Experience with Ferrari of Scottsdale service dept - any comments? | FerrariChat

Experience with Ferrari of Scottsdale service dept - any comments?

Discussion in 'Arizona & New Mexico' started by Zanny1, Aug 11, 2018.

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  1. Zanny1

    Zanny1 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 19, 2003
    974
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    Mike
    I live up in Prescott. The Modena Coupe is ready for an annual oil change, check engine light just came on, brakes are screeching at low speed stops, and my last experience at FMS was terrible.
    Any local AZ owners go to the authorized dealer for service? What's your experience been like? Any other independent shops in the Phoenix area?
    Thanks
     
    neil e dale likes this.
  2. Ferrarimondial348

    Ferrarimondial348 Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2012
    503
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    Stephen
    I’ve used FMS since 2012 with only one or two hiccups. Andy has always taken great care of any issues.
    Other AZ FChatters swear by Alex Treverso @ (480) 241-8877. He is at the Deer Valley Airpark if I remember correctly.
     
    Rampante likes this.
  3. topcarbon

    topcarbon F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 3, 2006
    2,580
    andy is very detail oriented, very methodical, but very slow.
     
  4. RWP137

    RWP137 Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2013
    1,588
    AZ
    Full Name:
    Rick
    I just had my 458 serviced at Ferrari of Scottdale. No issues with them and the bill is still on FNA. I don’t think I’d take an older car there as there’s better indi options around.
     
  5. arizonaitalian

    arizonaitalian F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 29, 2010
    19,897
    Wyoming
    There are essentially 3 options in the PHX area; Andy, Alex and the Dealer.

    Do a search on here and you will find members' opinions. They vary.

    I have used the dealer for 10 years for my Maser Gransport and for my Challenge Stradale. I trust Russell and they have done good work at "reasonable" rates (for ferrari's) for me over the years. I've spent something like $40k in that service shop...so...I voted for 10 years with my wallet.

    But, you will find some here (Ingenere for one) that have had negative experiences at the dealership (and some who have negative opinions despite not having any experience).

    As always ymmv.
     
  6. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 21, 2004
    1,718
    Hong Kong / USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    Andy Falbo (FMS)is a great place to have your F car serviced if out of warranty.
     
  7. Zanny1

    Zanny1 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 19, 2003
    974
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Thank you for the replies.
    I believe Andy is very capable....however he has difficulty retaining shop support techs and that probably accounts for my last experience there. My steering rack was leaking and FMS removed/rebuilt the unit. They failed to install the fairing retainer screws on the front. Several months later, during a spirited drive, the fairing dropped and hit the pavement, broke off the remaining retainers, just made a mess of everything. I could not get a response from FMS and fixed it myself.
    They also made such a mess of the driver's seat (oil/grease) that it had to be redyed, which they handled while at the shop. There were other issues too.
    I like Andy and have been there several times. This is an issue of trust, and for that reason I am looking elsewhere.
     
  8. Dicecal

    Dicecal Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 15, 2015
    1,797
    Phoenix, AZ
    Full Name:
    Rob
    WOW, that sucks. I use FMS for my 430, did have a minor issue with my floor mats a bit dirty a few years ago. Just got it back today from my annual, looked like Andy was doing most of the work, and he had a mechanic back who was a former FoS mechanic.
     
  9. benny11_85308

    benny11_85308 Karting

    Dec 12, 2016
    139
    vault motor sports is another place to try. I bring my 458 there for service and always great service.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
     
  10. rob4092xx

    rob4092xx Formula Junior

    Mar 8, 2010
    570
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vault Motorsports closed shop and went out of business! Bummer!
     
  11. benny11_85308

    benny11_85308 Karting

    Dec 12, 2016
    139
    I didnt realize that. that sucks

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
     
  12. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2001
    6,336
    On the Limit
    Full Name:
    Dino
    I wouldn't buy a magazine from the dealer.

    If I'm not doing my own work, Alex Taverso has done great work for me. Andy has as well, but he's just too far for me. They are both great techs.
     
  13. Zanny1

    Zanny1 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 19, 2003
    974
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Thanks Ingenere.

    I will give Alex a try when I bring the car to Phoenix for service.
     
  14. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
    9,294
    CHNDLR
    Full Name:
    Scott
    I looked at buying an F430 from a kind Dr. in Scottsdale. In going over the maintenance history paperwork, there was recent $7k bill from Alex, who had spent over a grand of the Dr./owner's money cleaning the Varicam due to sticking. I called a Tech I know in LA and inquired about this, he stated "we don't clean them but replace them with new and our replacement cost is $1200."

    He then asked "what is the guy cleaning for that $1000+ item charge?" I called Alex up, explained I was a prospective buyer and asked about it without being aggressive, then got a very vague response as "it just needed it".
    I did not mention it to the Dr. but it did raise my eyebrow. BTW, The remainder of the $6k in bill appeared legitimate to me and I was happy it was done, but that one item seemed inconsistent.
     
  15. Zanny1

    Zanny1 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 19, 2003
    974
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Took the 360 in for annual service at Alex Traverso's shop.
    Work appears to be high quality and was done on time as promised.
    Alex also fixed a host of problems created by the last shop's work. You can PM me if you want details.
    All in all...... a good experience.
     

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  16. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2001
    6,336
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    Dino
    Alex is a great tech with massive experience on the road cars as well as running a Challenge team. If he charged to service the variators, he did.... and probably did a bunch of other things that he saw but didn't charge for. He has always done right by me and everyone I know who has used him.

