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The
Answers
Here are answers to some frequently asked
questions....
1. Does KWE supply the
cars or can I have mine re-engineered?
2. Where do you get the cars?
3. Do I have to get involved in a lot of technical
discussion?
4. Which parts do you replace?
5. How long will I have to wait?
6. How can I pay?
7. Why don’t I just buy a second hand Jaguar?
8. How do I get one serviced?
9. What about fuel consumption?
10. What about us company car drivers?
11. Isn’t it a bit big for women drivers?
12. Are they just for weekends?
13. Aren’t old Jags rusty?
14. Aren’t old cars unsafe?
15. Can I have a new interior?
16. What’s insurance like?
17. What about long term support?
18. What fuel do the cars use?
Does KWE supply the cars or can I have
mine re-engineered?
Either! A full, serial-numbered and warranted KWE must have been
sourced by the company in the first place, but we are happy to
re-engineer a customer’s car provided it meets our stringent
requirements for safety, minimal corrosion and accident damage, and
must have an unblemished interior. In the case of XJ saloons, it must
be the Sovereign model to achieve KWE’s standard specification, but
again we can work with lower-spec cars by agreement. top
of page >>>
Where do you get
the cars?
We buy cars that have been privately advertised, often by enthusiasts
and car club members. top of page
>>>
Do I have to get
involved in a lot of technical discussion?
Only if you want to! Our primary aim is to supply ‘turnkey’ cars to our
own very high specification so that we can keep costs and delivery
times down. But we are happy to get involved fully with special
requirements, and our K3 model
specifically requires customer input. top of page >>>
Which parts do you
replace?
We replace nearly 200 parts in the engine, suspension, steering and
braking systems. Most are Jaguar original specification parts, but to
improve handling and reliability we fit some key components using
modern, uprated materials. Please see ‘The Process’ top
of page >>>
How long will I
have to wait?
From the moment the specification is agreed and the deposit is paid KWE
will deliver a K1 or KS in around 10 weeks. A K2 will take a little
longer due to its V12 engine – typically 14 weeks. Upgrade times depend on
specification, but an S1 suspension will take about 5 weeks. In all cases, an optional
bare metal respray will add 4 weeks to the delivery time.
top of page >>>
How can I pay?
KWE requires an initial deposit of 30% paid with acceptance of Order, or 50% in
the case of an Upgrade. Thereafter one intermediate payment just before
final assembly, and a final payment immediately prior to delivery are
required. (Please see our Terms). The price is fixed
from the beginning so there won't be any nasty surprises! We can accept
payment in all the normal ways including Internet Bank Transfers, but
please note we have to pass on the 2.5% premium levied by the banks if a
card is used.
top of page >>>
Why don’t I just buy a second hand Jaguar?
You can – but it won’t be nearly as good! All Series 3 Jaguars will be
between 13 and 36 years old and so the engine, brakes, steering and
suspension will contain many components that are long beyond their safe
and functional life. In presenting these cars as re-engineered, we
fully expect them to last the owner’s lifetime. We provide a one year
warranty with very few limitations and KWE will continue to support the
car, and keep in touch with its owner, long after the sale is
concluded. But most importantly, our cars are much improved over even
an unblemished second hand car, and embody ride and handling
characteristics well beyond the original. We leave nothing to chance,
replacing all safety-related components automatically. top
of page >>>
How do I get one
serviced?
KWE have been careful to ensure that any Jaguar main dealer or Jaguar
specialist garage can service a K1, K2 or K-S, both in the UK and
abroad. While KWE prefer to carry out servicing and repairs ourselves
so that we can maintain peak performance, we recognise this won’t
always be possible. All non-standard parts can quickly be obtained from
KWE or the manufacturers. top of page >>>
What about fuel
consumption?
