Does using independent mechanics save money?

Welcome aboard. As for your question mainly the new model will go dealer direct for the work because of the warranty issue (now that ferrari has a warranty on there cars). Also, the lastes cars will take some time befor eyou could go to an independant shop because they may not have the tools ready to do major work, hence you need to go back to the dealer. Example, a freind of mine has a 99 360 with f1 and needed the clutch dine, and the indep, could not do because the tools are not out yet for him to do this job. As time progess' Im sure the 360 will be easy to service like a 348, or 328.
Cheers.

 

If you can find an independant that is up to speed and has the proper equipment, Yes potentially they could save you considerable money.

I am aware of several areas where the independants are better equipped and MORE up to speed than their dealer counterpart.


Ferrari is so determined to limit the availability of tools and equipment that some of their new dealers are having problems getting equipped.

 

YES, If they have a SD2, you can save a lot.

Here in Austin we have an excellent independent Ferrari mechanic with an SD2.

 

Welcome to f-chat, JW. It sounds like you have an interesting dilemma if you are in line for one of the first 997 Turbos - you lucky SOB!!! That said, I'd probably buy that car at list, drive it a little, then flip it to cover all your expenses plus some. By then the 360s will be a little more depreciated, you can have done all your research on what you really want in options/exhaust type etc. (btw- there are many good threads on why a f-car sounds different- search for "bank firing order" or similar and you should see some recent technical information). I had 996 TT for 3 years and it's a great car, just not a "rolling piece of art" like the f-car, IMHO.

If you'd fill out your profile a little more, at least with the part of country you are in, I'm sure there are people who could help you better with area-specific recommendations.

Best of luck in whatever you choose to do,

Eric

 

JW- I didn't realize the 997turbo was still a year away- I just remember that the 993 turbo held value pretty good so when the 2001 996TT came out I went looking and all were 40K or so over sticker until about 2002- I actually paid sticker on a car with 500 miles on it (but saved luxury tax).

Ok, so now my advice would be to get the 360 NOW and stay in line for p-car thee if you decide you want to trade back to a p-car, you should not have lost TOO much $$$ on 360 other than tax, registration, etc. Or get a 355 if you want to potentially lose less money in a year.

If you find a recently serviced car with good tires, etc. you should not have exorbitant maintance costs during the year of ownership (but there's always luck involved).

Best wishes on whatever you choose to do, and keep us posted!

Eric

 

Look at it this way. Most of the guys who set up an independant do not cut their teeth on Fords and Chryslers, they are time served Ferrari mechanics. They set up on their own because they LOVE Ferraris, to them, they are living breathing works of art, not just a number on a time sheet.

I know a few Indys that have gotten fed up with," it says in the book 9 hours but you can do it in 5 and get onto something else" mentality of some of the bigger profit driven franchises.

You know who is working on your car with an Indy, you can chat to him, discuss things with him. If it can be fixed they'll try and do that, not just bang a new one in. If the job's not done right, it is them personally that will face the music.

How many of the mechanics do you know personally at a main dealer?

A car still in warranty, fair enough, keep at the dealer, but once it gets a few miles/years under its belt go with what feels best for your car.

oh, and if say your main dealer is $160 per hour labour, your Indy will be $80! So the answer to your question - Yes!

 

My experience with most independent shops tells me that you save some money by doing work that is really needed due to better technican diagnosis. You get to talk to the technician directly and he shows you exactly what are the parts needed. You then have the option to change only parts that have failed or aged. In a dealer, they will just tell you a XYZ job costs $xxxxx and that's pretty it.

I get more satisfaction in direct communication with a technician. I also learn more about the car and he tells me what are prone to failure and associated symptoms.

As for labor, his rates may be slightly lower but I'd not bet on that. You may be charged only for actual time spent instead of book time. If he's a master technician, he should be very experienced and beat the book time.

If you do go indept, make sure the person that you go to does primarily 360's (duh). I'd start w small maint first to get to know the person. There is one thing about dealers I like, that is the loaner cars. Few indept shops have that. Obviously though, you should have other cars to drive as an F car owner.

