Major service for under $4,000

Is it just not possible?

I was just quoted some $6,000 by a dealer.

It seems that price inflation is at full speed ahead. Labor rates are going up faster than inflation and so is the base...

Having already gotten ripped off once by a dealer for a major, I am just a little reluctant to do it again -- especially because I've got two majors to do this winter! (One on the 348, one on the Mondial t)

Experts on F-Chat agree it takes about 5 hours to remove the engine and 5 hours to replace it...

What do you guys suggest? Should I go with Vinny at AutoElite?

 

Maybe you can try Arena Motorsports .... You can ask Noah of Gotham Dream Cars about it or Notoboy aka Dave who has his car there now. Yes they did the engine out service on his TR there.

 

Dave,
I still haven't figured out why mechanics can't just charge their hourly rate on work they actually do, but instead, they charge the time Ferrari says it takes to do the job (book time), even though it only takes them 1/2 to 1/3 that time to do the work.

They all do it, dealers and independents alike.

Because of this, I suggest you choose the mechanic you trust the most, and then pull your pants down and bend over...

 

hey Dave
you own a Ferrari buddy, you got to pay the price
try to find a Ferrari Mechanic that dose work on the side.

Ferrarijoe

 

Dave you are one funny mofo. . . . . . . . but you speak the truth.

 

Hey Dave,

You should call steve down at arena motors, 201-288-2003. He is top notch and is 10 min outside Manhattan. We use him for all Gotham Dream Cars out of warranty work or any repair that is time sensitive. His labor rate is $85/hr and he just quoted me $3500 for the mondial T and $4500 for the 348 majors respectively.

David, mechanics charge book time, because that is the amount of time that it "should" take for a mechanic to do a specific task. Its not so much that they are trying to screw anyone over by doing the work quicker and still billing out book time. No one ever complains if mechanics run into road blocks and spend twice the amount of billable hours to fix something. On the grand scale it all balances out, and if your dealing with the right people you dont get charged for a lot of little things either. That is why you have to deal with someone you like and trust.

 

Dave,
I would HIGHLY recommend Steve. He's a great guy and does great work. He's the best mechanic I've found so far.

Rob,
I pay to play just like everyone else, but it irks me when they charge me 40 hours at $100/hr to pull the engine and put it back in when it takes them less than 10. And by the way, I'm not referring to Steve here.

 

Thats a great price!! Im thinking he might have confused the Mondial T type with the earlier models though. The "T" and 348's are essentially the same for a 30k.

 

Damm Ferrari servicing sure is crazy lol, but its not like i didnt know it! On a 360 modena with 25,800 miles , all records and service "up to date" , what is the next service on it, 30k, and how much more then the 348?

Sorry for going OT but i am very very curious thanks!

Martin

 

It wasn't an engine-out service, but Vinny charged me about $3100 back in 2003 for my 328. I believe that included AC recharge and a water pump rebuild.

 

If you are on the Island, try JMS in Port Washington. The owner races a Ferrari, and they service quite a few. The number is 516-883-3113. The owner is Joe Scialo.

 

I recommend...

Dealers:

Ferrari of Central New Jersey (ask for Nelson)
Wide World of Cars (I've seen what they've done for a Stradale-owning friend and they seem to be top-notch)
Ferrari of Orange County (California... if you wanna ship.)

Independents:

Arena Motors (Steve is great)
Classic Coach (No better body chop than Classic!)
RPM North

 

Just picked up my 308 from Steve. After the major she runs beautifully and looks great too. Steve took very good care of her, and he detailed my entire engine (including having the red block cover repainted). Came out right at $4G. As close to "worry-free" driving as I'm ever going to get in an old Ferrari (which is not that close, but still...)

Best,
J.

 

just had my car done by steve of arena motors, he's the best... Anyone who went to the gdc x-mas party saw my girl there.

 

vinny is the best at autoelite. his work is 100%

 

I touched your girl inappropriately when you weren't looking

 

i know she told me, so you get a swift kick in the nuts...