430 Service dilemma
Discussion
Having used QV London in Windsor for well over 25 years i have had to use main dealer servicing on my 430 (Marananello's) ,
otherwise the Ferrari 2 year warranty given by them would become non void .
The warranty has now run out and the annual service is now due ,so now do i go back to QV who quoted £650 /£750 depending what they find apposed to the £1800 at main dealers ( last years invoice).
I have only covered under a 100 miles since last service and that is including my return trip from Maranello's and distance too and from M.O.T station.
Before you guys crucify me ,yes i should have used it more but with a combination of winter then Covid 19 lockdown , most car meeting cancelled and too many cars she has gone nowhere apart from up and down the driveway.
I am capable of servicing it myself as i do with the GTB and my other cars with tractor mechanics but then have no stamp in the now full Ferrari service book.
In my opinion it doesn't even need a service covering such a nominal mileage but knowing how fastidious Ferrari buyers are about servicing when the time comes to sell would i shoot myself in the foot by having a specialist stamp as qualified as QV are or a main dealer one
for the extra cost.
If i knew the 430 was going to be my forever car or the existing service history was patchy i am more than comfortable using QV as l much prefer to drink my cup of tea looking under my car with the technician who working on it than drinking it in a plush waiting room at a main dealer where i am just a number at the reception.
.
otherwise the Ferrari 2 year warranty given by them would become non void .
The warranty has now run out and the annual service is now due ,so now do i go back to QV who quoted £650 /£750 depending what they find apposed to the £1800 at main dealers ( last years invoice).
I have only covered under a 100 miles since last service and that is including my return trip from Maranello's and distance too and from M.O.T station.
Before you guys crucify me ,yes i should have used it more but with a combination of winter then Covid 19 lockdown , most car meeting cancelled and too many cars she has gone nowhere apart from up and down the driveway.
I am capable of servicing it myself as i do with the GTB and my other cars with tractor mechanics but then have no stamp in the now full Ferrari service book.
In my opinion it doesn't even need a service covering such a nominal mileage but knowing how fastidious Ferrari buyers are about servicing when the time comes to sell would i shoot myself in the foot by having a specialist stamp as qualified as QV are or a main dealer one
for the extra cost.
If i knew the 430 was going to be my forever car or the existing service history was patchy i am more than comfortable using QV as l much prefer to drink my cup of tea looking under my car with the technician who working on it than drinking it in a plush waiting room at a main dealer where i am just a number at the reception.
.
Edited by rat rod on Saturday 3rd October 14:55
Chris355 said:
QV are a recognised specialist. I'd have no problem buying a car with stamps from them, or any other well recognised specialist.
Apart from my 458 (service pack) I have always used specialists on my fcars and never had an issue selling them. I used QV on my 348 and then Grimaldi on all the others. They were both great.
Ps. Even with tiny mileage I would still service every year. Gaps In service history can be a big issue to buyers.
I don't know what happened here but i thought i deleted this thread by accident ,it suddenly reappeared today without me doing anything,Apart from my 458 (service pack) I have always used specialists on my fcars and never had an issue selling them. I used QV on my 348 and then Grimaldi on all the others. They were both great.
Ps. Even with tiny mileage I would still service every year. Gaps In service history can be a big issue to buyers.
Thanks Chris for your advise and everybody else for their input . Mike and Phil are great guys and we go back 26 years ,almost feel embarrassed using anyone else it's only with the terms of the warranty i had no choice.
footsoldier said:
Speaking from personal experience as a buyer and as a user, I'd rather buy an older car with well-known specialist stamps than main dealer. 430 is borderline 'older', wouldn't care either way.
Only negative is if it's stamped by Kwikfit or similar!
Seems that the general consensus is that as long as it's got a stamp from a respected specialist it shouldn't take anything away from the car.Only negative is if it's stamped by Kwikfit or similar!
As i said I service the GTB myself along with the MX5 and the Rods but as you say the 430 is a borderline car and not having any telemetry equipment so is best left to the experts.
Mlke has always looked after the 400 S but was totally disinterested in servicing the Gallardo saying he wasn't to keen on the later cars,
Edited by rat rod on Thursday 29th October 01:37
chillo said:
Unfortunately only done 170 miles in the last 12 months in my 430 spider, I haven't got it serviced this year as it's been nowhere! 
Have got the mot done which provides history for this year.
Don't see it as an issue with this year being an exceptional year for everyone etc.
