Ferrari Mailing List: Re: 355 Advice

[clyderomero (clyderomero]

Not according to my 512 book
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: "Ferrarisimo [at] Comcast.net" <Ferrarisimo [at] comcast.net>

Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:57:09 
To: <clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net>
Cc: The FerrariList<ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] 355 Advice


Clyde -

All the cars are miles or years - generally 5 years.

The rubber wears out and/or distorts at the tensioner - especially if  
the car sits often.

Scottie


On Jul 29, 2008, at 5:54 PM, clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net wrote:

> Hey charles never heard of a time limit on the belts only a mileage  
> number
> The 512   TR. Only uses miles
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Thursby <david [at] thethursbys.net>
>
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:35:55
> To: clyde<clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net>
> Cc: The FerrariList<ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] 355 Advice
>
>
> Too much $$$
>
> Didn't we have an email a while ago about a yellow 360M, no damage,  
> but
> no garage queen either, that sold for 72K? Same email talked about a
> white 355 spider for $44K.
>
> Dave.
>
> LarryT wrote:
>> Here's a little 360 Fixer-Upper
>> http://www.alltypeauto.com/index.php?category=&make=Ferrari&model=&srt=make+ASC&p=5&submit=Search
>>
>> You may need to widen your email to get the link all on one line.   
>> It's a
>> 360 with some damage - they still wat $77k for it --
>>
>> There's a number of places like this with a variety of cars - some  
>> more
>> damaged, some less.
>>
>> Larry T (66 MGB, 74 911, 91 300D)
>> www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
>> Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
>> PORSCHE POSTERS!  youroil.net
>> 800-583-8601
>> Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Charles Perry" <charles [at] carolina-sound.com>
>> To: "Larry Turner" <l02turner [at] comcast.net>
>> Cc: "The FerrariList" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 2:07 PM
>> Subject: [Ferrari] 355 Advice
>>
>>
>>
>>> Pierre -
>>>
>>> I have a 98 F355 spider which I've owned since 2002. I love the  
>>> car, but
>>> have had all but one of the 355's famous issues and one that was  
>>> my own
>>> fault. Overall it is a great car, but like all Ferraris, some
>>> development work was left to the owners. Knowing the issues will  
>>> help
>>> you see how much previous owners have done and how much you may  
>>> have to
>>> do.
>>>
>>> 1995 cars are slightly more powerful than newer units due to the  
>>> change
>>> in Bosch fuel injection systems that started in 1996. Some early  
>>> cars
>>> have had problems with valve guides wearing prematurely, which  
>>> causes a
>>> variety of problems. I don't think anyone has ever pinned down a  
>>> year or
>>> VIN range where this occurred, and there are some people with  
>>> early cars
>>> who have never had the problem and some people with later cars  
>>> that had
>>> it. We all strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection (PPI), and  
>>> it is
>>> worth the extra money to pay for compression and leakdown tests to  
>>> look
>>> for this problem.
>>>
>>> 355s also have a habit of melting their exhaust manifolds. They  
>>> are made
>>> out of a cheap, thin steel and some have postulated that if the
>>> catalytic converters get clogged, the additional heat burns the the
>>> manifold. The manifolds can be replaced, rebuilt with better  
>>> materials,
>>> or upgraded to higher end versions like Tubi. I would recommend  
>>> one of
>>> the two later options if your car hasn't already had the issue  
>>> fixed.
>>> Fixing cost is $1500-$3000 depending on solution.
>>>
>>> 355s have the rubbery coating on many interior surfaces (door pulls,
>>> switch trim, AC vent trim, steering console surround, emergency  
>>> brake
>>> surround, center console) which turns to a disgusting sticky goo  
>>> over
>>> time. No idea what triggers it - some have postulated sun exposure  
>>> or
