Am I getting ripped off - Foreign Cars Italia

Hello everyone,

My 2010 California gave me a EPB warming light so I took it to Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro, NC. A few hours later, I received a video of the inspection, along with an estimate. They listed items that they say are immediate issues. They noted some light dust around the rear shocks (no liquid) and said they were leaking and that the sticky buttons should be fixed (I've done most myself). So, I got an estimate that totals somewhere around $21K to fix. Here's what they quoted...

EPB ECU replacement - $6500
Rear Shocks replacement - $8900
Sticky Buttons - $5000

This seems totally ridiculous to me. I know the sticky buttons are not an immediate issue and I don't think the rear suspension is leaking enough to be replaced just yet. I guess my question is are they trying to rip me off and does anyone know of a good place to take the car in NC they can recommend?

 

Shocks can be rebuilt for a lot less. New Ferrari ones are crazy expensive

 

The tariff on car parts is real right now as well. The rear shocks are around $5,200 for a pair (still insane) but then slap on a tariff of approximately $1,200 and you're getting close to that price with parts and labor.

 

The rear shocks were replaced last year by my Ferrari dealer (2013 Cali). Parts and labor = $8,000.

 

Edit: Nvm just noticed it is a dealer..

For $5k are they proposing to change the buttons or just clean them?
B/c if it's just to clean that shop is probably more expensive than a dealer.

 

Yes they ripping you off that’s not far off a quarter of the cars value right there … wow

 

Just curious, in this scenario: Is the rear shocks covered under the power warranty if one was to have it active?

 

Not covered, I had the power warranty.

 

I think its important to note the distinction between being ripped off or not.

To me being ripped off means a dealer intentionally suggesting service they know is not needed to generate additional revenue.

Charging a lot isnt being ripped off. I charge way more than my competitors because thats my rate. If they dont like it they can go elsewhere.

 

My FF was a CPO from the previous owner out of FCI. A line item said sticky buttons addressed so I called and asked what buttons and how. I was told they have a guy who redoes them in the car, not new or disassembled. Sounded like DYI like most of us do but it's what their guy does, so he must have a process. And some of my buttons look good and some are getting soft.

So ask what the quote is for - removed and professionally redone, replaced with a new part, or pro-DIY - which should be much less than your quote depending on how many, etc.

I also have a CPO line item a front caliper was refinished but it wasn't. So I'm on the hook for a $1200 paint/repair. I called and left a message but no reply. So it goes.

 

Dealer rebuilt my rear shocks two years ago for $3300. The catch was my car being out of service for 6 weeks. It was winter so I didn't mind. I've heard of people buying shocks from non Ferrari parts vendors for less and having them installed by an independent shop. Shocks aren't covered by your power warranty.

 

Those are not ripoff prices, they are what a dealer will charge for the work. I hope you can find a good indy shop to do the work. Before I found a good independent shop, I paid the dealer $5500 to have the sticky buttons redone on my Cali T. It was done properly, but could have been done for half that at an independent. My Portofino will have one more covered service at the dealer and thereafter be serviced at the same independent shop.