What is the proper price for the 18k service on an '02-'05 Maserati?

If convenience is your primary motive pick a dealer and tell them to do it. If you'd like the best value:
1. Find an independent that works on Maserati and/or Ferrari
2. Have them sell you the services on a line item basis; not everything bundled into an "18K service". You can do the line item thing at the dealer but they may get cranky about it and try to make you feel like you're not caring for your car.

If you really buy what you "need", making the decision in partnership with the servicing shop "K" services will cost about 1/2 over the life of the vehicle with no difference in maintenance quality for the car. If there something wrong with the car that needs a computer connected diagnostic take it to the dealer for that (hopefully warranty)

 

marcmc8867, have you had to do a clutch replacement yet??

 

Clutch seems fine now (12k miles). I did have to replace the rear tires already though!
Have you had clutch issues?

 

Nope...no clutch problems, I have 8,000 miles...thats funny you have to replace the rear tires...it looks like I have to replace the fronts soon...the rears look fine, I dont get it?

 

Yes I was surprised. They were worn in the middle as though they were over-inflated. I averaged 32 pounds in the rears. I did do a few "launch-control" burn outs; maybe took more off the tires than I thought.

 

the tires on your maserati should be at 29 psi front and rear. check the tag on the drivers side doorjamb.
as for where to service your car, anywhere but the dealer would really only be able to change fluids and would probably have to get their parts from the dealer anyway. they wouldn't be able to perform software updates and service bulletins. i know i'll probably be flamed for this but that's been my experience with independents. my advice is to pick a dealer(preferably the one where you bought the car) and give them a chance to develop a personal relationship that over the long run will pay off. in case you haven't checked my profile i AM a tech at the dealer in salt lake. we try hard to please our customers and don't screw anyone. my advise, take it to the dealer and enjoy the drive.

 

I completely concur with what Zack recommends in this regard. Nearest dealer from me is 2-1/2 hours away (same dealer where purchased), and that is where the car will be going for any and all service -- for many of the reasons Zack alluded to.

 

Zack, I can't argue with your advice. The other side of the argument is this: I've have had many high end cars and I know a lot of dealer owners and service managers personally as well as lots of independents. And for my preference I find better pricing, more customized service and greater convenience with an outstanding independent.

I too am in the business. I own a consulting company that teaches dealership and independent service departments how to run their businesses better. It is true that there are more bad independents than their are bad dealership service departments; but there are more great independents than there are great dealership service departments (although there certainly are some great dealer service departments). My comment in this thread was for the guy who was trying to watch his budget regarding an 18k service, and I thought he was more likely to control his costs with an indendent and maybe not have to drive 4 hours.

My Quattroporte is kept in Los Angeles and there are some outstanding independents there for Ferrari/Maserati. Anyhow, no argument from me; a good dealership can do a great job and is the only place for warranty work or very model specific issues.

BTW, I'm driving from LA to SLC this week to give a workshop for auto service providers on Saturday. I'll be going thru all that great Northern Arizona and Southern Utah country - any travel tips?

Ken

 

Zack, got a question for you. In my Quattroporte there is a button on the dash, to the left of the steering wheel that makes the rear center head rest shoot forward. This seems like an excellent punishment device for my teenagers, if one of them was sitting in the middle rear, but I doubt that is what Maserati had in mind. What is its purpose? Improving the view out the back is my best guess, but that headrest would only be in the line of vision of someone extremely short.

And by the way,thanks much for the tire pressure tip; and you are right. I never changed the pressure so the car was delivered with 32 (or the tire pressure sensor is off).

Thanks,
Ken

 

kbrookings
I guess that in socal your going to have alot of both (dealers and independents) that cater to high end exotics. here its pretty much us and "bubbas shade tree exotics". our market isn't that big. but we still have to keep our customers happy and from deserting to the dark side (german cars).
as for travel tips the only one i have is to stay off I-15 and you cant go wrong. there is so much beautiful country that after awhile you just cant take it anymore. if your traveling in the qp i cant think of a better car to do it in.
and yes the center headrest does pop forward to improve rear visibility. the other great torture device in the car is in the rear armrest where your teenager can run moms seat all the way forward. only the italians.

 

Thanks Zack, yep I plan to not see I-15 on this trip and I agree the QP will make every mile a pleasure. Yes, the ability to find a good shop to work on exotica is market dependent. Keep up the good work on all those cool cars.

Ken