Main dealer or specialist servicing? | FerrariChat

Main dealer or specialist servicing?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Robertb, Sep 2, 2004.

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  1. Robertb

    Robertb Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2003
    1,331
    South Oxfordshire, U
    Full Name:
    Robert
    I am shortly going to need to book a cambelt service for my '99 355.

    I could use a main dealer to maintain the 'full main dealier service history', or a specialist who I have used many times before with my 328 and trust implicitly (and who is significantly cheaper than the dealer!)

    Do you think that there is any impact on the value of a newer car if servicing is done by a respected specialist?

    Robert.
     
  2. steve f

    steve f F1 World Champ

    Mar 15, 2004
    12,119
    12cylinder town
    Full Name:
    steve
    use the specialist as nearly all main dealers are robbers and most of the specialists are all ferrari trained in there younger years my car is a 1996 wiyh full main dealer history paid for by previous owners it will be going to a specialist in april for the belts
     
  3. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H
    I had mine done @ Verdi's earlier in the year. Prior to that my @ '96 , one owner car, had been maintained at main dealers. It will be going to Karl from now on.
     
  4. jkuk

    jkuk Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    259
    Wirral, UK
    Full Name:
    John K
    I trust the specialists far more and would use Jason at JMH everytime.

    I just have bad feelings about main dealers.

    If the specialists are well known then I would not expect it to affect the value of the car.

    It would certainly not put me off if I was buying
     
  5. 456mgt

    456mgt Formula Junior

    Mar 24, 2002
    628
    Cambridge UK
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    In the same quandry over my '99 456. I'll probably have a main dealer service it just before the warranty expires in January next year. This is the only reason it'll stay in the dealer network this year. The price differential between main dealers and independents is not that marked any more, and hugely less than it used to be even a year ago. Having been around Ferrari a few years, I've come to the conclusion that several of the independents are better than the main dealers. Main dealers seem to hire mechanics, while several independents are run by engineers; they'll fix what's wrong rather than keep replacing modules until it solves the problem.

    I don't think it'll have any effect whatsoever on resale.
     
  6. ferrari355gtb

    ferrari355gtb Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,600
    UK
    Full Name:
    R
    Aren't main dealers now doing a cheaper fixed rate for cam belts - not much more than specialists. Bear in mind Felix's trade in value - they wouldn't recognise a cambelt change from a specialist. If it's got FFSH so far then I'd be inclined to continue it as long as it's not too expensive.

    IMHO

    Rick
     
  7. ric355

    ric355 Guest

    Dec 21, 2003
    1,375
    I've had the same quandry myself last week. In fact my car is in for a service at the moment (not belts though). It's at a specialist.

    With regard to resale value, I think that if you have a dealer serviced Ferrari and try to part exchange it at a dealer, you'll get more for it than if you have it specialist serviced and part-ex it at the same dealer. In other words, the dealer will use the specialist service stamps as an excuse to increase his margin.

    If you part-ex a specialist serviced car with a specialist, it probably won't make any difference, but you have to remember that the specialists usually sell their kit for lower prices than the dealer anyway - hence the part-ex price would be lower.

    Private sale is entirely dependent upon the individual looking to buy the car.
     
  8. F328GTS

    F328GTS Formula 3

    Apr 27, 2004
    1,628
    Cambridgeshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Nigel R
    Specialist for my 328. They are cheaper and IMO are likely to have more knowledge. The Main dealer will have his mechanics trained up on the new models, but many of them will never have worked on a 328 before. My specalist has 20 years hands on with 328's. There's no comparison.
     
  9. basher

    basher Karting

    Jan 19, 2004
    204
    Full Name:
    Fraser B
    Specialist as they are so much cheaper.....

    Sure the argument is that your car is worth more with Full dealer history but i reckon the difference when you come to sell you will ahve saveed anyway in costs.....Karl is the nuts....whenever certain dealers get too much work or more importantly cant figure something out Karl ends up with the car adn sorts it out...then they add a lot on top and stamp your book.....

    For those of us that have decided in theory to never sell then I reckon most go to an independant.....
     
