RTP Service options - Post your experiences

No one can replace Terry, but I thought we could share our experiences here on shops/repair/ mechanics in the RTP region. I needed annual oil change and service and gave Jack McCaffrey at Leith Maserati / Alfa a chance. Jack is a good guy and his service dept. did a nice job on the 328. They special ordered the oil and filter I wanted. I also purchased new tires and the Atlantic Tire (ask for Eric) shop just around the corner from Terry's shop did a very nice job. They were recommended to me by someone I trust and I understand they do most of the tire work for the Exotic Car Club near them on Glenwood.

 

I use Automotive International https://automotive-international.com/ in Charlotte for all my big stuff. Found them when I lived in Charlotte. A bit of a pain due to the distance but well worth it. They have done my belts twice now and completely refurbished my suspension. Will be taking my 308 in for some paint work and rust repair this spring. I have been doing business with them since I moved to NC...going on 7 years. Peter has the best team that has worked on my 308 (including 3 dealers) that I have had for the 26 years I have owned her. I usually get a 1 way rental from Enterprise as there is an office just a few hundred yards away from the shop to get me back and forth. JP

 

I've yet to take my 308 to anyone since Terry's passing. I was hoping to start trying to tackle minor things in my own garage but am glad to hear that the Alfa Dealership is semi capable. I'd still like to learn more about their mechanics' pedigrees.. Any idea who CECC recommends for their Ferrari clients??

I did use Leigh Alfa once to mount new tires. No complaints. And I know Jack has had several vintage Ferrari's in his ownership in the past most recently being his hard top Mondial.


jpl, do you drive your 308 back from charlotte each time? Never done any "long" road trips yet, mainly due to reliability fear. Although, I haven't had any issues for the last 1,500 miles this year. Maybe I should branch out a little?

 

I've just joined CECC. They have a tech (Cannon) on staff who has some Ferrari experience. They are also taking on Terry's business location, Ferrari diagnostic equip, etc. on Barefoot Industrial Rd as an extension of CECC. All good news.

I'm eager to hear reviews from those who use his services on Ferraris. I have 5 cars that need a trusted mind like Terry's.

 

Relatively new owner here, and also looking for options on my 348. Have heard great things about Sport Auto over in Greensboro, and I reached out to them on purchase advice a while back. From my exchange with them, it sounds like they were dialing things back a bit. Would be curious if CECC is taking over the aforementioned business location, if they intend to use it for members only.

 

Indeed Sport Auto's long-time trusted tech, Tom Jones, is trying to retire if the phone would quit ringing for service work

 

I'm taking the 430 into Jack at Leith Alfa / Maserati next month for oil change and annual check out. This time I ordered the filter from Daniel and also printed out the full "how to change oil in a 430" instructions. Terry put Mobil One 5w 50 oil in it last year I think. On the oil change they did on the 328, I wanted the same oil and filter Terry used and they had to special order both. Took 10 days and then I had to buy the full case of the oil.

 

I was in the area and I dropped by what is now Carolina Exotics Service & Repair. (Previously Exotic Coach Specialists)

I walked in and found Kanon(SP?) working on a beautiful 66' 911. Very easy to talk to and was gracious enough with his time to stop work and chat.

As stated before, he has taken over that space and tooling as the primary technician. He was previously working as the head mechanic at CECC. Most of the work CECC mainly gets is vintage Porsche (This will come as no surprise to anyone who has been to one of their Cars&Coffee) but also noted decent amount of experience working on Ferrari/Lamborghini. Adding he also had an 85' 308 QV of his own and is currently on the hunt for a black over tan F355 coupe.

That all being said, next service the 308 needs I will likely be trying him out. If anyone else is going to CECC's upcoming Cars & Coffee in Raleigh, please let me know!

 

Do you have contact information for the new shop where Terry was?


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I would either call Terry's old shop number or CECC. One way or another you'll get there.

Marc

 

Jines, yes I drive my 308 back and forth. It’s about a 2 hour drive. Never really worried too much about the distance. When I bought the car in the 90’s my first trip was Ft Lauderdale to Ottawa...since then it has been on a number of long distance runs. Ottawa to Houston, Houston to Northern Virginia (got caught in a snow storm on 81 in that one). Virginia to Ottawa a few times, Virginia to Naples, Naples to Charlotte and then Charlotte to Durham (this last one at least half a dozen times). Car is great on the highway and even with carbs would get a little better than 20MPG.

 

Guys. The 328 would not crank or start today. I had driven it at least once a week and Terry put in a new battery two years ago. I have no skills or tools to try to replace the battery myself. I wonder if it's the alternator or some other problem with a power drain. In any event, the car has got to be towed somewhere. Can someone please please recommend the best tow service who knows what they are doing with a 328. Car is in my garage here in North Raleigh. Do I remember correctly that Terry used East - West Towing?

 

Probably a drain on the battery. If it was the alternator, the car would have eventually stalled the last time you drove, it unless you were close to home in which case the battery would likely have still had enough juice to at least crank today. Are there any normal noises when you turn on the ignition, that you didn't hear today? (Like a fuel pump running?) Could also be something within the ignition system.

 

Thanks Nicholas. I put a trickle charge on her. I'm giving it 24 hours. I found out Terry used Dean's towing

 

Ask for Perry to pick up your car if you need to use Dean’s towing. He is the person Terry recommended as he knows the Ferraris. BTW not sure if 328 fuse blocks are the same as 308s but I had the same issue just before Xmas and it was the fuse block. Fuse was a little loose so pump wasn’t sending fuel. Terry had the car running before Perry was done getting ready to leave. So if you aren’t getting the starter or fuel pump to make noise and you know the battery is charged check your fuses. No starter and no fuel pump noise usually means power is not getting to them. Good luck.

 

Was your car not cranking though? Even with a bad fuel pump/fuse, the engine should still crank, it just won't ever start (or if it does, it will run very poorly).

Any luck from putting it on the charger, Keith?

 

As I remember,Terry recommended Deans Towing. We sure keep everything on a battery tender. Some battery tender and the 360 on CTEK



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Also, if the 328 is like our 308, you have to dig down to find the battery. I’ve used the Optima battery with good success.


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Trickle Charge worked. I had it on 2 amp charger for 24 hours. This is a first for me. Battery as I said is two years old, got it from Terry. I drive the 328at least once a week. Thanks for the information men.

 

I made an appointment with Kannon for next week for the 430 annual oil change/ check-up. I spoke to him this morning and have a good feeling. certainly highly experienced. He did purchase Terry's diagnostics and software. I'll post my experience.

 

Please post! Our 308 and 360 are getting close to a year!



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Well boys, I had my appointment this afternoon with Kannon to get the service on the 430. I roll in there on time, no one there. Two young guys having lunch in the office. Kannon is no longer there. He left. I talked to the young tech (Nick) and also spoke to the service manager with Carolina Exotic who assures me they know what they are doing. I did have the full 6 page print out in the car "how to change oil in a 430". I decided to let them give it a go and I will report back. Keith

 

They did purchase the Leonardo diagnostic and software from Terry but no one has experience using it.

 

Carolina Exotic Car Club has pulled everything out of Terry Meeler's old space.

 

Do you know where it went?


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