I think you might be referring to mine haha If so, I priced it at 24k because it is VERY complete, including ecus, headers, transmission/clutch as well. Also, I did put a "best offer" option on it so people would then be free to throw offers and maybe we could make a deal. I sent this OP of this thread a PM too to see if hed want/need it or whatever. The trans/clutch ALONE could be sold for quite a bit of money.
This sounds like you may end up having to take this guy to court - you asked for a written estimate several times and he did not give you one? He had it for 3 months, that is plenty of time to sit down and work everything out and send you everything detailed in writing.
Man, I pulled a motor, sent it out, and reinstalled it for the guy along with a million little miscellaneous repairs for only $1500 for my labor.
I pulled my blown motor, rebuilt the top end, and reinstalled it in my 348 that I've been tracking and drifting ever since. Cost? $6k.
So the breakdown for the majority used engine - 15k headers- 6k fan assembly- 0.5k harness wires- 2k timing parts- 1.2k misc fluid/parts-2k 100hours labor -12k Engine was torn down so no idea the amount of time spent on that. Then he told me it would be cheaper just to put the engine he had in. was quoted 24-25. got bill for 39. he's willing to let it go for 30k I don't know what to think. He also says the blown motor is only worth to him 1k. I'll post a separate thread to get some opionions since I need to make a decision on whether to give him the engine for 1k or see if it still has value to the community.
The blown motor doesn't really sound blown to me. If putting in the other motor was cheaper, I wonder what it would have cost to rebuild yours? $100k? LOL
Ill give you $2K for that engine. Honestly, if he is willing to 'let it go' for $30K, then take him up on his offer. Its only $5K more than your initial quote and is a lot more realistic bill! I mean, he IS giving you $9K off the total bill..........wow, what a nice guy. Pay the man $30K, take your engine with you and NEVER take your 355 back to him ever again! You can sell engine parts or the complete engine on Ebay or to someone on this forum. You can recoupe some money back this way also.
If you okayed this, it was a poor choice. Even if you needed to replace ALL the liners, all the pistons, do some head work, etc, etc, you'd still be hard pressed to eclipse that number, and you'd have a completely fresh engine rather than one with an unknown history. Is it possible the engine was thrashed to the point of needing 20k in parts to rebuild? Yes. Is it likely? No, not if it ran reasonably well save for the oiling issue, had decent compression on the "good" cylinders, hadn't suffered a belt breakage or something, etc. The Ferrari units are about that. There are aftermarket options for about half that amount. A crack in one does not mean you need to replace both. About that from Ferrari. 1/5th that aftermarket. Was one broken? What was wrong with the old one? More like $800 with tensioners. "Misc" can be anything, but the engine and gearbox fluids should not be more than ~$200. 100 hours to remove an engine, do a 30k on a replacement, and install the new one is highway robbery anyway you slice it. Tearing down an engine to inspect it does not take a week of tech time to accomplish. The block alone is worth considerably more than that. I'd pay more than 1k to have one as a bloody coffee table. The rest of the undamaged ancillaries and parts are worth a fair bit. Short answer: You've been taken for a ride in many respects. If you signed an estimate for the amount they're billing you, you're paying it to get your car back. If not, call a lawyer. The fact that he's willing to magically disappear 9k from your bill should speak volumes as to the shop's integrity and inflated billing.
I know this a$$ clown that worked on your car it's...........wait for it...... "Yo Tony " at ABC Exotic Italian Autho Werks and Deli This has gone from taking up the kazoo without lube, to just taking it up the kazoo. If you never got a written estimate then my next call would be to ( in California it would be the Bureau of Automotive Repair). Do you have such an animal in your state? Image Unavailable, Please Login
That story is scary... I'm deeply sorry for you. Especially since you can buy a decent 355 for about 60K these days... I have an idea, convert it to electric ! It will cost you 15K to have the only electric Ferrari in the world and you are going to be very famous
Scott, I think it goes without saying that we all feel for you. You've clearly been robbed. Would it be too much to ask who this is so we can make sure the word is out on this shop and no other FCars fall into their hands? BTW, I think you could sell that engine pretty easily (even if it's for a coffee table) for more than what he's offering. Sounds like he's trying to take advantage of you coming and going.
