Am I expecting too much?

[Nik a Sil]

Lower suspension bush failed on my 98 72k XK8 (FJSH) - main dealer has just charged me £2,500 to replace everything including the front subframe. That's not the problem.

When I got the car back tonight the tracking is way, way off, and the steering wheel settles way over to the left; "hands off" on the motorway and th car pulls quite noticeably to the left. Wobbles like hell (even in neutral), put the brakes on and the vibrations are so severe that the passenger seat vibrates quite visibly and I feel physically nauseous. Phoned dealer - said it was surface rust accumulating on the discs whilst in the workshop.

Am I missing something here? Is it too much to expect a main dealership (which charges £88/hour to work on the suspension) to put the car back on the road in a driveable and roadworthy condition. I am stuck for what to do now. Help!

[triple7]

It's plainly obvious. Go straight back to dealer and tell them to call you when the car is fully driveable. This should meet YOUR satisfactin. If they refuse to comply, then call Jaguar UK and lodge a complaint. Make sure your Dealer knows this is what you intend to do.

To replace components on the front suspension and not carry out a full laser alignment is a joke. Complain, complain, complain. Don't take no for an answer. Trading standards is next. On a side thought get a qualified mechanic ie AA, another dealer, to do an independant inspection of the work, to give more clout to your complaint.

Any other opinions guys?


Let us know what happens.

G

[ian8542]

Anybody know if the front lower balljoint on a '98 XJR can be bought without having to buy the complete arm?

[bobfrance]

I believe they can for S and X types (a friend had his done), I don't know about XJR's.

I suspect dealers will only fit the whole units though.
You be better off finding a good independent to do it.

[ian8542]

Thanks for the reply Bob. I have my own workshop with lifter so i would do it myself. Know it will be done right then.

[GavinPearson]

Nik a Sil said:

Lower suspension bush failed on my 98 72k XK8 (FJSH) - main dealer has just charged me £2,500 to replace everything including the front subframe. That's not the problem. When I got the car back tonight the tracking is way, way off, and the steering wheel settles way over to the left; "hands off" on the motorway and th car pulls quite noticeably to the left. Wobbles like hell (even in neutral), put the brakes on and the vibrations are so severe that the passenger seat vibrates quite visibly and I feel physically nauseous. Phoned dealer - said it was surface rust accumulating on the discs whilst in the workshop. Am I missing something here? Is it too much to expect a main dealership (which charges £88/hour to work on the suspension) to put the car back on the road in a driveable and roadworthy condition. I am stuck for what to do now. Help!

You're not missing anything.

You have been taken for a ride.

Dealer is clearly inept.

In your situation I would be phoning MD of company and give him a day to have the car picked up, some wheels delivered (Mondeo, or whatever), fix the car so it feels fixed, and only give it back to you when it is ready.

If he tells you to take a hike I would sue him in the small claims court, I'd also copy Jaguar Service Director on any correspondance.

I would be prepared to be very nasty because it is clearly the only thing that clowns like this understand.

Whatever you threaten, ensure that you do and that they know it will be painful.

I got a new car out of an inept dealer for messing mine up so badly. they grossly uinderestimated the lengths I was prepared to go to tip the balance back into my favour. It wasn't about the money, it was about winning for me.

[jim meehan]

That is SO annoying - another dealer takin the piss. Go for it with everything you got and I will check the post out on my return from hols in ten days and hope to see a where currently there is .
Go on man, go get 'em!!

[Nik a Sil]

Update:

took the car into the local ATS Euromaster forst thing on the Saturday morning and the tracking was 7mm off. Not only that, but the tracking "bits" (whatever they are) had only been done up hand tight.

4 balanced wheels and some revised geometry later and the car handles like a peach once again.

All I will say is beware Jaguar Dealers anywhere in the East Reading to West Swindon area, and you should be alright...

[robocop]

'Nik',

Have just bought an early XK8 and 'You Know Who' Swindon are my nearest...should I give them a wide berth?

What about Basingstoke, they were very helpful(particularly the Service Manager) when I was looking for my Jag?

Rgds


Yes, I have read the Rules of Posting!

>> Edited by robocop on Saturday 7th August 15:08

[Nik a Sil]

I have no experience of the Basingstoke outfit, so based on my recent experience, I would DEFINITELY make a bee line for them, rather than go East or West.

There are also independents of course, now that our cars are no longer on the radar from Jaguar's perspective...

[robocop]

...yeah, but that little green Jaguar stamp looks 'mighty purdy' in the Service Book, to a prospective buyer!

Will give main dealer first crack at my first service, then let you know if it was or

Rgds

[ringram]

Forget main dealers, service at my local was extremely patronising and plain unpleasant. All subsequent services have been with an indy at a fraction of the cost. Already saved thousands and bound to be worth more to me than a couple of green stamps.

Rich

[bobfrance]

I concur. Especially on older models such as mine.

[Nik a Sil]

UPDATE: The main dealership in question here has now refunded the cost of the alignment & tracking fix conducted by those well-know Jag specialists, ATS Euromaster!

However, in typically arrogant fashion, they continue to maintain that the car was properly checked and road-tested by their top man, and are asking me to take the vehicle back in for further inspection.

I am not going ANYWHERE near these people again - particularly if their "top man" couldn't pick up on such an obvious handling problem, and, now that my little puddytat is purring along just fine, I intend to keep well clear of main dealers from here onwards...

A propos nothing in particular,

- oil consumption on my 98 XK8 appears to be minimal

-I find the standard brakes are absolutely fine,

- I always use Optimax now (and find it gives me an average 3 mpg more on a run) and

- the Bridgestone 255/45/18's I have recently put on the back are much better than the old P-Zero's used to be.

I am in love with this car, and have decided not to fit the revised air intake or the Racing Green body kit, though I am still considering an XKR grille and have a pair of taipipe finishers on order (so I obviously am a tart after all, but just a cheap one)