296 Values and Used Market

Your second part is not correct. The computer will dictate if you get an oil change. At 12 months you may need service, which is included for free, but the computer may determine that you didn't have enough miles for an oil change.

When that occurs Ferrari will service the car, without the oil change and it may not be until the next annual service that you get the oil change. If you don't want the same oil for 2 years you will need to self pay for the oil change at the annual service.

This has happened to me on the F8 and 296 that I didn't have enough miles at the annual service so there was no oil change.

 

Ferrari warranties the car for 3 years plus more if you purchase extended warranty. Therefore, Ferrari is taking real risk regarding the included service. In other words- I doubt an oil change is needed if Ferrari elects not to perform one as they are at risk regarding the engine. I seriously doubt Ferrari is getting this wrong.

 

That is the simple point I was trying to make, but you did it much better than I.

 

I don’t disagree. However, at one point, the 7 year maintenance ALWAYS included fluid changes. Later that policy was updated. Many don’t realize the details. I still love my Pista and 812 GTS, and I’m excited about my inbound 12C. I am not trying to bash the brand. I’m sure next week I’ll be paying for the fluid change in my 812 GTS.

 

I didn't realize this. I would "assume" that they are bound to including fluids if that was the policy when we purchased our cars. If they changed it down the road, it should only apply to those models.

 

That's disappointing to learn.

 

What is the cost for basic fluid change by Ferrari? My MC20 was $3,500 and that was the most basic of oil and filter changes they do (per the schedule).

Second question: How does Ferrari arbitrarily change the service levels from what would be printed in the service manual upon purchase; i.e., all my cars have had a manual that stated very specifically that this and that were to be done at these time/mileage interval (which ever came first). I don't recall seeing fine print that said "all service is at the discretion of Ferrari," or "these terms and conditions may be changed at any time and without notice." I'm sure plenty of us have spent a lot of time in contract law over the years, whether an attorney or not, it would appear to be a violation of the purchase agreement.

Note: I'm not trying to start a forum fight here, just trying to understand if I bring in my 296 for an oil change per the manual, and I only have 1,000 miles on it, that Ferrari isn't going to tell me "it all looks good!" after spending $1,000 round trip to have it transported there and back, after all we "prepaid" for seven years of maintenance upfront (that's a little tongue in cheek reference from earlier).

I have had my Porsche dealer tell me I didn't need to service my 911s annually, but he didn't hard sell the idea; then again, he was making money on the service.

 

I found my answer (a bit disappointing to be honest, and yes, one can make the case that Ferrari knows best, but it's still not right to me):

There is documented evidence that, under Ferrari's 7-year Genuine Maintenance Program, oil changes are not always performed annually on cars with very low mileage. Starting around 2019, Ferrari began to use a computerized algorithm to assess a car’s driving patterns and oil condition rather than mandating a strict annual oil change for all covered vehicles, regardless of distance driven. If the algorithm determines that an oil change is unnecessary—such as in cases of low mileage and minimal wear—official Ferrari dealers may decline to perform the complimentary oil change as part of the annual service unless the owner pays for it out of pocket. This policy shift has been confirmed by Ferrari owners and discussed on enthusiast forums, where owners report that their dealer recommended skipping the oil change unless the customer wanted to cover the cost themselves.


My Takeaway: So essentially it's more like every other year, maintenance is included, and if you don't pay out-of-pocket in the off years, then you have a hole in service that a buyer might scratch his head at, or you drive around thinking "I should have paid for the oil change." Disappointing, but glad I stumbled upon the subject, as I'd prefer not to have a battle with Service over the 296; I'd rather know what the deal is going in. Funny...Toyota didn't have a problem changing the oil and filters under the Toyota Care program last month for vehicle #6 in it's first year that's at another home of ours and gets only 3,000 miles a year of use, LOL ("can't compare the two," agreed, but still, Ferrari should be better).

 

Best to go right to the source. Explained here. https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/auto/car-part-services-warranty-maintenance

Relevant section is
The programme offers two maintenance options so it can be adapted to different driving requirements: every 20,000 km or once a year without mileage restrictions. This flexibility allows the service to be personalised for both occasional and regular Ferrari drivers.

