Bad dealer experiences

This happened several years ago, but it still bothers me.

I bought a new F430 in 2005 but never drove it as I decided I don't really like newer cars. I just warned it up enough for maintenance.

But, I heard what sounded like valves clacking and brought it into the dealer with less than 100 miles on it.

They could never figure out the problem, a Ferrari engineer flew out, and finally they replaced the engine with a new one. That impressed me. Even though they kept it for months.

BUT - the dealership charged me for an oil change as the new engine needed oil for it!
What?!? They replace the engine under warranty but charge me for its oil!!

I sold it, still with me having out less than 100 miles on it after 5 years. The dealer/factory had put 100 additional on it.

I sold it through another Ferrari dealer as I was so bothered by these guys.

 

That seems like a relatively small expenditure (the cost of the oil change) for it to still be bothering you several years later.

Did you ask them to no-charge it since it was a necessary step in a related warranty procedure?

As for the 100 miles they put on it... what's the recommended burn-in on a new Ferrari engine?

 

I argued with them then and told them that I would pay it if they insisted but it would always taint how I viewed them and spoke about them.

I am sure they were reimbursed by Ferrari for it too.

Yes, it will always bother me. It's the principle.

 

Wow. I thought I had problems!

 

I agree that it's awfully bad form, but I look at smaller stuff like this in this manner: It's up to THEM to decide what they do/did... it's up to ME to decide if I want it to affect me.

 

I don't worry about the miles they put on it. I think the delivery miles were somewhere around 60 or 70.

I don't let this bother me generally, I just saw a thread titled Ferrari of Washington and it reminded me of it so I thought I would post the experience.

 

Not many people bother about principles. I agree that was petty of them to bother you with this.

 

Pretty bad form agreed. Reminded me when my 997 had to have its engine replaced under warranty at the Porsche Exchange here in Chicago (after i had taken it several times complaining about tickling sound and dirty exhaust tips and told it's nothing to worry about). They wouldnt even give me a loaner...

 

Freestone, Please I hope you don't take offence to this but you purchased a $250 car. 99% of the population can only dream of being able to do that. The cost of the oil change is small. You got a NEW engine. That re-set all the other maintenance that you didn't do while you didn't drive it. Did you change the oil yearly as is recommended? I'm guessing not. Look at it this way you should have done at least 3 oil changes. So you got to pay for one. BTW you took the high road and didn't quibble about it at the time, good on your part IMO. If you would have insisted I'm sure they would have thrown that in too. I would have done the same thing you did however, it would have been forgotten in 2 days.

 

I really do believe the human condition requires we focus on some set of pet peeves. We're just not complete as people without a certain number of gripes. Nothing wrong with it, just human nature. Freestone, you're a lucky man, sir, that this can even qualify much less remain on the list for approaching a decade.

 

If I ever announce on this forum that I've won a big lottery jackpot, please send me a link to this thread and remind me never to become a Ferrari dealer.

 

Minor issues like these need to be brought to a dealers attention and dealt with when they happen not years later. This is too funny!

 

Oh, I have one better than that!

I took my Mini into the dealer for an oil change. They said they could not do it because it had a bad oil leak. They said the pan gasket was leaking (it was out of warranty) and the cost would be about $1100.

I said: Ok.

When I got the bill, it was $1100 for the pan gasket AND $225 for the oil change.

I go: WTF?

They said: Well, you needed an oil change.

So I asked: "you would put the old oil back in after taking it out?"

Amazing. Who does not include changing the oil when changing a pan gasket?????

 

Now I feel bad.

Engine replaced under warranty and returned with no oil!
If the engine wasnt defective I wouldn't have needed my oil replaced....

Ah well - sounds like my expectations were unrealistic.

Thanks for showing me the other perspective!

Ferrari NA was great though.

Maybe the moderator can take the dealer name out of the title.

 

Or, as the OP, you can also ask a Mod to delete the entire thread if you like. Just hit the /!\ icon & submit whichever request you wish.

 

Wait, did they just charge you for 12 quarts of oil? Or did they charge you for a full annual service?

 

It doesn't sound at all like a relevant expenditure. The car needed oil, whether it was driven or not - and shame on the original poster for not driving it in the first place. How do you know you didn't like it if you never drove it? Additionally, they replaced the entire engine for you, free of charge, and only requested the cost of an oil change, which is what is required for regularly scheduled maintenance (irrespective of the car's use or, in this case, a gross lack thereof). On top of that, this pedantically minute complaint surfaces nearly a decade later? I'm baffled. I had to check the date, twice, to make sure we're nowhere close to 01 April.

 

Agree with above.

Sorry but this thread doesn't change my opinion of FOSeattle. You never drove the car, kept it as a garage queen, balked at the price of an oil change after they put a new engine in it, and come years later complaining about it? From what I've read I can't fault the dealer...

 

I can top all that. Had the Jag in for new brakes. Asked them to also rotate the tires. Picked up the car and they charged me ~$70 for rotating tires (no balancing).

I said, "WTF are you doing? The wheels were off the car for the brake job, all you had to do was put them back on in a different order."

They agreed to only charge me half price.

I told them they may have made $35 off me...but lost many many thousands over the coming years. Haven't spent a dime there since.

Idiots.

 

For anyone who has had an experience with Continental AutoSports outside of Chicago, there is my interesting forum under 612/599---which has some eye opening comments--positive & negative ----on this dealership.

I invite anyonme to chime in.

Ken Goldman

 

Couldn't find it. Might want to post a link...

 

It is there with the title> 599 WANTED---NO HGTE
CH

 

They have a fantastic reputation for years. Great team always willing to work with the customer.

 

Got it. Thank you!

 

I find this the strangest part of the story.