Wiltshire Jaguar Centre Swindon
Discussion
Hi
I used Mike Allen many years ago when I had a Renault, a good outfit, they are on Station industrial estate.
Paul who has just joined him has worked at maim dealer for many years is the ex MD service manager, I have had quite a few dealing with him over the years, he's a top bloke and knows his stuff.
I get fed up with the main dealer receptionist talking to me like I haven't got a clue. Recent example, XF goes for a service, 6k later the service light comes on, over the phone he tells me its what the car has calculated service due to it PDI inspection, (car is 5 years old!!), puts me through to technician who had a good laugh at what I told him, and said most likely the technician carrying out the service omitted to reset at the service (a plausible excuse!), talked me through resetting, but for what ever reason I couldn't get it to reset. Popped in the following week, receptionist promptly took car, had it reset, then told me that more than likely an oil sensor needs changing. 3k later service indicator still out. Why could he not accept like I had that a simple mistake had been made and technician omitted to reset without going into bulls
t mode?
Same guy on my S Type told me that a front suspension bush needed changing, advising 'it was a very common fault on S Types', I got a second opinion, no bush problem found. 2 years later (still have the car), 2 MOT's, 2 services elsewhere, still no problem.
MD not a bad outfit if only you could deal straight with the technicians!!
I used Mike Allen many years ago when I had a Renault, a good outfit, they are on Station industrial estate.
Paul who has just joined him has worked at maim dealer for many years is the ex MD service manager, I have had quite a few dealing with him over the years, he's a top bloke and knows his stuff.
I get fed up with the main dealer receptionist talking to me like I haven't got a clue. Recent example, XF goes for a service, 6k later the service light comes on, over the phone he tells me its what the car has calculated service due to it PDI inspection, (car is 5 years old!!), puts me through to technician who had a good laugh at what I told him, and said most likely the technician carrying out the service omitted to reset at the service (a plausible excuse!), talked me through resetting, but for what ever reason I couldn't get it to reset. Popped in the following week, receptionist promptly took car, had it reset, then told me that more than likely an oil sensor needs changing. 3k later service indicator still out. Why could he not accept like I had that a simple mistake had been made and technician omitted to reset without going into bulls
t mode?Same guy on my S Type told me that a front suspension bush needed changing, advising 'it was a very common fault on S Types', I got a second opinion, no bush problem found. 2 years later (still have the car), 2 MOT's, 2 services elsewhere, still no problem.
MD not a bad outfit if only you could deal straight with the technicians!!
I've had terrible service in the past from Swindon Jag. I had an 06 XJ, took it in as I was being gassed to death by diesel on acceleration, the cabin would be filled with massive clouds - they insisted it was the auxilery heater... turned out to be a flexi pipe on the exhaust which they refused to fix so I had to pay to get Bells to sort it out.
Then the bushes actually did go on my front track control arms, I diagnosed and told them this. They took the car to do the job but then insisted the bushes were fine and it was the top mount bushes that had gone. They replaced those.... took the car home and within seconds the exact fault I took it in for came back. They had charged me for work that clearly either wasn't done or didn't need doing as the fault was not fixed, they then insisted the fault was the TCA bushes (which I had told them it was!) and tried to bill me for additional labour and parts. I paid for neither but got the job done.
Previously I bought an X type from them as an approved used car, 2 weeks later the service light came on and it was a loom wiring issue in the engine bay. They refused to warranty it as they classed the MAF wiring as a consumable, the service manager then told me "that's what you get for buying used". I only use them now for service stamps, any real actual mechanical work I use the mechs at automax as they are mechs. It is great news though that there is an indy open in town
Then the bushes actually did go on my front track control arms, I diagnosed and told them this. They took the car to do the job but then insisted the bushes were fine and it was the top mount bushes that had gone. They replaced those.... took the car home and within seconds the exact fault I took it in for came back. They had charged me for work that clearly either wasn't done or didn't need doing as the fault was not fixed, they then insisted the fault was the TCA bushes (which I had told them it was!) and tried to bill me for additional labour and parts. I paid for neither but got the job done.
Previously I bought an X type from them as an approved used car, 2 weeks later the service light came on and it was a loom wiring issue in the engine bay. They refused to warranty it as they classed the MAF wiring as a consumable, the service manager then told me "that's what you get for buying used". I only use them now for service stamps, any real actual mechanical work I use the mechs at automax as they are mechs. It is great news though that there is an indy open in town
Seems you had a bad experience.
I bought an 05 S Type in late 2008 from them, great service from the salesman Nigel who sadly left, he really did go beyond the call of duty.
The car was bought with a 12 months AA warranty, after 9 months car went into limp mode, diagnosed as left turbo, got car back, still not right, back again diagnosed as also right turbo had gone.
They sorted out all the paperwork, gave me a loan car, so apart from the too and fro faffing about, it all got sorted without paying a penny or suggesting I would have to pay.
What I don't currently like is their approach to find things wrong when they have the car. 2 years ago I put my current S Type in for a new cam belt (great price, National Jaguar deal so got it done early), and a gear box oil change. Within 1 hour of dropping the car off I got a call to advise of the front bust described in my above post that still hasn't caused a problem in 2 years and a further 40k miles.
Why when the car was only in for a gear box oil change and cam belt change, ie not a full service, did they go over the car with a fine tooth pick looking for other things wrong unless they were trying to increase the bill, or make money on a tight margin that Jaguar left them with by dictating a low cost cam belt change?
Sorry, I'm very sceptical!
That said, my XF just went in for a minor service, and its the first time they have returned a car to me without finding something extra to do.
I'm an engineer who does a lot of miles, so I generally know myself when something doesn't feel right and get it sorted, and don't appreciate someone on a service desk speaking to me like I am clueless.
I bought an 05 S Type in late 2008 from them, great service from the salesman Nigel who sadly left, he really did go beyond the call of duty.
The car was bought with a 12 months AA warranty, after 9 months car went into limp mode, diagnosed as left turbo, got car back, still not right, back again diagnosed as also right turbo had gone.
They sorted out all the paperwork, gave me a loan car, so apart from the too and fro faffing about, it all got sorted without paying a penny or suggesting I would have to pay.
What I don't currently like is their approach to find things wrong when they have the car. 2 years ago I put my current S Type in for a new cam belt (great price, National Jaguar deal so got it done early), and a gear box oil change. Within 1 hour of dropping the car off I got a call to advise of the front bust described in my above post that still hasn't caused a problem in 2 years and a further 40k miles.
Why when the car was only in for a gear box oil change and cam belt change, ie not a full service, did they go over the car with a fine tooth pick looking for other things wrong unless they were trying to increase the bill, or make money on a tight margin that Jaguar left them with by dictating a low cost cam belt change?
Sorry, I'm very sceptical!
That said, my XF just went in for a minor service, and its the first time they have returned a car to me without finding something extra to do.
I'm an engineer who does a lot of miles, so I generally know myself when something doesn't feel right and get it sorted, and don't appreciate someone on a service desk speaking to me like I am clueless.
likewise, its why I take the car in for the stamp service work and the rest of the time to proper mechanics who talk my language and give me honest advice. I usually supply parts to as I can source things sometimes for my other cars cheaper. They only use OEM or OEM+ parts and show me if something is wrong before doing a job, we chat over their findings sometimes too as it can be an understanding of the car.
Don't get me wrong, recently I find the Jag dealership has improved markedly and I would consider the F pace or F type as a replacement from them
Don't get me wrong, recently I find the Jag dealership has improved markedly and I would consider the F pace or F type as a replacement from them
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