Service Time! Opinions and recommendations please

[c4sman]

sounds like you got to a good price. Think I will ring the two closest indies plus HRO and compare the benefits. I could go HRO by driving into London on route to work.

 

[c4sman]

Well it seems that MDs are prepared to almost price match indies so I'm opting for the md on this occasion as there is only£50 in it and MD is closer to me. Definitely worth ringing around for anyone's future reference.

 

[StuartW]

So I guess this is the smaller, 2 year service. Who are you going with and have they said what work they are carrying out for you on this service?

 

[rogerxp]

My concern with main dealers is that they hook you in with a low-ball quote then start to find things that need doing - suddenly your quote has doubled. Yeah, you can walk away, but given the potential hassle of dropping your car off, organising alternative transport, etc, it's all too easy to cave in and let them do it. Cynical I know!!

 

[c4sman]

So I guess this is the smaller, 2 year service. Who are you going with and have they said what work they are carrying out for you on this service?

It's the 2 year and from what I remember includes transmission/diff fluids, drive belts, power steering, geometry check, engine oil + filters, air filter and brake check. Prefer not to name the dealer but fairly easy to work out who.

And just remembered, brake fluid and engine coolant also included.

 

[c4sman]

My concern with main dealers is that they hook you in with a low-ball quote then start to find things that need doing - suddenly your quote has doubled. Yeah, you can walk away, but given the potential hassle of dropping your car off, organising alternative transport, etc, it's all too easy to cave in and let them do it. Cynical I know!!

I think this risk exists with any garage, however I doubt a main dealer would fraudulently make stuff up that needs fixing to squeeze cash out of you. What they will do is be really picky about anything that's slightly marginal and advise you to fix it, however these decisions will be down to me and as I know a little about cars and am reasonably handy it will be easy for me to assess whether or not to go ahead with additional work. As the car is a toy, I'm happy to arrange for it to be checked at another independent before authorising any work if I'm not sure as right now it would be fine for the car to be off the road for several weeks as I don't plan to use it a great deal in the winter.

 

[bigbob]

It's the 2 year and from what I remember includes transmission/diff fluids, drive belts, power steering, geometry check, engine oil + filters, air filter and brake check. Prefer not to name the dealer but fairly easy to work out who.

And just remembered, brake fluid and engine coolant also included.

Yep, that's the 2 year and/or 6 year service. Sounds like you got a good price.

 

[FF1078]

They wouldn't be identical, then, would they? And I bet they wouldn't be the same price.

C

I meant physically identical as in both red!
No they wouldn't be identical if one was black with 50K on and FMDSH and one was red with 20K on and none MDSH.

 

[StuartW]

It's the 2 year and from what I remember includes transmission/diff fluids, drive belts, power steering, geometry check, engine oil + filters, air filter and brake check. Prefer not to name the dealer but fairly easy to work out who.

And just remembered, brake fluid and engine coolant also included.

Well done, sounds good

 

[Colossus]

I think this risk exists with any garage, however I doubt a main dealer would fraudulently make stuff up that needs fixing to squeeze cash out of you. .

Sadly I know of a main dealer who has actually tried to do that to me, you need to be careful. That said, when I used HR Owen last they did point out a few very minor issues (slight rust on the jacking point being one) that they said they were duty bound to tell me about but didn't really need to be attended to at this point. Fair play I thought and I had no pressure to get unnecessary things done, which has been the case elsewhere. Good price and good service, so would use them again.

 

[c4sman]

Sadly I know of a main dealer who has actually tried to do that to me, you need to be careful. That said, when I used HR Owen last they did point out a few very minor issues (slight rust on the jacking point being one) that they said they were duty bound to tell me about but didn't really need to be attended to at this point. Fair play I thought and I had no pressure to get unnecessary things done, which has been the case elsewhere. Good price and good service, so would use them again.

Was that a Maserati main dealer or more run of the mill operation. Dealing with high volume lower end dealerships, I can imagine this happening but at the higher end I would have thought the reputational stakes are too high as your high net worth clients have the funds and inclination to take you to court!

