Biggest saving you've made story | FerrariChat

Biggest saving you've made story

Discussion in '360/430' started by RedTaxi, Sep 4, 2019.

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  1. RedTaxi

    RedTaxi F1 Rookie
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    Mar 1, 2012
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    Glen
    After reading the 360 brake replacement thread where you can do the brakes for 1/4 of the dealers price by doing it yourself with genuine parts got me thinking. You can't actually buy genuine Ferrari brakes, only genuine Brembo brakes. It's very true for a awful lot of parts that manufactures source from other companies.

    Not my Ferrari story but here's the win I had recently; Wife's Toyota threw a CEL. Scanned it, dud O2 sensor. went to Toyota and was quoted $600 to fix. $450 for the genuine sensor. I said leave it with me, I like to DIY. They said Oooh you need the genuine Toyota sensor. I looked at the Toyota Tech and said Toyota don't make oxygen sensors. Got home, quick Google, Denso make them for Toyota. $20 on Amazon, genuine Denso O2 sensor for Toyota, 10 minutes to fit, job done. CEL went out on startup. 95% saving. The prices dealers want really grinds my gears.
     
  2. pilotoCS

    pilotoCS F1 World Champ
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    Right. Keep in mind that it's not JUST the dealers. Toyota is in on the scam as they insist that their dealers use "genuine Toyota" spares.
     
  3. RedTaxi

    RedTaxi F1 Rookie
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    Fair comment. Or in my case genuine Denso spares. ;) Interestingly my Ferrari dealer stocks, sells and fits Hill Engineering parts where applicable. I was surprised by that.
     
    I'm 360 Canuck likes this.
  4. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
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    I actually have dozens, but the one that pops up are the ignition coils for the Stradale.

    The ones in the pretty, yellow box with the horsey are ~$450 each. They are a Bosch part and the part is readily available for about $40 each.

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  5. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 4, 2004
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    Not Ferrari but when my 84 M6 ate the valve guides the dealer wanted 10k parts plus labor to swap heads. "Valve guides are not available : ITS AN M6... STUPID !!!!".
    They told me that mere mortals couldnt do this maintenance.
    My local machine shop custom made better guides and installed them for half a grand.
    I put in a days labor.
    Kind of fun in a sick way ;)
     
    RedTaxi likes this.
  6. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
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    So Ferrari related when my 308's steering rack went out the dealer wanted 5 grand back in the day when 5 grand meant something. Especially to me.
    So a local specialized shop rebuilt it with the correct bronze bushings ( IIRC Ferrari racks used plastic ) for peanuts. Like $250.
    Pissed Enzo off to no end. :D
     
    Red 27 and one4torque like this.
  7. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Good to know.
    A Stradale just may be in the cards :D
     
  8. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Nov 26, 2001
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    About a decade ago for <reasons> I needed to replace both seatbelts and mechanisms in my 328. Factory parts are crazy money, and only available at that time from less-than-reliable vendors. It turns out the same parts were used in the DeLorean DMC-12, and are readily available new from DMC in Houston. Couple of hundred bucks and done.
     
  9. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
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    Mine is currently available for adoption! :)
     
  10. RedTaxi

    RedTaxi F1 Rookie
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    Just realised I may have polluted a 360/430 forum with Toyota nonsense. I guess it's best if we keep this specific to 360/430's
     
  11. RedTaxi

    RedTaxi F1 Rookie
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    Yes, again Ferrari don't make a lot of their parts, They're outsourced to supplier's who do.
     
  12. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Red— they may not make them, but they are willing to charge 2-4x ... have to be a savvy hobbyist.
     
  13. RedNeck

    RedNeck F1 Veteran
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    Sheeeeiiii.....

    I have tons, probably will miss some
    Full set of 8 Bosch injectors for $450 DIY, Ferrari wants $300/piece, $2400 + at least $1000 labor ~$3400 vs. $450
    8 Bosch ignition coils and 8 NGK plugs for $420, Ferrari: $1700+ parts alone ($180 for coils, 35 per plug),probably $1000 in labor ~$2700 vs. $420
    Full brake/rotor job for about $800 using OEM Brembo parts, Ferrari is what, $3000 or more? Easiest damn brake job I've ever done ~$3000 vs. $800
    Full set of Bridgestone tires on closeout for $550
    Superior reinforced silicone racing coolant hoses vs. crappy Ferrari ones, quarter of the price
    Got a perfectly good 20k mile gauge cluster + bezel off ebay for $350, tore it down for a stepper motor, now have a full cluster for spares
    Perfect used Nero carpet set for $600, sold the old Bordeaux for $300
    New set of genuine silver centercaps for $80, sold my yellows for $100

    I could go on...I have stories like this on all my cars.

    Just recently bought a 2013 Ford Fusion with 58k miles for $5k, clutch was grabbing high, idiot dealer didn't know the clutch was recalled and now it's at the Ford dealer getting a brand new clutch installed for Free-99.
     
  14. JoeTSI

    JoeTSI Formula 3
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    Another vote for the Bosch coils and doing them and the plugs myself saved me well over a grand. Took all of an hour to do, while drinking a beer, and think the entire set of plugs/coils ran me ~$400.
     
