If you’re a car enthusiast like us, you know that trusting someone to work on your exotic car can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. After all, how can you be certain a mechanic will be familiar with all the quirks and features that make your car so special? The easiest solution is to only trust specialist exotic car mechanics to service and maintain your supercar. Understandably, you might need some more convincing, so let’s delve a little deeper into the benefits of forging a relationship with a certified exotic car mechanic.
Enthusiasm For Cars
The truth is that most mechanics will specialize in one or two brands and extend that general knowledge to many other cars; exotic car mechanics are different. They have so much love and passion for the cars they work on that they are often driven to continue learning and training for a multitude of vehicles. Because while exotic cars may use similar systems, such as a dry oil sump, the implementation varies so greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer that you can never assume that because it worked on the Ferrari, it will also work on the Aston Martin.
A specialist exotic car mechanic is going to be familiar with all the repair processes, “while we’re in there” jobs, and service procedures to ensure all work is completed on your supercar the right way, every time. Their shared enthusiasm for your car also benefits you! An experienced exotic car mechanic completely understands the attachment you have to your luxury vehicle and will take extra care to ensure your car is returned to you in a better condition than when you dropped it off.
The Right Tools and Training
We already touched on the training that exotic car mechanics go through, but training is nothing without the right tools, and similarly, the right tools are nothing without the right training.
Exotic car manufacturers will often borrow designs and technologies right from their racing programs, and a certain design may trade compatibility with common tools for strength and weight savings. Often, these tools are expensive or are only available through dealers and suppliers, making it difficult to acquire.
While an everyday mechanic might have a generic OBD2 scanner that can read and clear basic codes, specialist mechanics will have dealer-grade scanners that can decipher codes into more detail, open reprogramming options, and even simulate scenarios to test various components.
With mid-engined cars, to prevent twisting and shearing forces, some bolts may be reverse threaded or have been installed with such high torque that they become single-use. Familiarity and training on what bolts go where and what needs to be replaced versus what can be reused is one extremely important detail that makes all the difference when servicing a vehicle.
For example, a common problem we hear about on Bentley’s W12 engine is that the bolt that mounts the alternator bracket to the engine sits in a jacket that bottoms out near a coolant channel. An inexperienced mechanic will accidentally use too long a bolt or apply too much torque, causing that bolt to pierce the coolant channel in the block and lead to a massive coolant leak that is incredibly difficult to repair.
Knowledge and Availability of Quality Parts
The biggest downside of owning an exotic supercar is sourcing the correct parts. This is mainly because replacement parts are often produced in limited numbers, and are rarely made by third-party brands. For instance, both Michelin and Pirelli are known to have a huge back order for OEM Specification Lamborghini Murcielago tires since they aren’t common enough to keep in constant production, but are in high enough demand to require several production batches a year.
A specialized auto repair center will be familiar with what parts need to be replaced, how frequently, and will try to have a steady supply of stock coming in, whether it’s from the manufacturer themselves, an OE such as Bosch, or an aftermarket upgrade from the likes of ABT and Cargraphic. They will also be familiar with alternative part numbers from other makes that are virtually identical OEM replacements, as brands like Lamborghini share parts with Volkswagen and Audi, Ferrari with Alfa Romeo and Fiat, and Aston Martin with Ford and Mercedes-Benz.
Keeping Lost Arts and Trades Alive
Unfortunately, cars are more disposable than they have ever been. In an age where it is often cheaper to completely trash a car or swap over a used engine or transmission, the art of rebuilding and fabrication is slowly being lost. A specialist mechanic will understand how difficult it is to find replacement engines and transmissions, and how much more a numbers-matching car is worth. That’s why the vast number of transmission and engine rebuilders are almost exclusively working on exotic and supercars.
If you’re looking to keep a classic alive, restore your supercar to factory performance, or fix that track day mistake, the certified exotic car mechanics at Foreign Affairs Motorsports can help. Not only do we maintain your luxury car’s value, but our team of specialist mechanics has the right skills, tools, and contacts to ensure your engine is rebuilt to the correct specification (or upgraded specification, since you’re doing it anyway).
The Best Exotic Car Mechanic in Pompano Beach
Remember, investing in a good auto repair specialist now can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. Our technicians proudly boast over 125 years of combined experience as specialist auto mechanics. From Corvettes to Ferraris, Porsches, Bentleys, and GTRs, we work on anything that gets your blood pumping!
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to experience the difference of professional car care. If you live in Pompano Beach or the surrounding South Florida areas and own an exotic sports car, give our team at Foreign Affairs Motorsport a call at 954-746-0488 or request an appointment online, today!
