Does anyone go to FAI in Costa Mesa? | FerrariChat

Does anyone go to FAI in Costa Mesa?

Discussion in 'California (Southern)' started by MREUS, Aug 16, 2006.

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  1. MREUS

    MREUS Formula Junior
    Owner

    Jul 24, 2006
    832
    Huntington Beach, CA
    I am looking to buy a 1985 308 GTSi...my first Ferrari.

    I called them up for Ferrari 308 GTSi work and Will quoted me $6,700 for a "major" that is done every 5 years. Seems a little pricey.

    The car is currently in Pittsburgh and Exoticars will do a belt change for $1750 (I am aware that it is less work/labor/parts than what is included in the "major" quote) I think that I am going to get as much service done in Pittsburgh before I bring it home. FYI - F-chatters recommend Exoticars so it's not a sketchy place.

    Thanks for your input :)
     
  2. zsnnf

    zsnnf Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2003
    1,877
    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
     
  3. F456 V12

    F456 V12 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 13, 2004
    5,182
    Coto de Caza
    Full Name:
    Christian
    Rod did my 12 cylinder cars...very competitive, very complete and very honest.

    MB
     
  4. AaronB

    AaronB Karting

    Nov 6, 2003
    74
    Fallbrook, CA
    Full Name:
    Aaron Marks
    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
     
  5. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,578
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    $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.
     
  6. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ

    Nov 11, 2003
    13,183
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Anthony T
    Rodney at FAI does great work and stands behind it. As Rick said earlier best to compare apples to apples.
     
  7. Murph

    Murph Formula 3

    Apr 26, 2004
    1,542
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Another thumbs up for FAI.
    My Boxer goes to them and it's running smooth.
     
  8. MREUS

    MREUS Formula Junior
    Owner

    Jul 24, 2006
    832
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Thanks for the feedback. I believe that Will is new, and was giving me a high estimate. I might stop out there to check things out. I am going to be out there this weekend, after CC, to check out an 83 308 GTSi. I am going to call FAI when and if I get out to Pitt. and get a better (apples to apples) comparison.

    If anyone has a bad experience, PM me. I have heard that some people don't like to say bad things about their service experience.

    Rick, I think I have been by your place. Didn't you used to have a Yellow TR and a yellow Vette with yellow garage floor?
     
  9. prance

    prance Formula Junior

    May 4, 2005
    513
    Agoura Hills
    Full Name:
    morris
    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!!!
     
  10. dromer

    dromer Formula Junior

    Aug 4, 2005
    490
    Pasadena, CA
    Full Name:
    Dave
    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.
     
  11. MREUS

    MREUS Formula Junior
    Owner

    Jul 24, 2006
    832
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Thank you, dromer, for the info.

    What made you take it in for a "major"? Time? Mileage? Cam Drive Bearings?

    Is the normal schedule for a "major" on the 308 QV 5yr/15k?


    FYI - FAI charges $110/hr.
     
  12. dromer

    dromer Formula Junior

    Aug 4, 2005
    490
    Pasadena, CA
    Full Name:
    Dave
    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.
     
  13. MREUS

    MREUS Formula Junior
    Owner

    Jul 24, 2006
    832
    Huntington Beach, CA
    FYI - I received two negative responses about FAI one from a PM and another in person.

    So far, it looks like I may be paying the extra money and going to Ferrari of Orange County...if I want to stay within 20 miles of my home.
     
  14. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ

    Nov 11, 2003
    13,183
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Anthony T
    Contact Mike at Ferrari Service in Lake Forest they do great work as well.
     
  15. calder1

    calder1 F1 Rookie
    Sponsor Owner

    Aug 26, 2006
    2,913
    Redondo Beach
    Full Name:
    Craig
    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
     
  16. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
    9,294
    CHNDLR
    Full Name:
    Scott
    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.


     
  17. Jet-X

    Jet-X F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
    5,693
    Washington State
    Full Name:
    Brian
    One of Fchatters very own has a frequent spenders card at FAI
     
  18. MREUS

    MREUS Formula Junior
    Owner

    Jul 24, 2006
    832
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Thanks for the feedback. I decided to get the "major" done in PA (not just belts) along with water pump rebuild, o-ring replacement, and AC compressor replacement. I am very impressed with the Ferrari mechanic there along with the other people. They are even taking pictures of the progress for me. Based on the SoCal FChatters, I am going to make sure I check out Eugenio for my next major service.

    Senna1994 can you please PM me the number to Ferrari Service of Lake Forest? I only know of a Indepentent Ferrari Service of Irvine. Thanks.
     
  19. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
    9,294
    CHNDLR
    Full Name:
    Scott
    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
     
  20. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

  21. hadley

    hadley Formula Junior

    Oct 26, 2006
    680
    lake forest ca usa
    Full Name:
    hadley mcgaughey
    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.
     
  22. tvu

    tvu Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    1,351
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Trieu
    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.
     

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