Hello All! I might be getting my first Ferrari soon, but before that, I wanted to know how the dealer really is? Have heard that the service is quite good, but it is good to get the perspective from the owners. Thank You.
My company, European Collectibles, recently acquired a 512 BBi that had extensive services and light restoration work carried out by Al Tayer a few years ago. Upon arrival, our mechanics thoroughly inspected their work since then I have driven the car quite a bit. We think they did a very good job.
My father in law bought a Ferrari after an inspection and 'full service' (ie belts, water pump) by the dealer which the seller paid a lot for. While we have the receipts, not only was the work never done, but they dropped tools between the engine and the firewall which they never retrieved. They just cleaned the engine bay and got paid. As the car was exported before we learned of the quality of their 'service' we could not really do much about it. A few friends have had other bad experiences, such as cars being scratched during service, relatively simple to diagnose problems not found during inspection, etc. The mark up on parts is also eye watering ($800 oxygen sensors which cost $150 from Ferrari dealers elsewhere or $80 directly from Bosch). While the saying that you get what you pay for is generally true, I would not use them to add air to my tires.
So, after they damaged the car, did they repaired it for free or not? And if it is not so good, then what are the other options for getting a Ferrari repaired or serviced in Dubai?
As the car was shipped to Canada after the service, there was not much that we could do other than complain. They did not care in any event. As for where to go for service, i have exported my cars home and kept only one here (my old Testarossa). I use ARM for some minor work like charging the a/c but learned to do the major things like belt services myself. I have never used them for a major in any of my cars.
In Dubai who other than Al Tayer or ARM does Ferrari service? I tried ARM recently as they had a 50% off sale for annual service and I was not that impressed as they seemed more interested in bumping up the bill and then kept the car longer than committed. They do offer reasonable flat bed pick-up and delivery service which is nice since you would never want to drive your car out to them with all the horrific truck traffic and all the roads under construction near their shop.
There is a way to bypass that if you use the junction past the large under construction roundabout and access it from SZR. Or come in from the back using the bypass road. Still, no real reason to go. When Justin was there you could speak to someone who understood Ferraris. Now, no such person works there. Sadly, unless you know exactly what work your car requires, down to the parts, you are at their mercy. They will also charge a huge markup on parts and refuse to use any parts you may have. That is why I am half way through my engine out myself. I will ask around, but most of the owners of newer cars still use AT due to warranty and resale concerns.
There are several independents in Dubai with Ferrari experience, ARM are good but expect you to pay to have the car back in showroom condition so there estimates add up. Fiorano, DAS service center, x service center, but being Dubai do your own due diligence call into each workshop and watch the guys in action as the quality work depend on the actual spanner monkey not the shop. The other option is Julian at A-tech, but he does not really do one off service work, more a long term commitment is required.
Similarly, what are some service centers in Dubai that can perform a pre-purchase inspection? Does Al Tayer do this? A few internet searches suggested other options: - Deutsche Technik; - Hi-Tech Auto Workshop; - ARMotors; and - Salim Ali Bin Haider Garage. A 2006 F430 Spider would be inspected. Thank you.
I can categorically say do not bother with Al Tayer for a PPI I sent my 360 (before purchase) there and after paying almost $1000 I ended up with nothing... not a piece of paper in sight. Just a rushed conversation with the tech telling me glaringly obvious stuff, nothing that I didn't already know.. indeed they missed a number of things that I'd spotted simply from Internet research. I should imagine ARM would be better, but be prepared to sift through their inspection... I had my Cayenne Turbo inspected there and they basically quoted to return a 6 year old, 120k KM car back to factory new (at a cost of double what I paid for the whole car!)
Just had some minor service done at Al Tayer and was pleasantly surprised by the excellent customer service I was out of town when the car was ready and they delivered it to my apartment and parked it safely in the garage as my wife didn't feel comfortable driving it. Total bill was only US $250.
Hi I'm new on this forum. I have a 348 tb that I need to 1.service 2. Get AC looked at not working even after gas 3. Complete strip to metal & respray. Where would guys recommend I take my car? Any help would be appreciated. I'm in Sharjah but will travel.
Notwithstanding my comment on your other thread, you could do a lot worse than talk to Mark Powell at Saluki in Al Quoz - he recommissioned the a/c system on my 360 and also performed a service on it - he's also affiliated with Sara auto-care next door who did an excellent paint job on my Corvette. Saluki aren't Ferrari specialists but their prices are good and I used them for many years for all my other cars.
Hi All, I just bought Ferarri 458. I ve been looking into many garage beside altayer. There is garage who works on Ferarri's: 1- autotrack garage in Dubai. 2- Exotic garage 3- Alameera .. I guess I passed altayer few weeks ago and they do service 458 for.. 2191$ = 8000 Dirham If I go to another Garage might cost 1500 Dh = 420 $ engine oil+filter other things based on needs and much cheaper. People go to Altayer who concern the peace of mind and resale value because of stamps
I am new owner of 458 as well... You can buy 1 year warranty free service for 17500 aed in altayer ... But as you said they are over charge. Could you please add the locations of the other workshop.. Thanxs Sent from my SM-N920C using FerrariChat.com mobile app
1 more big garage as well ARMOTORS They do annual service around 2500 3000 dirham. Have recovery service as i knew. Any way call and ask for better updates. Thnx you can google the name.
As I noted above, my opinion on Al Tayer is on the record. ARM is iffy, they could align my TR after I swapped out a steering rack and could charge my a/c (but not diagnose the leak). They also parked it next to a wall and scratched the driver's side door, so enough said. I think in the Porsche world they call it 928 aspiration, 924 execution... I am still chasing a slight vibration over 140 and have been told to try Dragon Racing (at the Autodrome). They set up track cars (and apparently have been given the nod by Ferrari for vintage cars?) so a small vibration might be easy for them (but not for me, I have replaced, balanced or checked everything I can think of). Ferrari service here is almost universally awful, but I should not complain; the 'unskilled service discount' is what makes the used ones here so cheap.
I didnt experience any except altayer. For the tyre vibration there are many experienced electronic tyre balance shops.
I have visited a few, had tires balanced several times, had wheels checked for straightness, vibration still exists. New tires, new steering rack, correct alignment, rebuilt driveshafts, new bushings, ball joints, rebuilt konis, still no fix. I am now thinking of other causes.
The chief mechanic at Dragon left at year’s end so I will wait and see who the replacement is. I diagnosed a slow leak on my front left. Bad prep by wheel fix in Dubai (even after 2 visits to correct it!) Having one corner low will do weird things to how the car drives. I have now had the leak fixed (this evening!) so will set all 4 corners to 2.6 bar and go for a drive Friday am. Coffee at Biker’s Cafe?
If you are ok, that's good, but if not, I would go to Rami in AlQuoz. He is very resourceful and reasonable with costs.