Dealer Issue F355
Discussion
Bit of friendly advice needed here chaps!
Had trouble with the 355 the other day when it refused to start in a petrol station after refuelling. Plipper was working fine but fuel pump wasn't kicking in. Took the passenger footplate off and fiddled with the fuses and the car eventually sprung into life after being left for 15/20 minutes. Decided to take it to the local main dealer to have it looked at as the aircon needed a re-charge too. Never used the main dealer before apart from the fuel pipe recall last year where they encouraged me to go back offering favourable rates etc etc so decided to let them attend to these two faults.
Today I get a call from them stating that the reverse switch is faulty (£1600+VAT) and thats the cause of the non-starting problem(its an F1). I don't accept that the reverse switch would cause the fuel pump not to start - am I right in that assumption?
More importantly, they stated that the offside rear wheel was kerbed and this was noted on the inspection checklist prior to the car going into the workshop. I know for a fact that the wheels were perfect when I took the car in. The dealer is telling me it was not them. The car is for sale at the moment and I have high-res photos taken the day before the car went in to prove that all the alloys were indeed perfect. Do I have any leg to stand on from a legal perspective with them?
It must be said, I am spitting blood at the moment. It'll be tomorrow before I can inspect the damage at the dealer and I want to go in with all my facts in place!!
I have shyed away from main dealers as the previous main dealer 10 years ago managed to put a dent in my 308 and I vowed then I would never return. Seems history is repeating itself....
Had trouble with the 355 the other day when it refused to start in a petrol station after refuelling. Plipper was working fine but fuel pump wasn't kicking in. Took the passenger footplate off and fiddled with the fuses and the car eventually sprung into life after being left for 15/20 minutes. Decided to take it to the local main dealer to have it looked at as the aircon needed a re-charge too. Never used the main dealer before apart from the fuel pipe recall last year where they encouraged me to go back offering favourable rates etc etc so decided to let them attend to these two faults.
Today I get a call from them stating that the reverse switch is faulty (£1600+VAT) and thats the cause of the non-starting problem(its an F1). I don't accept that the reverse switch would cause the fuel pump not to start - am I right in that assumption?
More importantly, they stated that the offside rear wheel was kerbed and this was noted on the inspection checklist prior to the car going into the workshop. I know for a fact that the wheels were perfect when I took the car in. The dealer is telling me it was not them. The car is for sale at the moment and I have high-res photos taken the day before the car went in to prove that all the alloys were indeed perfect. Do I have any leg to stand on from a legal perspective with them?
It must be said, I am spitting blood at the moment. It'll be tomorrow before I can inspect the damage at the dealer and I want to go in with all my facts in place!!
I have shyed away from main dealers as the previous main dealer 10 years ago managed to put a dent in my 308 and I vowed then I would never return. Seems history is repeating itself....
If the car thinks it's in gear it will not turn over so I guess a reverse switch could be the sender to tell the ECU whether to allow the starter to turn. If it's turning over but no firing/ fuel then I'd suspect the Immobiliser.
Can't believe a reverse switch is that sort of money, it's probably a £9 ford part!, I'd take to a recognised specialist for a 2nd opinion.
Re the Wheel, the main dealer in my area now inspects the car in the car park prior to booking it in, I guess to avoid these situations. I would take copies of the photos you have explaining when they were taken and reiterating that the wheel was undamaged on delivery to them, give them a chance to correct their position
Can't believe a reverse switch is that sort of money, it's probably a £9 ford part!, I'd take to a recognised specialist for a 2nd opinion.
Re the Wheel, the main dealer in my area now inspects the car in the car park prior to booking it in, I guess to avoid these situations. I would take copies of the photos you have explaining when they were taken and reiterating that the wheel was undamaged on delivery to them, give them a chance to correct their position
If you have dated and time stamped pictures of the alloys on the day it went in which show them to be un-marked, then take a copy of them along - I take it you took the pictures of the car at the dealers so they can not claim that you damaged them on the drive over. But yes, you have evidence that the vehicle was in fine condition before she went in and now is damaged, therefore it follows that she was damaged by them.. If the pics were taken before you drove to the garage, then it's a bit more of a tricky one, did they go through the "inspection" with you before you left the car with them and point out the alloys etc? If not, then the question they need to answer is why not...
