Help me, Oppo, I have a dilemma. 

"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats) 09/08/2016 at 19:56 • Filed to: None

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That white thing. That’s a crack. I’m psychotic, I know.

Yesterday, I noticed a very small crack in one of the walnut veneers in my Jag. I cannot emphasize enough how much I 1) love walnut interior trim (second only to olive wood) 2) am completely anal about its condition.

So I sent an email to the ridiculously helpful people at SNG Barrat and they told me that I could order a full set of burr walnut veneers (all four doors) for $186. That’s honestly pretty ridiculously cheap for a complete set of OEM wooden inlay for a 15 year old car.

As I see it, these are the pros and cons:

Pros:

1) Interior trim for fifteen year old Jaguars doesn’t grow on trees, and there will come a time when it becomes difficult to come by in any form, let alone brand new from the factory.

2) $186 is not a lot for a full set. A quick search of eBay shows two listings: a factory set for the XJR with inlay for $700, and a full used set for $50 that has cracks.

3) The trim in the backseat has pretty obviously been exposed to sun, and is cloudy in comparison to the front.

4) Despite the previous owner having had taken very good car of the car, it’s pretty obvious that he opened the door with the keys in his hand, because there are little marks in the wood. There are also some marks from the seatbelt hitting the trim.

You can’t see them, but I swear they’re there.

5) Not directly a pro per se, but there is something to be said for owning a fifteen year old XJ8 that’s so reliable that you have the luxury of obsessing over wood trim.

Cons:

1) It’s $186 that I don’t need to spend on a car that has a wiper motor that costs $900 to replace.

2) It’s not that bad, and I know that with time, I’ll come to accept it, just like I’ve made peace with 15 years and 140,000 miles worth of paint blemishes and cracked leather on the center console (which I will replace eventually).

3) Evidently, the PO fitted chrome leaper appliqués to the doors. They’re so professionally fitted that I was positive that they were factory, until Barratt told me they didn’t come with the veneer set. After about 30 minutes of google image searching, I’m positive that there weren’t even a dealer option. But I kind of like them, and don’t necessarily want to lose them if I replace the trims. On the other hand, it isn’t stock, so no big loss, and it isn’t like I can’t keep the old trims tucked away.

Right now, I'm leaning towards buying the set, but what are your thoughts, Oppo?

Honeybunchesofgoats > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:00

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Also, apparently Kinja completely removed the little notification count from mobile. Thanks, Kinja.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:01

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Honestly if you have enough money laying around, I would order the set and hold on to them. Like you said, it might not be as easy to find in a couple years when you might need it more. Order it now, keep it in a safe place and use it when it gets bad.

If you don’t have the money readily available, id probably wait. Mainly because i really like those Jaguar emblems in the wood too

InFierority Complex > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:02

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If you think it is a decent enough deal, and you have the money to spend while still putting food on the table, there isn’t anything wrong with having a spare set available. Nothing says you would have to switch it immediately either.

S65 > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:03

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Buy a set or 2 and hold on to them

XJDano > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:04

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If you can afford it, go for it. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we buy ourselves.

I also noticed the nonexistent grey lightning bolt that means I have nothing to respond to.

LongbowMkII > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:09

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I suggest buying them and holding onto them for a bit.

Honeybunchesofgoats > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 09/08/2016 at 20:10

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I like this option. Especially because the trim is held in with clips and has to be pried off, so there’s always a great risk of damaging it any time I have to get inside the door.

Honeybunchesofgoats > S65 09/08/2016 at 20:12

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I think this is the best option. Especially because these are still comparatively cheap (replacing the wood facia costs $2,500 for a new part, which is almost multiples of the KBB value of the whole car).

Honeybunchesofgoats > InFierority Complex 09/08/2016 at 20:13

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I like this idea a lot. I think I’m more concerned about wanting to replace them in the future and not being able to than I am about replacing them at this very moment.

yitznewton > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:18

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Do it!

d15b > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:20

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Buy two sets. Keep the original set you have on right now, it adds character. Replace character when it is annoying. Now you have a new set on and a spare.

nermal > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:24

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Buy two sets, and two leapers. If you manage to successfully attach the leapers, install that set. If you manage to royally screw it up, install the plain set.

Honeybunchesofgoats > nermal 09/08/2016 at 20:28

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I thought about that, but I'd probably just get one and take my chances. The thing is, I can't even find these on any aftermarket sites. They sort of look like the profile leapers used on the backs of new Jags, but much smaller.

someassemblyrequired > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 20:32

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They’re not cracks, it’s patina. Then again $186 is probably cheaper than someone could refinish the original ones for if you weren’t inclined to do it yourself.

Honeybunchesofgoats > someassemblyrequired 09/08/2016 at 20:37

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I like your glass half full approach.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 21:01

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counterpoint: I have a closet full of stashed spare parts that I’m afraid will be hard to find in the future. wife thinks I am nuts.

nafsucof > Honeybunchesofgoats 09/08/2016 at 22:58

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Interior trim for jaguars actually does grow on trees!