At 14 – 30mpg the 4.2 litre K1 achieves about the same consumption as a
modern V8 Range Rover, Mercedes S class and BMW X5 and other heavy road
cars. At higher speeds the relatively low frontal area of a K1 allows
much better consumption than most of today’s tall vehicles. This is
especially true of the K – S which can achieve over 18mpg at 100mph –
even in V12 form! NEW: See our digital ignition system for
40mpg!top of page >>>
What about us
company car drivers?
Well it’s all good news! Our cars cost about the same as low-mid range
executive saloons but apart from having one of the best engine and
suspension setups ever, they are loaded with comforts, including
climate control, which are usually cost-options on new cars in this
category. Even better, the personal taxation cost related to emissions
for new cars is going up year after year (see http://www.smmt.co.uk/co2/co2intro.cfm),
while the taxation cost for classic cars remains fixed to their market
value. Lastly, depreciation on classic cars tends to be negligible.
Talk to your FD. top of page >>>
Isn’t it a bit big
for women drivers?
Not at all. In the USA Jaguars have often been the choice of lady
drivers who recognise the wieldiness of these cars. We find our female
customers love the sense of control and safety, not to mention the
superb looks. The KWE re-engineering process gives these cars even
better steering response and stability on the road, making the driver
feel very much in control. The effect is to shrink the car around the
driver. Visibility is excellent, steering is light and precise and the
automatic gearbox is simple and straightforward. We think our K series
cars are ideal for any busy professional who wants to have a car that
never lets them down and outshines the foreign cars in the car park! top of page >>>
Are they just for
weekends?
Absolutely not! These cars are brought up to a condition where they
could and should be used for normal everyday travel and commuting. They
are so wonderful to be in and to drive that you should use them all the
time! What would you rather be sat in when stuck in today’s frequent
jams? KWE Jaguars have very long-lived engines, especially the V12s. top of page >>>
Aren’t old Jags rusty?
Often but not always. KWE has a rigorous selection procedure that
eliminates significant rust in its base models. After the strip down,
all cars are further inspected for structural or cosmetic rust which is
then treated or repaired. One of the last processes is to inject all
cavities with a rust proofing agent. KWE recommends having this
inspection and proofing process repeated every second year. This regime
eliminates any further rusting. Furthermore if the customer specifies a
bare metal respray (see ‘Options’)
it is then possible to inspect any previous repairs and rectify them if
necessary. top of page >>>
Aren’t old cars
unsafe?
Definitely not in the case of KWE cars. Firstly Jaguars, being large
and strongly built, have an excellent safety record. Secondly KWE
inspect as far as is possible for any structural flaws. Thirdly we
automatically replace all safety related components in the steering and
braking systems. We test drive the vehicles after final assembly for
substantial periods partly to run in the engine but mostly to stress
the new components to eradicate any latent faults. Lastly the cars all
have fresh MoT Test Certification. top of page
>>>
Can I have a new
interior?
Yes. KWE only offers cars with good condition interiors with very few
marks, if any, to leather and woodwork. However you can specify the
High Specification (HS) variant of each model which includes a bare
metal respray and fully renewed interior - seats, dash, door cards, all
veneers, headlining and carpets. Or one can add just some of these
renovations to the standard model (see ‘Options’). top of page
>>>
What’s insurance
like?
Classic cars tend to attract lower premiums than moderns and there are
many brokers offering specialised policies. Limited mileage policies
are particularly good value, however KWE have an arrangement with AON
Ltd, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers, who recognise the
special status of a KWE re-engineered car, and will be happy to set up
your policy. top of page >>>
What about long
term support?
KWE intends to be in the business of re-engineering motor cars for the
foreseeable future. The founders recognise that for our business to
prosper we must offer after-sales service and engineering support for
the life of the vehicle – and this we do. top of page
>>>
What fuel do the
cars use?
All our cars are set up for 95 unleaded petrol, though rather better
performance can be had with 98 super-unleaded fuel. KWE recommends
Shell V-Power. KWE cars are particularly suited to conversion to LPG due to
their large capacity boots in which substantial gas tanks can be fitted
without sacrificing too much luggage space.
(see Options)
top of page >>>
What would you rather drive?
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