FF - First Ferrari??

Just when you think everything is sorted.....

Took it to Ferrari to FINALLY weigh the discs now that the rear brake disc bolts that were corroded were replaced with aftermarket parts.

In cleaning the discs, another bolt sheared off the rears, and, shocker, Ferrari refuse to touch them now theyve been touched by a non Ferrari dealer, so will not weigh them - default answer is new discs required. BUT, theyve also said they wont touch the fronts either because the morons at GVE pissed around with the cars computer algorithms/ recordings, and they only way to resolve that is new discs - So they wont even weigh them to get an accurate reading and update the computer. I was raging. So im now totally stuck. I can either spend £5600 for new rear discs and pads, or £1500 on replacing the remaining bolts ie all new all round - But do you think that is the right approach? Will a buyer not have a quibble over that?? As for the fronts, there is no way I'm replacing perfectly good discs!! But, maybe it would be worth replacing the bolts on those as well?? Im still in a position i cant get an accurate wear measure on either though - although, they should have tons more life.

Thoughts?

There are a couple of other minor issues, eg battery replacing and a bush, although possible issue in that a software update was stopped half way through which is now being investigated, but the brakes are the main issue.

I just refuse to sell on a car thats not right, but this saga is endless in a car ive had 3 months

 

Hey Buddy (its Alex btw),

Sure, so the car wasnt bought from a Ferrari dealer, it was bought from a company called GVE. Yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but a Ferrari car at the time was £40k more. Almost all of my issues have been caused by the original dealer. This issue with the brakes is a pain in the bum because Ferrari only sell component parts and are incredibly rigid and so youre left with no alternatives but to fork out £££. My only advice is to look at the brake bolts as these are clearly a weakness - if the car is on a ramp, you can see the backs as the wheel rotates and whether any are corroded and the end sheered. If they are sheered, you can either try to source new bolts, or buy new discs. The rest of the car is mechanically sound.

 

Just referring to the rear discs, in that it only comes as one part. The £5600 ferrari quoted for discs and pads and fitting is actually a bit less that eurocar parts or scudaria parts.

 

Ok, so decision made (i think). Have gone for fitting a new battery and replacing some suspension parts both sides (play in hub carrier lower bush) (£1600 ea). With the brakes, Ill replace the broken bolt in the rears, and then call it a day. Im not sure what more is a reasonable ask??

Since purchase it will have had:

Full detail and ceramic coat
Dashboard binnacle retrimmed
Roof taken to bare metal and resprayed
Personal Plate added
Various Interior trim parts replaced as missing eg inspection covers
New headphones and remote for DVD
New car mats
New Windscreen
New Ferrari wiper blades
New drivers door seal
Wheels refurbed and resprayed
New chrome wheel nuts all round
New 2nd Key
Oil Service by Bob Houghton Ferrari
New bolts on rear discs to replace corroded ones.
New battery
Rear Suspension play fixed.
Coilovers properly adjusted and levelled (as not level)
New rear brake sensor

Thats over £10k!! The only sort of issue outstanding is Ferrari's default position that because the onboard computer wont tell them the estimated disc wear, they wont weigh them and their automatic position is to replace them all. Ive replaced the corroded bolts, and both the discs and pads visibly have loads of life left - Im not spending £12k for no good reason. In about 2 weeks once the suspension is done, this car will, as far im concerned, will be spot on with no issues outstanding.......

 

sure, so the bolts from the front, the nuts just look corroded, but nothing special. From behind, the large flat side which turns into the bolt, about the size, of a 2p piece, again just look corroded. Or missing as theyve rusted and fallen off. Which is clealy not good. Hard to see without the car on a ramp. Given my experience, id suggest cars of similar age are worth being checked out.

outrun suggested a company called sports italia near southampton who have a few for those that need one or two. I dont see why you cant replace one as and when, but if one if gone, id suggest all the bolts are near the end of their life. Clearly ferrari wont support this course of action, but its cheaper than new discs! Does that help?

 

Not from ferrari you cant. Sadly. Yeah, if those bits youve photos of have come off, needs addressing.

 

Now that im Going to go investigate

 

From Ferrari UK:

The CCM (CARBON CERAMIC) brake discs are not “Normal” (Steel) discs and therefore do not deteriorate due to visible consumption, due to the removal of material from the braking surface. Therefore measuring the disc in terms of weight and thickness does not provide a 100% diagnosis of replacement. The discs can in fact expand during the heating cycle, take on residual particles and vary in weight and thickness during their life. The deterioration of these components occurs through a process of "Toasting", a sort of cooking of the fibres that make up the Carbon Ceramic mix. Therefore, in reality, the consumption is not easily visible or easy to assess. For this reason, an algorithm has been introduced that estimates disc wear and end of life to ensure the safety of the vehicle for our clients. Such algorithm was designed to ensure the safety of our clients and other road users where the visible presence of wear isn’t apparent. The calculation the algorithm makes is based on some values that, intersecting with each other, estimate a wear calculation, which is tested during the development of the car in order to determine the life cycle of the component itself, while maintaining a safety margin to meet our duty of care to drivers and other road users.
In order to maintain the highest standards in terms of both safety and performance, Brembo only supplies full brake kits, so that the wear degree remains as homogeneous as possible in all of its parts.

In this case Dick Lovett carried out the correct procedure of washing the discs, which highlighted the deterioration of the bolts. The discs are exposed to the elements due to the nature of their position on the vehicle, which overtime can case deterioration to part of the brake discs. Lastly, the wear of the single components depends on various aspects, such as the driving style, the external conditions of the environment the car is used or stored, and many others. Over a 10 year period we would consider this as normal that a safety item such as a brake disc could potentially be replaced, however this can be more frequent depending on use.

 

Hi All, and anyone whose actually following this.......

Update from me. Ok, so last week finally sorted out a couple of niggly issues with alerts for TPMS and Parking sensor which have been intermittent by replacing them. This leaves only waiting on the new bolts to be manufactured for the CCMs and to replace the corroded ones. Awesome. Except this weekend, i got a 4WD/ Manitino failure/ Go to dealer alarm. I nearly cried. Have driven down to Ferrari to have a look at. Ive only just replaced the battery, so thats not it. Really hoping its just an Italian qwerk and not this dreaded PTU issue.

Hoping the warranty GVE supplied will cover it. If not, does anyone know any UK legal professionals who deal with dealers who didnt do their job? £13k down so far.

 

Hey Buddy, thanks for your calming message!! Im really hoping its just a gremlin like you say, but reading other posts on here about it, plus my now hyper sensitivity to issues on a car im looking to sell as soon as its in good order, just fear the worst!!! Spoke to Furlonger and its £8k to refurb a PTU so wayyyyyyy cheaper than Ferrari. I did try to turn off and on again after warming up but didnt go away. I was wondering whether the fact its been chilly the last few days may have impacted the battery like you say?? Its my daily so battery should be all charged.