New Jaguar XF courtesy car and dealer service
Discussion
I had my '14 XF R-Sport Sportbrake in for a bit of work for the last couple of days (which is another story which I will go on to). In it's place I was give a new XF S Saloon.
Drove it the few miles home and it annoyed and disappointed me.
Disappointment from how plasticy the interior felt and annoyance from the rear view mirror of all things.
It wasn't even the rear view, the mirror just seemed to fill the whole of the left hand side of the windsreen so when pulling out of junctions and maneuvering in tight spaces I was constantly having so duck under or around it to see.
Then there were the seats, not as comfy, may be me to used to mine. Engine noise louder, not sure what it had in it, maybe the 2.0, I've got the 3.0.
If I needed to change and they did a sportbrake version (needed for the dog) it would be off the list.
Now for the dealer service. Originally booked in a few weeks ago for a service and I asked them to investigate a noise/rattle from what I thought to be the exhaust.
Took it in on a Thurs and while discussing the work needed (pads, aircon, wiper blades etc. (some of which I said no to)) they say they have fixed the rattle from the exhaust. Later they say its back and can they keep it for the Fri. No prob but I need it back early afternoon.
Late Fri morning trying to get hold of anyone who knows whats going on is impossible. Eventually get my car back but now they say the rattle is coming from the center console and can I book it back in so they can take the centre console out.
Drop car off yesterday (Thurs) morning and get the XF above. No contact and call them late Fri morning. Service guy not available, will call me back. Hour later, service guy on lunch, will call me back. Hour later, service guy with a customer, I'm on hold. Eventually get to speak to him, he doesn't know what's going on. But I can keep the courtesy car for the weekend.
Great, but in their terms it's limited to 150 miles a day and no pets in the car and I'm not going to put my dog in the boot for the drive down to Wales in the morning. That's why I got rid of the XKR (which I desperately miss) and got the Sportbrake. He'll call me back at 3pm.
3:30 I call him, on hold, eventually speak to him, it's out on test drive.
4:10, the first call I get from them!! It's back, they've fixed it!! They took the center console out and that didn't fix it. Then they found IT WAS TWO LOOSE BOLTS ON AN EXHAUST MOUNTING!!!!!
And breathe.....
Drove it the few miles home and it annoyed and disappointed me.
Disappointment from how plasticy the interior felt and annoyance from the rear view mirror of all things.
It wasn't even the rear view, the mirror just seemed to fill the whole of the left hand side of the windsreen so when pulling out of junctions and maneuvering in tight spaces I was constantly having so duck under or around it to see.
Then there were the seats, not as comfy, may be me to used to mine. Engine noise louder, not sure what it had in it, maybe the 2.0, I've got the 3.0.
If I needed to change and they did a sportbrake version (needed for the dog) it would be off the list.
Now for the dealer service. Originally booked in a few weeks ago for a service and I asked them to investigate a noise/rattle from what I thought to be the exhaust.
Took it in on a Thurs and while discussing the work needed (pads, aircon, wiper blades etc. (some of which I said no to)) they say they have fixed the rattle from the exhaust. Later they say its back and can they keep it for the Fri. No prob but I need it back early afternoon.
Late Fri morning trying to get hold of anyone who knows whats going on is impossible. Eventually get my car back but now they say the rattle is coming from the center console and can I book it back in so they can take the centre console out.
Drop car off yesterday (Thurs) morning and get the XF above. No contact and call them late Fri morning. Service guy not available, will call me back. Hour later, service guy on lunch, will call me back. Hour later, service guy with a customer, I'm on hold. Eventually get to speak to him, he doesn't know what's going on. But I can keep the courtesy car for the weekend.
Great, but in their terms it's limited to 150 miles a day and no pets in the car and I'm not going to put my dog in the boot for the drive down to Wales in the morning. That's why I got rid of the XKR (which I desperately miss) and got the Sportbrake. He'll call me back at 3pm.
3:30 I call him, on hold, eventually speak to him, it's out on test drive.
4:10, the first call I get from them!! It's back, they've fixed it!! They took the center console out and that didn't fix it. Then they found IT WAS TWO LOOSE BOLTS ON AN EXHAUST MOUNTING!!!!!
