Testarossa Major Service Special!

What is the price normally charged?....Mark

 

Wow.. what a discount.. ?? I too am curious about what the regular cost is. OK my TR brothers.. you want a great 30K belt service price thats fair and reasonable.

Jim Magee - Pocono Sportscar. Testarossa engine out service $4,900.00 - check the web site.. That is what I was charged.. He can arrange transport as well. Check him out.. His reputation is impecable and is wrth a look. $7,000.00 oh I'm sorry $6,995 sound regular price to me.. Just sayin. FYI.. Jim worked at Ferrari of North America when the Testarossa was being brought into the country back in the 80's. He knows the car.

R

 

Cauley Ferrari of Bloomfield Michigan is offering a special until the end of the year. Labor rate is year of vehicle. For example, 89TR = $89/ hour. Engine out cam service came to approximately $4200. This of course does not include anything else.
They have performed 15 already this year. Did not know there were that many TR's in the area.

 

I'm suddenly in the market for an '00 Ferrari

 

Jim has a great reputation.

As an aside, one thing that continues to confuse me is advertisements for major services. What constitutes a major service seems to vary from place to place. I would suggest that anyone comparing services first ask what the shop rate is, then ask what exactly the service consists of, and how many hours they are assigning to complete the work. Anyone price shopping needs to ask those questions. HOWEVER, the most important question to ask is who will be working on the car, what is the technicians specific experience with testarossas, and where are the parts being sourced from . Everything else is window dressing.

Price shopping assumes all mechanics are created equal. In Robbie's case, we are talking about a very well respected technician offering a killer deal on service. However, that does not mean that Universal Motorsports is not offering a good deal as well. After all, they are advertising that they have Ferrari certified master techs at their shop.

I know there are a lot of dealers who employ hacks, and there are also a lot of independents who have no business near these cars [and I think some of you guys know who I am talking about ]. If one of these operations charged 2K for a major, it still wouldn't be worth it because you would be forever wondering if it was done right.

I think at the end of the day, what everyone should really be shopping for is value...not price. Personally, if Universal Motorsports has invested in experienced techs and has a reputation of fine work, I think 7K is a really good deal (provided we are talking about a comprehensive major).

This is my long winded way of saying, people should really do their homework and not be so focused on price.

 

I hear ya. The last time I had a 20k service at a Mercedes dealership ($389), I had grease all over the place, coolant overflow cap completely loose and no washer fluid.

 

What the hell do you think your driving joe? An apollo moon rocket running on rocket fuel?

I hate to break the news to you, but your testarosssa is an extremly simple car. In fact the entire fuel system in the car is composed of m-Benz 190e parts.

If you ever came into my shop with the attitude you display here on this site, I would kindly show you the door.

Your car is nice.. But it's defiantly not what you seem to think it is.

 

Over the last 25 years, the Testarossa, like every Ferrari before and since, has developed its own unique quirks. Issues have cropped up that are unique to it, service bulletins have been posted, recalls done. New methods developed by seasoned mechanics to deal with specific issues. That's what separates Dave Helms from a glorified subaru repair shop that suddenly works on Ferraris.

I am not going to get into another debate with someone who thinks that expertise and experience with a particular marque don't mean anything. We are going to have to agree to disagree. If you think these cars are simple and anyone can do it... than I guess we don't need you either.

I have a right to demand competence and expertise. My cars have always received it, and it shows in their current condition. If I wanted to settle for average, I wouldn't have bought a Ferrari, so why would I let average service one?

If you don't think my input on this subject is helpful, than ignore it.

 

I think your response would lead me....to find my own door to walk out of. I am in the same vein of thought as Joe, as I believe EVERY CAR has idiosyncrasies & the MORE experience a mechanic has one "1" specific car, the more I would favour having that mechanic work on my car. Just like going to a doctor, I WON'T have a proctologist, looking at my heart.....Mark

 

Oh boy... Your missing the point. Joe is constantly going on and on and on, he sounds like a broken record. I love the tr... And I service a bunch of them. From award wining cars to twin turbo set- ups, to others that are beat on like an old Volkswagen diesel. Hell I have one that comes in with over 200k on it. So yes I know the cars very well.

Joe I really don't care if your superman. Your posts rub a lot of people on this board the wrong way. The braden thread is a good example, as well as your selling a house thread.

I have no need to know your credentials and really couldn't give a rats tail how many degrees you have hanging on the wall in your office. You don't need to know my credentials either, and I also don't advertise on this site at all. So I guess we are equal.

Sorry to make other fine tr owners feel uncomfortable, but my post was for joe only..but I wanted a few others to see it.

 

Who do my posts rub the wrong way? Bradan, who incidentally failed to properly secure the steering column on that Ferrari they spent 17 months and three engine pulls doing the major on...which could have killed the owner? --I may sound like a broken record...but since you brought them up...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=380562

You're right, I do take issue with them and I will continue to do so until they stop with their misleading advertising and actually get some mechanics in there who know what they are doing...before somebody get's hurt. Incidentaily, I had my Testarossa's engine detailed for the last concours. Curiously, the detailer didn't shoot a garden hose into my engine compartment, he just cleaned it by hand...go figure



The selling the house thread? Where I asked if a Testarossa in the garage would offend a purchaser? Ya, I can see how that would cause street riots. .....Incidentally, there have been at least three variations of that thread posted on F-chat.

If you have a problem with me, that's fine. Good news is, you can always hit ignore.

Bad new is, I'm not going anywhere.