 

My experience is that the dealer takes less time to do routine jobs, but charges a higher hourly rate. Genuine parts are also cheaper, A dealer is also more inclined to "stand behind" his work. There are a lot of advantages to developing a good relationship with an authorised service center. It's the quality of the mechanics and relationship you have with them that is important, not whether they are independant or factory authorised IMO.
I use both the local dealer and an independant (ferrarifixer), happy with both and will continue using both, depends on the type of work as to who I give it to.

 

Establish a good relationship with your dealer and that's the way to go in my opinion. Some independents are great but at the end of the day when that next new F-car is coming out your independent can't get you on the list.

 

independent mechanic or ferrari mechanic at a dealer....
doesnt matter who u use.
if the mechanic is an idiot....he is gonna cost u

 

Post of the thread.

 

I use an independent mechanic who was Ferrari certified before he retired. He works as needed for only a couple of Ferrari owners and he does stand behind his work and only uses orignal Ferrari parts. He does take alittle longer to do a job, but at 1/2 the price it is worth the wait.

 

If the car is new enough to be covered under warranty, use the dealer.

Most reputable independent mechanics do a fine job, but in most cases newer models require special tools that are not available to the independent just yet, so you have no choice but to use the dealer for some work. All major services will have to be done by an authorized dealer. The independent mechanic will almost always give you a better deal, but just make sure you find someone reputable. Ask around.

 

Any mechanic worth his salt should have his own shop...whether he's wrenching Poshas or Fcars...

I was a Posha driver for close to 15 years...went to Ferrari for all the same reasons you are talking about, and said the heck with maintenance issues...(Ok, a friend I know who is a f-wrench said to get a good TR and drive it without fear...which was good advice and what I have done). That sound you hear, nothing matches the 12 cyl cars. Unless you are hung up on the looks of a 360, there are some awesome deals out there on low mileage pristine 12's.

Yes, the 5 yr annual will cost you about $7,500, but its worth the money to drive an exotic Ferrari. JMHO

 

I know of several independant shops specializing in Ferrari that are better equipped than some of the dealers. It is far more of a matter willingness on the part of the independant shop and their desire or need to equip themselves properly.


I am curious as to why say that you have no choice but to have all major services done at the dealer? They are forbidden by law from requiring you to service the car at an authorized dealership. They simply cannot threaten your warranty in that way. For all my misgivings about the way Ferrari handles some warranty issues, in all the years I was with them that particular issue never came into play.

Since going independant I have been involved in a few legal cases and have more scheduled that revolve around getting Ferrari to cover, under warranty, a variety of items. I am doing so much of it, it is becoming a sub-speciality of mine and never has who worked on the car in the past or present ever entered into conversation but I can assure you if it did we would shut them up quick.

 

Um....

Nope. Some guys don't want the hassle associated with dealing with the overhead, customers, filling the calendar with work, etc. but still have a real love for what they do and skills way beyond "worth his salt."

I had Porsches, BMW's, an assortment of little British cars, and of course, my Dino. The mechanic who works on my Dino, at the dealer, is the sharpest mechanic I have ever worked with, hands down. A very close second? The LBC guy who does own his shop, and I think regrets it about 50% of the time.

So, not ALL mechanics worth their salt want their own shop, so not all HAVE their own shop.

DM

 

I don't want to hi-jack this thread, but let me ask a question along the same lines as the original, but with a twist:

Let's assume I have ZERO possibility of ever being able to be "on the list" for a new Fcar (financially speaking). That is, it's safe to say I won't ever have $170,000 burning a hole in my pocket. However, I go and buy a nice Ferrari, somewhere in the $70k-$85k range - let's say a TR for arguement's sake. Certainly not chumpchange, but not F40 territory, either.

At that point, I have to consider indy or dealer for service, as warranty is a non-issue. One of the big "pros" I always hear about dealer work is that notion of being able to get on the next list. If I'm not interested in that, how to the scales tip then? Heavily in favor of the indy? Only slightly?

Just curious as to everyone's sentiments.

 

Surely.

I was under the impression that most all independent's wouldn't have the proper resources to perform a major service. Maybe they do, but to be honest I dont know much about the work of independent Ferrari mechanics. Care to elaborate a bit more?

 

Don't you have to consider the service history when parting company with your F-car? Resale may be some what limited because some potential buyers are sticklers for "authorized dealer serviced" cars only.