. What’s the part number for those? Does the labor for those coincide with that of the motor mounts?

 

Part # is MJA2360AH.
Altogether a bigger job as the crossbeam has to be lowered which means disturbing the steering rack. It looks straightforward in JTIS, but I'm not sure. Am debating whether to do these and the engine mountings while I have the front suspension apart for rebushing, but, like you, I'm stuck for the engine support bar at the moment.

If your steering is not vague they are probably OK

 

Agreed with Michael.

 

No, my steering is perfect and tight. I guess I’ll just have him inspect them but not change them.