  10. BlueMaranello

    BlueMaranello Karting

    May 29, 2004
    70
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Steve
    The savings on specialist servicing are pretty meaty. If your keeping the car for long it will soon be cheaper to take the hit at part ex than to pay every year at servicing. Warranty will be a consideration so I wouldn't risk a new car but I've just saved £1,500 on a belts service on a 550
     
  11. Dem

    Dem Formula 3

    Mar 21, 2004
    1,027
    London
    Full Name:
    Dem
    I agree, in principle about the price difference in servicing costs negating any potential price difference when you sell the car. My first service will be next April and as it's been looked after by KHPC for many years with previous owners, I've got no reason to change!
     
  12. 456mgt

    456mgt Formula Junior

    Mar 24, 2002
    628
    Cambridge UK
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    It's bullsh1t and the dealers know it. I'd walk away. The difference in part-ex/resale value you get between different dealers is quite amazing.
     
  13. GOS 348

    GOS 348 Karting

    Jan 17, 2004
    108
    Edenbridge, Kent
    Full Name:
    Chris Gosling
    They are much more comparable now but only because main dealers are, allegedly, charging specialists and individuals much higher prices for parts, such as 355 cam bearings, than they charge their own service customers.
     
  14. Ravinder Kundra

    BANNED

    Aug 26, 2004
    42
    Gerrards Cross
    Full Name:
    Ravinder Kundra
    I had a problem with my car on the weekend, it was only because I get my work done from a specialst that I was able to get back on the road and continue with my journey (it was a small fault and was cured by replacing a fuse). I find that going to a specialist gives you the extra comfort in the fact that they are always there to help and WILL go out of there way to keep customers satisfied, in my case at 12am in the morning!!

    R.K.
     
  15. jrs

    jrs Formula 3

    Jun 14, 2003
    1,672
    UK
    Full Name:
    James S
    Needed some help on my P4 replica build and Carl stayed open till 7.30 pm helping me. How many main dealers would do that !!!!!

    Cheers Carl
     
  16. BlueMaranello

    BlueMaranello Karting

    May 29, 2004
    70
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Just picked up my 550 from a belts + 18k service at Verdi.

    Absolutely excellent service and attention to detail. I'll be back there.

    Steve
     
  17. BlueMaranello

    BlueMaranello Karting

    May 29, 2004
    70
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Steve
    James,

    Was that and your P4 replica I saw at Goodwood on Sunday?

    Steve
     
  18. jrs

    jrs Formula 3

    Jun 14, 2003
    1,672
    UK
    Full Name:
    James S
    Hi Steve

    Mine is firmly rooted in my garage and in many bits !! Will probably be another 3 months before it is on the road. Absolutely love the shape.

    cheers
    James
     
  19. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    for a '99 car I'd say that you might as well start to use specialists. Once a car is over 5ish years old I reckon you save money in the long run with specialists, as more typically goes wrong will a car that age and they will support you better than a main dealer. Prices might only be slightly cheaper now for a 355 (depending on who you are going to), but if you know the mechanic you will know how may years experience you are getting (20yrs in the case of my mechanic) however loads of the dudes at maranellos are 6 months in 'trainees' and their staff don't seem to be that experiences apart from the supervisors.. all it takes is one jubilee clip not tightened correctly and it ruins the whole experience for you as an owner.
     
  20. BlueMaranello

    BlueMaranello Karting

    May 29, 2004
    70
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Steve
    James,

    I think it's got to be my favourite shape too albeit I drool over a number of them. Where did you get your replica kit from and don't they assemble too or is that part of it for you?

    Steve
     
  21. jrs

    jrs Formula 3

    Jun 14, 2003
    1,672
    UK
    Full Name:
    James S
    Steve

    Mine was built by Lee Noble in 1998. It has been badly neglected and I am really Re-building it. The kits can be purchased from Neil Forman (nfauto.co.uk) and they have enhanced some of the original noble faults and produce a great looking car.

    PM me your number and we can chat sometime
    James
     

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