Conflicting dealers advice on F430 Service - Clarity Please?

[allister]

Dear All

I'm just in the process of arranging an Annual Service for my F430 Manual Transmission (a first for me).

As I live in Sheffield, I'm pretty much equidistant from JCT600 Leeds, Graypaul Nottinham and Stratstone Wilmslow, this means I can go to either, enabling me to obtain competitive quotes from each before choosing where to go. However, today I spoke with all three dealers and not only got different prices but different information about what was included in the service - For example, one said that engine oil wasn't changed, is this correct - Sounds Crazy!!

Also, one quoted me for what they called a larger annual service (I haven't seen this one mentioned in the book, just annual or mileage). This I was told included all the annual stuff plus Power Steering Fluid, Gearbox Fluid and Aux Belt. Another dealer told me Aux Belt wasn't needed yet, although I noted that it is now nearly 6 years since last changed (although only 4,800 miles ago).

Please can anyone share with me the facts on this? What should be included and more importantly, what at this point is really needed?

By the way the car has done 21,500 miles - It's been serviced annually and had it's 18,750 service done early at 16750 miles in September 2010.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Allister

[allister]

RamboLambo said:

So its done 5,000 miles in 5 years since the last Major service. What's it had done in between just basic annuals for 5 years on the trot ?
I was told 2 annuals and the 3rd should always be a major on a rolling basis irrespective of mileage hence why a lot of cars have the mileage/major service stamped early

From what I can see:

2015 - Annual 1 Service at 19,948
2014 - Invoice states Annual 2 Service at 19,683 (included Brake Fluid, Power Steering Fluid & Gearbox Oil, Air Con Re-Gas)
2013 - Invoice states Annual 1 Service at 19,354
2012 - Invoice states Annual 1 Service at 19.045 (also carry out Brake Fluid Service and carry out AUX Drive Belt Service). However, I can't see a belt listed as a part on the invoice - I'll call and check with Marenello Egham.
2011 - Annual 1 Service at 18,010
2010 - Larger 18,750 service carried out by main dealer (pre-delivery to a previous owner) at mileage 16,751

So there have been a couple of occasions where servicing over and above the basic annuals has been carried out.

[allister]

F355GTS said:

Oil is always changed irrespective of annual or mileage, Annual is pretty much a checkover and oil and other filters change. Mileage services are larger i.e. Gearbox oil and depending on which one Spark plugs etc, check your documentation it should all be listed.

Note there are what's known as 2 year items e.g. Brake Fluid, Air Con and a couple of other bits.

How many miles will you do in next 12 Months?, if it's a reasonable amount have the 25k mile service done rather than an annual

Thanks for that - I've checked the "Service Book's Time Schedule" and from what I can see gearbox oil & power steering oil are both every two years in addition to the standard annual.

Only reference to AUX Belt, is change more frequently if you're spending a lot of time in traffic, or extreme hot or cold conditions - all a bit vague really!

[allister]

cgt2 said:

How on earth can a service be a service without an oil change, the mind boggles...

I often change oil on cars at six months intervals in between services. If a dealer really said that to you then that would be setting all kinds of alarm bells ringing about what other work they won't do and I'd run not walk.

Sorry, to be fair, I'm probably misleading you a bit - She didn't say it wasn't changed, I asked for a list to be e-mailed over as to what was included in the service and there was no mention of oil.... I think with any other car I wouldn't have raised the question but with Ferrari main dealers, very little would surprise me!

[allister]

F355GTS said:

That car needs using more, 300 miles a Year on average in the last 6 Years!

I completely agree - I think the previous owner only did a few hundred miles each year!

I've had it 10 months now and covered about 1,500 miles, which I feel is the minimum to keep everything moving and in order.

Edited by allister on Friday 4th March 23:44

[allister]

Nano2nd said:

how much are you being quoted, the one thing i found was there was a huge price difference between 2 of the options on your list!

Yes you're right, prices varied considerably, from £800 - £1,300 as did the description of work

[allister]

daytona355 said:

Nano2nd said:

next major is 32500, there isn't a 25000 one

That's the one I'd have done then if it were mine. I don't do big mile ages in my ferraris, so I've tended to do two annuals, and then replicate a major year three, just to be safe. It's like changing the tyres when they get five years old regardless of tread -safety first for cars capable of great speed and handling

I think I may look at doing this just for peace of mind - Anyone got an idea of target price I should be looking to achieve for a larger (18,500 / 32,500) service with main dealer on an F430?

[allister]

daytona355 said:

Give Carrs of Exeter a ring, if you are anywhere near, they are excellent and cost effective. I really couldn't guess what the cost is, my servicing for the cars on annuals tends to be £600-900 depending on cars (612/430/599/360 over the years), and from £1200-1900 for major services over the same cars when needed, but last time I paid for a service was a couple years ago due to the 458 being on the free service plan, so I may be miles out.

I go 100 miles to use Carrs every time, can't recommend them enough 01392 822080

It's good to hear something positive about a main dealer, as more often than not it's negative experiences that most (myself included) seem to encounter - Unfortunately though I'm in Sheffield so Carrs are going to be too far. Thanks for the comments though.

[allister]

petrolpat said:

My car is booked in with DL in Swindon at the end of March for a 18500 mile service quoted cost £1800 approx. I did phone round and and could have got it a little cheaper. Some dealers offered a discount for a winter rate.

Edited by petrolpat on Saturday 5th March 08:01

Thanks again Pat, unfortunately Swindon's also a bit too far, the price indicator is helpful though.

[allister]

j3gme said:

Paid £700 inc vat with JCT in October 15 and paid £1280 inc vat in October 14 for the 18500 service ... Ask for Craig at service always seems to want a deal

Thanks j3gme - This is really helpful and sounds competitive, I'll call them Monday.

Many thanks again

Allister

[allister]

Nano2nd said:

that was my experience too, the place in Notts didn't want to deal at all "thats the price, take it or leave it attitude", well i left it and felt better about the £250 in my pocket

Thanks for that Nano2nd, I'll call JCT tomorrow..... I haven't been thrilled so far with Notts either - Long story but I was less than happy with some elements of my F430 following delivery, things that should have been picked up and corrected pre-delivery. The only thing in their favour was that they did put everything right once pushed.

[allister]

mwstewart said:

I don't like them either.

It's not just me then..... I was already reluctant to go back but they replaced my manifolds only 400 miles ago. Since I've noticed that the tailpipe now seems to rattle as if it has dropped, lift it slightly and the rattle disappears. It's been suggested to me that it sounds like a bracket - I was going to insist that G.P. Notts replaced it as they were the last ones to work in this area only a short time ago, of course if I don't go back I'll have to pay for the repair myself.... Has anyone had an exhaust bracket replaced and if so, what was the cost?

[allister]

Thanks to all for your comments (particularly Chris, j3gme), they've all been really helpful, got a cracking deal at JCT600 Leeds and have gone with them.

Many thanks again to everybody for all your input.

Allister