Does anyone go to FAI in Costa Mesa?

I think you will find that they do a very "Complete" job. Sure you can just replace the belts, but it's usually something else that fails that causes the belt to fail.
I have seen several 8 and 12 cylinder cars in their shop that "have just been serviced" by someone and the car runs bad because the belt timing was off.
I have also seen cars "burn to the ground" because a fuel hose that should have been changed in a service wasn't.
Find out what the service includes and then compare. If your back east service has a problem, are you going to tow it back for them to make it right?

Rick

 

Rod did my 12 cylinder cars...very competitive, very complete and very honest.

MB

 

I've taken my 328 there for the last 5 years. Rod does good work and I've never had a problem with the car.

Aaron

 

$6700 still sounds high, but maybe he's including valve adjustment, engine reseal/detail, etc.

I'd agree with Rick that just having Exoticars in Pittsburgh change the belt doesn't give you much to fall back on. Here in San Diego, Gary Bobileff gave me a $4K high-end estimate for my 328 major, including the water pump rebuild, belts, tensioner bearings, fluid changes, etc. A 308 would be similar.

Maybe Exoticars is good, but you want to know your local Ferrari mechanic. I'd get the car shipped out here. Eugenio up in SGV seems reasonable and highly recommended. If I lived in LA-OC, I'd probably look into having him do my car if you're not happy with FAI's price.

 

Rodney at FAI does great work and stands behind it. As Rick said earlier best to compare apples to apples.

 

Another thumbs up for FAI.
My Boxer goes to them and it's running smooth.

 

I personally won't say anything bad about anyone. BUT I wouldn't ever under any circumstances go to anyone except Norbert at GT Classics, except of course if the car was under warranty!!!

 

I just completed a Major on my 85QV at Auto Gallery. Eric did the work. I am very happy with the outcome. I looked at my receipt and had the shop rate been $60 per hour ( it wasnt) my bill would have been about $8k. If that quote is for a complete major ( belts / seals / water pump/ valve adjust/ fluids/ injectors / distributors/ etc...) a $6,700 bill would be very reasonable.

Make sure that when you are being quoted costs that you are truly comparing Apples to Apples. A belt change is not a major. Any oil leaks in the cam bearings / cam drive bearings, main seals etc MUST be addressed. Fluids, Oil and water are the significant contributors to belt failure. The cam drive seals are particularly time consuming to fix. $$. The oil seal is on the inside of the bearing. That requires the bearing to be removed to fix correctly. Removing the bearing means replacing that bearing. In the previous major on my car the prior to my ownership, the cam drive bearings (2) were leaking. the mechanic covered the outside of the dust seal with silicone to stop the leaking. No bueno. These bearing are grease packed. if they are leaking, the motor oil washes out the grease contributing to wear. even if the oil is not leaking to the outside of the motor.

My final comment is that the factory guys have an institutional memory. Eric drilled additional oil ducts near the cam bearings that added additional drain - back to the motor reducing pooling near the seals. This procedure can be done without removing the heads. Pooling contributes to seal failure that contributes to belt failure. None of the independent guys that i spoke to knew of this procedure.

That said.. I have only heard good things about FAI

Enjoy your car.

Oh yea one more thing. The time on my radio has been set and is now correct. I just keep finding things that are right.

 

Two things. Time and an oil leak. I checked my records. while I have owned this car for 6 years i thought that the last major was done just prior to my ownership. Well not true. It was done 4 years prior to my ownership. now we are 10 years down the line and about 14k miles. Time flys.

If you stay on top of the maintenance and do the majors when suggested. 15k or 5 years and you are paying a shop $110 / hr I would expect the total costs to come in between $8k and $12k assuming there is no other deferred maintenance

Do your self a favor and contact Birdman and get his fuseboxes. the factory stuff will only cause you heartache.

 

Contact Mike at Ferrari Service in Lake Forest they do great work as well.

 

I am service manager for Tillack & CO in Redondo beach for a "complete" service we charged about $3500, includes belts valve adjust ect. $6000 seems high and $1750 to low so obviously corners would be cut there. FAI like ourselves also has a great reputation, you cant go wrong with either one, if you need more info you are welcome to call, 310 318 8760

Craig

 

You can take the discount shopper's mantra of "Why Pay More?" but the answer will be "...for reliability".

Both Tillack and Rod Drew's FAI are great shops as well as others like Carl of Blackhorse Claudio of FST and Eugenio.
Transport the car out here and have the work done locally by these craftsmen that stand behind there work. Just having the belts changed in PA is an extreme shortcut that could be a long term financial mistake.

 

One of Fchatters very own has a frequent spenders card at FAI

 

I'm sure the shop in PA will do a good job, best not to cut corners.



PS - Is Ferrari Services the one on Edinger?
http://www.besantaana.com/listing/433dcd04159ec

 

tillack!

 

Will someone please help this newbie. On reviewing this thread, as good as these folks may be, Tillack is in Redondo Beach and Eugenio is in Glendora. Although FAI is in Costa Mesa, I see + & - for them. Have no idea where Auto Gallery is.

Can anyone recommend a shop in Lake Forest or environs (Irvine, etc.)? Please. It's a '95 348 Spider.

Thanks.

 

How about Larry @ Ferrari Technologies?
1131 West Collins,
Orange, CA 92867
(714)639-1706

While it's not in the neigborhood of Lake Forest, it's 15-20 minutes away from you - 5N -> 57N - first exit . Great independent mechanic -> one that will take the time to talk to you and educate you.