Another possibility would be talking with Foitek in Altendorf. If they can’t help, I’m sure they could recommend someone.
Foitek are certainly reputable and from what I have seen have good stock. They are also nice people to deal with whenever I‘ve been in. I haven‘t bought from them though! Coincidentally I was considering a 456 from them in 2014, but didn‘t gel with it. In my mid-30s they said I was probably a decade to young for it.
Unless you know what you‘re looking for, I wouldn‘t buy a 20+ year old Ferrari without an inspection either. Probably makes sense to speak with the place suggested by Jaceq if you can’t find an independent on the Ferrari forums. It‘s a small world though, so I don‘t know how well connected they all are.
I hope it‘s the TdF 456M you‘re looking at!
It‘s a nigh on 25 year old car that costs CHF 80k. It‘s not a cheap car, but it‘s hardly footballer territory. Kids younger than the car are spending on that hatchbacks!
Old Ferraris are known for being temperamental and repairs are expensive. The OP wants someone independent from the dealer who can either give him comfort it‘s a good one or can point out where the issues are for a point of negotiation. He also wants someone who speaks his language. Doesn‘t seem unreasonable to me. I wouldn‘t expect someone recommended by the dealer to be truly independent.
No need for the catty comment IMO.
Anyway, either way I'm sure you will be happy! Manual Ferrari V12, should be fun!
You will indeed get into contact with Ferraristas in the Zurich area through Ferrari chat (Switzerland thread). There is also an unofficial group call Ferrari Drivers Club ( https://ferrari-drivers-club.ch/ ). Most, if not all, club members speak English. Markus is the head honcho there, and is also active on Ferrari Chat.
The only “independent” Ferrari garage is Erlen Garage, Karl Toble AG in Romanshorn (autobau). It is very popular with the Ferrari crowd and it is cheaper to get your car serviced there.
Finally Foitek Alterndorf is a totally seperate company from Foitek Urdorf. The one in Urdorf is now called B.I. COLLECTION.
You will also need to factor in CHF 1000.- a year for service, and around CHF 5000.- every four, five years for the large service (engine out).
I would prioritise Ferrari knowledge over language...you only want to specify "pre-purchase inspection" will get a report that you can google translate and then ask for a "yes" or "no" recommendation. Translate and print out a few phrases to use in the process.
This process worked for me in a language where I even had to google "yes" and "no" before I started! Maybe I made a meal of this but good to look for bargains in places where others don't dare!
B
It’s weird, the Erlengarage has been liquidated , the company no longer exists, the most recent change is only one year old. However the website is still active. http://www.erlengarage.com/
Perhaps they went bust during covid, and have reopened meanwhile? Just a guess.
Sidenote:
The Tuningworld Bodensee show in Friedrichshafen(Germany, straight across the lake) takes place May 18-23 this year. The ferry across the lake docks close by.
I emailed (in my finest German) the establishments and forums recommended above with my request but mostly they didn't reply. The Swiss Ferrari forum wouldn't even let me join until I had signed up to one of their tour days - fair enough I guess, that's just their process and how they choose to vet future members.
In the end I found a someone via my local oldtimer garage who turned out to be an ex-Foitek Ferrari mechanic and did a great job for me in checking the car. We did a mix of English and German during the inspection and that was good enough to understand each other. Feel free to PM me if you ever come across this thread and need a similar service - happy to pass on the guy's details.
In case it's of interest to anyone, I also found a good value insurance company called Simpego - they were super efficient to work with and undercut all the other insurance companies I contacted by quite some margin.
Thanks again to all! I hope to take delivery of the car next week :0)
The engine doesn't come out for a major service. (Like the 550 and 575)