I have a major dilemma with a Ferrari dealer I need to make a decision on, would appreciate advice..

Buy some used ones and have a mechanic installed them in call it a day

 

Have you contacted FNA? In the past, this was a waste of time, but now that Ferrari is a public company they have to give lip service to the idea of caring about their customers.

 

In my professional world, email is considered in writing and legal.

 

The job is always so easy for the man that does not have to do it.
You are wrong in so many ways I will not bother to take the time to explain why.

Maybe be quiet and let the adults conduct this conversation.

 

They were bending you over selling springs anyway.

 

Thank you for finally saying that. They were bending him over on that sale to begin with and including springs in the estimate was no accident or oversight. It was an outright screwing.

I have a 56 year old 330 in the shop. It needs springs. If a few year old California needed springs I'd run from the brand as fast as possible because not even Yugos do not need new springs yet.

Id get as far as fast as I could from this business as possible but then I try and stay away from crooks, not see if I can even the score on the next deal but thats just me.

 

Anyone can install new suspension. It's not rocket science. Takes about 30 mins per corner.

 

The dealer should suck it up and live up to the commitment in the email. I’d tell ‘em to put it back together and go get it. Dealers are mostly useless once a car is out of warranty, in my opinion. To be brutally honest, a 15 year old California is a used car. Putting in high quality aftermarket components installed by a competent shop isn’t going to cause anybody to clutch his pearls. If you plan to keep the car seek out a qualified shop and never see the dealer again. You can get good work at a better price and you’ll be appreciated.

 

. (clearing cache)

 

You really are a moron.

 

I don't know why we are sidetracking this thread, but Eric is clearly a skilled individual when it comes to working on his car. I don't know if that helps or hinders his own argument, but he knows his way around a Ferrari, thats for sure

 

This may not be a popular opinion, but given the additional information that the springs don't typically wear (e.g. there is likely no meaningful benefit to changing them), and the dealer's price for shocks that is baked into its discounted $11k quote seems to be in the ballpark of the Ricambi -- I believe the inclusion of springs in the quote was purely a typo. Springs were not needed and they were not priced into the quote -- so it was just a typo on the labeling.

I don't think the dealer will buckle on a typo (mislabeling the parts) if their quoted parts price is for shocks only. I'm not even sure they should buckle on it. Apologize for mislabeling it? Yes. Install springs for free even though the current springs are fine? I don't think so. The email is the prevailing legal document of the quote in the absence of any written detailed document, but evaluation of the letter will likely show that they only quoted shocks, which would carry a lot more weight legally than the typo incorrectly labeling the parts.

I don't know what the point would be to demand free springs, because there is little meaningful benefit even if you get them. As an extra measure, I'd try to find the factory MSRP cost for those parts -- if the initial parts price in the non-discounted quote matches MSRP, that would further confirm they only quoted shocks.

If those shock prices are competitive, it doesn't seem like the dealer quote was too ridiculous ($2250 for labor -- then discounted further in the drop to $11k). From a dealer relationship standpoint, it would be better to acknowledge the quote was just a typo and keep the shocks as is. It doesn't seem like they tried to rip you off, so there may be some value in preserving the relationship. If you have buyer's remorse on the factory shocks, this gives you the opportunity to reverse it.

 

Sad. I'm used to dealing with Indy mechanics who I trust. My standard instruction is "Fix it. If it looks like it will go over $xxx, call me."

 

Obviously not.

 

Still lip service though, not a blowjob, know what I mean?

 

Honestly, if you got them down to under $10k when the parts alone would cost a DIY $9k, you are probably coming out on top. It sucks I know but call it a lesson I guess. I've done many shocks, I've never replaced a spring unless it was physically broken.

 

I'll take a kiss.

 

Pucker up, big daddy...

 

Well , I was certainly surprised at the cost for new shocks for your Ferrari. I would hazard a guess that the springs are still good. My 328 has the original springs but new shocks and it has 105 k miles.

I dont know of any shock on any car that can be swapped out in 30 min. At least not at the shops Im used to going to. I would imagine that there are some electronics to deal with when you replace the shocks as well.

Im wondering how many miles you had on your Ferrari, its only 14 years old. Im just curious. Best of luck, hope they get it sorted
for you.

G

 

I had to do all 4 mag ride shocks on my 15 z06. First one took an hour. Every other one took 20 minutes.

 

I dont think most shops would or could be as efficient as you. Thats pretty darn quick !! God bless you ! And a Corvette no less.

G

 

Thats pretty uncalled for, even from you.