Fixing F355 in non Ferrari shop - bad idea??

My Humble opinion is NO! Unless it's something minor. Ferrari Pro+Fcar=Happiness

 

A C/V boot isn't brain surgery but not a fun job. Find someone that enjoys their work. Some issues are best for someone that has done it before.

 

A) I would not.

B) F40 is at best a restoration shop. mechanical work generally goes to other shops like IFS in mass and Sport Auto in Gaylordsville, CT. I would think IFS (14 Bristol Dr, South Easton, MA 02375 Independent Ferrari Service and Sales ) would be your best bet.

 

A v-8 is a V-8. But...There's lots of nuances to a Ferrari. And, there's getting parts.
So IMHO, if the guy doesn't know the car, he's going to spend a lot of time picking at things until he figures it out. Your better off shipping the car off to someone who knows them.

 

\I mostly agree. Some stuff like CV boots isn't rocket science. But when it comes to diagnosis of performance issues and electronic bugs, there's no substitute for experience. \it's also good to know several parts suppliers who are not the dealer.

 

Having someone 1.5 hours away is a treat - I have no one close.

If you have your own lift, why would you not do much of this yourself? Or, do you have a lift just to store cars on it?

 

Towing from AAA - Not my first choice as you generally wont know who will show up or how they will treat the car. Make friends with a local flatbedder, submit the bill to AAA and tip well.
Hire tow truck - A flat bed with Web straps would be fine as long as they know how to treat an exotic.
Tow the car yourself - that's a hassle.

I usually arrange for a friend to pick me up if the mechanic doesn't have a p/u service themselves or have a very trusted service.

My car has rarely seen a flatbed, but it has.

Do most of the work yourself. This board is an excellent reference.

 

True, which is why I do this:
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what are you looking for ? drop me a line forza

 

Nicely done.

 

yeah you can keep your own service records. But I get it if you don't want to do the work.

 

I would look NO further than John Tirrell of Independent Ferrari Svc in South Easton Mass. I"m in CT and i drive the 355 100miles to him without hesitation.. I've spend in excess of 30k with him in 2 years of restoration/repair/service and i have nothing but the utmost respect for his operation. It is top notch, cost effective and very accomodating .

I'm happy to answers questions about the experience with with him/work done etc if needed

 

I'm not in the area, but most Ferrari shops I've dealt with have transport available, either in house or through someone who is familiar with proper loading.

Give them a call. I'm sure they will know how to get your car there safely and for a reasonable cost.

 

+ 1 for John at IFS - - We do refinishing work often for John, great guy and stand up person!!

 

+1.

IFS is a great choice for your 355.

 

I had my 348 done in a NON Ferrari shop, however they had a Dino, and 430 in while I was there, and had worked on a number of other exotics including Ferrari.. While I believe they did a very competent job, some things came up that took them longer to research proper fixes. If I had to do it over again, I would take it to a Ferrari shop. But, once the shop is familiar with the car, I would stick with them.

 

My CV joints/ boots were done by my German cars mechanic. He removed them sent to be rebuild and replaced . For less than one cost new.

He does many things to my car. These aren't airplanes

 

Your also about an hour away from FoNE. Pretty good shop and I'm sure they can pick-up / deliver.