Does XF ownership mean the same hassles and high costs as with slightly older Jaguars?

I'm tempted to buy an XF, which surprises me greatly, considering my increasingly negative experience with my current Jaguar. The car itself is fine. Servicing it, however ... .

There are several related big issues. First, unlike with a BMW or Porsche, and probably lots of other makers, I can't download a parts catalog or access one online. Neither can the independent service which I use for my BMWs and, sometimes, my Jaguar. (I have subscribed to a thread on this forum titled "Full Jaguar EPC Download ... , but it takes unusual computer skills and compatible systems, and it never worked for me.) So if I need to replace a part, sometimes the only way to find the part number is to go to a Jaguar dealer. And the last time I did that, they said "sorry, we're not allowed to share part numbers". (Till I told them I wouldn't pay them for the diagnostic work they had done, when they became more cooperative.)

Second, some parts, e.g. seat motors for X and S types, have been out of stock for years.

Third, independent Jaguar specialists are hard to come by. The only one that was close enough closed down. A problem that may be related to the first problem.

If I by an XF - probably ~8 years old with 60-80k miles, and drive it 10-15k miles per year for at least 3 years, it's going to need a lot of repairs. If I can only do that at a main dealer, the ownership costs will be MUCH higher than with a similar BMW that I can buy at a similar price. It will also be a much bigger hassle. My local specialists often help me with my other cars anywhere from the same day (if I stop by to have them take a quick look at something) to the next week, only rarely longer. After giving up on one of the (non-Jaguar) specialists fixing a problem with my Jaguar, I booked the first available appointment at the Jag dealer - one month later.

My Jaguar was as little as 10 years old when servicing it started to become a big problem. If the same thing would happen now, or within a few years of buying an XF, forget it.

But would it? Can one download/access the XF parts catalog? Is Jaguar keeping parts available for the XF?

Thanks for any insight into this!

 

I don’t know how to access a parts catalog but I have bought parts online from dealers in the US. My local dealer has no catalog but others do.

Here is an example:

https://parts.harperjaguar.com/v-201...m--3-0l-v6-gas

As far as maintenance costs, there’s nothing really specialized about the XF that requires a dealership short of programming an ECU or doing complicated diagnostics of malfunctioning electronics. Engine repairs might be a bit time consuming because of a supercharger or other parts that have to come out, but there’s nothing over-engineered under the hood. The 3 and 5 liter motors have been used Jags and Range Rovers since 2009 and their issues are well-documented. Anyone who has the tools and patience to work on a German car can work on a JLR product. Finding parts in a timely manner can be the issue but the work itself is not difficult.

 

Thanks!

I looked at the link. For some categories, I can find what I need. Though for each piece in the diagrams, there are often several versions and one has to be careful to select the right one for one's car. I somehow got this wrong when I had to replace an air conditioning part. Or rather my BMW specialist got it wrong for my Jaguar, and I found a good price - for a part that's still in my basement. It would be good if I or at least an independent specialist could type in a VIN number and automatically see which version is the right one. One can do that with online BMW catalogs. Is there something like that for the XF?

On the other hand, for other categories, I cannot find what I need. Suppose, for instance, I need a seat part. Not a single seat part is shown. In fact, only four interior parts are shown. This is similar to what I've found for older models. Is nothing better available for the XF?

I've had to resort to dealers just to fix a seat, which should be simple. And yes, for "programming an ECU or doing complicated diagnostics of malfunctioning electronics" or something similar (can't say for sure yet, b/c I'm waiting for the dealer to figure out what's wrong). Sounds like the same would be true for the XF, no?

 

The production volume for any Jaguar car is very, very low so there isn’t much choice in where to get some of these specific parts. On my XF, a single headlight is $4000. This one part gives me more worry than everything else combined, because these lights cannot be repaired, only replaced, because of their built-in computer and manufacturing process that seals in the LEDs.

https:/parts.jaguarpalmbeach.com/p/jaguar__XF/HEADLIGHT-ASSEMBLY-A-headlight-LED/68003857/T2H24596.html

This is why you don’t see much posted in the x260 2016+ forum, because it’s a very low production car, less than 6,000 sold in the US per year, and isn’t considered an enthusiast vehicle like the F-Type. Regular drivers get scared by the expensive parts. The lights alone are supercar prices. What ends up happening when these cars get older is that the expensive parts that break end up either replaced by cheaper parts or not fixed at all unless the driver loves the cars enough to keep it until the engine fails.

 

NO - it means considerably more.

Basic service schedules have become simpler but electronics have become increasingly more complex. Servicing is straightforward but repairs are for the determined and competent DIY'er or best left to professionals. The second generation diagnostics SDD (Symptom Driven Diagnostics) has been superseded by JLR Pathfinder for 2017 onwards vehicles and running this requires a TOPIx subscription which is expensive. For example, I can do anything on my 2014 XK with SDD but this won't even recognise my 2017 F-Pace.

