I think that with an e type we get used to paying a premium price for parts. I thought that I would just post about my recent example.
Having changed the pipes from the fuel pump I decided to renew the 2 O rings that seal the joint where the banjo fittings attach to the pump.
On looking at suppliers I saw them at £6.99 each plus post !
They are the same as fitted to many cars using SU pumps so I bought some from an MG supplier at 60p each .
That's what everybody would like to do. But it is not always easy to find the specs and the reference numbers of many parts are Jaguar only.
I’ve found it handy to keep a rough spreadsheet of parts I’ve bought over the years, just to spot silly price swings before they catch me out. Every now and then I cross-check with places I’ve used before, like https://www.coxmotorparts.co.uk/seat-shop/ since their clear pricing and quick delivery helped me keep costs predictable on another project. Little habits like that stop the budget from running off on its own.