New 360 Owner With a Mechanic Question | FerrariChat

New 360 Owner With a Mechanic Question

Discussion in '360/430' started by Centurion, Jan 18, 2011.

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  1. Centurion

    Centurion Rookie

    Sep 24, 2010
    19
    Well, I finally realized my dream and paid cash for a 360 Modena (1999) in Rosso Corsa. It took me 6 months to find and I bought it out of state with full service records from it's entire life. I sent it over to the owner's local F dealer for an inspection - which it passed with only a recommendation to replace the battery.

    I received the printout from the dealer which showed no error codes, and they took it on a test drive with no issues. When it arrived it cranked hard, but started. It showed a "check engine" light the next day and I replaced the battery. The engine light went off and didn't return until a week later. I didn't drive it for 2 days, and then the battery was dead. I chaulked this up to a bad battery and swapped it out. It started right up and the engine light went out.

    I took it to an independent mechanic who was highly recommended for a smog test. This is where I learned that disconnecting the battery clears the errors out of the ECU. He told me to drive it 80 miles before the smog check. During those 80 miles I got the engine light and a "Suspension Warning" light. I called the independent and he said that it was most likely the motor mounts. He quoted me $2,500 plus parts, but in all fairness he hasn't inspected it for that yet.

    Since I am the cautious type, I called my local dealer. They quoted me $1,500 parts and labor to replace the mounts.

    Now, I went into Farrari ownership knowing full-and-well that there will be expenses, but how can my highly recommended mechanic charge more that +$1,000 over the dealer for the same repair?

    It could be that the warning lights are just sensor related, but thinking the problem might be larger, my question to the group is would you take the car to the dealer or trust my independent? I don't get a "warm-and-fuzzy" from this independent already quoting me more than the dealer.

    I am hoping I didn't get screwed since the previous owner was a well known and reputable dealer. I am just thinking if you want to fool someone you just disconnect the battery to clear out any error codes, then take it to the dealer immediately and have them run a report from the ECU (which presumably would report no error codes). Then you have a clean report to show your prospective buyer.

    I am keeping my fingers crossed on the repairs, and still go look in the garage every couple of hours and pinch myself that I finally bought it.

    Any comments would be appreciated!
     
  2. Frari

    Frari Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,194
    brisbane australia
    Full Name:
    tony
    Ummm sorry but did you get a PPI done, if so they would know or see if the mounts were poor and report it. 360's are hard on batteries and if you leave it for more than a few days always battery tender it. The suspension warning lights are a common problem my 360 would be ok for a few days and then it would come on, I learned to ignore it. As for the check engine.... what would engine mounts have to do with this, these lights relate to 02 sensors,and general engine management issues and in general are simple to locate if the mechanic has the right plug in computer.
    Sounds like your mechanic should be changed.... how can a person quote you a bill of $2500 without even ascertaining via the ecu what the reason is. I think you are being conned. the problem could be as simple as an 0)2 sensor which is $100 -/+

    In answer to your question, take it to the dealer, it sounds like you asked the dealer the price for engine mounts and he gave you a price. It does not sound like you have allowed the dealer to plug in and answer the code.
    Make sure the dealer has Ferrari qualifications, is reputable and fair.
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,099
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #3 Rifledriver, Jan 19, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2011
    Sorry to put it to you this way but you took the car to the previous owners dealer and expected an unbiased report on the cars condition?


    To perform a check for the situation you described (erasing the light) is easy to the extreme and turning out the light is a common ploy. That check should be done at any PPI.

    Also I would get a specific written estimate from the independant shop and the dealer to be sure you are comparing apples to apples and are being quoted a complete job. Verbal, casual estimates are often just low ball comeons.

    Also asking anyone to diagnose and estimate a car over the phone is unreasonable and complying with that request is stupid. Personally I have little faith in either your independant or dealer.


    Take it to someone honest, ethical and qualified and get it diagnosed, then get an estimate.

    Not until then will you be able to make an informed decision.
     
  4. Centurion

    Centurion Rookie

    Sep 24, 2010
    19
    Thanks for the advice. If I lived up North I would just bring it to you Brian.

    No one would agree to do a true PPI (liability concerns evidently). I guess calling it the owner's F dealer was a bit confusing - He used an independent, so I used the F dealer in his area for the inspection since I didn't think I would get an objective opinion from his mechanic.

    I asked the independent any guess on what it could be, and he answered, "Well, could be the motor mounts." Not holding him to anything since he actually didn't inspect if for the mounts yet, I asked what mounts would run. He replied, "$2,500," and I used that quote to call the dealer and ask the same question. That really is the only point of comparison I have at this point. I will get written estimates, but I was just concerned that my highly recommended mechanic would be +$1,000 more than the dealer. Not exactly what I wanted to hear from a guy that everyone uses and apparently trusts.

    Thanks all for the input. I will report back after repairs to close the thread.
     
  5. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2009
    16,528
    Charleston, SC
    Full Name:
    Curt
    Be careful with the quotes... I've encountered a couple or people who get a lowball quote to get the car in the shop, only to have the final cost significantly higher once the car is in the shop disassembled and the repair underway.
     

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