 

[Colossus]

Main Ferrari Maserati dealer. Was told I needed two new cats as old ones shot, cost was £1300 each plus vat and then fitting. Decided to go down the Larini sports cat route instead and when Larini took my old ones off found there was nothing wrong with them. I could have raised a stink but would have got very messy and will simply never set foot in there again. Have subsequently found out that this dealer will always find that something needs doing that you simply cannot ignore. Very difficult to prove they are having you on but will never go there again. Like I said originally, be careful!

 

[rockits]

They should go back to the old school ways of leaving the old parts in your passenger footwell! At least you know they have been changed and you can inspect them.

I asked for the old parts once a couple of years back as I was convinced there was nothing wrong with them & they hadn't changed them. They thought I was joking. When I said I wasn't and I wanted to see them there was a ton of excuses to do anything to stop me from seeing them. They have been thrown away sir....well get them out of the bin then. Can't do that sir....health & safety....errrr they have been collected by recycling blah blah. I own them and want to see them I said. In the end we did a deal & I didn't go there again. Crooks!

You have to find somewhere/someone you trust. I often test people in weird & wonderful ways just to see if they lie to me. I would rather know there is a trust issue & lie's early doors. Many people I have employed & worked with lie. It always gets found out in the end. I despise lyers & it is a terrible trait. It seems harder and rarer to tell the truth. What is the point of lying....I don't get it.

 

[c4sman]

Main Ferrari Maserati dealer. Was told I needed two new cats as old ones shot, cost was £1300 each plus vat and then fitting. Decided to go down the Larini sports cat route instead and when Larini took my old ones off found there was nothing wrong with them. I could have raised a stink but would have got very messy and will simply never set foot in there again. Have subsequently found out that this dealer will always find that something needs doing that you simply cannot ignore. Very difficult to prove they are having you on but will never go there again. Like I said originally, be careful!

That is a real bad experience and will PM you for details of where. I would not risk going to a business that operates like that.

 

[safrane]

Thats why I use Emblem. Photos of parts being replaced, of the oil draining out, happy to let me work from their board room and peek if I wish...and all old parts laid out for inspection afterwards then tour of the car pointing out what may require attention in the coming months.

 

[Ebenezer]

Yes Emblem only too happy for me to dispose of my old bits for them!
Eb

 

[Sham83]

That is a real bad experience and will PM you for details of where. I would not risk going to a business that operates like that.

My 6 year service due early next year- would be good to know who to call and who to avoid!

 

[c4sman]

So, an update and somewhat of a surprise. My car went in for the service as planned on Saturday and I pick it up this weekend having had a courtesy car in the interim. Unlike my expectations and those of a few on this thread, the MD contacted me to tell me that the service and MOT has been completed and there were no additional items to attend to!

They have done exactly what they said they were going to do, so my decision to go to a MD hasn't been a bad one after all with no made up items of cost. An excellent service it seems.

 

[StuartW]

That's great to hear, good news indeed

 

[rossyl]

Think with the older coupes I'd go indie every time, they work on them day in day out and therefore know them inside out, whereas the MD mechanics do not. Would think it is a different story with GTs though so get some prices and see who is willing to match or beat the best price. Agree re the stamp, don't think an indie stamp would put people off buying.

My view is that you need to take a car to somewhere that regularly works on that model hence why 3200 and main dealer don't go well together. The good thing about long Maserati life cycles is that plenty of specialists have lots of experience of working on the same/similar cars. After all the QPV and GT/GC are all very similar.

I do think places like Emblem, Shiltech and Migilore are excellent indies. I am sure there are others as well. I have happily used both indies and main dealers.

But I don't really agree with the arguments that Main Dealerships need to see a car week in week out to be able to provide an excellent service. If you've ever walked round some of the well known Main Dealerships, you wll know what am talking about.

The last time I did I saw an F40, F50, a Dino, a 275, a 458, a California T, a Testarossa, a F355 a few F360s, a number of QPs, a few GTs and my 4200. Quite the spread! They knew the foibles of my car and I am sure the others as well. I doubt they see an F50 every week, every month or even every 6 months given there were only 350 made.

Don't forget the level of experience, training and equipment the more senior mechanics at these places have seen.

I am sure a F40 owner could afford a few more of the nice-to-do items rather than the must-haves. But few people get rich by being a fool and letting someone overcharge and pull the wool over their eyes. I also would imagine they demand a high level of service.