Seems a bit odd that they would mention a kerbed alloy on the phone to you after they have taken the car in, if they hadn't done it they wouldn't feel the need to mention it surely. I would go in armed with the pics and ask for them to repair, or knock the cost of the refurb off of your bill for the diagnostic work.
Either way, good luck, hope you get it sorted. What's coming after the 355 is sold?
Either way, good luck, hope you get it sorted. What's coming after the 355 is sold?
To answer the questions, the photos were taken prior to driving to the garage, so they could easily argue that it happened on the way there. I'm pretty sure I didn't mount any kerbs backwards though. I should think I would remember that!
To be honest, I think I'm gonna pay them for what they've done and take the car to the place it usually goes for work. I'm not convinced by their diagnosis. They also want over £200 for an air-con recharge which I think is kinda steep given what I've paid in the past. I'll do some homework on the reverse switch too - £1600 for a switch is a bit overboard, even by Ferrari standards! I was hoping this experience was going to restore my faith in the dealer network, but has only confirmed the opposite.
I too found it strange they would mention the kerbed wheel as I'd only called for an update on what was happening with the car. It did sound like they were leading the way in dodging responsibility. But I honestly don't think I've got a leg to stand on as 1) I didn't inspect the car with the service manager on arrival and 2) I have no evidence that it wasn't damaged before it arrived, even though I know for certain.
As for whats coming next, I'm afraid the answer is nothing. The car belongs to the chap I work for. I bought it, I look after it, deal with the maintenance and keep it tip-top. I seem to be more livid about this than the owner does! Anyway, he rarely drives the car these days and needs the storage space for other things. It'll be a sad day when it goes, its simply the best thing since sliced bread as far as I'm concerned. There are faster Ferraris, better built Ferraris and more desirable Ferraris, but of all the ones I've driven (308, 360, 430, Testarossa), nothing raises a smile more than the 355 does. I'll really miss it. Another few years and I'll have one of my own though so all is not lost.
Thanks again for the comments guys.
To be honest, I think I'm gonna pay them for what they've done and take the car to the place it usually goes for work. I'm not convinced by their diagnosis. They also want over £200 for an air-con recharge which I think is kinda steep given what I've paid in the past. I'll do some homework on the reverse switch too - £1600 for a switch is a bit overboard, even by Ferrari standards! I was hoping this experience was going to restore my faith in the dealer network, but has only confirmed the opposite.
I too found it strange they would mention the kerbed wheel as I'd only called for an update on what was happening with the car. It did sound like they were leading the way in dodging responsibility. But I honestly don't think I've got a leg to stand on as 1) I didn't inspect the car with the service manager on arrival and 2) I have no evidence that it wasn't damaged before it arrived, even though I know for certain.
As for whats coming next, I'm afraid the answer is nothing. The car belongs to the chap I work for. I bought it, I look after it, deal with the maintenance and keep it tip-top. I seem to be more livid about this than the owner does! Anyway, he rarely drives the car these days and needs the storage space for other things. It'll be a sad day when it goes, its simply the best thing since sliced bread as far as I'm concerned. There are faster Ferraris, better built Ferraris and more desirable Ferraris, but of all the ones I've driven (308, 360, 430, Testarossa), nothing raises a smile more than the 355 does. I'll really miss it. Another few years and I'll have one of my own though so all is not lost.
Thanks again for the comments guys.
All main dealer are suppose to go round the gar with you on drop off. note all defects with car and get you to sign against things like this,,
Your photos are not really needed go in and ask to see the service manager if you get no joy ask for the M.D, explain there was nothing wrong with wheel when it was dropped off & see what they say, Threaten them with ferari customer car centre, they wont like complaints made against them,
By the way if they have damaged the wheel so your car will need a proper geo check making sure nothing else has beeb damaged, Hope you get some good feedback,,
Your photos are not really needed go in and ask to see the service manager if you get no joy ask for the M.D, explain there was nothing wrong with wheel when it was dropped off & see what they say, Threaten them with ferari customer car centre, they wont like complaints made against them,
By the way if they have damaged the wheel so your car will need a proper geo check making sure nothing else has beeb damaged, Hope you get some good feedback,,
abarth130 said:
The car belongs to the chap I work for. I bought it, I look after it, deal with the maintenance and keep it tip-top. I seem to be more livid about this than the owner does!
I'm lost?with regards to the wheel, if its on the pre inspection you have signed, then i doubt you will have any substance to a claim sadly
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