My 328 going to Continental on Tuesday...

You are right about the more cars the harder it is to stay together. But,Mostly in the City or 'Burbs. Out on the Open Road,it's more fun with more cars. But,being in the City or 'Burbs,as long as we have some 2-way radios,we might not always be able to stay totally together,but,close. I remember about,6 years or so ago. I was in a Corvette Parade/Road Tour with the Windy City Corvette Club. I had 3 Vettes at that time.('75 Convertible,'95 LT1,and an '81 with a 383 Stroker) We had about 150 cars. I was in my '75 Convertible,and had the top down. It was in July,and about 4PM in the Afternoon. They had State Police,County Police,and the Local Police from the 3 or 4 Western Suburban Towns that we drove through,blocking the cross streets. It was awesome having that many Corvettes all in a row. I was about in the middle of the group,and could see 'Vettes in front,and back,as far as I could see. (Imagine that with Ferrari's! ) We went through fairly quick,so most people who had to wait for all of the Corvettes to pass were pretty cool about it. People lined up all along our route. Lots of Fun. But,we had to all have our Headlights on throughout the drive,like in a Funeral Procession. Well,the following year,when they had the Corvette Parade. The law in Illinois Changed so that everyone had to put on their headlights when it rained. Well,we had our headlights on for the Road Tour,but,it started drizzling,and everyone else did,too. So,there was no way to Differentiate,or seperate our Corvette Road Tour from the regular traffic. Had a few close call accidents. So,that was the last year for that.(Plus,they couldn't get the cooperation from the Police that they had in the previous year to block the crossroads) But,if we had a smaller group of Ferrari's,that could work.

 

If they're working on the clutch, I would have it replaced with a carbon fiber one. Clutch replacements are difficult and expensive. Just my $ 0.02.

 

Well,IMO,$8000.00 for service would be a heck of alot easier to swallow if the cars were valued more. $8K on a $100,000.00 up car,Well,I could deal with that alot easier. But,with 3X8 values really down right now. Paying $8,000.00 is tough,but,you gotta do it. And,after all,we bought our Ferrari's because we Love them. And,will do whatever it takes to keep them in great shape. Because,what price can you pay for peace of mind? And...when the 3X8's go up in a few years,which they will. Having a well cared for. Documented,Serviced Ferrari will make it that much more valuable in the Long run. (Not that you'd want to sell it.) So,it will be worth it. Especially,this Summer when ever you take her out,you will be confident that it shouldn't break down...AND,it's a good thing that they discovered that other problem,now,before it possibly could have escalated into a much bigger,$$$$$$,problem!!

 

And,to continue on that subject. I think that a major service on a 3X8 should somehow reflect the cars value. I really think that there are alot of 3X8's out there that don't get properly serviced because of that. (Which,I would say,If they can't afford the up keep of a Ferrari,they don't belong in one) But,the bare facts of the matter are that alot of people do not see the value of sinking $6-8,000.00+ into a $20-40,000.00+-20 something year old car. And,it's a real shame. Because,these guys buy them. Run them into the ground,then get rid of them. They should be maintained properly. I saw a thread here on FChat once,that said that an engine rebuild on a 308 is (est.) $20-25,000.00! NO body is going to pay that on a $20-40,000.00+ car. Right now,I think that a reasonable amount to pay for a major service would be $2000-$4,000. Judging from some of the posts that I've seen from some of the guys who are able to do it themselves for Hundreds,in parts. Not Thousands. Me? I'll pay whatever I have to to keep my car in perfect condition.(within reason-except for that $20K plus engine rebuild. Used engine,or,parting out at that point!) I believe that if all of these cars were maintained and serviced properly. They'd all be worth more right now. It's the "Roaches" that bring the rest of them 'down'. But,the well cared for cars will be worth more someday,and the fewer that there are,The more that they'll be worth...both Monetarily,and in 'Value'.

 

Oh,I certainly agree with you on that. When I decided that I wanted to own a Ferrari,I realized that Service is a part of it,and I accepted that fact. So,I'm not complaining. But,I just think that if it was a little more reasonable,more people would get it done,and,ultimately,the Service providers would make MORE Money. Because,they'd get MORE customers in for service...who wouldn't balk at the idea because of cost. Plus,as in your case,they would probably get MORE additional business out of it.(= More Money for them. Peace of mind for the Customer. Well serviced Ferrari in the "Pool".) But,if the cars aren't coming in because they don't want to spend that 'big money',then the Service providers are also losing out at all those potential dollars. And,the cars aren't getting serviced,and turning into junk,bringing down the rest of them,due to "bad reputation". Some guy buys one of these unserviced Ferrari's. It breaks down on him,suddenly,"Ferrari's Suck". When,in actuality,it's not the cars fault that it wasn't serviced properly.But,it gets the bad rep. And,yes,if a belt blew out on the Highway,and caused $20K-Plus in Damage to the engine,on a say,$25-35K car. Who's going to go through with it? I think that the car would suddenly become a "parts car". Unfortunately,there are people who are just able to get a Ferrari,but,can't-or won't-pay to maintain it properly. But,Thats part of the Deal. They need to be able to afford to maintain it if they buy it. If they can't,then they should buy a 'Vette,or a Camry,or something. Ferrari ownership is more than just having the car,the keys,and the Title.

