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My Major experience

Discussion in '348/355' started by FDT, Apr 4, 2013.

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  1. FDT

    FDT Formula Junior

    May 18, 2010
    423
    La
    Full Name:
    Ric
    #1 FDT, Apr 4, 2013
    Well I just got my 95 355 GTS back from the shop and I thought I would post my experience and some observations. I think my experience was pretty typical. I took my car to a local exotic shop that was well recommended, the owner was very professional, accomidating and allowed me to ask a lot of questions. It took about 3 weeks from beginning to end, I took a few photos but they were with my phone and turned out pretty poor. The shop owner did remark after they dropped the engine that he had never seen a 355 so clean, it was obvious that the car had been very well cared for and did not appear to have ever been driven in the rain. This made me feel pretty good (or he was softening me up for the bill presentation :) ). There was nothing wrong with the car when I brought it to him so there were no real issues that needed to be resolved. The car did not leak and everything was working so I really did not expect any issues, I brought it in simply since it was close to 6 years since the last major which was done in 07. I also brought him a set of bypass pipes to install that I had purchased earlier. He used Hill tensioners and everything else was Ferrari.

    I took the old belt and bearing just to examine and while it had been 6 years since the last major there had only been about 8k miles put on. The belt and the bearings looked and felt brand new. The belt still had all the markings on them and there was absolutly no wear indicated at all. The bearing spun smoothly with the same resistance as the new one. I do not want to open any new conversation about the need for the major, simply stating my observations. The shop cleaned my engine and repainted the valve covers. I took the bottom plates home and touched up a few chips and repainted them. Why...because it made me feel like I was contributing :). The shop replaced the engine mounts and many of the rubber mounts since they had some age on them, he felt the engine may have settled a bit so this is why the new mounts.

    Other than the mounts and installing the new bypass pipes nothing had to be repaired, simply replaced the normal major items. He also spent some extra time doing 2 leak down tests. Prior to starting the major he did compression and leakdown tests. The compression results were great with all cyl being between 215 and 220. During the leakdown there was one cyl that was a little high (14%), but since all the other cyl were betwen 3% and 6% and the valve guides had been replaced earlier in the cars life the mechanic felt that after the major and a good run another test may show something a little differently. He was right, after the major and after putting about 40 miles of running on the car the new test was better. Total price was 8600.00. This shop is very well respected and I will say I felt they were honest and straight with me. I hated paying 8600.00 but felt that all promises were kept and my expectations were met. The shop owner told me that he felt I had a great car that showed evidence of a lot of new parts and it having been very well maintained. My records also indicate this to be the case.

    I guess my only decision at this point is do I keep it and enjoy the car knowing that it has a fresh major and should be good to go for another 5 years or do I try to sell it while it is post a fresh major..........
     
  2. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    #2 mike_747, Apr 4, 2013
    You hated paying $8,600! Really. You got off very cheap my friend, count your blessings.
    At a dealer you would have paid at least 25% more.
    Curious, did you replace the plug wires or had they been replace previously?
     
  3. igor

    igor Karting

    Dec 27, 2010
    130
    #3 igor, Apr 4, 2013
    Keep it and drive it. It's only money, I'm sure you'd spend that cash on something else that's not as fun. Unless its another Ferrari :)
     
  4. mike_747

    mike_747 Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2008
    794
    Seattle
    #4 mike_747, Apr 4, 2013
    Another question. Were you aware the Ferrari has reduced the cost of it's major service parts by 50%? Did you realize this savings using your independent shop?
     
  5. FDT

    FDT Formula Junior

    May 18, 2010
    423
    La
    Full Name:
    Ric
    #5 FDT, Apr 4, 2013
    Don't know.
     
  6. FDT

    FDT Formula Junior

    May 18, 2010
    423
    La
    Full Name:
    Ric
    #6 FDT, Apr 4, 2013
    The wires were not replaced, plugs yes. He told me that they ohmed the wires and they were all good so no need.
     
  7. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    #7 stevew3765, Apr 4, 2013
    BRAVO! BRAVO! THAT'S SO AWESOME THAT YOUR CAR IS GOOD TO GO AFTER YOUR MAJOR AND THAT THERE WERE NO REAL ISSUES TO REPORT! I had a major done recently on mine (04 was the last one). I did exactly what it sounds like you did. I looked at the parts that came off ie. belts tentioners. And they seemed to be in great condition. So, I was scratching my head and was like "man did I really need to drop the cash for this". Only thing I can say is. At least now I don't have that little guy on my shoulder whispering in my ear about how my cars gonna blow if I don't do that major....lol So, then I was like. OK, whats my next issue gonna be? 10k, 15k? 20k? So, only thing I can say is. If you like the car. Drive it till you don't and sell. it. You really can't lose with the one it sounds like you have....:>) I would like to see pics of your beautiful machine sometime....
     
  8. RSO1091

    RSO1091 Formula 3

    Mar 31, 2012
    1,547
    Idyllwild, CA.
    Full Name:
    Henry S.
    #8 RSO1091, Apr 4, 2013
    So getting a major rebuild kit from Ferrari is going to cost me less than one from Ricambi?
     
