| Author |
Message |
RICK ROMERO (Tr90)
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2001 - 8:06 am: | |
OBVIOUSLY THE DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE YOU OVER $1,000-$2,000 MORE FOR THE SERVICE. SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR THEIR BEAUTIFULL SHOWROOM. THAT'S WHY MOST OF US DON'T USE DEALERS . I AM SURE YOU CAN FIND EXCELLENT CAPABLE FERRARI MECHANICS WHO CAN DO THE MAJOR SERVICE FOR YOU FOR MUCH MUCH LESS AND THE QUALITY OF WORK IS PROBABLY THE SAME IF NOT BETTER THAN AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I NEVER LIKED WORKING WITH DEALERS UNLESS I REALY HAD TO. THEY ALL THINK THEY ARE GOD. |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2001 - 3:36 am: | |
This is stretching things a bit here, but the following info was from Forza Issue #5, Spring 1997, on 308 QV maintenance costs/intervals. I'm very sure the same applies to any other Ferrari:
1) check and/or adjust valve clearances
2) chassis service (all fluids and lube)
3) replacement of all V-belts [note: A/C, water pump]
4) replacement of cam belts and tensioners
5) replacement of air and fuel filters
6) replacement of spark plugs and check wires, caps, etc...
7) inspection of A/C system
8) inspection of idle speed, fuel mixture, Lambda controls and operation and/or adjust
9) inspection of clutch and adjust if needed
10) complete chassis, body and suspension inspection
11) replacement of cam seals and polish cam seat journals
12) valve shim surface to be fresh
So again, this was an excerpt from an article written by Tony Palladino about the 308 QV. If during an inspection of the whole vehicle, if something comes up (elsewhere on the vehicle other than the chassis and engine), it should be taken care of.
This reminds me, when they replace the fuel filter, make sure they get to the outlet filter on the gas tank as well. Mine fell apart in my hand as I took it out...the real shocker...$357 at the dealer! I've made my own thank you very much! |
Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2001 - 1:47 am: | |
Thanks so much guys for the information. One thing that I will like to get a consensus on this forum is what really constitutes a complete major service. Besides timing belts, bearings, and valve adjustments, everything else seems to vary from what I have read so far. Is there a place in the books, web site, etc. that has exactly what Ferrari specifies?
Consequently, given that we have an exact specification for the major service, we should be able to get a reasonably accurate number of hours required for a trained mechanic to complete this service (surprises aside). The owner of the TR I am interested payed $4200.00 for the service. Today, I called various shops including an authorized Ferrari dealer, and the major service quotes varied from $5K to $7K and nobody was very specific on exactly what work have to be done.
As far as using the cars often enough, I am a strong believer that if I spend the money on something is because I am going to use it enough to justify its existence. Otherwise, pictures and posters would do just fine for me. Heck, my daily driver has 240K mi. and the only thing that has ever gone wrong with its engine are a rebuilt starter, and a new water pump.
Anyway, I will let you guys know what transpire with this car.
Thanks again,
Arnaldo Torres. |
RICK ROMERO (Tr90)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 9:31 pm: | |
Christian:
I totally agree with you that Ferrari's need to be driven often, in my opinion minimum of 2-3,000 miles per year and hope you enjoy your TR as much i do.
Arnaldo, let us know what happens with the TR . As long as the Major service with all the belts and bearings has been performed you should have no problems.
rick |
Christiank (Christiank)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 8:45 pm: | |
Rick:
I just got my TR two weeks ago and I love it. The problem with many Ferrari is that they don't get driven very often. I had my 99 BMW 540 (lease car, so who gives a damn) standing in the cold weather for three weeks. The car aged 1 year during that time (rusty brakes, everything was stiff etc).
I have the ignition wire information from Nick Scianna (our expert). I can't find the major service information in my manual, maybe because it is a European mod. |
RICK ROMERO (Tr90)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 6:40 pm: | |
For everyone's information the major service on Ferrari's do come with a change in ignition wire, caps, rotors and i have never heard of them being changed every two years. I have had my TR for 5 years now and the major service was done 5 years ago and the ignition wires are as good as new. i drive it almost every day and have very little problems.
With today's new techonology of platinum spark plugs parts are lasting much longer . As for the cost of parts, yes you do have more maintanance involved due to the 12 cylinders but they are not any more expensive than other Ferrari's.
I have a feeling Christian is not a TR lover like us! |
Christiank (Christiank)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 4:57 pm: | |
The biggest problem with Ferrari is that the owners don't spend the money for maintenance, the cars itselves are very reliable. On both Ferraris I own I had to replace the ignition wires (should be done every two years, otherwise the'll eat the rotors and caps) and rotors and caps. That stuff is expensive on a TR and I can almost guarantee you that this has to be done on your car as well. Be sure that the car has both cats installed (you find them below the muffler when you bend over standing behind the car). You can identify a US version if it has the door sticker stating production date. The cats could be plugged, in order to find that out you would have to run a CA smog test which I don't know anything about.
Remember, the cars are good but parts are expensive. It is cheaper to fly an expert in and check the car, doesn't matter how much that should cost you. You will love the car but hold your emotions back until after you bought it. |
RICK ROMERO (Tr90)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 4:08 pm: | |
To me the main things is the major service. If all the belts and bearing have been replaced you should have no problems and it will run great.
I have had my TR for 5years now and all i can tell you is that you will enjoy it tremondously. |
Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 1:44 pm: | |
Thanks for the information. I will contact the owner to get information regarding the car inspections in New York.
Rick: How does your TR has work for you? Is it a reliable car? Any problems or issues that you might want to share or advise me of?
Thanks again,
Caribe. |
RICK ROMERO (Tr90)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 1:12 pm: | |
FINDOUT WHEN WAS THE LAST INSPECTION DONE IN NEW YORK AND IF THE CAR IS A U.S VERSION CAR AND HAS RECENTLY PASSED INSPECTION IN NEW YORK THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IN CA. I WOULD THINK THE INSPECTION LAWS ARE MORE STRICTER IN NEW YORK THAN CA. |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 12:33 pm: | |
Any car built for the US has to pass CA smog, so you shouldn't have a problem bringing a car from NY to CA...as long as the TR you're looking at is a US car. |
Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 12:17 pm: | |
Is there anything that would indicate (muffler type, cat type, engine version, etc.) if an 89 TR that I am considering purchasing will not pass the California Smog check? The car is completely stock.
Califonia Owners: Any problems getting yours through this test?
Thanks,
Caribe |
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