First Service (since I owned the car)...Whoa! $10K

Well gents, I finally got my car back after a month of waiting...I decided to take it to a local shop to have them go through the entire car to make sure everything was working properly and maintaned properly since some of the latest records were a slight bid incomplete, the 35K service was done but it didnt show both belts being replaced. I decided not to take any chances, plus I was having issues with the A/C and several other slight problems. I took it to the shop and told them to go over the car and find EVERYTHING that needs to be fixed and let me know. Well, needless to say, a lot of the stuff that needed to be done they just went ahead and fixed it instead of listing it as needs to be fixed...oh well its just money right?

So I have attached the invoice, please let me know what you think. I am happy with the work performed but I just want to see what everyone thinks about the amount of service for the price.

Thanks
View attachment 45k service and more.doc

 

I've got an invoice in my records for the last major on my car (an '86 328) and at an authorized Ferrari dealer the bill came to $9,000 for a similar amount of work.

 

Ah, that seems more explainable.

So, do you notice a big difference in how it runs now (other than the AC! )

And how much did they quote you for doing the suspension work? The manifold? Just curious to know why you didn't get that done at the same time. Well, for a reason other than you going "Good Lawd! $10,000!"

 

I did a 30 k service plus installing an 800 dollar hyperflow cat. Plus a lot of Airconditioner work and the bill was 6900. Im not sure you didnt get ripped...

 

The main reason I decided to just stop was the fact that I can handle the bushings myself I wanted my car back. The mainfold can wait, he did say it would be about $500 to fix the manifold but it was going to take another week...4 weeks was long enough and I wanted to drive my car after I bought it, not look at it in the shop.

All in all it seems pretty fair but I wasnt expecting this much...my PPI mechanic said everything looks fine too. When I got it to my local shop here in Houston it was a different story.

As for how it runs, no...not a huge difference in power or anything like that, it was running fine before I took it in. However I did notice a huge difference in the fact that EVERYTHING works now, and there are NO leaks anywhere. It seems a little smoother now but that could just be mental. You know how a clean car feels VS a dirty one. Now I can drive it with confidence!

 

Remeber that the A/C was not worked on...it was REPLACED with all NEW hardware. Pluss all new hoses and fittings. Maybe that is the difference?

 

what do those parts add up to? I replaced the condensor and compressor and got an 800 dollar cat. The whole thing was still 4000 cheaper.

 

I did a whole lot more than just a service and A/C...look at the attached invoice. All of the prices are there...

So you are saying it is too high?

 

Actually yours was only $2,651 cheaper to be exact...I would imagine the labor was the main difference since the engine was down to the block.

 

did they kiss you or at least give you a reach around also?

 

Was this what you expected from the PPI report? I would have expected that at least the major items were not a surprise.

 

You would have saved LOTS of money if you didn't 'dick around' with the A/C system in your car.....if its a GTS, then you just wasted a ton of money on a system you'll never use with the roof off. The other stuff seems reasonable - major service, brake work, cooling work, air injection work.....some of this you could have done yourself and saved a few bucks, but your parts/labor bill is almost split 50/50.

 

Same here. The TBs only had 6800 miles on them, but were done 6 years ago. So to be safe I brought it to my mechanic for a major, and check everything else including the clutch ( felt a little off when I tried out the car ). Turns out I needed a new clutch AND flywheel. Final bill $7500.00. These are relatively simple cars mechanically. So I plan to do most of the work myself from now on.

 

yes I expected the service and a few other things...not a real big deal but I was planning to tackle most of this stuff myself.

 

Some thoughts...

The parts prices seem extravagant, but I am not sure what other dealers charge.

Plugs for 15$? 3$ at the store.

They cut your rotors, but didn't replace the pads?

Oil at 15$ a quart?

I can go on. I understand the need for a mark-up...but it seems extravagant. I don't think I would ever go to a dealer and say "Do everything." They listened to you.

When it comes to ferrari's, you have to use some discretion, unless money is no object. Certain things you HAVE to change in a timely fashion, oil/ fluids/belts/etc. Other things can be done in your leisure time, and for much less money.

Hopefully, your car won't need much for a nice long time... . But, it sounds like you are due for a clutch soon...

 

I understand your comments about the A/C and yes it is a GTS, however I see that you live in Worcester, I suppose you probably wouldnt use your A/C much at all but I live in Houston Texas...I do plan to drive with the top off mostly but for those days where that is just impossible due to the heat I decided to have it work at least the way it was meant to from the factory. Even though the system is still a Ferrari A/C which we all know never works very well at all it is still better than nothing and in my opinion WELL worth the money. I dont know if you have ever been to Houston but anything cooler than a hot fart will help down here...

 

I live in South Louisiana. I'm with you on this one!

 

I agree, there were a lot of things I wasnt happy with and you are right it was my falut for not stating that I just wanted the service and the A/C but I will tackle the rest of it from now on. I will most likely take it back for the next major service but other than that I will be fising everything else in my garage...including a new clutch.

 

The good news is that you got your car back, it's solid, and now you can enjoy it! We can always make more money, but you'll never get your summer back.

 

You got raped on some of those parts. $15 for the plugs. NGKBP6ES, those are like $5.00 at NAPA. The belts for the accesories are less than half that, and you can find them local. The compressor is a $200 part and the YORK clutch can be swapped out for the Ferrari one. Should I go on???

 

No thanks...I feel some chaffing already! I guess I learned a lesson about telling a Ferrari mechanic, "make it right'?

 

Once a bill goes to $10,000 they should at least offer to let you get on top for a few seconds.

 

The clutch for the York is a Ferrari only part, brudda...

Give him a break, it's not so bad........

You can't take bacon and eggs to Denny's and tell them to cook them......

 

The most money you'll ever save is establishing a long term relationship with a good Tech, so IMO this was a very wise investment in your future enjoyment..

Debating service costs is endless here and depends largely on what part of the country you are in...

We have many shops here....some areas one or less!

 

Fill in your profile and we'll know where you are!

Then go drive ....enjoy......and savour the value of your expense!
You have to redeem it, in smiles per miles........

Come get your bumper Sean F.!!!!! LOL!