Servicing your precious?

[c3nturi0n]

Considering early QP's Mk6 are now nearly 10y old, I wonder do you still visit main dealers for regular servicing?

n.b. and correct me if i'm wrong, petrol QP's ought to be serviced every other year (or 12,500 miles) right?

 

[conaero]

Correct, petrol are 12k 2 year servicing, diesels, 12k miles and every 12 months

 

[Alan Surrey]

Just a thought.
QP 6 is quite a big car. I could be worth thinking about where might you be parking it, at home and when you go out. Will it fit? Will the turning circle do the job? Perhaps find some owners and talk to them.

 

[CatmanV2]

Nope.

C

 

[Phil H]

16 years of Maserati ownership, and 4 cars including the VI, and I've only ever had servicing carried out by an indie. There comes a point where main dealer history may look good in the book but may not be as good for the car or bank balance and there's plenty of anecdotal evidence for both; it's subjective, but except for top end stuff (Veyrons and the like) I'd suggest using a recognised indie at the 5 year point or thereabouts - or where warranty demands main dealer input. With fewer Maserati main dealers these days it could also be a right royal pain to find one close enough to be practical.

That said, I use a main dealer for MOT tests because it's closer than my indie and I won't trust a Mas to my local garage.

 

[philw696]

@Phil H
As an ex tester I feel hurt
Where ever it's done it's just a minimum standard Government Test but if they are the closest why not.

 

[Phil H]

No reflection on the industry at large Phil. I used a local tester until he retired, so moved to another nearby tester to mot the daily driver; when I asked about brake testing and the potential impact on a Maserati diff I was told "diffs are all the same mate it's not a problem" and they apparently didn't know what a Tapley was. The dd still goes there, but I wouldn't risk a QP.

 

[c3nturi0n]

16 years of Maserati ownership, and 4 cars including the VI, and I've only ever had servicing carried out by an indie. There comes a point where main dealer history may look good in the book but may not be as good for the car or bank balance and there's plenty of anecdotal evidence for both; it's subjective, but except for top end stuff (Veyrons and the like) I'd suggest using a recognised indie at the 5 year point or thereabouts - or where warranty demands main dealer input. With fewer Maserati main dealers these days it could also be a right royal pain to find one close enough to be practical.

That said, I use a main dealer for MOT tests because it's closer than my indie and I won't trust a Mas to my local garage.

That's reassuring, thanks Phil.

I'm also off the opinion that once warranty expires (or when a car is >6y old), that it is no longer prudent to maintain the main dealer history. Trusted & knowledgeable independent is much more preferred route.

Off the back of your knowledge, do QP V8s require 'belt/s replacment' at the 60k miles?

 

[philw696]

No reflection on the industry at large Phil. I used a local tester until he retired, so moved to another nearby tester to mot the daily driver; when I asked about brake testing and the potential impact on a Maserati diff I was told "diffs are all the same mate it's not a problem" and they apparently didn't know what a Tapley was. The dd still goes there, but I wouldn't risk a QP.

That's shocking and sad to say I've worked with people like that.
Some people just shouldn't be working in the profession.
Every Station has to have a Tapley meter and they should know how to use it.

 

[P R]

When mine was in the first 3 year warranty period, I used MD. For as much as anything the smooth flow of any warranty claims. Once it was up, I went independant (so far 1 service, 2nd in a few weeks time). First thing he asked was had I just paid for an oil change as the air filter was in terrible condition!

 

[philw696]

When mine was in the first 3 year warranty period, I used MD. For as much as anything the smooth flow of any warranty claims. Once it was up, I went independant (so far 1 service, 2nd in a few weeks time). First thing he asked was had I just paid for an oil change as the air filter was in terrible condition!

In fairness to the Main Dealers having worked for a few as a technician many people ask for just a lube service to get the stamp in the book it's very frustrating.
That's why it's important to look at the invoices that match the service book carefully.

 

[Guy]

I have been using Indies 99% of time, MDs only for cars under OEM warranty. Main advantages from my perspective;

1. You often discuss the car with the guy who actually does the work
2. They often fix things rather than replace large parts (Merc specialist fitted a clamp to refit an AMG exhaust. MD would have replaced the 'failed' rear exhaust at a cost of 800GBP vs 5!)
3. MDs spend most of their time on sub 4 year old cars, indies know the marque better for older cars
4. MD fitters (hard to use the word mechanic or engineer!) are bonus'd to bill over 100% time. If the book says it takes 2.5 hrs to do a job, that's what they bill whether they finished in less. Hence the opportunity to bill >100%.
5. There is so little margin selling cars, so MDs have to find the money somewhere to pay for the designer showroom, coffee machines, high end furniture and lighting etc. I bet much is paid for from the servicing dept.
6. MD - "needs discs and pads all round". Specialist "pads will see you to the next service and discs the one after that". Had this at Porsche, BMW and Merc.
7. Specialists usually show you the worn/damaged parts before throwing them away leading to confidence and trust.
8. We have some v good Maserati specialists on here!

 

[philw696]

In any establishment you need a Good Service Manager and Advisor who liases with the technicians and the customer.
Up selling is not good apart from the bonuses management get.
I've always treated every car as if it's my own.

 

[Motorsport3]

That's shocking and sad to say I've worked with people like that.
Some people just shouldn't be working in the profession.
Every Station has to have a Tapley meter and they should know how to use it.

Paranoid now, didn't know this term, Googling "Tapley"

 

[midlifecrisis]

That's shocking and sad to say I've worked with people like that.
Some people just shouldn't be working in the profession.
Every Station has to have a Tapley meter and they should know how to use it.

Which justifies @Phil H 's concern.
I myself have found a decent MOT place locally who love it coming in for an MOT, so much so they tell me that they have to use the Tapley meter , but to get it calibrated they take the car out for a few hours, just to make sure...or so they tell me. No seriously, they are good and I'll take it back next year.

 

[P R]

In fairness to the Main Dealers having worked for a few as a technician many people ask for just a lube service to get the stamp in the book it's very frustrating.
That's why it's important to look at the invoices that match the service book carefully.

Thats what my indie thought Id done. I didnt.. it was a full £1k service I paid for!

 

[Phil H]

That's reassuring, thanks Phil.

I'm also off the opinion that once warranty expires (or when a car is >6y old), that it is no longer prudent to maintain the main dealer history. Trusted & knowledgeable independent is much more preferred route.

Off the back of your knowledge, do QP V8s require 'belt/s replacment' at the 60k miles?

Sorry mate, I have a V6 so am not aware of the V8 requirements, but I'm sure that your chosen indie would advise.

 

[philw696]

 

[CJ Romeo]

3 stamps from a main dealer on mine, rest are from Maserati and Ferrari specialists, saving a fortune. brakes and suspension by any decent workshop.

Even at half the labour, the parts are still expensive though.

 

[philw696]