2nd annual service expense & exhaust manifolds replaced

Second annual F430 Spider service just performed at dealer. Expense breakdown as printed on dealer invoice follows:

Annual 12 month service and inspection $1125.00

Oil filter 35.49

10 PPPP 5/40 Pennzoil 149.50

Parts wash 20.85

Brake fluid 79.90

Washer fluid 4.99

D/P WSHR 3.90

Shell 75W-90 Gearbox/Oil 131.80

Hazardous Waste Disposal 10.10

I received a call from the dealer that the technician found both exhaust headers were leaking. Dealer invoice reads, "Tech noted excessive exhaust fumes in engine compartment. Verified both RH and LH exhaust headers are leaking. Replaced exhaust headers with updated headers. Test drove vehicle and found no further exhaust leak." Headers replaced under warranty.

I did not have any error codes when I brought the car in. 5,600 miles on the car. Car was ordered in February 2008, built in May 2008, and delivered in June 2008. As has been reported many times on the board, exhaust headers are a trouble area on F430. I thought my car was built after exhaust header problem was discovered in earlier years, and replacement design and/or better quality part installed at the factory. But I can't really say if my car was built with the older headers and they failed, or the newest replacement headers failed.


Mike

 

My price was $1125 for the labor, plus the price of the fluids/parts I listed, plus tax. I don't have the invoice with me for the exact number right now.

I know the labor numbers for annual service have been broken down on other threads and the labor rate per hour is just a ridiculous number. But as long as I am in the warranty, I will go to the dealer for service. This visit is a perfect example why I go to the dealer now. I had no error codes and did not realize exhaust manifolds were leaking. Dealer handled under warranty. No hassle.

Mike

 

You could say we are getting screwed on the labor charge, but I prefer to think of it more in terms of paying an insurance premium.

The dealer is trying to find how high a price premium they can charge (for non-warranty work), the tipping point, where most car owners will still pay them and not go to an independent shop for their service. Dealers do present some legitimate benefits--- however specious or vague, to owners that service their car with them. I willingly pay the labor charge premium for access to those benefits, whether they be real or imagined.

Mike

 

I understand what you are saying about "better work", but the notion of better work by anybody on a simple fluids change annual is not applicable. Other threads even comment it's so simple the GEICO cavemen could do it. But no matter how simple things seem to be, Murphy's Law always applies to all.

For me what it comes down to is this: I pay the dealer's premium price so I have the most recourse if something major was done wrong to my car. That's why I wrote I think of it more in terms of paying an insurance premium. I do not mentally place dealer personnel on a pedestal. Their are dolts everywhere. Perhaps it takes a bad experience at an independent to rationalize the dealer's premium. I dunno. For a variety of reasons I feel most comfortable with the dealer servicing my car right now. I knew the price to play this way before buying, so it was not a surprise. This may mellow my attitude somewhat.

Mike