    He is an old school craftsman who will tend to service and fix (if possible), rater than just be a parts replacer. Either way, your car will be in great hands.
     
    copterjon likes this.
  17. Continental AutoSports

    Sponsor

    Aug 22, 2006
    4,393
    Hinsdale, IL
    Full Name:
    Bobby Williams / Parts Manager
    I called FMS once, looking for an obsolete part, because on their website it states, "Hard to Find Ferrari and Alfa Romeo Parts". The person on the other end of the phone literally laughed and couldn't come across more annoyed that I called. He finally said they don't sell parts but I informed him the website lays claim to selling Ferrari parts. He said, "sorry, no parts," then hung up the phone.

    Fantastic customer service.
     
  18. Trouts10

    Trouts10 Karting

    Dec 2, 2015
    163
    Chino Valley, AZ
    Full Name:
    Richard Heilman
    I just moved to the Prescott area in December, 2020. I needed to have the annual done on my 2000 Modena three-pedal and used European Auto Technicians and supplied all my own proper fluids. They did a good job but were about as much as a dealer would charge ($1600) and referred me to the Phoenix/Scottsdale dealership for the belt service as that not something they felt confident in doing. I have not called the dealership yet for a quote, but I did call FMS and experienced a rather brusque and condescending conversation after I asked about the cost. In a laughing response, I was told "$7000-$8000 because the car is 20 years old." I said, "how can just a belt service be that much alone and do you use Hill Engineering parts?" I did not receive much of response other than there may be fluid leaks (there are not), fluids need to be changed (I already told him I had that done at EAT in Prescott), and many other things probably need to be replaced." (really?) I just didn't get a good feeling about them, IMHO, but certainly found out they charge at least as much as the last Ferrari dealer (Ferrari of Los Angeles/Westlake). I should mention that I have owned the car for 4 1/2 years and am the second owner and have all previous service records. The car had 15,700 miles on it when I purchased it and it now has 17,500 miles, so very minimal usage and no problems of any kind save for the alarm battery giving up the ghost. (heard that was around $1200 to replace). I may try Dan at Drambo motors as he was very friendly and helpful over the phone and he is supplying me a quote within the next day or two. If anyone has had experience with him, please let me know.
     
  19. Zanny1

    Zanny1 Formula Junior
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    Dec 19, 2003
    974
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Terrible experience at FMS a few years ago. PM if you want details.
     
    Trouts10 likes this.
  20. arizonaitalian

    arizonaitalian F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 29, 2010
    19,897
    Wyoming
    I haven't done a major on one of these in 3 years now, but it was $4k WITH the annual/bi-annual fluid replacements. The belts portion was $2300 range and the fluids/filters/etc were $1700. (the time before that was under $3500, but that was a while back). No way should a "major" (belts, tensioners, plus all fluids and filters) be $7000-$8000 on a 360.

    Edit: also, use the search tool here as I seem to recall another thread or two that mentioned someone up near the deer valley airpark area that was recommended by some here...
     
    Trouts10 likes this.
  21. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 29, 2007
    14,725
    Phoenix AZ
    Full Name:
    Justin
    So I have two people I can't recommend enough.

    Alex traverse especially if you have a 360 or earlier car. He is the absolute best. He knows every knook and cranny and every single tip or truck or update for those cars. He is truly an amazing mechanic. He is fun to talk with and is a genuine friend.

    The other shop that is great Greg at British auto repair in Scottsdale. Don't let the name fool you. They do high-end British rolls Bentley aston... As well as concour and rally prep but also do Italian cars and their shop is amazing and first rate.

    They both do excellent work.
     
    SoCal to az, Zanny1 and Trouts10 like this.
  22. Trouts10

    Trouts10 Karting

    Dec 2, 2015
    163
    Chino Valley, AZ
    Full Name:
    Richard Heilman
    Thanks for that. I never heard back from Dan at Drambo, so not sure what to make of that. I just spoke with Alex and am scheduled for mid-June belt service. I concur that he is fun to speak with and he even texted me afterward to warn about using anything but 15/50 oil due to the warm climate in AZ versus other parts of the country, so I will have him replace the Pennzoil 0/40 I just used at European Auto Technicians. I suspect Alex and I will become friends, too. I owe him a bottle of Barolo for that unsolicited advice on the engine oil!
     
  23. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 29, 2007
    14,725
    Phoenix AZ
    Full Name:
    Justin
    100% you guys are going to be friend... Especially if you show up with that bottle!
     
    Trouts10 likes this.
  24. Old89driver

    Old89driver Rookie

    May 14, 2021
    1
    Full Name:
    Herman Wacker
    Just to add an experience. I have a new to me 2002 575M that I took to Scottsdale Ferrari for annual service. I had a very thorough PPI at a California shop before buying it. Scottsdale made the same findings - all clean and trouble free. That gave me some confidence. I thought it was a good experience.
     
    azfast1 likes this.
  25. My AZFerrari

    My AZFerrari Karting

    Sep 16, 2018
    55
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    Sean Thompson
    I’ve gone to the dealer since 2018 with our 430, 458 and our Ghibli. No complaints and always seem to get great service. Russell Bastian there is our service writer and he is great as well.


    Blessed F430 and 458 owner
     
    azfast1 likes this.

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