Hi Ferrari chat I am a new member here, have just picked up my new Ferrari - 355spF1 can't beleive how hot this car is!!!! traded up from a 308QV that I enjoyed for 2 years. Need some advice guys, ym new baby has full main dealer service history, looking on the web I see that a lot of the specialists are quoting very low service costs compared with the authorised network. whats your feeling/advice on using the authorised network? Maranello's is my nearest dealer, whats your impressions of them? i used to do most of the work of my 308 myself so I am a bit lost at the moment as to who to use. your experience would be appeciated. happy days!!!!
Mark, welcome to Fchat. If your car still has a warranty, it's a no brainer not to use authorised dealer for servicing. If ,however, it's out of warranty i'd give serious thought to using a specialist independant.I've had my Spider 3 yrs this summer and up to now it's always gone to main dealer for everything. This yr i need belts and service done and will be using Verdi for the work.The savings are significant and i've been to Verdi to see the set up and met Karl Verdi and am more than happy he'll do a great job. Tony Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mark, Welcome aboard F.Chat. As tony said it depends on your warrenty situation. I use Maranellos and found them very professional at the servive centre. I think you'll find them more expensive than most independents. I think there are alot of good independents in the area. Tony mentioned Verdi in HAyes Middx. A nearer one to you would be QV at Ascot. I've no personal experiece with the independent specialists but i'm sure the guys will chip in later with a bunch of good recommendations. Good luck See you on one of the drive soon. Oh yes POST SOME PICS OF THE NEW CAR PLEASE. Wazza
thanks for the warm welcome!!! Is there anybody that you would sugegst talking to at either at Maranellos or OQ? Digi camara is posing a few issues at the moment! will post some pics ASAP. Spyder is Silver with challenge grille and burgundy leather - looks so cool!!! How do you stop rust appearing on the challenge grilles??? when - how often - where do you guys meet? the wife is not too keen on my toys! 6 months pregnant and all that!!
Mark Welcome to FChat, we're growing all the time! There is normally a meet once a month or so, if you want to learn the dynamics of your car do a search on 'Driver Training Day' we're planning an Instructer led day on 15th May to have some fun I'll buimp it to the top anyway as some of the attendees are being too keen in not letting go of their cash!!! Thinking about it 15th May might be a bit close to the due date buy hey you'll be in the Ferrari so won't take you long to get there
Congrats Mark on the arrival of your first new baby! Happy days indeed... I too celebrated the arrival of my daughter with a similarly practical car... mine is a silver/burgundy 355GTS. I bought my car from Maranellos- the new service centre is very impressive, and I understand that they have reduced the price of servicing considerably for older cars to compete with the independents. I did a tour of the service centre recently- quite an outfit, I thought, and did a good job of the mechanical prep of my car. I used Neal Lucas in Camberley to service my 328 on recommendation of a number of other owners. His attention to detail is quite incredible, and the car ran beautifully. I expect to use his services again in the future and would definitely recommend him, but I'll give Maranellos a try next as my car is under warranty. Enjoy the new car. Robert.
I spoke to Andy at maranellos yesterday afternoon about the cost of a yearly service on my new 355, and he quoted me £533 including everything. that also included collection and delivery!!
Thanks Mark&Mark,very interesting.Even though I live a fair distance from these places I have no doubt that it would be far better(£ wise)for me to travel down and have the said service done in one of the 2 dealers Best regards Dave McGuire
It seems main dealer servicing is in danger of being affordable again ......when did this happen?! Tony
I'm impressed with the servicing quotes. I forget the exact figure I was given for a cambelt + service, but remember being pleasantly surprised compared to what I paid for similar 328 work. And being pleasantly surprised where costs and Ferraris are concerned is not something that happens every day... I guess even market forces affect Ferrari main dealers. If only OE parts were cheaper.
Dave I guess this question's been answered by the Marks. I'd suggest also trying your local main agent (Glenvarigill?) as they might operate a similar pricing policy, or at least could be encouraged to if you present them with evidence of what other dealers are doing. Regards Robert.