My F430 is breaking the bank!

I have a 2007 F430 with about 10,000 miles, I am the 3rd owner. I picked up the car 3 years ago with ~7,000 miles, most of which were from the original owner. The second owner treated it more like a museum piece and only took it out a few times a year (he put on about 300 miles in 5 years), although he flat-bedded it to the deal for service every year.

My two visits (last year and right now) to the Ferrari service dealer for what I thought would be basic services both turned into having unexpected surprise expenses. Keep in mind I expect service to be expensive at a Ferrari dealer, and that this car has a very different service schedule than my beat up 2013 Ford Edge. Also keep in mind the car is super clean and runs absolutely perfectly. What I want to know is, do I own a car that every year is going to need some additional $10k of something unexpected being fixed? So far I'm 2 for 2, I'm not sure if this is just a freak coincidence or just part of owning this car?

So last year while getting new tires, oil change and some other minor stuff the dealer notified me the valve cover gasket had a tiny leak, and replacing both valve covers would be $5,658. Upon doing that work it was discovered there was a leak at the 4 variator control solenoids, $6,538 to repair. (They also told me the lower ball joints were worn - $2,737 - which I delayed to this year).

I recently dropped the car off for oil change and for the ball joints and was told the oil scavenge / water pump is leaking, $13,451.

Again I realize these can be expensive cars to own and even standard service items are 5-10x a regular car, my two questions are:

• Are these types of items typical or to-be-expected with this age car?
• Are these dealer prices for repair typical of a Ferrari dealer?

My buddy has an older Testarossa and I know he spends a bit of money keeping it maintained and running so part of me feels this is to be expected, but part of me feels like something major is going to be wrong all the time with this car. That being said - if I've taken my lumps and can enjoy the car for the next few years with nothing but regular maintenance I'll be very happy.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Looks like you have been a little unlucky and your repair costs more than most. Some of what you describe can be attributed to the car not being driven (or started I bet) for long periods of time.

I have owned a ‘99 12 cyl masterpiece for 10 years, and my average maintenance cost has hovered around $6,500 per year. It has settled down somewhat once I fixed all the 15-20 year stuff. The last 3 years less than $3,000 a year.

So I suspect your costs will settle down also. You should consider getting service from a non-Ferrari dealer though to get costs down if there is a good Indy in your area. Your car is at that age where you are more or less “making” the dealer fix it, and paying for the privilege.

 

I dont know about 430 servicing. I would echo finding a good independent to help you. The Dealers are good- but also Ferrari holds them to standards that may not 100% be needed to keep your car on the road. they also use genuine parts etc... when an independent can source a lot of non-Forbit-specific parts at a much lower cost. Mostly you are paying for labor and expertise... I respect that. Ferrari's that sit and dont get used routinely have a much higher mtns cost than those that get regular use ... like a regular car. the 360 - 430's are entering that period where they are cheaper to afford, but still have a greater mtns load as parts get worn or life'd out. some of it is state of the art tech at the time, that now is no longer used ... so parts, and knowledge are sparse. best of luck to you. From someone who has spent a small fortune on Ferrari's over the last 30 years... its a sickness.

 

Most Ferrari dealers to comply with Ferrari requirements have monstrously high overheads. You are paying for that. Not only the prices but also the degree of aggressiveness that imperfections in the car become must do items are examples. There are many excellent and many not so excellent independent (and for that matter dealers) around the country. Find one of the good ones and go there.

 

The valve cover gaskets leaking is very common on a 430. My 2009 has a slight, very slight, weep at the gasket too. I think what happens is the bolts loosen up and cause the leak. They are only torqued to like 8 ft lbs or close to that. They probably could have been snuggled up to stop the leak. Will a dealership offer to do that, absolutely not, they want to make money.

As mentioned in earlier posts, find a good Indy and establish a relationship with them. You will be much happier.