And breathe.....
I wonder if the OP and I have our cars with the same JMD right now. My XF went there on Thursday following a diagnostic check up. On arrival they told me the work would be to sort out a cooling problem, whereas the diagnostics had indicated over fuelling on one bank of cylinders and maybe a MAF sensor problem. After a lot of explaining I agreed to leave the car so they could use the diagnostics again and report back. Meanwhile I had a Land Rover Discovery as a courtesy car.
They did not report back so I chased them on Friday. Took over 30 minutes to get the phone answered, nobody knew anything about the car, was told someone would call me back, which they did two hours later. I was told the issue is that the car needs a new water pump. They said they will let me know the cost (why not work this out before the call?) and then I said this should be a warranty job and they had not checked that I had a warranty. They said they will call me back. They did not. Close on 5 pm I called them and this time it took only 20 minutes for the phone to be answered. They told me that they have the parts but no confirmation of a warranty job yet, but it is likely to be agreed....
I now have the Discovery until Monday at least. Luckily I am not likely to exceed the daily max of 150 miles and unlike the OP I have no pets.
Also, it was interesting waiting on reception when I took the car in. Nobody was answering the phones. Lots of staff going here and there, but there were maybe 8 people like me waiting for attention and you could feel the frustration.
I've been using this JMD since I bought the car over two years ago. I have noticed a gradual deterioration is standards. I think I may be going back to another JMD I used for 14 years, no problem.
As usual, I anticipate getting a questionnaire asking me to assess my experience after I collect my car. I am looking forward to completing it!
Rant over.
R.
They did not report back so I chased them on Friday. Took over 30 minutes to get the phone answered, nobody knew anything about the car, was told someone would call me back, which they did two hours later. I was told the issue is that the car needs a new water pump. They said they will let me know the cost (why not work this out before the call?) and then I said this should be a warranty job and they had not checked that I had a warranty. They said they will call me back. They did not. Close on 5 pm I called them and this time it took only 20 minutes for the phone to be answered. They told me that they have the parts but no confirmation of a warranty job yet, but it is likely to be agreed....
I now have the Discovery until Monday at least. Luckily I am not likely to exceed the daily max of 150 miles and unlike the OP I have no pets.
Also, it was interesting waiting on reception when I took the car in. Nobody was answering the phones. Lots of staff going here and there, but there were maybe 8 people like me waiting for attention and you could feel the frustration.
I've been using this JMD since I bought the car over two years ago. I have noticed a gradual deterioration is standards. I think I may be going back to another JMD I used for 14 years, no problem.
As usual, I anticipate getting a questionnaire asking me to assess my experience after I collect my car. I am looking forward to completing it!
Rant over.
R.
The Leaper said:
I wonder if the OP and I have our cars with the same JMD right now.
From the location in your profile I guess not as I'm in West London.Been using this JMD for the last 5 years and service was OK, now communication is awful and less than impressed with their fault finding.....
The Leaper said:
As usual, I anticipate getting a questionnaire asking me to assess my experience after I collect my car. I am looking forward to completing it!
R.
O/T a bit but I was so hoping to get one of these after a recent stay in a hotel on an overseas business trip. The stay was great, right up to the point when the fire started in my room . . . R.
And no, I didn't start it
Real shame. I agree the interior of the XF has way to much design going on and to get the style over substance, great chunks of plastic are required to get that XJ boat feature around the dash. Yuk. The coarse leather is horrible now...
I was trying to buy a £65k RRS this week, I'm on my 5th sales person just to try and get a bloody photo. I gave up.....
I was trying to buy a £65k RRS this week, I'm on my 5th sales person just to try and get a bloody photo. I gave up.....
'Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum explains the theatre involved in creating the interior of the All-New Jaguar XF. Featuring additional headroom, class-leading leg room and new state-of-the art infotainment system.'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADPYENjpmGQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADPYENjpmGQ
Positives of the XF: it handles very well and feels like a light car. In reality it's not a light car but this thing has got the German's beat in this regard - and I'm a 430d M Sport owner, the XF is a segment larger but handled better. The suspension is brilliant. Again, the engineers have pulled something great off here: a suspension that soaks bumps well, yet is stiff enough to feel sporty. Again, better than the Germans for sure.
