Replacing/Repairing FF's DCT

Well, a couple of months ago, I posted about my experience, etc. in having my PTU rebuilt by Hollywood Mechanic. Total cost for taking unit out here, shipping there, repairs, shipping back, and reinstalling here was around $22k. I drove the car for two weeks (240 miles), and after getting home one evening, overnight the weep valve on the DCT blew, oil on the ground, game over on the DCT. Great timing.

2014 with 41k miles. Owned for about four years.

So, I though I would now share my experience in having this DCT either repaired or replaced. The cheaper route is the repair. Again, I trust Hollywood to do this. Problem is they are so busy we are looing at 7-9 weeks out before they can get to it. Here is what they offer on the repairs (email from them):

If you only want the leak repaired, we have a "Weep Hole Repair Kit" for just under $2000. It includes all seals and hardware. Our labor to install the kit is $8700. This assumes the gearbox is repairable. In some cases, the middle case is too worn to repair and we have replacement cases for about $3200 with new speed sensors installed (the most common failure sensor). We warranty the repair for 1 year unlimited mileage (our standard shop warranty). This warranty would only cover the seals (and potentially the speed sensor) we replace and no other faults that might arise in the future.

We traditionally recommend installing our repair kit, as it contains all of the common fault items with 10-12 year old gearboxes. If you sent the gearbox, the cost is just over $16,000. We test synchros, replace speed sensor, temp sensor, all pressure sensors, valve body gaskets, all hardware, and all seals. We provide a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on this service. If you replace the clutch and the SAP in it's entirety, we offer a 4 year 40,000 miles warranty. This depends on the wear of the synchros and if below 50% remaining, we would replace those as well. Those parts, when purchased as a part of our rebuild, are discounted to clutch $5000, SAP $3500 and synchros $2500. We do remove the parts and labor to rebuild the SAP if you replace it, so the repair cost is reduced by $1200. The synchros add an hour of labor to install. Synchronizers typically do not need to be replaced unless the vehicle has been driven with error faults present, to a high mileage (above 60k miles), or extensively on track. That means the total cost of the 4 year warranty service is just over $23,000. That is about 40% less than the Ferrari equivalent with double the Ferrari warranty.

I also contacted Ferrari dealership in St. Louis (my closest one) to get estimate on installing a new OEM unit. I believe the unit cost will be around $35k then any labor. If I go with Hollywood, I will proceed with the $16k option.

Either way, the car will be shipped to Hollywood in LA or to STL.

I debated whether to sell the car after all repairs are done. I have had tons of sports cars over the years. My wife told me that the FF is the only one I never shut up about re: how much I love this car so much. So, get this done, and will keep her. She is cherry. I fixed all sticky buttons, repaired PTU, have replaced some of the shocks, put in a great Alpine Apple Car play unit, repainted front bumper and put on new PPF on front, etc.

 

Thank you for the response. You and I must be near the same age because I do remember the 308 being “the car” when I was around 16 years old, but unfortunately never had an opportunity to drive one.

I’m really being challenged as a Ferrari owner right now. About eight years ago I switched over from being pretty much a loyal Porsche person to driving Ferraris. I owned a number of 911‘s over the years and they were amazing cars, and also extremely reliable. Lack passion, yes. Since then I’ve had a Ferrari F430, 458 , and now both the FF along with a 488. So both of my cars now are Ferraris.

But even my 2017 488 is starting to act up while the FF sits next to it in the garage with cardboard underneath it collecting oil. All the warning lights have been going off like a pinball machine occasionally over the last few months after I start up. Replaced the battery that wasn’t even two years old thinking that was the issue, but it’s still doing it. Car runs fine, but it surely is a pain in the butt to have to sit there and look at the light show. Usually after the next start up everything acts fine and may be that way for the next six or seven days, but then the light show comes back.

I tell my friends that owning Ferrari is like being in an abusive spouse syndrome. You love the thing so much, but man they can turn on you and be nasty, yet you keep going back. It truly is inexcusable for a car company that charges this much for vehicles to have so many issues with them. But as far as a business operation goes, as long as the owners are willing to put up with all the crap, then so what.

I mean, what makes this a sustainable business model when the only rational approach to purchasing one is to only have it while it is under warranty otherwise you could be totally screwed. I don’t know of one of the car company whose owners have that mentality.

Honestly, I’m getting pretty close to getting rid of both cars and mowing back to more reliable sports cars that still perform well even after the warranty expires.

 

Are there their options for who does rebuilds?

 

Thanks. I will reach out to both.