I Don't Recommend them at all
In September 2023, I bought from Witmer & Odjiks a Jaguar E-Type S2 Cabrio, supposedly with the gearbox and engine completely rebuilt. The first time I drove the car in Portugal, the engine failed immediately ( Huge holes in the distributor). After that, the engine started to overheat and was making a strange sound. To my horror, the head gasket of the engine was now leaking (the crankshaft's main bearings were badly worn/damaged). This is clearly not the vehicle that Witmer & Odjiks promised it to be, supported by the documents, including the invoices for the carried-out work. I feel that I was misled since this is/was not clearly the excellent driving car that the advertisement had promised and communicated. After making 100 Km, yes, 100 km! the car now needs a complete reconstruction of the motor, with a new crankshaft included!
Witmer & Odjiks didn't assume any liabilities! I don’t recommend them at all!!
Réponse de Witmerodijk
Unfortunately, I do not have much time to read reviews. Most of them are pleasant and positive, which I greatly appreciate. Unfortunately, I have now read this message.
Naturally, this situation is very unfortunate for the owner of the car. However, the customer only contacted me in May 2024, while the car was purchased in September 2023.
According to the customer, the car was driven for more than 120 km while the engine temperature was too high. After this happened, nothing was reported to me and no advice or assistance was requested. A local company started working on the engine without any consultation with me, resulting in a substantial invoice.
When an old Jaguar overheats, continuing to drive is irresponsible. That is one of the reasons why the car is equipped with a temperature gauge. The engine was, of course, rebuilt by us, and an invoice for this work was provided. The engine rebuilding was carried out by a reputable Dutch company.
Of course, it is possible for something to go wrong even with a rebuilt engine, making a repair necessary. I assume it may have been a loose hose or perhaps some form of damage. In such a situation, continuing to drive is highly unwise. Having the consequences repaired elsewhere without consultation is also unwise.
Had I been informed, we would, of course, have arranged for the car to be collected and repaired. Instead, I was confronted with far more work than was strictly necessary, at much higher costs than I would have incurred myself, while also being unable to determine whether any mistake had actually been made in my workshop.
I cannot discuss every technical detail here, but I have seen photographs of technical work that does not correspond with the complaint and has nothing to do with the engine rebuild. When it is then suggested that I did not carry out an engine rebuild and that I should pay a substantial invoice incurred without any consultation, that is not fair towards the supplier.
The customer carried out an extensive test drive in the Netherlands, reviewed the invoices, and drove the car in Portugal.
I understand the disappointment, but I place great value on an accurate representation of the facts and on my reputation. Apparently, people can write whatever they want, which is why I have decided to respond after all.