I have got some outstanding things needing doing (ball joint, brake pads and broken edif connector requiring replacement) which i will get sorted next year now.
As others have suggested I think solid history from a good independent is just as good and possibly even more desirable as in some eyes it can show a more hands on approach to looking after your F car and imho even demonstrates the owner being more of an enthusiast.
You've summed it up perfectly, agree with everything you said.Have got the mot done which provides history for this year.
Don't see it as an issue with this year being an exceptional year for everyone etc.
I have got some outstanding things needing doing (ball joint, brake pads and broken edif connector requiring replacement) which i will get sorted next year now.
As others have suggested I think solid history from a good independent is just as good and possibly even more desirable as in some eyes it can show a more hands on approach to looking after your F car and imho even demonstrates the owner being more of an enthusiast.
Go into the yard at the Maranello workshop and it's always full to the brim winter and summer, I know they can't keep
every car undercover but unless it's a Le Ferrari or a million plus classic chances are yours will be outside while not being
worked on, Most of the specialists do their best to keep your car undercover even when not working on them.
I think most of the new models are corporate owned cars and leased unlike the older models that are privately owned and paid
for with hard earned money and are the owners bride and joy.
Also nice to talk to the person who is working on your car.
Like you i have left the servicing till next year as i still haven't broken the 100 mile mark yet.
Going back a bit when i was buying almost new 308's i seem to remember the servicing schedule was every 3,000 miles
then Porsche put a 12'000 mile schedule on their cars and Ferrari reduced theirs to 6,000 miles almost overnight,
Now which is it,that's double the mileage ,Moving the goal posts come to mind.
jtremlett said:
rat rod said:
...Go into the yard at the Maranello workshop and it's always full to the brim winter and summer, I know they can't keep
every car undercover but unless it's a Le Ferrari or a million plus classic chances are yours will be outside while not being
worked on, Most of the specialists do their best to keep your car undercover even when not working on them...
I think that's a bit unfair since I cannot immediately think of any of the main dealers or specialists I know that have the indoor space to keep all the cars undercover - and I have visited quite a lot! If you mean overnight, then that's different as some do put all the cars in overnight. I should perhaps add that I haven't visited QV's current premises (they keep moving!) but they didn't have the space for that at the previous premises that I visited.every car undercover but unless it's a Le Ferrari or a million plus classic chances are yours will be outside while not being
worked on, Most of the specialists do their best to keep your car undercover even when not working on them...
QV have moved around a bit but they have been in Windsor for quite a while now , They have a space problem like anyone else but manage to put everything away at night.
Not saying anything against main agents but cars like the 430 are old now and not the latest and greatest and there's more chance
of them being left outside rather than something newer and more expensive.
With the specialist they mainly look after the older models and you build up more of a personal relationship with them.
Less formal and you can have a cuppa in the tea room with the technicians and will go that extra mile for you and if possible will
keep your car under cover as they know what the car means to you.
Been driving Ferrari's for 31 years and know most of the specialists who are all still in business and have never really come across
a bad one yet, that is apart from one, Mention no names.
Edited by rat rod on Thursday 10th December 01:51
mwstewart said:
At Graypaul mine is left in the rear compound along with much newer cars. I never gave it a second thought.
Not suggesting at all that the cars are unsafe outside just me being OCD ,Also depends what the time of year it is , obviously summer is less of a issue ,
Apart from my daily drivers i wouldn't dream of leaving my cars outside at home for two or three days in the rain if there is a under cover
alternative which is not the case at the dealers.
Edited by rat rod on Thursday 10th December 18:59
mwstewart said:
Excuse the unintentionally curt response - I was typing on the move.
I'm much the same when it comes to storing the car at home but I don't mind it getting wet if I'm away on a trip or have to leave it somewhere. I'd rather use it carefree than it become too much of a hassle.
I agree with you,I'd tried to buy a higher mileage car that was still in nice condition and had the sports seats , once it's hit 45k milesI'm much the same when it comes to storing the car at home but I don't mind it getting wet if I'm away on a trip or have to leave it somewhere. I'd rather use it carefree than it become too much of a hassle.
it doesn't really matter and having one or two small marks you can enjoy it more.
But instead i ended up with a very low mileage immaculate black example out of Maranello's showroom.
It's a pain especially in black ,become OCD about it and probably would have enjoyed the other one more,
The Gallardo's is black as well so spend more time polishing than driving but don't worry ,going to see my therapist next week.
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