  9. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    23,901
    WI
    #9 WATSON, Apr 4, 2013
    Who did the work?
     
  10. gf1red

    gf1red Formula Junior

    Mar 5, 2006
    413
    Staten Island N.Y.
    Full Name:
    Mike G.
    #10 gf1red, Apr 4, 2013
    My tech went crazy when I told how much I could get the kit for. He had no choice but to knock $800.00 off his price for the service or he wasn't getting the job. If you call them ask for Dean in parts a really great guy.

    Ferrari F355 5 2 Major Service Kit 70001685 | eBay
     
  11. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,655
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #11 yelcab, Apr 4, 2013
    That is a great price at <$900.
     
  12. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

    Apr 1, 2011
    3,726
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Fab
    #12 treedee3d, Apr 4, 2013
    Yep, that's Ferrari of Central New Jersey. I bought it direct and paid 830$ for the kit. I was closer to Ferrari of Long Island but it was 100$ more expensive there so I took a little detour and I figured it was worth saving 100$. I tried to negotiate but the Long island dealer wouldn't budge.

    It's much cheaper than Ricambi, however, it's important to remember that Ricambi includes upgraded tensioners and extra parts so the kits are not identical.

    Plus, I heard Ferrari issued several of these kits at a big discount and some dealers have lots of them.
     
  13. San Jose J

    San Jose J Rookie

    Feb 25, 2012
    44
    #13 San Jose J, Apr 4, 2013
    Glad your major went well. I more vote towards keeping it and driving it in the years ahead. :)
     
  14. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 20, 2006
    2,484
    #14 cuneo, Apr 4, 2013
    Keep it, don't sell! Glad it all went well.
     
  15. dlynes

    dlynes Formula 3

    Oct 16, 2004
    2,450
    Augusta, Ga
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #15 dlynes, Apr 4, 2013
    love to see photos of her!!

    are you really considering selling?

    After spending that much money on anything, selling would be the last thought I would process....

    drive it,

    if the passions still there, keep it...

    if not,

    than you've made your choice...
     
  16. ketel

    ketel Formula 3

    Aug 6, 2007
    1,355
    Sausalito, CA
    #16 ketel, Apr 4, 2013
    Keep it and drive it. Sounds like you are already doing all the proper Ferrari ownership things like caring for the vehicle properly, using the right parts, and keeping immaculate records.

    I don't think the argument for selling a Ferrari post-service makes much of a difference. If the vehicle is LONG overdue for a major, then buyers will grow wary and figure that the owner got sloppy in other areas also...and that will be factored into the price. If the vehicle has a fresh major, there will be bickering over what, exactly, was done, who did it, and were corners cut by a less than reputable shop. In that case, the cost of the major probably won't make the difference.

    Enjoy her. She's at the peak of her powers!

    My $0.02.

    ketel
     
  17. FDT

    FDT Formula Junior

    May 18, 2010
    423
    La
    Full Name:
    Ric
    #17 FDT, Apr 5, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. 355rockit

    355rockit Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2010
    893
    San Marcos, CA
    Full Name:
    Vas
    #18 355rockit, Apr 5, 2013
    Beautiful car. How many miles do you have on her? My '95 F355 is just hitting 50K.
     
  19. FDT

    FDT Formula Junior

    May 18, 2010
    423
    La
    Full Name:
    Ric
    #19 FDT, Apr 5, 2013
    Thanks, 38k
     
  20. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 20, 2006
    2,484
    #20 cuneo, Apr 5, 2013
    Who recovered the steering wheel? Looks like it's thicker than stock. Nice car, super clean!
     
  21. FDT

    FDT Formula Junior

    May 18, 2010
    423
    La
    Full Name:
    Ric
    #21 FDT, Apr 5, 2013
    MA Carbon. It is the thick version with a red ring. It was quite expensive at almost 2k but turned out exceptionally well
     
  22. RSO1091

    RSO1091 Formula 3

    Mar 31, 2012
    1,547
    Idyllwild, CA.
    Full Name:
    Henry S.
    #22 RSO1091, Apr 5, 2013
    Thanks for the info Mike. Anyone know of a 2.7 rebuild kit for the same price out there?
     
  23. jimmym

    jimmym Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2008
    1,993
    Northeast U.S.
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #23 jimmym, Apr 5, 2013
    Ric, keep the car. It sounds like you have a great car. How many other cars out there have lines and style as nice as the 355. Now that the service is done you will have hopefully many years of trouble free use. The reason that I used the word " hopefully" is that it is still an Italian car. :)
     
  24. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 20, 2006
    2,484
    #24 cuneo, Apr 5, 2013
    Thanks for the info. 2K is a bit steep, but it looks like it's worth it!! I really am not loving the skinny wheel in my car.
     
  25. FDT

    FDT Formula Junior

    May 18, 2010
    423
    La
    Full Name:
    Ric
    #25 FDT, Apr 8, 2013
    I agree that the price was high, I also had the center portion behind the wheel, not the airbag cover, redone in leather so that raised the price by a couple of hundred. The wheel did turn out perfect, in my opinion kept the stock look but added a modern feel.
     
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