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I think Brian hit it on the head - I will be using this statement in the future : but also the degree of aggressiveness that imperfections in the car become must do items

E.g. a drop or two from oil pump, oil sweat from gasket

 

Brother, I feel you...

After picking up my 07 F430 Spider, my first trip to the dealership was about $25K

Brakes & rotors, exhaust manifolds, CV joints & boots, leaking valve cover gaskets - and that's only about half of the problems...

I've since put at least another $10K into the beast and finally think it's sorted out.

Just a lot of maintenance HADN'T been done over the last 17 years...

Kevin

 

This was a leaking must do oil pump. I had another of a leaking front cover for a 430 but cannot find it.
A model develops over time some common issues. All of the sudden every one in the shop needs that fixed. Very common now that we have nearly universal flatrate in the industry. Guy does a few and finds a way to beat flat rate by a bunch and now every one needs the same fixes. Word gets around on the internet it happens so when it happens to you no surprise. Happen in dealers and independents. One of the side effects of that evil ****ing system.

Funny thing is its very rare while warranty coverage is in effect. Not nearly as much labor money in it then.

There are honest people out there. Find them.
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Steve:

Please tell us where you are located…there’s an excellent chance that someone else on this forum knows a good, trustworthy and independent Ferrari technician in your area.

Good luck!
Alan
N.J.

 

FWIW, I had an 08 for 5 years and spent 41k on maintenance costs. The car was amazing and I loved it as it was my 1st Fcar. 8k a year was a small price to pay for the joy of ownership.


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Man..I really gotta start charging more. These numbers being thrown around are insane.

 

You think? Tom we gotta just start putting a zero on the end of all our invoices.

And for the rest of you that still are not getting it. Every time someone tells a story on getting screwed and happy about it, shops are just jacking up their prices to live up to those expectations and the rest of you are saying "Oh yeah, thats OK because I read thats how it is online somewhere.

Welcome to ****ing yourselves.

 

Before or after the decimal?

 

Rd,

I'm not happy about it - just making sure the OP realizes that "maintenance deferred" is a REAL THING!

I occasionally see posted here on the forum that "you should buy the owner and not the car" - as a *good* owner will maintain the vehicle.

That's a lesson I've learned in the last year - which has been cheaper than some of the lessons I've learned about dem ebul wimmenz!

Kevin

 

That is my quote .. lol

 

From today on I will solely be repairing F430 water/oil pumps. I can probably do 4 a week? That's $645K a year. I can live off that I suppose.



I kid, but holy shiitakemushrooms

 

6 grand for valve covers gaskets? On the 360 that is an hour or so job, what's the big differences on the 430?

 

No one is debating that. Its how and who you choose to have do it for you. Not all shops are created equal nor are they priced equal....and no, more expensive does not equal better.

 

No one has ever done a quality replacement of 360 valve cover gaskets in an hour. That is a straight up lie.
You are part of the problem.

 

Love you too Brian.

 

Ha ha ha.

 

I would say a *good* owner will *DRIVE* the car.
These 300-miles-in-5-years cars are the ones that seems to have the most issues. When you buy that museum piece and start driving it, all the bad juju comes out.

The parking brake is the only part in the car that is designed to sit still, and even that gets stuck over time. I'd take a 30k mile car over 3k mile car all day long, and I bet it will run better for longer and cheaper. It's hard to defer maintenance when the car is being driven.

 

As usual you nailed it. I just don't understand it..

 

360/430 valve covers are not an "hour or so job" it's closer to 8hrs..maybe a bit more. But definitely not a 6k job regardless. Heck basic 360 timing belt service isn't even that much.

 

Hmm. To be fair I have a 99 without the secondary air system and I can easily remove my crossmember for many jobs, and of course I'm assuming the access panel is already removed as a part of the belt service, but even following the WSM to a T, it's never taken me anywhere near 8 hours to replace the valve cover gaskets. That's including scraping and vacuuming.