Bradan major service round 2

[Valenzo]

thank god this had to go back for a round 2

[jgoodman]

This is exactly why I sometimes feel that a "serviced" vehicle may actually be in some ways worse than a car with no service records. Just because you have big bills to show that work was done does not necessarily mean the work was done right. Good to see things are finally getting straightened out for you Ted.

[JoeZaff]

Originally Posted by jgoodman

This is exactly why I sometimes feel that a "serviced" vehicle may actually be in some ways worse than a car with no service records. Just because you have big bills to show that work was done does not necessarily mean the work was done right. Good to see things are finally getting straightened out for you Ted.

Your nuts.



Best thing to do IMHO,

(1) research the prior owners of the car to learn what type of owner they were
(2) only look at cars with service records from an exceptional mechanic, call that mechanic and inquire in precise detail about the service performed and what they didn't do and why.
(3) Get the car PPI'd.
(4) Have the car serviced as soon as practical, and find out where you stand. I am beginning to think it is better to buy a car due for its major than one that was just done.

Buying a car without service records is like sleeping with a prostitute. You have no idea who she's been with and if you are lucky, you only walk away with an itch

[Valenzo]

Originally Posted by JoeZaff

I am beginning to think it is better to buy a car due for its major than one that was just done.

Buying a car without service records is like sleeping with a prostitute. You have no idea who she's been with and if you are lucky, you only walk away with an itch

Pick a model that practiced good hygiene but now just needs new boobs and and an ass lift. This way you can choose the surgeon and pick out the parts that best suits your intended purpose and when you get back to riding her, you won't be riding in spue and she'll be able handle your skills

[Mr.Chairman]

Originally Posted by BRADAN

I have a good idea why the rear main seal area was leaking now. When doing the update the previous installer did not use an OEM O-ring to seal the rear cover. You can see 3 different types of silicone were used instead.

WTF.. That is f*cking amazing.. We pay top dollar expecting to have top mechanics work on our cars but they are nothing but a bunch of f*cking shoe makers..

R

[Valenzo]

Originally Posted by Mr.Chairman

WTF.. That is f*cking amazing.. We pay top dollar expecting to have top mechanics work on our cars but they are nothing but a bunch of f*cking shoe makers..

R

The previous service shop is a celebrated Fchat member / sponsor so i'm a bit surprised.

I can't stress enough how important it is to sit down with your service provider before, during and after your car goes in. All of this should have been done in round 1, it would have saved me time and money but i'm very glad Bradan stepped up, stayed with it and worked out a fair agreement afterwards. Thanks Dan.

[BRADAN]

Originally Posted by JoeZaff

Your nuts.



Best thing to do IMHO,

(1) research the prior owners of the car to learn what type of owner they were
(2) only look at cars with service records from an exceptional mechanic, call that mechanic and inquire in precise detail about the service performed and what they didn't do and why.
(3) Get the car PPI'd.
(4) Have the car serviced as soon as practical, and find out where you stand. I am beginning to think it is better to buy a car due for its major than one that was just done.

Buying a car without service records is like sleeping with a prostitute. You have no idea who she's been with and if you are lucky, you only walk away with an itch

I fully agree.

[jgoodman]

Originally Posted by JoeZaff

Your nuts.



Best thing to do IMHO,

(1) research the prior owners of the car to learn what type of owner they were
(2) only look at cars with service records from an exceptional mechanic, call that mechanic and inquire in precise detail about the service performed and what they didn't do and why.
(3) Get the car PPI'd.
(4) Have the car serviced as soon as practical, and find out where you stand. I am beginning to think it is better to buy a car due for its major than one that was just done.

Buying a car without service records is like sleeping with a prostitute. You have no idea who she's been with and if you are lucky, you only walk away with an itch

I agree, particularly with #2&3&4 Joe, but have no experience with your last analogy!

[dailyferraridriver]

Eh, IMO Jay was right the first time - I know Daniel (Bradan) yells at me with every purchase, but I don't care if it was serviced prior if they didn't do it correctly! I want to pay an amount and expect it to go in for a major +.

Hasn't worked out well for me - but I still think I'm right.

Erik

[full_garage]

Do keep in mind here that the issues Ted is having addressed here are the kinds of things that MOST sub $50K Ferrari owners live with...period.