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  15. KC360 FL

    KC360 FL Formula 3

    Jun 20, 2017
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    Doing the 8 coils myself as others on my 360 saved a bundle. Simple as hell.
    Fixed my ashtray lid spring attachment point. 0$ Saved about $250 on a new ashtray.
    Recharged my A/C. Two 1lb cans of 134-A. Cost about $10 bucks. probably saved over $400.

    I find some guys get intimidated with the idea that "it's a Ferrari". Some things are not any more complicated than an average car. Just more costly because it's badge says Ferrari.
    I know my limits and will take the car in when I either can't or simply don't have the "want to". But other than that, I've learned a lot over the years working on my own cars including some of the big jobs like clutches etc. But always with the proper tools, manuals, and research.
     
  16. imahorse

    imahorse F1 Rookie
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    $160 for a 3 inch coolant hose
    Got a higher quality aftermarket one for $8

    Was quoted $10k for a major (few shops in Wisconsin)
    Did it for $2k myself

    Upper trans mount was $150 and I made my own tool for $10. Never bothered getting a quote. The tool you are supposed to use is expensive.

    Fixed my fluid cap logos with a paint pen I indefinitely borrowed from work
     
  17. CCRider66

    CCRider66 Formula Junior
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    No adoption fee?? ;)
     
  18. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
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    Sep 18, 2002
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    You can save a huge amount of money by learning to do minor repairs by yourself.

    But keep in mind the overhead the dealer has. That 100 buck door rate..or whatever it maybe goes towards keeping the lights on and paying the tech to repair your car.
     
  19. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
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    There is an adoption fee. Are you wanting to become a CS parent?
     
  20. one4torque

    one4torque F1 Veteran
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    Tb— agreed on the high overhead... but another reason I try to do my own main.. I’ve paid the dealer tax and still had poor workmanship. So just paying high $ does not always mean the best quality. That’s why I started to learn the diy.
     
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  21. KILOCHARLIE

    KILOCHARLIE Formula Junior

    Oct 14, 2012
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    I have too many to list but my best are probably Ecu fault, £3500 plus 8 week wait from dealer, fixed at an Ecu specialist within a week for £70 (similar fault they regularly fix on Vauxhall Astra apparently).

    Had a fuse melt rather than pop and caught fire in the frunk. Melted through look and was a right mess. Ferrari estimates £10-15k repair. Local Autoelectrician spliced in a new part and fixed it all as good as new for £150.

    Broke down once with coolant spraying all over engine bay. Limped home and specialist quoted minimum £600. Fixed with a £7 hose from eBay (better than oem spec) and an afternoon with a few beers.

    I have tons more but they are probably my biggest wins. Also never pay for recovery (twice been left stranded) as ferrari get you to a main dealer free of charge. This is where you'll get an estimate and then I get a local tow truck to tow it home or to a specialist. Saved me hundreds alone as I'm usually 200+ miles from home when something bad happens and also gives you a worst case scenario.
     
  22. LP360

    LP360 Karting
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    When I brought my 360 the exhaust was leaking powder everywhere in the engine bay, I knew this was a problem before I purchased the car so no worries. Took the bumper and exhaust off, opened it up to remove the old heat insulation and brought new ceramic heat insulated wool then had the exhaust welded back up. Apart from the price of new gaskets for the tail pipes it cost me all in less than £100. A lot better than spending over a £1000 for a new silencer, works like new and a lot less heat too so win win! :D
     
  23. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    so many....
    on the 430 i had the ac rebuilt by polar for $900 and reinstalled for another $800, vs the dealer quote of replacing the system for $5600

    many more in the 456....
    clutch bought separately, ashtray from fiat, seat actuator rebuilt, seat switches, light motors etc etc
     
  24. KILOCHARLIE

    KILOCHARLIE Formula Junior

    Oct 14, 2012
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    Mine had the same issue but around 5k miles after all the powder had be blown out! It sounds louder and raspier in my opinion but does get very hot. Too hot to touch the rear window after a drive. I assumed this was ok as aftermarket exhausts run very hot although so am regularly having to change gearbox oil as it cooks in there. Did you feel it a necessity to do it apart from the powder? I may do this myself as it's a great idea.
     
  25. LP360

    LP360 Karting
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    #25 LP360, Sep 14, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2019
    I would say yes but not desperately due to the less heat at the back, as we know these cars run hot in the engine bay and anything to reduce it even by a small amount is a bonus. I wanted to install the challenge grill while the exhaust was off so gave me a bit of a push to get it done, again another advantage to letting heat out. :)

    To tackle this issue is you have to cut open the outer skin of the exhaust to remove the old heat insulation, install the new and have it welded back up so take caution at own risk but there is topics on this to lend a helping hand. :cool:

    I had a lot of shows to attend this year and it would of been a huge let down due to even after a short drive I could see the powder settling and I didn't fully detail my engine bay due to this reason. Now however no powder anywhere, less heat, less time to clean the engine and more time driving! ;)
     

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