| Author | Message | ||
| Justyn (Justynb)
New member Username: Justynb Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2003 |
After careful consideration I've booked the car into Nick Cartwright. We discussed what needed doing, basically a small annual service based on time rather than mileage (300 miles & 21 months since last service). He has quoted me just �157 GBP labour + parts (should hopefully be just oil & filter) so is considerably cheaper than a main dealer. If I am keeping the car for a few years then the resale value may be slightly less if it doesn't have full main dealer history but I doubt it would be enough to cover what I spend on servicing so I would still be worse off going the main dealer route. Also I would rather have someone I trust work on the car regardless of cost. The main things are that: 1. he has been personally recommended 2. his mechanic worked for Maranello & then Graypaul (18 years) 3. I have met him and he appears trustworthy and knowledgable 4. He is only 30 mins away so no transportation costs (I'll drive the car to him) and I'll be able to stay and watch what work exactly is carried out on the car. I am more than capable of servicing the car myself (have done everything from clutches to engine rebuilds to full resprays in the past)so by watching the service I can satisfy myself that the mechanic is doing a proper job. If I'm unhappy with the work carried out then I'll consider what to do for the cambelt service next year. Thanks for all your input, Justyn. | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
Member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 258 Registered: 8-2001 |
Justyn, While you're in the shop for the change oil, consider replacing the coolant & brake fluids too. It should be flushed annually. | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
New member Username: Gordo Post Number: 47 Registered: 2-2003 |
JRK, Don't doubt your experience but isnt there a danger come resale time to not going the approved route? I have considered going to a 3rd party, as you say I am sure they offer better service especially on a 348 which they likely dont see too often but I have always been worried about it. Interested to hear what you think on this thanks | ||
| Justyn Brickman (Justynb)
New member Username: Justynb Post Number: 16 Registered: 4-2003 |
I know Nick Cartwright, I visited him when I was looking to buy a 348 a few months ago although he didn't have what I was looking for. It's also a (pleasant) 30 mins drive from me so I think I'll give him a call and arrange to go over one day with the car and stay with it while they do the oil & filter change. Is there some other lubrication that I would be advised to have done at the same time, especially as the car has been mainly unused for the last 2 years? Thanks again for everyone's input! Justyn. | ||
| J R K (Kenyon)
Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 318 Registered: 10-2002 |
Justyn, I have 348 Spider. I will not touch the main dealers, they have some bad reputations which are known in the FOC UK. I use a specialist call Nick Cartwright he is in Matlock. The mechanic that works for him has been working on Ferraris for 30+ plus years and used to work for Marenello and Graypaul. Shiltech Performance is good, I would just have it done local and so you can keep your eye on things so to be sure its done right. I always wait with car even at main dealers, they are the worst in not completing work properly. I now of a F40 that went in for service at a main dealer for belts. The owner found out later the belts had never been done and had been charged for the work. I can not say anymore about this. The best garages are the specialists they are kin about Ferraris....I would just change the oils since the car has not been used much over a period of time. Remeber to drive the car as much as possible. You will have less problems with it..... I use shell 5w-30w fully synthetic. I think Mobile 1 0w-40w is to thin, I used to burn the stuff n my maserati with it being turbo charged. Castrol RS 10w-60w is really good but not available anymore at the specification its 0w-40w now. | ||
| Gordo A. (Gordo)
New member Username: Gordo Post Number: 46 Registered: 2-2003 |
Justyn, I have used Graypaul for servicing, with good results. DO NEGOTIATE however and ask for a fixed quote. They also operate a collect/drop off facility on a covered transport lorry which is handy. As far what service to have done advice given to me was either by the mileage in the book, or if you haven't done the mileage still have an oil service, lubrication etc. every 12 months. Have fun | ||
| Justyn Brickman (Justynb)
New member Username: Justynb Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2003 |
I think I will just get an oil & filter change and a general "healthcheck" for now. I might give Graypaul a ring and see what they quote me. I think I'm safe to leave the belts until next year, that will still be within the 3 year recommendation. There is a company called Shiltech Performance near Donnington which is very close for me. They were mentioned in the last FOC magazine, does anyone have any experience of using them? Thanks for all your opinions so far! Justyn. | ||
| Mark Collins (Markcollins)
Junior Member Username: Markcollins Post Number: 221 Registered: 7-2002 |
Justyn you could try Graypaul in Loughborough they are factory authorised so won't affect you having a full main dealer history, however i might be inclined to use one of the specialists like KHPC in Maidstone or QV in Ascot, a fair way from you but hey what a great excuse for a dirve. Both will quoote you a fixed price for doing the specific service however watch for extras, particularly with KHPC, they have a tendency to do lots of little things without asking and at Ferrari prices a �400 service can become �3,500!!!!! so get them to get authorisation from you before doing extras. 3 yrs is the recommended max for the belts and I would have them done within these schedules, it may be over cautious but it's probably the most important thing people look for in the service history.. | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 679 Registered: 4-2002 |
Justin, I stick my 348 into MHT (now owned by •••• Lovetts) at Gloucester, they seem good and reasonably priced. Funny thing the FChat.com software has starred out the Christian name of the dealer I mentioned because its an abbreviated version of Richard! | ||
| Andrew A. Illes (Andyilles)
Junior Member Username: Andyilles Post Number: 63 Registered: 10-2002 |
Justyn, Change your oil and filter, then stop worrying and just go enjoy your new car, you don't really need anything with 300 mi on it...  As to local service, call Maranello, ask for parts (Nick, I think), ask them who in your area is good.. they'll gladly tell you. While you're at it, order an Owner's Manual for your car. It will answer your questions about maintenance schedules. Good luck, and welcome to the world of F cars!! | ||
| Justyn Brickman (Justynb)
New member Username: Justynb Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2003 |
I'm a newbie F-Car owner. My new car is a 1994 348 and I feel it is due a service. The last recorded service was the 18,750 miles service in August 2001, carried out late at 22,900 miles. This service included cambelts and with the mileage at 23,200 when I collected the car it had only done 300 miles since then. I have five questions: 1. What service should I have done? Its getting close to 25,000 miles which is the next service in the book, but its only done 300 miles since the last one although that was 21 months ago. 2. Should I get the cambelts done again yet? I believe Ferrari recommend every 3 years at the most. 3. I live in Derbyshire (UK) does anyone know of a reputable place to get it serviced near me? 4. All services except the last one were done by Maranello. I imagine Maranello would be very expensive plus I would have to pay to get the car moved to/from their place by trailer. Is it worth having Maranello do the service or will it not affect the future value of the car all that much if I go elsewhere? 5. What should I expect to pay? I've seen fixed price annual servicing for �400 and cambelt changes for around �1,000 - are these about right? Obviously I know that the price will increase if there are other items that need replacing. Many thanks! Justyn. |