Mid engine maintenance cost?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 10
Mid engine maintenance cost?
Im thinking better include an extended warranty if buying one of these. Not the easiest cars to work on i.e. Ferrari, Porsche, Lambo, Audi. It would be nice to keep a front engine model available for us average middle income joes?
Popular Reply
Oct 30, 2018, 12:20 AM
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 199
From: Oakhurst Ca
So tired of hearing this, it's the answer to everything. Because I bought something expensive I should expect poor design (high cost of maintenance) or expect to get ripped off because I have money. Part of buying something that cost more than others is better design, more reliability. At least that's what I do when I buy something more expensive than the alternate choices, I expect it to last longer and be better made so in the long run I made a good choice. I know this is not a good analogy but as I first said, so tired of hearing this
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,144
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Its not the parts costs. Its labor. Mid engine cars are more complicated and difficult to work on. So, it's more labor.
Under warranty no one cares. After warranty everyone cares.
Under warranty no one cares. After warranty everyone cares.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 1,349
From: Big D Dallas TEXAS
Audi R8 V8 A/C compresure change out 800 parts 5000 labor, ebgube needs to be pulled. Mag Ride shocks, 4 replaced and installed at dealer is 9200 dollars. ME cost more to work on just because of the placement of the motor.
Last edited by fasttoys; Oct 29, 2018 at 09:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 422
From: NY
I bet the Chevy engineers worked all of this out. No way any Corvette owner would put up with extraordinarily high maintenance costs -- it would violate the unstated contract Chevy has with Corvette owners. Recall too that Lamborghini, McLaren, and Ferrari produce less than 8,000 cars per year (I believe Ferrari is the largest producer, at about 7600 vehicles). These manufacturers can't work out the maintenance kinks because they don't have the run span to do so and owners are not complaining. As the owner of a C7 Z06 and some exotics, I remain amazed at every aspect of the Corvette, and bet the remarkable value, sheer competence and world class characteristics will only be enhanced.
Last edited by fpfaeth; Oct 29, 2018 at 09:53 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: NM
I don’t see maintance on a ME being any worse than a front wheel drive car. Both have engine/transmission/differential as a single unit setting between the drive wheels with all the associated drive shafts, shocks, springs, etc. Those high maintenance costs are for exotics and people except high cost for them. But here we are dealing with a Chevrolet where those types of high costs are not acceptable.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 199
From: Oakhurst Ca
So tired of hearing this, it's the answer to everything. Because I bought something expensive I should expect poor design (high cost of maintenance) or expect to get ripped off because I have money. Part of buying something that cost more than others is better design, more reliability. At least that's what I do when I buy something more expensive than the alternate choices, I expect it to last longer and be better made so in the long run I made a good choice. I know this is not a good analogy but as I first said, so tired of hearing this
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Antioch Ca
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
When a mid-engine like Ferarri, Lamborghini, or McLaren are brought in for service, how do the techs get to the engine. Do they drop the motor or remove the rear and rear side fenders to get to it. Seems it would be difficult to lean into the engine bay of a mid-engine that's buried in the middle as opposed to a front engine car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 422
From: NY
The last 'production' Ferrari that needed a 'drop the engine' procedure to do anything more than an oil change was the 355, about 20 years ago. As Foosh wrote, all depends on design. The V12s are simply really complex and tightly packaged, which makes working on them difficult. On my ME McLaren, maintenance is pretty simple, once you take off all the under panels, which can take some time and patience. On the positive side, it has no belts, so that's one hassle I'll never need to deal with. Brakes are simple (identical to Z06).
Race Director
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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I agree. My F430 engine components were accessible from underneath. Parts were pricey, though which is why I no longer have it. A water pump change, parts and labour, was $5K. I did install headers and aftermarket exhaust in my garage and a brake pad swap was as simple as the C7.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 365
From: NSL UT
I think the ME will be designed around ease of maintenance. They know they'll be serviced at their dealerships. My 911 turbo oil could be changed very easy in about a 1/2 hour, access to all four drain plugs was simple. The whole motor could be quickly dropped about 4 inches to allow more room on top. It's all about design and how it's put together.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 936
Likes: 286
From: Shreveport Louisiana
Exactly. You buy sports/performance cars for the thrill of driving not practicality and affordability . Thats what economical cars are for...
I will say thats the problem with Corvette though. Its like the only performance car i can think of that has such unreasonably high expectations! People want it to have super car performance, exotic looks (but STILL maintain that american not european look), do cross country road trips, be DIY friendly, all while still clocking in near the price of the current C7 stingray!!!
I will say thats the problem with Corvette though. Its like the only performance car i can think of that has such unreasonably high expectations! People want it to have super car performance, exotic looks (but STILL maintain that american not european look), do cross country road trips, be DIY friendly, all while still clocking in near the price of the current C7 stingray!!!
Last edited by bgspot; Oct 30, 2018 at 11:47 AM.