Got the 550 back

328Matt · 04-17-2010, 06:24 AM

Sent the 550 for an MOT,gearbox oil change and air con regas and it failed the mot! The steering rack was worn, but thanks to my independant it has been fully rebuilt for £365 plus VAT....A bargain when a new one is £3,200 plus VAT. He also changed the engine mounts-another known weak spot for the later 575 ones. The parts for this were £190 plus VAT. The car drives even better now with better feel through the wheel, seems much more adjustable now, although they did the tracking as well (i got told the 550 is very sensitive to tracking issues)-really worth the cost, looks like i got her back in time for summer! Just Zymoled and hd cleansed and freshly covered in bugs after a good run out......God i love this car!

Ollenaram550 · 04-17-2010, 08:31 AM

Seems very reasonable.

Who is your independent? PM me if you prefer

JazzyO · 04-17-2010, 10:49 AM

Cool, nice, enjoy!

Onno

enz898 · 04-17-2010, 12:36 PM

Hi Matt,

I too would like to know your independent garage, seems like very reasonable prices. My 550 is due a service and mot soon, so I would like to shop around, but at the same time I want someone which is reliable.

I took my 550 out this afternoon with 2 friends, both with F430 spiders. We went through some tunnels and it was absolutely mind blowing, since I was in the middle having 2 F430s flooring it, the echo/howl from in front and behind me.

All I can say is WOW.

Jacob

328Matt · 04-19-2010, 11:06 AM

I don't want to embarass my indie- i have given him high praise before! It is AE performance in knutsford,cheshire. The rack was replaced all worn parts renewed such as track arms, new seals and pressure tested. I think the cost of carridge to the repairer was £39. Best thing was even though he had gone on holiday for a week he kept me informed when the sub contractor let him know they could recondition the rack. I am far from rich and the thought of an over 4k bill for a new rack was not helping me sleep! He let me know every step-the engine mounts were shot and did i want them replacing-they can put pressure on the rack when worn so that was a no-brainer.Air con recharge was about 75 quid all in, and gearbox oil about 40 quid plus half an hour labour. He is really busy at the moment, which in my opinion is the best advert to his business of all, so if you want something doing get it booked sooner rather than later. His labour rate is £55 per hour plus vat an absoulute bargain! Let me know how you get on......

Ollenaram550 · 04-19-2010, 11:48 AM

Matt,

Thank you very much for the response. Very detailed and useful.
Knutsford is about the same distance for me as the London indies so I will very likely give your guy a go. My belts will need doing at the next service this autumn so I have plenty of time to get it booked in.
I know what you mean when you say " god, I love this car". The car is truely sublime.
Once again - appreciate the heads up.

328Matt · 04-19-2010, 01:50 PM

Just to add, he has quoted me £430 plus vat for an annual which i will need this year and does not know where some of the other specialists get their prices from. Most are around the 800 mark plus vat. He is very professional and factory trained on 550 models. I have used him for years after being disappointed with other local specialists on my 328. Have a look at his web site,regards,Matt.

04-17-2010, 06:24 AM	#1
328Matt Owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lymm,cheshire Ferrari Life Posts: 19 Name: Matt	Got the 550 back Sent the 550 for an MOT,gearbox oil change and air con regas and it failed the mot! The steering rack was worn, but thanks to my independant it has been fully rebuilt for £365 plus VAT....A bargain when a new one is £3,200 plus VAT. He also changed the engine mounts-another known weak spot for the later 575 ones. The parts for this were £190 plus VAT. The car drives even better now with better feel through the wheel, seems much more adjustable now, although they did the tracking as well (i got told the 550 is very sensitive to tracking issues)-really worth the cost, looks like i got her back in time for summer! Just Zymoled and hd cleansed and freshly covered in bugs after a good run out......God i love this car!

04-17-2010, 08:31 AM	#2
Ollenaram550 Owner Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: U.K Ferrari Life Posts: 127 Name: Al	Seems very reasonable. Who is your independent? PM me if you prefer 430 spi 550 Diablo 6.0 VT

04-19-2010, 11:48 AM	#6
Ollenaram550 Owner Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: U.K Ferrari Life Posts: 127 Name: Al	Matt, Thank you very much for the response. Very detailed and useful. Knutsford is about the same distance for me as the London indies so I will very likely give your guy a go. My belts will need doing at the next service this autumn so I have plenty of time to get it booked in. I know what you mean when you say " god, I love this car". The car is truely sublime. Once again - appreciate the heads up. 430 spi 550 Diablo 6.0 VT

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04-17-2010, 10:49 AM	#3
JazzyO Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Channel Islands Ferrari Life Posts: 4,289	Cool, nice, enjoy! Onno

04-17-2010, 12:36 PM	#4
enz898 Owner Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: N/A Ferrari Life Posts: 59	Hi Matt, I too would like to know your independent garage, seems like very reasonable prices. My 550 is due a service and mot soon, so I would like to shop around, but at the same time I want someone which is reliable. I took my 550 out this afternoon with 2 friends, both with F430 spiders. We went through some tunnels and it was absolutely mind blowing, since I was in the middle having 2 F430s flooring it, the echo/howl from in front and behind me. All I can say is WOW. Jacob

04-19-2010, 11:06 AM	#5
328Matt Owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lymm,cheshire Ferrari Life Posts: 19 Name: Matt	I don't want to embarass my indie- i have given him high praise before! It is AE performance in knutsford,cheshire. The rack was replaced all worn parts renewed such as track arms, new seals and pressure tested. I think the cost of carridge to the repairer was £39. Best thing was even though he had gone on holiday for a week he kept me informed when the sub contractor let him know they could recondition the rack. I am far from rich and the thought of an over 4k bill for a new rack was not helping me sleep! He let me know every step-the engine mounts were shot and did i want them replacing-they can put pressure on the rack when worn so that was a no-brainer.Air con recharge was about 75 quid all in, and gearbox oil about 40 quid plus half an hour labour. He is really busy at the moment, which in my opinion is the best advert to his business of all, so if you want something doing get it booked sooner rather than later. His labour rate is £55 per hour plus vat an absoulute bargain! Let me know how you get on......

04-19-2010, 01:50 PM	#7
328Matt Owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lymm,cheshire Ferrari Life Posts: 19 Name: Matt	Just to add, he has quoted me £430 plus vat for an annual which i will need this year and does not know where some of the other specialists get their prices from. Most are around the 800 mark plus vat. He is very professional and factory trained on 550 models. I have used him for years after being disappointed with other local specialists on my 328. Have a look at his web site,regards,Matt.