We've ALL gone to look at cars- be they 308s, 328s, Mondials, 348s etc. that have one window motor dead, no A/C, dried and shrunken leather, multiple oil leaks, rusty exhausts and dried and collapsed bushings. Yet they look pretty good.

Geez I've looked at close to 50. In every case the guy who owns the car always says- "recent Service" "Belts changed 3,000 miles ago" "Starts first time" "Runs great" "Totally reliable" etc.

It's when really conscientious owners get these cars and tell their trusted mechanic to "Fix everything", well that's when we start to spend some money. Hang around these cars long enough and it will happen to anyone. Having a car that is completely sorted under your watch is sort of priceless though... Peace of mind is a good thing with Italian cars.

[Mr.Chairman]

It more like some of these mechanics need to be supervised while hey are working on the car.. Replacing the string seal was the right way to do it vs. using three different types of sealant.. People are willing to cough up the big bucks but getting sh*t service in return..

R

[BRADAN]

Originally Posted by Mr.Chairman

It more like some of these mechanics need to be supervised while hey are working on the car.. Replacing the string seal was the right way to do it vs. using three different types of sealant.. People are willing to cough up the big bucks but getting sh*t service in return..

R

Most of the poor quality work we see is clearly from compromising to get the job out the door. For example instead of loosing 3 days waiting on a 0-ring, why not just use silicone instead. We take a long time to do our job because we refuse to take short cuts. It's just as frustrating for me to keep hitting stops on a job as it is for the owner to keep having the deadline pushed back.

[2000YELLOW360]

Originally Posted by full_garage

Do keep in mind here that the issues Ted is having addressed here are the kinds of things that MOST sub $50K Ferrari owners live with...period.

We've ALL gone to look at cars- be they 308s, 328s, Mondials, 348s etc. that have one window motor dead, no A/C, dried and shrunken leather, multiple oil leaks, rusty exhausts and dried and collapsed bushings. Yet they look pretty good.

Geez I've looked at close to 50. In every case the guy who owns the car always says- "recent Service" "Belts changed 3,000 miles ago" "Starts first time" "Runs great" "Totally reliable" etc.

It's when really conscientious owners get these cars and tell their trusted mechanic to "Fix everything", well that's when we start to spend some money. Hang around these cars long enough and it will happen to anyone. Having a car that is completely sorted under your watch is sort of priceless though... Peace of mind is a good thing with Italian cars.

I've spent over 25k on my t over the last 4 years. Have I gotten everything: probably not. However, those things that haven't been fixed aren't that big of a deal (slow windows, and those damn seat belts are minor problems).

Remember, these cars are over 20 years old, and in their day, quite expensive. Most people who own them, aren't going to spend 10 - 15k per year to maintain them, and that is what they require to be kept in as new condition. That's why they sell for less than 50k.

Art

[BRADAN]

A/C compressor sent out for repair and R134 conversion.

[BRADAN]

O-ring gasket arrived.

[fastradio]

Originally Posted by BRADAN

...It's just as frustrating for me to keep hitting stops on a job as it is for the owner to keep having the deadline pushed back.

I understand your pain, but this is really all about managing customer expectations. The issue with parts needed, versus inventory on hand hasn't changed in 30 years or so that we've been servicing F-cars. As we all know, as the cars get older, there are more surprises and subsequent delays.

[PAP 348]

Originally Posted by BRADAN

I have a good idea why the rear main seal area was leaking now. When doing the update the previous installer did not use an OEM O-ring to seal the rear cover. You can see 3 different types of silicone were used instead.

They should have used Loctite 510 Gasket Eliminator.

[maestro8]

Originally Posted by jgoodman

Just because you have big bills to show that work was done does not necessarily mean the work was done right.

Ho man did I ever learn this one the hard way.

I knew a guy who had $12k of work done on his Mondi, and he ended up with a car held together with superglue and electrical tape, running on 6 cylinders.

Originally Posted by JoeZaff

(2) only look at cars with service records from an exceptional mechanic, call that mechanic and inquire in precise detail about the service performed and what they didn't do and why.

(2.5) Call around the vicinity of that mechanic and see if any other shop had to "fix" the guy's work.

[BRADAN]

AC lines removed.

[BRADAN]

AC condenser removed for pressure testing.