 

Annual / 20,000 km has always been, and still is, the case. Now what has changed is that the operations in the annual service could be limited in case of low mileage.
So: if you run 20,000 km in 6 months, you get a "20,000 km service" after the 6 months; if you don't run 20,000 km in one year, you get the "annual service" after one year, but depending on the mileage, you will get, or not, an oil change as part of this service (maybe if you have 15,000 km in the year, you get the oil change, but if you have only 2,000 km, you don't).

 

A steering wheel is also "included" when you purchase a Ferrari.

Do you also consider that "free"?

As in, I bought a 296 and you know what? Ferrari threw in a "free" steering wheel for me!

 

I read somewhere (no clue where) when they changed the program that they were confident in their engines. It was something along the lines that they build the best engines and if they aren't used with lots of miles than they don't need the oil changed. (I know that is heavily debated on how it's not good for an engine to have the oil sit. I am NOT taking any position on that as it's outside of my wheelhouse).

I do know they will change the oil, even with low miles, on the subsequent service. With my old F8, the first year they skipped the oil change based on the computer but year two they changed it with the same yearly miles put on.

 

My 24 296 GTB had 2,400 miles on it first anniversary and Ferrari would not cover the oil change. I paid for it myself. Was around $1,400. I was disappointed that’s how they went with this but wasn’t not going to change my oil annually.
Chet

 

You’re funny! I corrected subsequent posts to say “included,” but I think everyone knew all along what I meant originally. I apologize for any confusion it might have caused you!

 

To my knowledge, they are not changing the maintenance schedule after purchase. I was aware when I purchased my F8, for example, that oil changes weren't necessarily called for annually. Ferrari isn't trying to pull a fast one.

I think it's a good program. The only controversy here is whether it's reasonable for Ferrari to prescribe oil changes less than annually. And, I tend to agree with @x z8 - they probably know what they're doing.

That said, I choose to pay up for the annual oil change even when it isn't covered. Makes me sleep better at night.

 

I feel the same way Chet. Thanks for the clarification. I was just about to ask if anyone knew the mileage threshold—looks like it is >2400 miles. Thanks. Seems I’ll be paying out of pocket as there’s no free service, or even an included service as originally though

 

This is quite beautiful.

 

They probably realized over time that it was unnecessary at the same frequency. Again, they are on the hook if it creates a problem during the warranty or extended warranty. Ferrari does not appear penny wise and pound foolish. They aren’t perfect either.

 

Getting back to the depreciation mantra of the thread here…an observation (not data based):

Cars Im watching (but not quite the spec I’m looking for), seem to be moving with MY 2024, less than 200 miles, with an ask in the low $330’s. So my “guess” is for those essentially new cars, $315 is probably the floor, at least until more ‘25’s show up and as we move into cooler months. My back of the envelope prediction is a selling floor of $300 in the winter, but take that and $7 and you can get a cappuccino at Starbucks

 

Major difference is every car manufacturer provides a steering wheel with a purchase. Most manufacturers do not provide 7 years free maintenance (does any other manufacturer?).

Try again.

 

Thanks @x z8 !

 

His point is that it is already factored in the price, nothing is free. It just makes you feel better and ensures you bring the car back to them.

 

Of course it’s all factored in. Because the service is “pre-paid”- almost everyone properly services their car. That’s worlds better than in the past and it makes for more reliable cars and higher resale values.

After the service is used up- most people still reference the MSRP when buying and selling. People don’t actually back out the used service. Really win- win.

 

That's a really great observation that I hadn't thought about (as I was more me-centric in my upcoming purchase); i.e., it overcomes the main objective to servicing your Ferrari (cost), which makes for better-serviced cars which leads to higher resale values. I know that's obvious to many here, but what's surprising is that every other ultra-lux mfg hasn't done it. Really smart move when looked at it through that lens.

 

I got info directly from one of the directors of the Mobil 1 section in Canada that while they would not recommend to ignore any automobile manufacturer's recommendations, it was not necessary to change oil yearly if the mileage was below the service limit, and that a 2 year interval was fine. I just had my Roma serviced for it's first year maintenance. It had under 4000 kms and they did not change the oil, and I confirmed with my Ferrari dealer's service manager that it was not required per Ferrari. I am fine with that.