>>> cleaning chemicals. Solutions are to replace the items ($$$), or to
>>> chemically strip them down to plain plastic ($), or to upgrade  
>>> them to
>>> something like carbon fiber ($$$).
>>>
>>> 355s tend to have shrinkage in the dash leather over time, usually
>>> starting with the airbag cover on the passenger side, and then the
>>> instrument cluster. Leather wear on the driver's bolster is  
>>> common, as
>>> is road rash on the door intakes and behind the wheels where the  
>>> body
>>> work sticks out. This is cosmetic, so you may not care but it can  
>>> be a
>>> negotiating point if your car has the issue.
>>>
>>> You mentioned a berlinetta, so I won't bore you with the  
>>> convertible top
>>> issues on a spider.
>>>
>>> Routine maintenance isn't bad except for the 30k/5 year service  
>>> where
>>> the engine is pulled to do the timing belts. This is crucial and  
>>> it is
>>> urgent that you respect the time limit - not just the mileage  
>>> limit like
>>> all salesman will tell you is fine. I did drag my service out to 6
>>> years, and I did break a timing belt, and I paid a painful engine
>>> rebuild price as a result. My fault, but don't skimp on scheduled
>>> maintenance as it only gets more expensive if you wait. This service
>>> will run you anywhere from $3500 with a good independent mechanic  
>>> and
>>> minimal replacement to $8-10k from a dealer with "while we're in  
>>> there"
>>> stuff.
>>>
>>> Transmission is a personal choice. This was the debut of the F1  
>>> paddle
>>> shift. Some love it, some don't. It is an early system, so certainly
>>> slower and more clunky than current systems with potentially high  
>>> repair
>>> bills for things like the F1 hydraulic pump or actuators. I bought  
>>> the
>>> 6-speed because I like the involvement and because I believe it  
>>> will be
>>> easier/cheaper to service over the long run, but try both if you  
>>> can.
>>>
>>> As Clyde says, prices are low on these. I see most Berlinetta's  
>>> offered
>>> in the $60k-$70k range and depending on the dealer or owner, it is  
>>> not
>>> unusual to get 10-30% off asking prices depending on how crazy the
>>> offerer priced it to begin with. As a general rule, aftermarket
>>> equipment devalues a Ferrari, so if your car has a big stereo or  
>>> phat
>>> chromed rims or some such thing, negotiate against that, even if you
>>> like them.
>>>
>>> My insurance in the states is about $800/year under a collector car
>>> policy with generous useage limits.
>>>
>>> I don't want to scare you off as these are really fun cars (any
>>> Ferrari), but they are very much NOT Lexus/Toyota as far as build
>>> quality and reliability, so the more you go in eyes open, the more
>>> enjoyable your Ferrari experience will be. There are huge assets  
>>> here
>>> and at www.ferrarichat.com if you want to investigate further, or I
>>> would be happy to talk to you further.
>>>
>>> Most important shopping tip is what Clyde already told you - buy  
>>> with
>>> your head, not with your heart. It's easy to get carried away with a
>>> gleaming Ferrari in front of you, but if the car doesn't have
>>> maintenance records and obvious signs of previous care (original  
>>> books,
>>> tools, etc), then wait. There is always another car, especially with
>>> modern Ferraris.
>>>
>>> Good luck!
>>>
>>> -- charles
>>> -- 98 F355 Spider
>>> -- 87 Testarossa
>>> -- 99 Diablo
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: bouaze pierre [mailto:pbouaze [at] hotmail.com]
>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:12 AM
>>> To: Charles Perry
>>> Cc: The FerrariList
>>> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Ferrari Digest, Vol 24, Issue 38
>>>
>>>
>>> hello all,
>>>
>>> I am looking to buy a ferrari 355 berlinetta, pref a 98 or 99 in the
>>> next year. Can anyone help with general info (insurance, service
>>> schedule, etc)  for a first time ferrari buyer??? just want to do  
>>> some
>>> research before i lose my virginity. Any info is appreciated
>>>
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>>
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>
>
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