Hi In reviewing service history on car I am looking at I noticed that it has been towed in for service probably 4 or 5 times. Is this 'normal'? Do lots of Ferrari owners do this?
Not unusual. Many owners are just too busy to bring in car. In the big scheme of things a tow can cost less than your time is worth quite easily.
Thanks Rifledriver. Absent - I did say 'service' not 'repair'. Thanks for the smartass answer though. Did you get your butt kicked a lot as a kid? Not surprised.
About half the time I have my 328 trucked across town for routine service. Sometimes I'm just too busy to find someone to come along to give me a ride home plus take an hour to drive it there, another hour to BS at the shop, and another hour ride home. Also, if I work those 3 hours I make double what the truck ride costs.
Some owners have a favorite shop, not in their immediate area, and will have the car transported for servicing.
Transportation costs with varying shops / dealers can be quite reasonable. In Northern California, a prominent dealer charges $150 each way in an eclosed trailer, covering about a 2-hour drive area. When weighing the costs of driving 2 hours to the dealer, waiting for service, driving it back, the mileage, and your lost time, $300 added to your service bill can be a bargain.
I'm a long ways from any service providers, so I often put it on my trailer and drop off. Sometimes I drive it in, get a loaner, do a bunch of city chores and stay overnight. Part of the price of living in the boonies. Dave
It occurred to me, last autumn: My car's been to FoW three times. I've never been there even once. Enclosed truck pickup and delivery. (Under the old management. I heard the new owners laid off the driver.) Far more convenient than driving it there, they trying to get a cab back.
My dealer is 250 miles away. I have sent my car there for service by truck several times. I also have a trailer and sometimes I deliver it myself. Then I have a ride home. One of the guys at the dealer stores my trailer until I pick up my car.
Way too sensitive.... OK. Since joking is verbotten in this thread (missed the "smiley"?) the answer to original post probably depends on the particular dealer's service. In my case,since local dealer provides very nice Maserati loaners,I don't mind driving my car to service. Most Ferrari dealers do not provide loaners unfortunately, so flat bed makes sense if one doesn't want to look for a cab or arrange with someone to pick him up after dropping the car for service. Times are changing though,newer Ferraris are driven more regularly nowadays and a lot of dealers are adjusting their policies accordingly. I hear that more of them (then ever before) are offering loaners now.
+1. Or they are, like me, in an area where there is NO service (or repair either). When mine needs something done I can either take a few days off work to get it over to Greensboro and back (not in the slightest bit feasible) or I have a hauler take it there and then bring it back whenever its ready. Its a hassle and expensive but there's no other real option. So every single maintenance record I have on my car says "towed in."
For those of us who move cars, it is a shame that more of you guys don't live in the Mid-Atlantic!!! MB
Gotta be careful. You never know which kids choose the 'push' option. They can be kinda tough to beat up.
And it's even easier when you call them up to schedule an appointment and they ask if you'd like for them to pick it up for you. It's only a minute out of your day. It's primarily about convenience. My other car got flatbedded into the dealer a few days ago as it wouldn't start. I didn't have much of an option there. If the towing company didn't come recommended from your dealer or other trusted source, shop around, and only use a flatbed.
My shop is about 60 miles away from my home so I have the guys get the car and bring it back when they are finished. Saves me the time. Runs me about $130 more but worth it. Plus it's enclosed transport. Time becomes more valuable.