Rifledriver returns to fchat !

Hmmmm, where to begin.... well, maybe here -

Thanks for your reply Brian. While I don’t at all disagree with your message, I do disagree with your delivery. I find it confusing that on one hand have spent 30+ years learning about and focusing (in part or in whole) your professional life, but on the other hand you seem so spiteful against the brand and seemingly anybody who is “dumb enough” to buy them.

As far as being blind to ferrari.... well, I'd just say that being blinded by ANY one name is foolish, ferrari notwithstanding. I'd classify my ferrari experience so far as "pretty good", not perfect. I didn't go into this expecting such. I take the problems about as far as I can throw since I know of no automobile sold today that can be labeled perfect. There are no absolutes. Perhaps my experience is a minority and most other customers have a miserable experience? I doubt that though.
As a consumer, I show my support with my wallet. Should my ferrari experience sour I will not support them. Pretty straight forward really. And for me, I could really care less if some other guy has blinders on or what flavor of koolaid he chooses to drink.

If I disagree with you why should I ignore you? Sorry, but I’m not going to click ignore to you since I’m open to all intelligent opinions and I enjoy the exchange of knowledge. On this site I’ve both offered it and sought it out. I think it really says something about your skill as I can think of no other single user on this board who receives the respect, admiration, and general butt-kissing you receive… especially when you come across as painfully honest, direct, and coarse. I know I sure couldn't get away with that!

I hope to glean a tiny bit of that massive mechanical knowledgebase that you willing to share. Thanks again for your constructive posts, regardless if they are pro/anti ferrari.

 

What really pushed me over the edge was the news reports from your side of the pond. Closing the dealer network so as to provide a superior pre and post sale experience like they have done in North America. What a load. Thats like being a commission salesman and being told your commission schedule is being "Restructured".

WTF do they think they are....politicians? If I want to be lied to like that I turn on the TV and watch election coverage.

Despite the fact that I am in the Ferrari business I have made it a point to purchase as much as possible from outside Ferrari sources. The bad part is there are so many cheap low quality knock off parts being made and being sold even by some of the large well respected suppliers we still need Ricambi Orginali parts in most cases to have some assurance of quality and accountability. But the only way things have a chance of changing is to hurt them economically. Its happened before.

Like I said, I love the cars and in the past 2 years I have had so many tell me they are done with Ferrari only because they are so tired of the factory, the lies and BS. It is really too bad.

 

Brian,

Great to see a "pro" return. Could your return foreshadow Phil's return too? I hope so. Poor Dave has had to hold down the fort while you guys were on sabatical.

 

Welcome back Brian! And please don't change a darn thing in your delivery. Whether it offends or not, you are telling it as you see it, and I see nothing wrong with that, whether I agree sometimes or not.

If my appreciation of your tireless contributions to enlightening all of us makes me a "butt kisser", then so be it. No doubt some will be annoyed by your return...

Dave

 

Welcome back sir!!

 

Welcome back, Rifle-"straight shootin'"-driver

______


If, for some fool reason, someone has nothing positive to contribute to a simple Welcome Back Home, yet blathers on during the National Anthem... well... this ain't your parade, nor is it yours to piss on, so STFU
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Unfortunately, it is not looking too good for Phil's return.

 

Woo-Hoo! That makes it all worthwhile I'm sure!

No doubt!

However, I have a suspicion that this site has also caused him plenty of "grief" over the years - Not just "virtual" grief (we've seen the pi$$ing contests on occasion after all!) but real, live dick-heads showing up at his shop etc. I don't know, and I'm sure he'll comment if he feels the need - We do know he's not shy about his opinions after all......

In any event, I'll add to the butt-kissing with another "welcome back!",
Cheers,
Ian

 

Yeah, had to work last night. 12 hours down the hole.

The beauty about all this is.......I am now on days off. 5 days to sit around and do f*ck all.

I took the Ferrari to work last night. Going to wash it and take it for a nice long drive. Its been 5 weeks since we last spent drive time together.

Sadly, I still dont have a new camera so I cant take any new pics.

 

A warm welcome from another who has mant times over benefitted from your wisdom. For those other noobs who aren't familiar with the term, wisdom comes from extensive experience that goes well beyond a 2 week training course in Italy
BTW, though I am an east coaster, it seems an internet acquaintance with a love of alfas and audis has a 355 spider under your care. So only 2 degrees of separation here, (and no Kevin Bacon). Best Regards. -J.

