Dealer Vs Specialist. Who to trust ?

[rick.b]

I purchased a 360 modena not too long ago from a ferrari authorised dealer a few hundred miles away. A dilemma then was whether the additonal 1.5 - 2K was worth paying for ? The areas surrounding reliabilty, dealer reputation, and 1 year warranty were enough for me to stick with an authorised dealer.

Then you need to give it a major service. Again, specialist charges around £1500, dealer £2500. My local is charging £2700 for exactly the same service !

And finally the sale. No surprise if our dealer spots the odd hairline scratch.

So the issues that concern me are what price should we be willing to pay to an authorised dealer at purchase, service, and sale for the additional benefits gained ? I have been suspicious at the junior staff experience at specialist firms, but the differences in service charges tells the story.

I'm sure this issue is frequently brought up, but it would be interesting to know what some of you think today on this subject.

Edited by rick.b on Monday 13th November 21:39

[andmole]

Any information about alternative servicing would be very useful for a good friend of mine who has a 400i sitting in his garage (see my thread on this)

Thanks in anticipation

[burriana]

rick.b said:

I have been suspicious at the junior staff experience at specialist firms

Whereas a lot of us feel suspicious about the junior staff at main dealers. Every job has a time alloted to it ... don't do it right, do it in the time allowed!

Whereas all the specialists I know have set up on their own because of frustration with the working practices of the main dealers they used to work for ... they do what they do because of a love for the cars they work on.

Only time I would use a main dealer for servicing is if the car already has full dealer stamps and is still in warranty or v.low mileage ... after that, it doesn't matter so much.

[Big T]

After owning a Ferrari for over 2 and a half years and a Cerbera for a year before that, I have absolutely no faith in any of the specialists in the London area. I have had experiences wtih several of them, well known ones too which from reading the so many good things I've heard about them makes me think what a load of bullsh!t that is.

Now the 360 has gone I have a dilemna with my next purchase, if I do buy another exotica that is, do I 1. go main dealer and get ripped off with the prices but hope their service is any better than the sh!te independants out there, yeah you lot know who you are, or 2. Never buy a Lambo/Ferrari/Any Other in the London area again!!

But Rick, in answer to your topic, the answer from me would be NOT ONE OF THE SPECIALISTS I USED!!!

[360stimo]

Big T said:

After owning a Ferrari for over 2 and a half years and a Cerbera for a year before that, I have absolutely no faith in any of the specialists in the London area. I have had experiences wtih several of them, well known ones too which from reading the so many good things I've heard about them makes me think what a load of bullsh!t that is.

Now the 360 has gone I have a dilemna with my next purchase, if I do buy another exotica that is, do I 1. go main dealer and get ripped off with the prices but hope their service is any better than the sh!te independants out there, yeah you lot know who you are, or 2. Never buy a Lambo/Ferrari/Any Other in the London area again!!

But Rick, in answer to your topic, the answer from me would be NOT ONE OF THE SPECIALISTS I USED!!!

I use a specialist in Wandsworth and had nothing but great service and good work carried out. Would reccomend them to anyone. Nice bunch of guys too !

[jhoneyball]

I wouldnt trust either a specialist or a main dealer. Trust is earned over time.

[weepee]

I used an specialist, for the first time and can only give them the thumbs up. against the main dealers Crap workmanship, and a lack of respect for the car they carry out work on. and when you go to an indi dealer, any thing you require in relation to work that was carried out by the main dealer you are meet with the old go away syndrome. so specialists from now on.

[turboman]

I have always been told that Bob Houghton are very good, very fussy and not the dearest, but can't say I've ever been lucky enough to try them myself.

[Big T]

360stimo said:

Big T said:

After owning a Ferrari for over 2 and a half years and a Cerbera for a year before that, I have absolutely no faith in any of the specialists in the London area. I have had experiences wtih several of them, well known ones too which from reading the so many good things I've heard about them makes me think what a load of bullsh!t that is.

Now the 360 has gone I have a dilemna with my next purchase, if I do buy another exotica that is, do I 1. go main dealer and get ripped off with the prices but hope their service is any better than the sh!te independants out there, yeah you lot know who you are, or 2. Never buy a Lambo/Ferrari/Any Other in the London area again!!

But Rick, in answer to your topic, the answer from me would be NOT ONE OF THE SPECIALISTS I USED!!!

I use a specialist in Wandsworth and had nothing but great service and good work carried out. Would reccomend them to anyone. Nice bunch of guys too !

It can't be the one I know of there then who ripped me off with the servicing and who are slow and don't know their ar$se from their elbow, very poor outfit and service from someone who's meant to be a reputable outfit However, they are not as bad as two others in the London area I cannot mention on this public forum!!!

[Bebs]

BigT - the only reason you had trouble with the servicing was because you couldn't drive the thing properly

[rick.b]

burriana said:

Only time I would use a main dealer for servicing is if the car already has full dealer stamps and is still in warranty or v.low mileage ... after that, it doesn't matter so much.

Thanks for the points made, I just keep pondering over an issue that Burriana raised. Perhaps if the value of the car is under 50K, the maintenance costs should be kept lower than the typical dealer rate.

What about owners of 360s or 430s, valued between 70k & 120k and with a good service history ? For these cars, does the dealer price give more justification in terms of risk, skilled labour, etc. ??

[CJ.OK]

There seems to be varying opinions over the Main Dealer/Specialist debate but what about the 'Buying Private' option......?

I've never purchased a second hand car from a dealer (a few new ones maybe).... choosing to do my research over a few months, test drive a few and negotiate with CASH. Touch-wood i've never purchased a lemon for myself or friends but i know a few people that have come unstuck.

Heres a suggestion....

From reading various forums on this site it is obvious that there are quite a few experts when it comes to certain cars.... whether they be enthusiastic owners who know every square inch of their cars or fully trained Mechanics. Either way, these people could be very useful to us all when it comes to buying PRIVATE cars - as we all know there are massive savings to be made - over £10,000 in some cases.

So why no compile a list of these people, the car(s) they know about and their contact details....To make it worth their while, why not charge a small (cash in hand fee) for accompanying members to a viewing etc. and making observations that could help in negotiations.

Just a suggestion i know but something i know i'd pay for....

Regards,

Craig