Things I didn't like: noise, harshness and vibration is high for this segment. I had the 20d Rsport but it still shouldve performed better. Engine was tractor loud, dampening was poor-- my car is such a nice place to be in comparison. Car didn't feel premium. Interior was too busy, and I felt the boomerang thing made you feel claustrophobic rather than cosseted as you do in my BMW. Sport seats were too firm, steering too firm feeling.
The handling, nimbleness and performance is superb and the car looks fantastic. It's a shame the NVH in particular was poor. If they fix this they'll have something approaching special
Things I didn't like: noise, harshness and vibration is high for this segment. I had the 20d Rsport but it still shouldve performed better. Engine was tractor loud, dampening was poor-- my car is such a nice place to be in comparison. Car didn't feel premium. Interior was too busy, and I felt the boomerang thing made you feel claustrophobic rather than cosseted as you do in my BMW. Sport seats were too firm, steering too firm feeling.
The handling, nimbleness and performance is superb and the car looks fantastic. It's a shame the NVH in particular was poor. If they fix this they'll have something approaching special
I have to agree. In my experience the quality of the interiors is not up to the German competitors in terms of fit and finish, grade of materials and general craftsmanship. The design element is strong.
Also, agree the XE and XF are a delight to drive in terms of ride and handling , but engine NVH and noise levels from the new Jag four cylinder diesels are disappointing. Especially when compared to similar offerings from BMW.
Perhaps a 6 cylinder version with the Portfolio interior may be the most appealing proposition?
Also, agree the XE and XF are a delight to drive in terms of ride and handling , but engine NVH and noise levels from the new Jag four cylinder diesels are disappointing. Especially when compared to similar offerings from BMW.
Perhaps a 6 cylinder version with the Portfolio interior may be the most appealing proposition?
Simpo Two said:
Sorry but a 4-pot diesel in a Jaguar is just wrong!
Have you driven one? I've had a 2.2 XF Sportbrake and a 2.0d XE R-sport as courtesy cars, both of these were far more refined and pleasant to drive than I'd feared. The 8-speed ZF transmission works wonders.I did also have a 3.0 V6 XF S diesel, that was much nicer.
8bit said:
Simpo Two said:
Sorry but a 4-pot diesel in a Jaguar is just wrong!
Have you driven one? I've had a 2.2 XF Sportbrake and a 2.0d XE R-sport as courtesy cars, both of these were far more refined and pleasant to drive than I'd feared. The 8-speed ZF transmission works wonders.I did also have a 3.0 V6 XF S diesel, that was much nicer.
Simpo Two said:
8bit said:
Simpo Two said:
Sorry but a 4-pot diesel in a Jaguar is just wrong!
Have you driven one? I've had a 2.2 XF Sportbrake and a 2.0d XE R-sport as courtesy cars, both of these were far more refined and pleasant to drive than I'd feared. The 8-speed ZF transmission works wonders.I did also have a 3.0 V6 XF S diesel, that was much nicer.
Edited by fatboy b on Friday 14th October 19:37
Simpo Two said:
I hope I never drive one. I recently bought a 3.0D XF; it's noisy, bumpy and unrefined compared to the S-Type 2.7D I had before. It even sounds like a diesel inside and makes a dieselly noise when accelerating. It has Jaguar badges on it and some wood veneer inside, but apart from that I reckon any ordinary car would do as well. I'm sorry to see how quickly the whole ethos of Jaguar is being lost in the drive for 'sports' and gadgetry. If I want an Audi I'll buy an Audi!
Because ze Germans have spent billions on marketing to make everyone think that cars have to have rock hard suspension and be festooned with gadgets etc. Competition has to be able to stay relevant given that Audi etc. have defined the game. Same thing comes up week in, week out on the forums, people saying "disgraceful, can't be a Jaguar with a diesel engine" etc. but the simple fact is if they don't keep up they go bust. Which would you rather see?As described, my experience of XFs is two short spells with one as a courtesy car. I have similar experience with German stuff but from what I could tell, the Jaguar still felt far more comfortable and refined than the competition.
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