 

Welcome back Brian! Your knowledge and willingness to share the cold hard facts based upon you extensive experience is greatly appreciated. With techs like you and Dave Helms, we can learn a great deal about these cars and the proper way to maintain and repair them. Having undegone an extensive major service this spring at Dr. Helms shop, I know that not all Ferrari master mechanics are equal. I am thrilled to have you back and look forward to your posts, whether or not I am wearing my rosso colored glasses.

 

Firstly, his criticality is the most effective way to communicate the realities of Ferrari as a business today. The truth is important, especially when it isn't pretty. Rose colored glasses are a big seller in the Ferrari crowd, but Brian doesn't wear them.
Secondly, advising him to change his style or don't post is poor advice. I am certain this group as a whole by far disagrees.

 

Hey, Brian, we miss you over at the 'other board', too....

 

So, CAN we wait 7 yrs for a belt change??


Sorry, couldn't resist...



Good to have the pro back -

 

I have learned a ton through reading Brian's responses to other peoples questions. I know that if I ask Brian a question, I will get an honest, direct response. I know that he will differentiate between technical issues and opinions. And I also know that he is offering this to me on his own time, simply out of his passion for these cars.

I appreciate all of that. If I haven't said so before, and I don't think I have, thanks!

 

I, too, am glad to see your return. Your input here is invaluable.

I am also surprised and pleased to see some detractors welcome you. The heat in the kitchen can get hot, and certainly a pain to deal with in print, but it is obvious nothing personal was ever involved. It just gets real old if you are in here day to day!

I don't know how to comment on the factory situation. All I have to compare it to is Harley-Davidson. I can still get parts for my 20-year old Harley at dealerships, and the year the part was introduced is part of the part number and in some cases it goes into the 1940s. I compare that to having bought <zero> parts from the Ferrari dealership. Do they carry the parts? I don't even know. I assume not since I learned here to buy them elsewhere.

That sort of stuff is what it is. In the end it is a company trying to make a buck and the fact you have been loyal all your life means nothing in most cases. Too much of that and the end result becomes inevitable.

It is really easy to find contempt with the "factory" after enough familiarity. Each man finds his own way and his own limits.

Seamus

 

Hi Brian, I have read many of your very informative posts while searching F-chat.

I am glad to see you back here.

 

Brian, missed ya! Welcome back!

 

Good to see you back!

 

It was a thread that I started in the TR section....about if and what an enthusiast should charge for doing some work on others cars. When I saw the name...."rifledriver"....I just couldn't believe it! I was very happy to see that.

I would also like to say that...as far as personalities and political correctness go....most times we don't know the whole story behind some people's views or attitudes. I feel that Mr. Crall has put in his time and learned so much over the years....that he has earned the right to be however he wants to be. And we pee-ons need to understand that FREE advice from an experienced professional is to be APPRECIATED !! You don't bite the hand that feeds you - even if that hand is a little greasy. I may be labelled a "butt-kisser" but if so...it's only because Brian has helped me work my way out of some tough situations. His advice was absolutely spot-on. Now tell me, what would that be worth to you? Priceless!

Remember how many postings there were on fchat when Brian left us? There was a HUGE debate over it!!!! look it up.

Welcome Back Brian!

 

Maybe, but no one likes to be treated as a pee-on, which as I understand it was a common complaint against Mr. Crall. Many of us on this board are specialties in our fields; the day we start treating "laymen" as "pee-ons" is the day we need to find another occupation.

Thank you to every poster on this board, including Mr. Crall, that lends credible advice on the forum about various subjects, and does so with dignity and respect to others.

 

Can you handle the truth?

I mean, really? Can you handle the truth?

The people on this board who give a flying "you-know-what" about what YOU think probably total about one.

I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this. But, the people on this board who know and respect Brian don't really give a damn what you think.

Personally, I don't care if Brian is the rudest ****** in the history of F-Chat. (I happen to know that he is not, but this misses the point.) When Brian says something about Ferraris (or any other marque), I'm all ears.

Dale

 

Gee Dale, thanks for the vote of confidence.

I was totally out of line with the "dignity and respect" comment. Continue as you were.

 

Hell, I don't even know who you are and I like you already.

 

Crall, Dr Who, Husker, or all three?