Hi Guys I need an opinion. I bought a 612 manual on 1st September 2006, and its now around 3.5 years old. The belts are due, according to the book, at 5 years or 50000km. The car has done 7600 miles (13km?). When the car came to 1 year old, the dealership was struggling a bit management wise, resulting in a change of GM, so my annual service ended up being left and unbooked in by them until March 2008, so at that time, even though the car only had 4300 miles on it, I decided to do the 6250 service, as I have OCD! Bearing in mind I have bought around 20 cars at least in the preceding 5 years with the dealer, I know I should have insisted the annual was done straight away, but I was over-reliant on them honouring things and not letting me fall foul of any problems, whereas nowadays they seem a lot less helpful and friendly than they were, so when they delayed things, I just trusted in them. 28th february last year, I had another annual done at 6400 miles, and this year the dealers letter went missing in the post!!, so the car told me last week the annual was due. Ive now booked it for an annual. However, I am concerned that since I hadnt ordered the car originally, and the dealership bought it as a cancelled order from another dealer prior to first registration then sold it to me (as first owner, date of first registration 1st september 2006), that I dont know actually how old the car is physically. Due to this, I am in two minds, do I leave the belts until next years annual service (potentially 8-9000 miles, aged 4.5 years from first registration), or shall I cave into my OCD and change them now, early, but giving me peace of mind?? Also, if the belts snapped, would Ferrari cover me (the warranty car-wise expired on 3 years ownership), or would I be liable, and also, could they use the delayed service against me as the dealership I would imagine will be less than forthcoming with admitting that it was their issus at the time which caused the delay (in my opinion, to my mind when I did it, I made up for it by having the more intensive service 2000 miles early!!, and at a mileage I had only just achieved at the next annual a year later!!) Sorry to spring this on you guys, but I have extreme OCD so this plays on my mind every day!! Also, power warranties - cany anyone on here help me organise one? My dealer seems reluctant to even get me a price!!
I changed them at 8500 - there was a squeak that sounded like a bearing was going bad, just before warranty ran out so the dealer had to investigate. Turned out it was a belt so I changed all of them. You can buy the warranty at any Ferrari dealer - call around should be 2500 - 3000. The car has been great and I did not feel the need for the warranty. The warranty for me was not worth it as I would prefer to pay for what goes wrong vs paying for peace of mind.
Thanks - I will probably go for the belts. I love this car, seems pretty good o the forum here, no real issues. I had a new dash after banging at Ferraris door for three years because it kept dimming and lighting back up, but aside from that - excellent
Sid- If you look in the 456/550/575 forum at a thread on a 550 with 62,000 miles, the car had a belt failure that bent 24 valves. Being conservative is never bad. A belt swap on Maranellos, Superamericas, and 612s is not the big deal it is on the earlier V8s. No engine removal and the cam covers probably do not even have to be removed. Have the tensioners replaced at the same time and you will be good for another five years. The 612 replacement will have chains, like the f430, 599, California, and 458, and that will be the end of belt changes for new Ferraris. Taz Terry Phillips
The car for me gets better and better. Obviously I am the second owner but adding a few new items with the help from this forum - has been a Great Experience!
Doug- Yes. The current owner has a bent valve as a souvenir. The valves were bent by an earlier owner. Taz Terry Phillips
Crikey - I definately dont want bent valves - or bent anything for that matter - belt change it is, and tensioners too!!
