Kent High Performance for major service?

My 1998 355 Spider is due for its engine out service in a couple of months. Is there anyone out here who has had this work done by Kent High Performance (The Ferrari Centre) in Maidstone? I am located in Bruges, Belgium, only a couple of hours away from Kent High Performance. Last year I paid them a visit and they seemed to be very well equipped to do the job. I would love to hear some recommendations before handing over my beloved toy. Also, what would be a good ballpark figure for a major service with them?

Thanks for the feedback.
Rik Gruwez
Bruges, Belgium

 

Definitely one of the better and more established independents

Pricing is more difficult but if you look at the Verdi Ferrari site an approximate cost is shown (plus vat)

Don''t forget your car might be here for a while so you'd need to factor in cost of returning home for a week or two (Eurostar ?)

 

Thanks for the feedback, Greyboxer.
Verdi's pricing is very reasonable, IMHO. In any event, a lot cheaper than what the official Ferrari dealership here in Belgium charges for this job. I visited Verdi's last year. Karl told me they do not take the engine out to change the cambelts. At KHPC they told me they always take the engine out to do the cambelt job. They say it can be done with the engine in the car, but it is a whole lot more cumbersome. Do you know if KHPC's pricing is similar to what Verdi charges?

As to getting back to Belgium, yes I had factored in the two returns trips. We would probably make two weekend breaks out of it. Drop off the car at KPHC on Friday afternoon, spend the weekend in the south or London using my wife's chase car and return home. Pick up the 355 one or two weeks later when it is done.

 

Highly reccomend KHPC they have looked after mt 512TR and the 328 beforehand, and I had cambelts done on both. Well priced in comparison to the other independents and main dealers too.

 

Great company to deal with, Roger in service has looked after two 355's for me. Always a good job and great communication during the service.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. Kent High Performance it shall be then.
Regards,
Rik Gruwez
Brugge, Belgium

 

Glad you opted for them, Rik. KHPC have serviced three cars for me over the years, lately a 512TR. The service is first-class.

It's worth talking to KHPC about the service and when you return in the future, they will build a picture of what you are looking for. Apart from the obvious, text-book 'recommended' service, Alastair or Roger will get a feel for the sort of car you would like your 355 to be.

 

Also give Grimaldi Engineering a look. They have customers from other parts of Europe too. I have personally met one guy who runs FOC Denmark who only entrusts his cars to Grimaldi. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

 

Derek,
Thanks for the heads up on Grimaldi. I never heard from them before, so it is always interesting to receive this kind of information. They are bit further away from me then KHPC, but still not too far to make it unfeasible.
Regards,
Rik

 

Rik,

Yes, Grimaldi are a little further for you, but I can wholeheartidly recommend them. Search for "Grimaldi" on this site and you will only see good things about them. The owner Roberto is a decent and honest guy and would never recommend work which wasn't necessary. I've tried others in the past, main dealer and independents, but no-one is a patch on them. Give them a call and have a chat. A great organisation and I also have the benefit of living quite close to them.

 

Grimaldi look after my 355. Rob is a great guy and very honest. Other "independents" told me that I needed a new steering box. Rob said that that was not necessary, all that had to be done was an adjustment which he did not even charge me for!!!!! Top man.

 

OK, guys, you are not making this any easier for me. ;-)

Is there any reason why I should NOT choose KHPC and head to Grimaldi. KHPC is more conveniently located for me. If there service is at the same level as Grimaldi's, I do not see the point in driving that much further to drop off the 355. You can send me a PM if you prefer to oust your opinions in private.

Regards,
Rik

 

I have used Grimaldi extensively. They are very good at saving you money as they will not do work that doesnt need doing. I will ony take my fcars there. I know he has customers that come to him from all over europe (I have met a few when collecting my cars).

I would imagine that he is cheaper than KHPC. I have not used KHPC so cant comment on them in other respect.

 

Thanks! I will contact both KHPC as well as a Grimaldi. Perhaps make an exploratory trip to Grimaldi to have a chat with them. Always a good excuse to get the 355 out for exercise. ;-)
Regards,
Rik

 

If you are located in Brugge, Belgium, then arrive at Harwich International Port and then you are only 40 mins from Grimaldi.

 

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the advice. However, the only ferry going to Harwich leaves from Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland), which is three hours from where I live. It takes me only one hour to drive to Calais and then another 45 minutes to get to Folkestone. Furthermore the ferry crossing from Hoek van Holland to Harwich takes between 6 and 8 hours. I think driving to Grimaldi will be the quickest.

Regards,
Rik

 

Phil Stafford at Rosneath Engineering near Tunbridge Wells is excellent.

 

QV at Ascot are better than Verdi or KHPC, i know as I have used them all and QV are miles better.

 

Thanks Neil,
That's another possibility. QV are the guys that got me a replacement exhaust manifold in no time flat last year when the passenger side one on my 355 blew a leak. Anyone else using QV for their Ferrari maintenance? I have checked their site and their prices are reasonable.

Regards,
Rik

 

Can confirm QV are excellent. They look after many of the uk Ferrari club race cars (inc mine) . They are also reasonably priced .

 

QV very good. They have looked after my Fcars.