...I agree, post the name of the shop. He can post his side if there is one, supporting his work and pricing. If this is all there is to this story, this guy deserves to get his "due". I agree, place your engine on ebay.... Good luck!
Wow, I really feel for you in this situation, bro. But, it sounds like you have some remedies. The $50K was insane. Sure glad I have a lowly 348 motor. Hmm, seems someone I know got a nice 348 motor after his blew, installed and tuned and it didn't cost anywhere near this money.
He's already reduced the price by $9K so you know he's feeling the pressure. That "discount" proves he inflated the price. I say, tell him you'll pay the $25K originally quoted--no more. Don't pay him to "learn" on your car. If he refuses, contact your attorney generals office and the better business bureau. Point out to him that everyone in the Ferrari community has agreed that he is robbing you and we're watching to see if he will have a change of heart and honor his initial estimate. He's already down to $30K, but another $5K is not just pocket change. Keep the pressure on and maybe this will all turn out OK. And get your motor back. Part it out or sell as a whole on Ebay. You should be able to get an easy $5K out of it which would futher reduce your costs. I feel for you and I hope this all works out in your favor.
5K is a more fair price for the engine. And some 348 owner would secretly buy it to rebuild it and put it in the 348.
I'm aspiring to own an F355 soon~ish.. Just reading here a hell of a lot, and learning. I won't add too much, due to no experience, other than the info i've gained thru this board. I have had plenty of experience playing with cars over the years, though. Current toy is S1 Lotus Elise. However, personally, if I were in your position, at the end of the day, I'd be keeping my old engine, you know, the one with the numbers matching the chassis.. Maybe rebuild it back to spec, or beyond, over some time, then when the replacement is due for the major, swap back to your fresh, matching number, original motor.. Then, keep the other for a spare, or sell that one off, with or without the major performed..
The mechanic cannot makeup any hours he wants to for a particular job, if the book gives 20 hrs to do the motor and he charges 100, that is against the law in a lot of states. However, what hurts is you may not have clarity on the repair invoice/work order stating that he is directly charging 100 hrs just to do the motor do you? I would contact your bureau of automotive repair and A- ask about the hrs etc and B- at certain BARs you can bring your old motor there to have it inspected and see if he made the motor sound worse than it is to hose you on repairs and try and buy it back/sell it for big bucks. It could be way less of damage or no damage than he is making it out to be. If he is shady with the other things, he is shady with giving you the whole story on your old motor.
That's wise. In the Porsche world we are sensible to matching numbers... don't really know if it really makes sense after all but I'm sensible to that. Since nobody equivocates the subject here maybe that's not this important. However the day I buy a Ferrari it will have to have matching numbers, except if it's a very special car (race cars for instance). Good luck with the trade, and keep that engine, entirely. Don't let the idiot take it. It's at least $5K even totally blown to death.
The end details.... Wanted the car back, didn't want to turn this into a huge fight after already losing the entire summer to the mechanic having the car from may1-sept17. Lesson learned that given all that went thru, even someone recommended to you by others in the club can still screw you and the only recourse of fighting the bill more or not paying would mean he wouldn't honor the given warranty on the unknown engine put into my car. Paid 30k final price after last estimate of 24k. Is 5k really worth a possible laundry list of issues that may arise? Already the engine is idling really rough and it may go back if it doesn't settle down in the next few drives (ECU or idle screw to adjust). I retrieved the engine and it doesn't look "blown" from my experiences with engines that seized up on the road. Even building it up from scratch, could parts ever cost 20k to rebuild?? This ran fine right into the shop with only having to have the cylinder blown clear of oil every few weeks in the couple months before. I plan on taking it to someone else for a second diagnosis and repair estimate so then I can give a clear and accurate description of any issues to potential buyers or to have it rebuilt and possibly kept as a spare or until I can find a 355 body with a blown engine someone is selling. (unless you can shoehorn one of these into a 348 for some garage variety. If I took hi-res pics of all the parts and inside all the cylinders, is it possible to give an accurate view of damage?