The comprehensive parts catalogue is JEPC (Jaguar Electronic Parts Catalogue) which is also accessed through TOPIx:




Parts can be found on JaguarClassic site but requires a part number to search. For example, headlamp burner for F-Pace and X260:

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic...mp-burner.html

Some aftermarket parts suppliers have illustrated sites but generally concentrate on older rather than current models. The only alternative to JEPC I'm aware of is JPART developed by member thefixer:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...l-jepc-255587/

Link to the download in the thread.

My main concern with a Jaguar is not maintaining or repairing it. It's the parts situation. JLR have lost interest in fossil fuel vehicles and are moving very rapidly towards exclusively EV. They have used the pandemic as a reason for an increasing number of parts being unavailable for current and superseded models but it's an extremely useful excuse to slash inventory and I'm sure many slow moving parts will never re-appear.

Graham

 

Wow, depressing reading. Though clearly very helpful. I've realized that if I buy an XF, it will almost certainly be an X250. It sounds like the situation might be better in one respect as TOPIx isn't needed, and potentially with parts, if more were sold, though I'd fear the opposite, as it's older. (So I guess I should also ask about this in the X250 forum, and I probably will.)

 

Very enlightning thread as an XF is on my RADAR....eventually. I had no idea that a headlight replacement on an X260 is $4,000! CHOKE! No wonder these are essentially lease cars, and caveat emptor to the person who buys the used model! It'll be a write off if anything gets damaged. And as these are boutique cars (take a look at the inventory at any US dealership for an XF, and typically one in stock if at all. This is not due to a supply chain issue but la general ack of interest in Jaguar and a car. It sounds as if the reorganization of Jaguar to move it into Bentley territory in the next few years is to allign the parts prices!

 

Expanding on my previous comment, that being said that the current original equipment headlamp units on an X260 are $4,000, isn't it likely that the price will come down as these cars age with OE manufacturers (suppliers to Jaguar, but not the original supplier of that particular component) selling spares at less cost? Granted, maybe they wouldn't even bother as the car has indeed become something of a boutique car in the USA. I don't know enough about the parts industry on whether it would be economically feasible if the car is such low production, although sales are higher in other parts of the world. Still, much food for thought as I contemplate the purchase of one eventually....

 

No one really knows what is going to happen, especially since Jaguar is claiming to move to an all electric product line that will be designed and built from scratch, likely with new OEM partners.

As for the price coming down, I think JLR is not going to discount anything considerably and there is very little aftermarket support for the X260 since it’s a luxury sedan and not an enthusiast vehicle. The internal engine and suspension components are shared between Land Rovers and other Jags so it should be okay. The worst case scenario is that you have to buy the cheaper xenon lights second hand. They don’t look as good but I’ve seen them sold for $500-600. Other than the lights, there’s nothing so exorbitantly expensive on the x260, maybe the mirrors?

 

Thanks for your perspective on this, LCBs. With this knowledge, I can still seriously consider the X260 on my shopping list. I am starting to favor these over the X250.

Like most other members of this site, I am very curious as to what the company will roll out in a few years. The i-Pace styling took a little while for me to absorb and appreciate, but I was out walking this morning and noticed a new KIA model that seemed to take some inspiration from the i-Pace's original design. I was not sure what to make of that other than KIA wants to burnish its image with designer-style looks on lower price-point cars.....nothing wrong with that because that was Sir William Lyons own approach to Jaguar with sophsiticated aesthetic appearance and significant value for money!

I'm guessing there will be significant room at the Bentley price point that it wants to compete at, reportedly. That being said, I happened to peak at the local Lotus dealer's website, and learned (which some of you may probably know already) that there is a new Lotus SUV coming soon. Sigh....remember when "I own a Porsche" or "I own a Lotus" someone who appreciated a seat-of-the-pants driving experience? The manufacturers understandably want sales, and capitalize on the popularity of the SUV / Crossover market to turn out what to me is a "Fauxtus", but everything evolves whether I like how it does or not. Myself, I am waiting to see if I like the evolution of Jaguar in a couple of years. The XF may be the last Jaguar model that appeals to my concept of Jaguar, but I remain optimistic.

 

IMHO, Jaguar's proposed move of their new models into Bentley and Aston-Martin territory is mistaken. Jaguars have always been pitched at slightly more than mass market prices but with a more sporting performance and handling and a bit of luxury in the interior. As such they've been excellent value for money (at least to buy if not necessarily to maintain).
I can't see any new Jags, no matter how fancy, appealing to those who buy Bentleys and Aston Martins. If you're going to shell out more than £100k on a car you'd go straight to Bentley and Aston Martin, not a Jag with aspirations.