Can anyone recommend a Jag specialist in the Northwest?

[fizmo100]

Hi all,

As title really - my XJR-S 6.0 needs timing chains/tensioners etc doing, so I'd really appreciate it if anyone could recommend a good Jag tech in the Northwest (I'm near Liverpool... for my sins).

Also, is it an engine out job to do this? And what should I be expecting to pay for the job (factoring in any other items that it's sensible to do at the same time such as water pump etc)?

Cheers,

Dan.

[fizmo100]

Cheers for the recommendations - done a spot of Googling, and I'm guessing the one near Everton's ground is JagAutos in Langham St? That's closer to me, but then the run down to the Noth Wales Jag Centre would be good fun (unless the car was playing up!).

Will probably go for the Liverpool garage, as I can get home easily from there should the car need booking in for a few days.

Thanks again,

Dan.

[fizmo100]

Apologies for the late update, the car's sat in the garage over the winter, so no progress has been made. I phoned around today, called Jag Autos, and North Wales Jag Centre, and have decided to go for the North Wales option.

I got a much better vibe from North Wales Jag Centre - very friendly, very very knowledgable, and inspired a lot of confidence from the off. It'll cost me more I think, but worth it to know that the guy working on the car has a wealth of experience. Not knocking Jag Autos, I'm sure they'd do a good job too, but the impression I got was that they don't do much with the older Jags, and it sounded like the job would be a bit of a chore for them.

Taking the old girl down the Llandudno next week, and really looking forward to the trip(though I'm expecting some wallet-pain).

Thanks again for the recommendations - very much appreciated, and I'll keep you posted how I get on!

Cheers,

Danny.

[fizmo100]

A further update - took the car down to North Wales Jag Centre the week before last. I'd highly recommend them - top notch service, a pleasure to deal with, and very knowledgable. The good news, then, is that I have found where my pride and joy is going to be going to be pampered.

The bad news is, as suspected, the timing chain tensioner is shot, and needs replacing, which requires the heads to come off, and basically a top end rebuild. Quoted £3,500, so will be trundling back down (very gingerly) once I've paid the taxman his dues!

Thanks again for the recommendation, very, very much appreciated!

Cheers,

Dan.

[fizmo100]

Wow, was I surprised to see this in the 'new since last visit' section!

Thanks for the input - in the end the Jag went over to JagAutos in Liverpool as recommended by JohnXJSC1985. They were able to do the work without taking off the heads (they were very keen to avoid doing this as it can be a pig of a job if the studs have galvanically corroded and welded themselves in place). There's an access panel on the front of the engine that they did the job through - still a fiddly job, and the whole front of the car has to come off, but I had what can only be described as a sh*t-load of work done while they were at it as preventative maintenance, such as new hoses, water pump, rad re-cored etc, also had the gearbox mount spring replaced, and various other bits and bobs. Came in at a smidge over £2k for the lot. I've been taking the car there ever since - they really know their stuff and I'd highly recommend Martin and the gang to anyone.

ETA: There are some videos of the car here if anyone is interested: https://www.youtube.com/user/fizmo100/videos
None of it at JagAutos, but there's a before/during/after vid of it getting the bodywork brought back from the onset of the dreaded tinworm.

Edited by fizmo100 on Friday 26th September 18:19

[fizmo100]

It can't hurt to ask can it! To be honest Martin is more likely to punch you for being the one who landed him with 'that pain in the arse XJS' haha. In which case, maybe it *can* hurt to ask...