I think my eyes are being opened about my dealership. They have done good work, but I'm over being overcharged. For example, they were going to charge me $1,500 for new tires. I got the exact same tires from a smaller establishment for just under $900. Now I can't help but wonder what else I've been overpaying for. I'm late for my 90,000 service, so my advisor said they would just combine my 90,000 and 100,000 mile services for about $1,000. I can't swing that. My question is this: what do I absolutely need from these services and what can I safely wait on or do without? Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

 

First find a quality independent Jag shop in the Atl area of which there are several. We have several Forum members from the Atl area who can help with that.

Second have a transmission filter and fluid exchange (save money and go with Mobile 1 ATF) followed by a brake fluid flush. If they won't install Mobile 1 ATF--move on.

Third have the hoses, belts and filters inspected. That's inspected, not replaced. I say that only because you sound cost consious. At 100,000 plus miles I woud replace.

You can go in any order you care to on the above, consistent with your budget.

 

What about spark plugs & wires?

 

tarhealcracker - mobil 1 atf? i thought i reaqd somewhere here on a thread that you need to use the lifeguard 6 transmission fluid on the zf tranny only? am i mistaken and missing something? thanks in advance. wm

 

Catwoman: Like it was said, there are good indy shops in the North Atlanta area. Maybe Coventry West in Lithonia can refer you to one.

Set price maintenance packages ought to be outlawed--essentially authorizing the dealership to take advantage of a customer. I prefer only doing things ala carte.

What needs to be done is entirely up to the past maintenance on your car. For sure is the transmission service, new spark plugs, oil change, differential fluid change. You'd probably want to change antifreeze and thermostat. They'd need to check the upper and lower radiator hoses, serpentine belts and belt tensioners.

Note: I think ZF Lifeguard 6 is for the 6 speed transmissions--different viscosity. Mobile 1 would work, and another popular automatic transmission fluid is Castrol Import ATF found @ OReilly and Autozone.

 

Latest info from respected sources and members of this Forum indicates that Mobile 1 ATF is a later and superior formulation to Lifeguard. And it's only $6 to $8 per quart. I'm using it and many other "savey" owners are too.
Do a search of the subject on this forum and you will find detailed reports and testimonials from users and the more forward looking independent Jag service stores. My serv shop installs it, by customer request, but they do adapt a CYA disclaimer.

 

tarhealcracker - i thought all X350's had the ZF 6 speed tranny. i'll certainly do the research and ask my indie guy what he's using. they did do a tranny service and replaced a "connecting tube/sleeve" a while back, come to think about it...i figure if porsches and corvettes use Mobil 1, so can our jags! thank you again.