What experience do any 550 owners have with servicing their cars in the Orlando, Ocala area? Who provided good service at a reasonable fee in the central florida area? I am aware of Central Florida Ferrari but is there anyone else with experience with these cars? I am looking at repairing my A/C as it needs a compressor and dryer, fluids change, and repairing a radiator leak which is from the hose underneath the plenum chamber (7 hours of labor). They are also recommending doing the belts again. The car has 23K miles and I did the belts 6 years ago when I bought it with 7K miles on it. I don't really see the need to do the belts. Every time the car goes in, I get a service estimate ranging between 12 to 18K. Seriosly, no exaggeration. How do you guys handle your repairs and no I can not do them myself. Thanks
Gary, it may be worth your time and money to bring the car to Tim Stanford In Ft. Lauderdale 954-764-7824. He is one of the best and straight shooter. If not, I suggest that you call Tim for a referral in Central Florida. I just bought a 2000 550 and he will do all the work on her. I have no connection with Tim other than great respect.
I suspect most places will recommend you to do the belts (due to age). Both time and mileage age the belts. Jes
If your near or willing to bring it to Clearwater, try Remy. 941-302-0761. Independent. Works on all makes, Lambos too. It's not fancy, but he gets it done without consuming your wallet. Certainly worth talking to.
I'm just curious here but if you "don't really see the need to do the belts" at 6 years and 16k miles then when do you think is the right time?
Regarding the belts and when do I feel they need to be done? It has only been 15K miles since I did the belts. Yes, it was 6 years ago, but now I rarely drive the car. I drive the car maybe one time per year and every time I uncover it and start it something needs fixing. Now I need a shock actuator. That warning light came on while I was driving to the dealer for the A/C repair. By the time I got to the dealer then the radiator hose started leaking also, the one behind the plenum chamber than takes 7 hours of labor to get to. I have put 300 miles on the car in the last two years. Does it really need fluid changes and a belt service? it is going back under the cover after I get it back home. I like the car but it is really a love hate relationship regarding the service bills to fix it.
Upper plenum hoses are usually done during a major service. its not included in the schedule and it an extra cost but doing it when the top end is apart makes perfect sense. Too bad they werent done when you had the belt service done.
Can you tell me why the radiator hose behind the plenum goes bad? Is the hose poor quality or does the hose clamp fail? Is the hose silicone? I am getting ready to replace mine and am wondering if any changed need to be made to improve the original. So there is not way to get to this without taking apart the top end. It was probably not replaced when I did the belts and major as there was only 7K miles on the car when I bought it. I also have a bad shock actuator. I am assuming it must be a bound wire that has broken that seems so common with these cars. Is there a fix for the wire binding up? This is the first one I have had go bad. It started with the tire warning light coming on which I initially thought was the tire pressure but the dealer has told me it is a shock actuator.
