Major Service on 328. How Long?

Hi guys,

for you non-DIY-ers out there, what is the typical length of time to get a Major done on your car, either at the dealer or independent shop? My car is in right now for its major and they had to order the parts from Ferrari, so they said. Obviously, I WANT MY FRICKIN' CAR!! LOL! I'm HOPING to get it late next week but, again, I was wondering what you fellers might have experienced.

Thanks,

Scott

 

The first time I had a major done on my 308, it took 3 months.

It is currently in the shop for the major. It is supposed to be ready today. It's been 3 weeks. It would have been ready earlier, but there was some additional work I am getting done.

Dom

 

Mechanics have all told me it takes a min. 40 hours labor. Parts can take up two weeks to be delivered. But here is the rub a work week has really 40 hours in it, they got to answer phones, talk to clients (how many times can you read a post how nice the mechanic is and is willing to explain everything, that is time away from working on everybodies car), and also remain focus. The remaining focus is the toughest part of human nature, without breaking up the day among several things the mind may not work as effectively. I am discovering that working on a non-car big project. So mechanics figure two weeks so that they can break up the day, really count that as at least three. And don't rush them because mistakes will come in. Believe it or not they don't want to hang on to your car forever, just what seems like forever.

Good luck, my major and clutch and brakes and tires took i think 6 weeks.

 

The major service for my 308 GTB was billed at 22 hours. In addition to the major, I had the steering rack and clutch rebuilt and changed all suspension bushings and the front shocks. My car spent two weeks at the shop.

The total labor charged for the major service, which included rebuilding the water pump, was billed conservatively in deference to the additional work performed.

 

An independent shop took 2 weeks to do the last major on my 328. They had to wait a week to get some oddball part after they got the car apart.

 

I think my car was in the shop for about three weeks in 2006 when the major service and other things were done.
BT

 

Its strange - I've had Ferrari mechanics take six months to perform 90 billable hours of labor on my car. I've had mechanics take 3 weeks to perform two days of work...I had a guy spend over a month to bench-test my water pump, then forget to tell me that he's done. Mechanics are generally pretty terrible about getting it done and 'out-the-door' in a timely fashion....cars are typically rotated around - ever check-out an Indie/Exotics shop? A couple of guys working maybe a dozen or so cars simultaneously.....the work/attention is spread very thin, but that's the way they like it - a steady stream of work that doesn't lapse. The shop keeps its people gainfully employed, while you wait months to get your car back....not exactly fair to you, but that's the business.

 

In my old shop, after doing three dozen 328 30K majors over ten years, we averaged about a week to ten days.

We always ordered what we thought we needed when the car was scheduled and got on it right away so there were no surprises...

 

For the recent major on my 308, the car was in the shop a month, but I had other repairs done, extra interior and engine compartment detailing, and a new tubi installed, on top of the standard major.

Quoted cost for the standard major was a hair short of $5K, and elective replacement of old hoses, etc., got it up to about $5.4K.

At Norwood, they include an excellent standard inside/out detail job with a major.

My take on the time involved: A Ferrari is not the same as a Toyota...you don't just bring it in at 8AM and get it back at 5PM, but then there are reasonable time frames as well.

Considering the amount of business Norwood Performance does (lots), and the quality of their work and customer service (top on both), a month was very reasonable.

 

ah yes, the old "it'll take two weeks but then it takes 4" bait and switch routine

they should have had the parts before they even started the job

sorry for your woes.....but it sounds like it's going to be awhile

 

did you notice what eugene does at his shop and what he replaces for a maj or min and the cost and he gives you doc's and pictures I wonder if the other shops do that much as eugene,
http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html

 

Mine was in for just over 2 weeks, and that included pulling off the front bumper and fixing some 'road wear' in the paint shop. The key, as mentioned earlier, is to order the usual parts, the ones you know you're going to need, in advance. The 'waiting for parts' story doesn't fly unless there are surprises after you get there.

 

Thanks, guys. I'll just have to be patient and hope that the parts arrive sooner rather than later

 

Mine took about 5 days as I recall.....

 

I took my 348 to Eugenio. Took him 3 weeks exactly. Started the day it was dropped off, and was delivered on the exact day predicted.

He had the parts in hand before I even got there.

Worth the wait. Better to get in line now than get in line later.

 

Mine took 2 months for a major, new clutch, and aircon in a F dealership in 2006.

 

Just had a complete major done @ Brian Crall's in San Ramon (EXCELLENT shop);
+ new wheel bearing + minor paint work + all new hoses took 2 1/2 weeks.

 

Ditto.

If they have the usual major service parts in stock, and your car isn't sitting around waiting its turn, that sounds right. Mine took a couple of weeks last time, but it was busy season and I'm sure the work was interrupted a few times.