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Review 3/13/2008
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Trying to save a bit of money, I had read shining reviews of this auto shop and was assured that they were used to working on high end cars, Jaguars in particular. My 2002 XK8 would not start one day after I had returned from a business trip. I was convinced there was a gas leak and would be a simple repair, so I brought it in. First mistake.
The owner warned me to come after 9am, due to heavy traffic on PCH - so I did. The tow truck scratched up the underside of the car trying to get it up the steep, narrow drive. I left it there and called to check on it. He informed me that the engine was shot and would have to be replaced. I was floored. I had never had a problem with it before. I had left for vacation and had to keep calling to get any kind of update. He told me he had to run compression tests and all but one cylander failed. He told me the Warranty company would cover the cost of a replacement engine, but I would have to pay the $11k up front. I decided to take it back to Jaguar since it would be covered and I wouldn't have to pay for the repairs.
I had it picked up - on a flatbed this time - paid him the $190 for the compression tests and met the tow truck driver at Jaguar. When they opened up the hood, they found the engine totally dismantled and the bulk of it in my trunk. When I called him, he told me that they would have to take it apart anyways. I was in disbelief - I exclaimed, "not if the engine is still good!". He said he would credit me back my $190 and call it even and hung up on me.
Turned out that the reason that the engine failed those compression tests was because the engine was flooded. It needed new spark plugs and some gaskets - which the warranty company covered and I got it back the next day.
Auto mechanics 101. Never again!!!!!!!!!! How many people's engines did he replace because he simply didn't know what he was doing? Never again!!!!!!!!!! Stick with the dealership - the extra money is worth it.
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