service dilemma

Gary-Yes, the original dealer should foot the bill for any problems that stem from their work (or lack there of), especially seeing that the car was just recently delivered . I am surprised that you didn't contact them first when the warning light first came on.

Though it sounds like you made it perfectly clear that you wanted the car double and triple checked to make sure something like this wouldn't happen, sometimes mistakes are made. You can't get upset with them if you haven't even attempted to let them know that the problem exists. You need to at least give them a chance to rectify the problem.

I understand that the original dealer is not as close as the other dealer. However, with as much money as you spent with them, I'm sure that they will be bending over backwards to make sure the problem gets taken care of in a timely fashion. They should not only cover any problems with the car, but should include enclosed transportation (both ways) for your 550 as well.

Good luck.

 

Yours is a very sad and disappointing story........ I agree that the dealer that did the work should cover all costs to make things right..... even the transportation cost .... and you're not unreasonable expecting this.

I also have a 2000, 550, 12k miles, but have yet to experience any issues with the car except for very minor items I fixed myself ..... I have never used Ferrari dealer service. I have been to Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills a few times for parts only .... on my last visit I made a point of greeting/meeting the Service Manager, showing him my car ... to start a relationship on the off chance I ever needed their help with something .... I asked the Service Manager for a price to do a T-belt change only (with all related componets) ..... only asked for a ball-park figure ... he couldn't give me this ..... said he'd fax me a formal estimate the following week. I called two more times asking for this ..... each time he appoligized for the delay ..... well ... it's been three months and I've yet to receive his estimate or follow-up ..... will I use Auto Gallery when or if have a problem .... NO!!! This is my one and only experience with a Ferrari dealer ..... I'm sure Toyota or Chevorlet customer service and quality is better than most Ferrari dealers ..... and at a tenth the cost.

I think I'll change the t-belts myself.

 

You have VERY CLEARLY made the point of getting the car just right, to the original dealer, and he seems to have confirmed that. Now you want to send it back to him???????? When he sold you the car, he figured he will never see you again.

Have the new dealer fix the problems, and have the original dealer pay for them. It is in the new dealer's best interest to fix the car right, since he may be seeing you again.

 

It's time to get your hands dirty. This is why you need to be able to troubleshoot and fix yourself. That's what this board is for. At the very least the dealership should be able to tell you what to look for.

 

I ran into something like this with Alfa dealers, shortly after the Fiat take-over.

I got the car back from a dealer service, and it didn't run right. After three or four trips back to the same dealer, it still didn't run right. A different dealer found out why. (Head gasket installed wrong.)

However; my suggestion that he do the work and bill the first dealer didn't fly. They trucked the car back to the first dealer to fix -- and that dealer proceeded to make it even worse (pulling three studs out of the block). Eventually, the damage to the engine became so severe that it had to be replaced. The first dealer, of course, disavowed any responsiblity for that. That dealer is long since out of business.

After that (and a couple of similar incidents), once a shop has messed up badly, I don't let them have another chance to mess up more. It's easier to find a different mechanic and then let the lawyers figure out who pays than to have to find a different car, and have it become a bigger fight.

 

I agree. The first dealer F'd it up and they should pay for the repairs to be done by a dealer that is closer to you (and that knows what they are doing, but don't say that). The two dealers can talk and figure out how to make it happen. You shouldn't be spending a dime, and you shouldn't have to ship your car another 2,000 miles round trip, even if someone else pays for it.

Sorry this happened. This stuff always happens to me with computers. Hopefully dealer #2 will fix everything right and this will soon be a distant memory.

Birdman

 

Excellent news! It seems to have been resolved pretty easily, but you mentioned a dozen codes pointing to many potential problems.

What did it end up being?

 

Wow, that was close! Glad to see it was a small issue and that everything worked out...

 

You know, I have never, EVER got my Lotus back from a mechanic and had it working correctly. Always stupid crap that they should have done right. Things like a broken spark plug, shift linkage being fouled by headers, poor air bleeding, etc. Obviously they never drove the car to test it. I have learned how to fix things myself as I can screw up my car for a lot less money than a "mechanic" can.

I would never buy a Ferrari that I didn't either work on myself or had a local dealer I could hold accountable; long distance service is a loser proposition. I would get the local guy to do it and send the bill to the culprit (of course this has to be arranged in advance!)

Ken

 

I'm glad to see everything worked out well for you. Now, go drive the crap out of it.