[thoroughbred]

I want to know the cost of a manual clutch change out for an F430 and if it can be done yourself or if it needs special alignment like an F1 trans.

[ECSofVirginia]

A clutch job for the manual trans F430 can be $3-4500 depending on the labor rate and how many additional parts are replaced. There is no computer work needed, unlike the F1...as far as it being a DIY job...that depends on who you are.

I've met professional mechanics I wouldn't want to do a clutch in a Ferrari.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by ECSofVirginia

A clutch job for the manual trans F430 can be $3-4500 depending on the labor rate and how many additional parts are replaced. There is no computer work needed, unlike the F1...as far as it being a DIY job...that depends on who you are.

I've met professional mechanics I wouldn't want to do a clutch in a Ferrari.

I know that may be the truth but it certainly is a scary statement from an expert like yourself ECSofVirginia. Just because you are a pro or mechanic does not equate to quality. That is one of the main reasons that I do not take my cars to the so called authorized dealers. The shop that I trust is a small outfit that I have trusted for many years. w/ smiles Jimmy

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

That is one of the main reasons that I do not take my cars to the so called authorized dealers. The shop that I trust is a small outfit that I have trusted for many years. w/ smiles Jimmy

Scary as it is, it is the same for me. I would not like to have any of my cars serviced at the official dealers. They don't have a clue about classics, but I'm not too impressed with their knowledge of the modern ones either. Scary, really. So I also have my trusted specialist.


Onno

[430Addict]

Where I live, the official dealer just quoted me over USD$16k (approx) just to bring the F430 in for an inspection, an inevitable clutch change just because he "knows the history of my car too well" and an inevitable change of all bushings also because he "knows the history of my car too well". Unbelievable. Brought to a mate's small outfit and he solves the squeaky noises with a good slab of grease. Clutch was still good. Probably need an oil change. Total damage in the end, less than USD$2k and the car drives like brand new again.

[thoroughbred]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

I know that may be the truth but it certainly is a scary statement from an expert like yourself ECSofVirginia. Just because you are a pro or mechanic does not equate to quality. That is one of the main reasons that I do not take my cars to the so called authorized dealers. The shop that I trust is a small outfit that I have trusted for many years. w/ smiles Jimmy

so, what's the cost of the parts and labor

[Boxer]

At the end of the day it is about finding a mechanic you can trust and then staying with that person. In my case, it actually happens to be at an official dealer......not the one dealer who is 2 miles from where I live....but on that is 150 miles away.

The parts for a 430 manual clutch change should be around $1-1.5k assuming it is a straight forward job. Balance of the cost is labor.

[il Capolino]

When I lived in Spain it used to be a total nightmare. A big dealer workshop in Madrid would change tyres and return the car with grossly missaligned wheels ruining the tyres in one outing. On top of all they would bitch you in the face when telling them to set things straight. Dealers would d1ck you over on a regular basis on whatever account.

The only improvement was when the car was out of warranty. Then they would at least spend time on the car instead of giving you a bullsh1t story that there was actually nothing wrong with the car. I really hope the crisis in the Spanish economy will wash away the worst dealer workshops. Rolls-Royce, Mercedes and BMW were equally useless. In fact, the only decency I found was with Nissan. My Navaras never had any issues apart from a minor one which was resolved without bitching. I feel sorry for Spanish Ferrari owners. Recently however, I have found a new very good dealer workshop for my MB G400 Rommel which I keep in Spain. - I guess there are exceptions.

Now I have a splendid workshop in Lugano which is a Ferrari dealer. They are excellent with newer, classic and vintage Ferraris. They are focusing even more on older Ferrari maintenance by opening a special place and reception for the purpose. It will have lots of memorabilia, litterature, café/bar, etc. Now I am a very happy Ferrari owner. As a spontaneous gift I was given an old Borrani rear wire wheel for decoration! - and I am by no means a big client compared to the rest of the clientele. They even arranged a 458 engine block at a buddy-price. I want it for storing my grappa bottles in the liners. I am big time chuffed with my dealer. It makes such a difference having a good workshop for your gem. It really is worth wile driving 150 miles like in Boxer's case.

Capo

[StefVan]

Originally Posted by il Capolino

Now I have a splendid workshop in Lugano which is a Ferrari dealer. Capo

You buddy have a lot of chance to have an excellent dealer like Kessel close to your place! This guy is really an exception and I can't say so about the other dealers around here. I've been wasting so much time with them and the work was never done as expected. How many times, I found out missing bolts or parts? One day I discovered that some cars, while at the dealer, were also a source of spare parts for other cars because some clients were getting angry that they had to wait several weeks for the parts to be received...

Once I decided not to renew the warranty, I'm now maintaining my car myself as most as I can. I found also a local mechanic who has a very good experience in racing cars as he worked for a racing team since many years. Even if he's not a specialist of the F430, I'm doing all the knowledge transfer to him, provide him all the parts needed as well as the WS documentation. A F430 clutch job on a manual is like any other hydraulic clutch job, there is nothing specificly difficult or unachievable here. You don't need any diagnostic tools like the SD3 or SDX. An experienced mechanic with some good documentation can do that at very reasonable cost.

The advantage to work with a good independant mechanic is also when you're looking to improve something like the Hill Engineering throw-out bearing and updated starter ring. They will never be reluctant to do so as well as considering to resurface the flywheel or install a kevlar clutch + improved pressure plate. A dealer, at least here in my area, will install only stock parts

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by StefVan

You buddy have a lot of chance to have an excellent dealer like Kessel close to your place!

We are also lucky to have an excellent dealer/workshop in the UK - Carrs of Exeter. They also offer special rates for major work on vintage Ferraris.

[wetpet]

Good time for me to plug two of the best ferrari mechanics on the east coast. Richard and Fernando of our sponsor Competizione. We have had many similar stories from the local dealer and other independent shops around here. Some hair raising ones. Several on this board could tell their story. My favorite is the car that came into Competizione from the dealer with it's tires on backwards. The friggin tire had a directional arrow stamped right in the side! If these guys ever move or retire i'm not sure what would happen around here.

Competizione and Sports Cars - Contemporary, Race and Vintage Ferrari Maintenance and Service Specialists

[Killer58]

Originally Posted by wetpet

If these guys ever move or retire i'm not sure what would happen around here.

Josh would have to clone himself.