Now do you have anything else to add about me "that you need other people to see", or can we get back on the topic of this thread?

 

Im done with it too...and I will not be putting you on ignore, as I do find a number of your past posts..and hopefully future posts to be very informative and knowledgeable.

Good evening.

I

 

LOL!!!!!!

 

I would agree but I do have one question,.....are the parts provided either Ferrari or to Ferrari specification? I do not even question Jim McGee's reputation, but I have never heard of this firm so I would wonder if all componets are up to snuff.

 

I read what was included in the $6,999.00 "Major" (?!)....should not the belt tensioners be included in a "major"?!, as they are NOT!.

Here are the parts Ferrari recommends for a "Major" as per the Ricambi "Major" parts kit. Seems to be quite a few MISSING in the $7,000.00 - $1.00 "Major" (?!).....as Joe very accurately pointed out there is a broad chasm of differences in that constitutes a "Major", dependent upon the shop doing the work. I know I'd be PISSED to spend $7,000.00 - $1.00 on a major & have the belt tensioners go BAD!!!!....only to find out after the fact, that "their major"...did NOT include replacing the belt tensioners....the term "Half-Assed" would definately come to mind followed by a barrage of expletives....Mark






This is a full service kit for the Testarossa.

Please specify your engine number with purchase; there are two different alternator belts available, with a changeover at c.n. 71451.

Kit contains the following:
4 x CAM SEAL
4 x CAM O-RING
1 x SQ VAC PUMP GASKET
1 x VAC PUMP O-RING
1 x LEFT VC GASKET ** Early TR uses different gasket. MUST make selection below **
1 x RIGHT VC GASKET ** Early TR uses different gasket. MUST make selection below **
12 x CAM COVER O-RING
2 x TENSIONER BEARING
2 x TR TIMING BELT
2 x FUEL FILTER
1 x AIR PUMP BELT
1 x LONG DRAIN HOSE
1 x SHORT DRAIN HOSE
2 x GASKET
2 x DIST PLATE GASKET
2 x DIST SEAL
2 x DIST CAP GASKET
2 x DIST CAP BRUSH
1 x ALT BELT ** Early TR uses different alternator belt. MUST make selection below **
1 x A/C BELT
1 x OIL FILTER
1 x WATER HOSE
1 x END PLATE GASKET
4 x CAM BOLT O-RING
1 x AIR FILTER

 

I have no idea what Jim uses as I have used him personally. I would be very surprised if he used substandard parts based on his reputation. FWIW, I didn't mean to imply earlier that any parts used had to come in the yellow and black box. A ton of Ferrari parts are sourced from outside suppliers. As long as the shop or the DIY'er is studious in his cross references, deals are to be had if you can avoid the yellow/black box. It is when, for example, you have a shop who uses substandard tensioner bearings because they don't know the difference.

IMHO, if I was using an independent and he said he sourced his parts from Ricambi, I would sleep a lot better at night

 

Mark,
That has to be an oversight...or at least I want to think so.

They are advertising a pretty comprehensive service including, but not limited to, a water pump rebuild, spark plugs, seals and gaskets, etc. I can't imagine they wouldn't include the tensoner bearings.

http://universalautosports.com/services/tr-major/


Just to be clear, I don't know Universal Motorsports and I have no opinion of them either way. I just don't think there advertised special is unreasonable if the service is comprehensive and the techs are qualified and experienced.

 

No Joe...I meant this company that is advertising the major for 7K. I don't doubt Jim uses top notch stuff. I have several individuals that highly reccomend Jim and his shop. It is the opening of this thread and the company advertising I am questioning. Considering you and the "Chairman" swear by Jim and others I spoke of, Jim will be the guy I see upon completion of my restoration of my TR as I think it is a good idea to get an expert to check over everything. When a gentlemen like Jim gives your car a clean bill of health, then you know you are good to go. Same for Dave Helms. Better safe than sorry.

 

Check out Univeral's webpage showing the "Major Special"...scroll down to the picture of the Ferrari motor with the rope draped on it. Is that how they pull the motor???!!...."1" question??!!....if that was your webpage?!....would you display that picture??!!!....that alone would make me go elsewhere.....Mark

 

Joe!!...Joe!!..Joe!!.....I'm extremely disapointed in you...I can't believe an esteemed attorney such as yourself would use the phrase.." I can't imagine"....Your honor...I can't imagine that my client would willingly shoot his wife 15 times along with her lover.....Mark

 

My bad...sorry. Just to be clear, I know of Jim by reputation only. I misspoke in my previous post. I meant to say, I have not used Jim personally...and forgot the not!

I can't swear by him, but I know others who do.

 

Greetings all.. I swear by Jim at Pocono Sportscar. He never messes around with sub standard parts. I believe he gets alot of parts from Ricambi and his local Ferrari dealer. Jim is top notch and has a clean professional facility. I cant speak highly enough of Jim.. No games, photos along the way, always picks up the phone, takes time to talk to you and explain things, and most importantly does what he says he is going to do. He is aces.

R

 

Greetings, dont let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Testarossa is a simple car yes but the problem is they used lousy and substandard parts to put her together therefore you need someone that has a clue as to what they did at the factory. There is alot in sorting a TR.. Obviously you know nothing, so go back to taking your car to your shadetree mechanic. You know everything about nothing my man saying an idiotic statement like that, then to go after Joe Zaff who is well respected. Get out of here!! Your a dip****.. Put us all on ignore.. that would be genius.

R