Between a rock and a hard place!

Between a rock and a hard place!

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craig

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

286 months

Friday 5th July 2002
quotequote all
I'm having a bit of a nightmare with my 355. I bought it 2 months ago from a Ferrari main dealer (known as 'dealer A' for now) with full warranty. Took it to Le Mans and it started playing up - the catalyst control unit was faulty and was shutting down one bank of cylinders - great!!!
Anyway, got back home and took it to Maranello's to get control unit replaced under warranty. Turned out £1000 of additional work was needed including replacement of engine and gearbox mountings, handbrake adjustment, air vent repair, reversing lights faulty, exhaust re-alignment, etc. Of course none of this was covered under warranty and I was none too pleased!
I contacted 'dealer A' and they authorised payment for all work except the replacement of the engine/gearbox mountings (the most expensive items) unless they examined the car first.
I now have to take the car up to 'dealer A' - the problem I have is that they say they have never come across this problem before (hence will probably say they don't need replacing) whereas Maranello's say they do it all the time (although admittedly it's in their interest to find so called 'faults' from a financial point of view).
Does anyone have any advice here - maybe I should get the RAC to check the car out and give an independent opinion?
Sorry for the long post

craig

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

286 months

Friday 5th July 2002
quotequote all
Manu

The car went it with the following list of faults - cat sensor, reversing lights not working, squealing noise from front wheels and air vent faulty. They susbequently found the other problems of which only the cat sensor was covered under warranty (the warranty will not cover faults that would have been in existence when the car was delivered - i.e. engine/g'box mountings).
In terms of sorting this out I may try the route of getting one of their mechanics down to look at the car. Dealer A offered to pick the car up but as their transporter is off the road would not be for some time!

craig

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

286 months

Friday 5th July 2002
quotequote all
craigw - no the dealer is not in SW London (but I'd rather not say where)

456mgt - you are right in most respects. My only real concern is that dealer A will not recommend changing the mountings. The other issue is being without the car for some time over the summer. I'm going to another dealer tomorrow to get a second opinion.

thanks for the comments

craig

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

286 months

Wednesday 10th July 2002
quotequote all
Well I picked up the car on Sat from Maranello's after they had replaced the cat control unit and other minot parts. Half an hour later it played up again so had to take it back. Just got a call to say that they had to replace the lamda sensors and ?thermo couplers? in both cats and all seems to be fine after a road test - luckily all is covered by warranty!

Dealer A is collecting car from there on Friday to check out the engine/gearbox mountings - at least there's no summer to speak of that I'm missing!

Will keep you posted

craig

Original Poster:

1,181 posts

286 months

Wednesday 31st July 2002
quotequote all
well dealer A did not find fault with the engine or gearbox mountings - surprise, surprise!

I had the car delivered back 2 weeks ago, took it out and it started misfiring! arghhhh!

dealer A were disinterested and advised me to take it back to Maranello's who were very helfpul - they found the problem and luckily it was covered by warranty

I starting to think I made a mistake buying the 355 but it sounds like I've just been unlucky.

I think I may well be renewing the warranty next year - does anyone know the cost?