I was just thinking about what it would be like when you have to do some work on your C8. It seems like the rear hatch doesn't allow as much access to the engine as you have with a front-engine car, but I could be wrong about that. Hopefully the rear hatch includes the rear side sail areas so that you don't have to lean over the sails to work on the engine. It's probably not a big deal when changing oil and filter, but what if you need to be in there for a while to change a fuel injector or something like that? God forbid that you would ever have to change out the engine, but if you did, would it have to come out from underneath or above? I imagine the transmission and rear axle will have to come out from underneath, but that's how it has always been anyway.

Maybe we will be in for a pleasant surprise and find that maintenance access is better than ever with this car. Wouldn't it be nice if the rear was a clamshell that pivots up or could be easily removed entirely? That gives you the best possible access, and you don't have to worry about scratching your paint when you lean over the body to do some work. Furthermore, if you could remove the rear area of the body, then the engine and transmission could be removed from above.

 

To me I don't see this as much different than where we are today. Gonna have to pick up some new tools I'm sure but that's all good. I just look at it as the same work just doing it a bit a different. Hopefully an oil change doesn't require 8 drains to be removed, lol, but if that's what it takes then so be it.

PC

 

Might not be bad, we'll just have to see. My Porsche turbo looked impossible when you would open the lid you couldn't see anything, but once you got into it it was pretty easy to access everything, it did have 4 drain plugs for a oil change but even that was quick to do.

 

What became glaringly apparent with the C6 and C7 is the fact there are dealer service departments and techs that are genuinely top shelf servicing Corvettes, and there are dealers that are truly awful and should never touch one. To this day there are dealers service departments that haven't even bothered to acquire the proper tools to set the rear caster on C7s, and thus can't/don't know how to properly do it.

So as with the 7, finding a dealership with a great service department/techs has been important - I bet this will be true with the ME as well. Perhaps more so. A good service departments/techs will be fine with the ME.

 

I actually wonder if the dealerships are going to be able to work on these, hell they are bad at working on a C7. Recent oil change, a week later oil pooling over the garage floor, I bring it back and they state it's fixed, 2 days later oil over the floor again. Third times the charm so far, but really 3 visits to get a proper oil change. The mid engine clearly opens up a new can of worms for these ill trained folks.

 

Based on the CAD images, Corvette design tradition, and general mid-engine design practice, I assume the rear subframe can be dropped with the entire drivetrain attached. That's the beauty of subframes. They can make the car that much easier to build (and take apart).

The C8 will probably require the engine out for more services. Of necessity, and without a torque tube to deal with, it probably will be easier to drop the engine.

If they do it right, this car could be easier to work on. Provided you have a lift.

 

Specialty tools for the C8 are probably not many, totaling only $1,500 for dealers.

 

like more and more modern car it will be more complicated.

 

Don't worry ...GM warranty will make most basic service time on these corvette easy.

its usually the european brands that dont think that far in advnce when it comes to service

 

As far back as when I was 16 with my first car, a ‘53 Ford, through my new ‘65 Corvette and continuing at least until my new cars that I bought up to about 1990, I could tackle most all mechanical/electrical work, special tool work excluded. Even 2 MGBs that were always a challenge. Since about then oil changes and pulling flat tire wheels is about where I am now.

Yesterday was a milestone for me as it was the last time I will ever crawl under any car to do anything, even oil changes which it was. Base wet sump. Now with me being on the short side of the 70-80 age bracket that’s it for me. So, I fear not what comes with a C8 ME. My Chevy Dealer does excellent Corvette work with several others within 10 miles too.

 

We recently had a thread on this very subject...Google is your friend.

 

I'm hoping I never have to change the engine in my C7 so changing it in the C8 would be low on my list of must have design features. Changing oil? Maybe everyone that wants a FP DOHC V8 get's their wish and like the Ford version can skip oil changes as you just keep adding new to that engine at every stop rather than having to change it out completely......

 

Just because your dealer's service department needs training, doesn’t mean they all do. My dealer’s service department is excellent. Always fixed everything the first time.

 

Lol reminds me of my lt1 in the 4th gen camaro. Heads leaked so much at 200k miles that I stopped changing oil. Just added 4 quarts every week.

 

Must be nice, the ones closest to me pretty much stink. Going out on a limb and state my experience is the norm and yours is not.

 

It has long been my belief that if you have competent techs now, they will remain competent, and if you have crappy ones now, well why do you still go to them?