Mark Nixon Automotive

16/10/2026

The team at Mark Nixon Automotive would like to wish our long-time customer Grant Skuse and long-time friend Ray Thompson, all the very best as they take on the 2026 Breaking Point Challenge this weekend.

We’re incredibly proud to help support and sponsor these two legend and we cant wait to see how they go. Best of luck to you both 💪

Grant Skuse Ray Thompson The Cure Starts Now Australia

14/10/2026

We love a shorty.
Maximum capability with a predominantly factory fitout, they just work.

Due to their basic nature, at every service we check the ungreased (from factory) MT82 intermediate shaft, clear trapped debris from the stacked cooling pack, and check secondary water traps so tropical humidity doesn't ruin your injectors.

14/10/2026

We are currently seeking an experienced Administrator / Service Advisor to join the Mark Nixon Automotive team on a full time basis.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to join a supportive team and be part of a well established family owned business, we would love to hear from you.

Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]

08/10/2026

The workshop is closed today.
We will be back on Monday as per normal.
Have a great weekend and we’ll see you then.

06/10/2026

A tidy TD5
You don't see many these days, and they are hard to get your hands on (4 currently available on carsales.com).

Front and rear live beam axles, long-travel coil suspension, and a 2.5 litre turbo 5-cylinder diesel.

As one of the earliest electronically controlled diesel engines, there's a tonne of ECU remaps and tunes out there for these, and they respond well to them.

Featuring a solid cast iron block, these can take their share of abuse.

Keeping a TD5 running reliably for the long haul comes down to knowing its unique factory quirks before they turn into costly failures.

This involves securing internal oiling components to protect oil pressure, preventing oil contamination along the wiring harness to safeguard the ECU, and monitoring cooling and driveshaft wear to prevent sudden drivetrain damage.

Catching these hidden vulnerabilities early is what separates a reliable touring rig from a roadside breakdown.

TRUSTED MECHANICS IN TOWNSVILLE YOUR INDEPENDENT LAND ROVER SPECIALISTS CALL US ON (07) 4775 2155 OUR SERVICES ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS Here at Mark Nixon Automotive, we provide services to keep your car in top condition so that you can drive it in its best condition. We deliver each of our services i...

30/09/2026

An Evoque transmission fault diagnosis is rarely as straightforward as a broken gearbox.

Here are things to consider about the world's First 9-Speed Transverse Automatic:

From 2014 onwards, these run the compact ZF 9-speed automatic, which relies on dog clutches rather than traditional friction plates to fit nine ratios into a small engine bay. Because dog clutches lock together mechanically without slipping, the transmission computer has to match engine revs down to the microsecond before engaging a gear.

When an Evoque throws a gearbox warning or starts shifting harshly, it is often misdiagnosed as total mechanical failure. In reality, a heavy thud between gears is usually caused by software calibration quirks, low battery voltage, or a wheel speed sensor misreading.

Simply clearing the fault codes with a generic scan tool won't fix the problem and often makes the shifting worse. Properly resetting these gearboxes requires specialised factory software and a very specific adaptation road test to re-sync the shift timing.

TRUSTED MECHANICS IN TOWNSVILLE YOUR INDEPENDENT LAND ROVER SPECIALISTS CALL US ON (07) 4775 2155 OUR SERVICES ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS Here at Mark Nixon Automotive, we provide services to keep your car in top condition so that you can drive it in its best condition. We deliver each of our services i...

24/09/2026

22/09/2026

When the vents are not just for show 💪 the XKR

A couple of subtle cues with this Jag that make it a little more special than most.

The mesh grille & the vents

The twin hood vents are functional heat extractors exclusive to the supercharged "R" performance models to dissipate heat from the Eaton supercharger and intercoolers. The XKR also features upgraded suspension and bigger brakes.

We always have a quick check of the hydraulic lines powering the convertible top that run through the windscreen header rail. Over time, heat degrades the hoses and overpressurises the system, causing them to burst and spray bright green hydraulic fluid all over the front seats and dash.

You can install upgraded pressure-reduction valves or steel-braided lines to prevent this.

TRUSTED MECHANICS IN TOWNSVILLE YOUR INDEPENDENT LAND ROVER SPECIALISTS CALL US ON (07) 4775 2155 OUR SERVICES ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS Here at Mark Nixon Automotive, we provide services to keep your car in top condition so that you can drive it in its best condition. We deliver each of our services i...

16/09/2026

Most modern Land Rovers contain over 20 individual computers that are linked into one network. Regular diagnostics are a part of every service.

Yes, computers are the bane of any purist's existence.

One perk is the ability to intercept mechanical wear or pressure loss weeks before total failure occurs.

Specialist tooling allows us to catch "shadow codes" long before any warning light, spotting DPF, vacuum and solenoid, battery, and potential injector balance issues.

It is a relatively simple "plug and play" process that we are privileged to have access to, but after making the investment, it is something we ensure to use at every opportunity.

TRUSTED MECHANICS IN TOWNSVILLE YOUR INDEPENDENT LAND ROVER SPECIALISTS CALL US ON (07) 4775 2155 OUR SERVICES ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS Here at Mark Nixon Automotive, we provide services to keep your car in top condition so that you can drive it in its best condition. We deliver each of our services i...

10/09/2026

See everyone next week on Monday.
Have the best weekend!