$1924 Ferrari F355 engine out belt service

We charge 32 hrs. but that includes, plugs, valvecover gaskets, cam seals, any and all gaskets, o-rings and seals, belt(s) tensioner brgs., crank seal, valve covers stripped and painted (if necessary), fuel filters, airfilters, oil and filter, antifreeze, pwr. st. fluid, degreasing the entire assembly (engine, transmission, suspension), etc.
IMO it is silly to pull the motor for JUST a belt (if it is actually pulled)

Karl

 

God your so boring I have been around long enough to know were things were heading. But i am not going round and round with you I have done what i intended to do

 

I'm suprised this doesn't get mentioned more often (or maybe it does and I'm too new to have noticed):

http://www.the355.com/mambo/content/view/28/29/

Karl's price list:
http://www.verdi-ferrari.com/servicing.htm


For the record my fathers 355 is due for a major, the engine is coming out. Maybe in five years I'll give Karl's method a try.

 

He clearly reads only what he wants

 

ExcelsiorZ,
I'm getting the impression you like to stir the pot a bit
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190159

Is this an annual post for you?

 

Ah i thought all this seemed familiar I remember that thread.

 

Here is the thread I was looking for when I found the other thread by ExcelsiorZ

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2743

 

In case anyone thinks I was "bashing", or "pointing fingers", or taking this thread "in the wrong direction", I would like to point out that all I did was ask for a link verifying that someone actually offered the belt service, engine out, on the 355 for $1924, as stated in the thread title. The "Keys Motorsports" link seems to confirm that job at that price, except that they do NOT clearly state that the advertised price covers ALL described labor and parts, including fluids, lubricants, and A/C refrigerant. If it does, that answers my question. But as originally posted, it was just thrown out to us without any confirmation, and I just asked...... No bashing intended.

 

Hope ther's no warranty problems.....

 

No question.

Not to mention that as an attorney he should understand better than anyone how his profession has driven the costs of every manner of goods and services right through the roof.

My building costs more because of them

My insurance costs more because of them

My employees cost more because of them

My shop truck costs more because of them

My tools and equipment cost more because of them


He wished for it... he got it....his entire profession has lined it pockets as a result and now he complains.

 

I hear your frustration that these cars are complex and expensive to maintain. But poor quality work can be even more expensive!! I'm sure we're all interested in finding cheaper alternatives, and if you do have this place do your work, we'd all watch with interest how things work for you in the next 3yrs or so until your next major is due. Not trying to tell you what to do, just speaking with a bit of experience.

I spent literally Hundreds of hours doing my own major on my 348TS. I'm sure quality service centers have 348 and 355 majors down to a science. But it's hard for me to see how any quality shop could do a quality major, including checking all the things that should be checked while the engine is apart (and that quality shops DO check), and also clean and care for some things that the owner may not even find out about, in much less than 40 manhours. I think that's a reasonable charge for quality work. Plug in your own labor rate, add in parts (gaskets, valve adjusting shims, etc. etc.), and I don't see how a thorough quality job can be done for under $2000. JMHO, which I think is shared by many here who are aware of what can happen if things aren't taken care of properly. .

 

Just to be fair, this thread is specifically about a belt replacement, not a full major service. I don't think anyone is claiming to do a full major service, parts and labor, for $1924.

 

1. Litigation
2. Insurance
3. EPA

 

LOL


+ Liability

 

Thats an angle i never thought of and makes some sense, interesting. We dont have that problem in the UK.

 

Up here in Wisconsin we will do a belt on a 355 for a case of Pabst Blue Ribon. Only one belt though, and the beer has to be cold.
Ain't that right Hacker?

 

Damn straight - the second belt is gonna cost you a bottle of Kessler's.

 

I forgot to mention that the only tools needed are rocks and chisels. Sometimes you need a really big rock.

 

To be fair I don't think the difference between the UK and US service costs are as dramatic as is being quoted here. I bet a very basic belt change ONLY would run closer to $3k-ish from an independent (20-30 hrs. @ $90/hr. plus belt costs?) Breaking it down to line items, where's the savings coming from in the UK? are labor rates lower? Can they work twice as fast??

What it comes down to is the 'while it's out' additions. Bearings add quite a bit to the parts cost. I think for those who are so inclined, you can replace 355 belts in the US on the cheap. But generally speaking those who own 355's (either because they have the means or because they are crazy Tifosi like me ) would err on the side of caution and replace parts before they fail.

 

You asked the question, and those are some bonafide reasons for price differentials. Medical procedures also cost a lot more in the USA than most other countries, and one of the contributing factors are high insurance/malpractice rates due to litigation.

I fail to see what bringing up NAZIS has to do with the discussion.

 

Lets see. We have a lawyer living in Beverly Hills with 7 Ferraris and a list of other cars that take up most of the alphabet complaining auto mechanics make too much money.

Thats rich. Thats really rich.

I don't see any mechanics living in tall cotton from what they make fixing cars.

Probably complains his maid charges him too much too.

 

The prices do tend to be quite different (not as wildly askew as our friend claims) and one of the reasons is here very few shops will do a belt change only. A great big reason for that is one that doctors will understand. Due to our litigious society we, as a practical matter are not allowed to guarantee quality work, we are really required to guarantee a quality outcome. If I take out a motor and do belts and bearings (which is all our friend really wants to pay for) and 13 months later a cam seal springs a leak our attorney friend will make the case that we should have known that a cam seal could possibly fail prior the next belt change so we then need to do the job all over again for free. As a result of that type of real world problem instigated by many in the legal profession you get the full meal deal every time.

That exact scenario repeats itself throughout this country in every business. Running a business, any business in this country has really become about liability avoidence.

I personally want to thank our friend for the role he has played in bringing about that reality.

 

Its also a factor of our american attitude. Can't say much for the Brits, but now-a-days, the general public shops for the cheapest (without regards to quality), wants the instant gratification, gets the "quality" that they want, and sue them if it didn't turn out to their expectations. The tons of commercials with lawyers don't seem to help either.