 

$8000, did you tell them you already own the car and this is just service work I really wonder what my suspension rebuild would cost at a dealer, at GOOD prices I still have about $2500 in parts alone.

 

$8000 is nuts! I just had my 328 30k plus clutch done by an IFS for right at 4k. Continental also charged 8.5k for a 15k on my 355. Same IFS completed the more extensive 30k for 5k. I hate to see people taken advantage of. 8k for that work is not near right! This is not an engine out service! You should renegotiate. Everything is negotiable.
My 02.

 

Would you mind telling us the name of your IFS?

 

It is a well known shop on Addison. I can't say much more, I will be black listed at Continentals parts Dept. Randy, Gary and Scott will hold a grudge.

 

Tod,
As with most maintenance on these cars, the major part of the expence is the amount of labor involved. For example, I just completed the replacement of the shift rod seals on my 308. There are (2) seals involved. Only one of the two was seeping oil. The outer seal, not the one located between the engine & gearbox. None the less, I replaced both. The seals are designed to seal one way, and if installed backwards by someone not familiar with this type of seal design, it would leak after a very short time. Ferrari does not provide a procedure for seal replacement in the 308's service manual. Total for the parts on this job was $35. My time involved to complete the job was about 9-10 hrs. If I were to charge myself labor @ $100/hr, there's $1000.

Regarding your 30k major, it wouldn't hurt to ask more questions. Ask Gary to itemize the total.
I believe it is standard practice by Continental to do a full valve adjustment, and replace all the following: camshaft seals, timing belts, tensioner bearings, air filter, and water pump rebuild with the 30k maintenance. Ask and make sure. Many other shops may be less expensive, but also may be cutting corners.

I once looked at a 308 that was being sold by a "classic car" dealer on the south side. I asked for the maintenance receipts after the salesman told me the major service was just completed. Major service my eye!They replaced only one of the two timing belts ! That was their idea of a major service.

Attached is a pic of the shift rod, one of the two seals, and the silient block bushing.

Good luck,
Dave
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But,also keep in mind that Continental generously offers a 10% discount to Ferrari Club members. But,still. As I stated in earlier posts. It's pretty hard to swallow when the cars are really down in value right now. And,if it were a bit more 'reasonable'. More people would be doing it,thus generating the same money,to the service provider,if not more,for service.And,other service related issues,Present and future. IMO. I think we need to collectively learn how to do this ourselves,so that when one of our cars are up,we can all assist,and get it done quicker,and at considerably less cost. And,put that saved money into upgrades-Tubi's,wheels,other repairs,etc...

 

So.......what you're afraid to say is, Giovanni at Autosprint.

Still, I keep telling you guys, see my guy Ed.

I do use Continental, and buy most parts through them; the guys there are great and Randy's the best. I can't give enough accolades to him!

Mark, Gary, Tod etc., etc.; in fact the whole staff at Continental is great, including John Weinberger and Lisa.

I've known all of them for years, but when it comes to service work, I try to use my guy Ed, because of price.

 

I'll keep an eye out for low flying Aircraft going over my house in a SouthEasterly direction...........Tod!!!

 

Ouch! That looks scary! Hey,maybe I'll post some graphic pix of my Back Surgery. Of the "Inner Workings",if you will....HeeHeeHee!!!!!!!!

 

I know nothing about the mechanics (no secret there), but I would be very hesitant with that stuff until your car is old enough to no longer go to the EPA emissions test. Once that hurdle is a thing of the past, disconnect the whole mess.

I have no issue with an aftermarket wing, but the fun stops at the EPA.


Keep shooting those pics. I'd still like one for the next calendar. But then again you wanted to have your car next to a F-16. Choices, choices, choices...

 

P.S....Do they have that same Ground Wire on a 308,and,where the Heck is it!!! I'm ready to yank it,right now!!!!

 

The techs. at Continental are very knowledgeable. If Dale, Tod, Mark or Gary etc, say it's so, it's so!!!

 

As the ECU controls the engine functions, it is most likely retarding the timing for US standards, if this is the case who cares as long as you reconnect it before an EPA test

 

Bob,would that be kind of the same thing as putting in one of those "Performance Chips" like you can in the Newer cars? Maybe,not quite as radical,but,in the same vein? And,I wonder if we can do that on our 308's,too? I just had my Emmissions test,so I'm good for a couple years,then,I don't know how old a car has to be for more Relaxed Standards. But,my car just turned 23. (It was built in January of '81)

 

Frank, same basic thing just done by a very simple method, I'm sure the ground wire in question justs activates a circuit to retard the timing, in IL you can apply for a race/show car exemtion, must prove it is a limited use car ( 2500 mi a year or less ) by providing your ins papers. Over 25 years old you can get an historic plate which exempts you from tests