| Author | Message | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 467 Registered: 11-2002 |
John, as discussed adnausium, difference is wheel offset and bolt length only. Not the hubs.  | ||
| john beaucher (Spider348)
Junior Member Username: Spider348 Post Number: 54 Registered: 11-2002 |
Rob, Was the "wider track" created by different wheel offsets on the later spiders and Speciale or were the rear hubs offset further out from the original datum? I thought all standard 17" 348 wheels were the same. I definitely could, and probably am, wrong. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 461 Registered: 11-2002 |
Technically, only the Speciale and Spider have the greater offset rear wheels (search this subject, we've covered it in detail). Wider rear track is a marketing/appearance upgrade only, not really a performance upgrade. For performance, the rear suspension was changed with the Speciale in '93 by lowering the rear upper control arm inner pivot by 20 mm (search this too, Dr. Ferrari posted assembly numbers). Flywheels can be rebuilt for alot less than $3k. Once the clutch assembly is out of the car, this only takes a couple of parts, new grease, and about an hour to R&R on the bench. IME, the maintenance history is supreme compared to buying a specific year, though of course, newer is usually better. Even a 1989 chassis in excellent documented condition, without suspension upgrades (other than racecars, I seriously doubt any road cars had this change unless the entire rear subframe has been replaced) is prefered over a high-mile, tired, no books and records car. Buy what you like and enjoy! | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Intermediate Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 1224 Registered: 6-2001 |
Scott: 1st issue: who did the service. If not at an authorized dealer, take it to the dealer to make sure that it was done right. The 92 should have all the proper mods: 1 single disc clutch, wider rear stance, updated ECUs, ect. Make sure that you check that out, otherwise you can spend 5 - 10k to make sure that the car has been properly updated. A prepuchase inspection by the local (or as local as you can get) Ferrari dealer will probably get you enough information about the vehicle to make sure that you still want to buy it. Art | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4217 Registered: 5-2001 |
Don, that is mainly perception. Snice the center console is designed different. The space in both cars is exactly the same. | ||
| Don Vollum (Donv)
Junior Member Username: Donv Post Number: 70 Registered: 1-2002 |
One thing I noticed after sitting in a 348ts was how cramped the interior was, in comparison to a 355 or 360 (I sat in a 355 immediately afterwards). I'm 6'4", and I couldn't comfortably sit in or drive in the 348. Of course, there may be some adjustments that I was missing, but the salesman (also tall) said that was his experience as well. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 877 Registered: 12-2001 |
I had a 94 spyder which was fabulous, very torquey, no power steering (hurray!) and generally a blast to drive. Some electrical quirks, and hated the cheesy center console, but other than that, a great car. The earlier ones are more problematic, as others have already said. I would also wonder about torsional rigidity of the "targa" chassis, as well as watertightness of the roof lid. Like the car in non-red, silver is particularly nice. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 4210 Registered: 5-2001 |
Scott, the 348 has a bad rep with those that never owned one. Yes, it it more to maintain than a 308 but you get much more as well. Servie has to be done right. I heard some horror stories just recently on Dealer Service for belts, where the dealer sent coupons and did the belt service for $ 3,500 per coupon but only replaced the belt and not the pully and tensioner bearings, which is really the most important. So make sure those items are part of the invoice breakdown you will get. Waterpump is someting most people do not do on the 30K service. I did because I was driving my car. It is an extra $1K to do but will save you big $$$ if you do it right away rather than wait and replace when needed and pull the engine again! | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 490 Registered: 1-2002 |
Scott, To follow up, you will be way ahead if you buy a car where someone else spent the big bucks on service already. Ernie's car sounds like it has been more tempermental than most. I have a neighbor friend who has had a 90 TS for a few years that has basically been a no problem car. It had big service shortly before he bought it. I had a 94 TB which had 1500 miles when I bought it and 16K when I sold it that was a problem free car. However, the new owner has spent at least 10K on it with major service, cluth and a "check engine" light on condition. Another 94 locally had troubles with one bank quitting now and then. Last I knew, a diagnosis still hadn't been made. ECU problems are common even with later year cars. Dave | ||
| Ernie Bonilla (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 604 Registered: 11-2001 |
Ok Scott you asked for it. I have a 1990 348ts. The car is alot of fun to drive. The 1992 year model, as some one pointed out, is when most of the bugs got worked out. How ever understand this. Ferrari's are expensive to maintain, no matter what model it is. As some one mentioned, the clutch is really, really expensive. The earlier year models have a twin plate clutch and a dual mass fly wheel. When I got mine redone, just the flywheel cost $3,000, the clutch was in the area of $1,400, and the throw out bearing, was about $500. So just in parts that is about $5 grand. The later models went to a single plate clutch for two reasons. The first was cost, at about $1,000 less to replace. The second is that the dual mass fly wheel had problems, because the seals would go bad and fling grease on the clutch, causing it to burn up prematurely. Now for the tune-up's. The most expensive parts are the tensioner bearings, and water pump. The pumps from the factory are about $900-1000, with a rebuild in the neighborhood of $500. When I bought my timing belt and tensioners, just those two cost $700, and that was on a discounted price. But that isn't what kills your pocket book. In order to replace the timing belt and water pump, the engine has to be pulled. That amounts to about 6-7 hours to take it out, and 7-8 to put it back in. Now add to that the amount of hours to change all the stuff and then multiply it by $100-120 per hour the dealer will charge you. That is why is is expensive because about $4,000 of what you are paying is mechanics fees. An other thing is that the power windows go bad, and that is on every year, but there are exceptions. Now that I'm done scaring the crap out of you. Here is the good news. The cars aren't that hard to work on. Instead of waisting my money at the mechanic, I got some tools. I have fixxed a broken headlight that would not pop up, broken gear selector including completely removing the shift linkage, horn and air compressor, take appart and put back together the drivers door, and center console several times, removed and replaced the front bumper, rear bumper, rear tail light assembly, swapped the engine ECU's and exhaust ECU's, etc. What I'm getting at is that I have saved THOU$AND$ of dollars doing stuff myself. The cars aren't that expensive if you do the mechanical work yourself, but the parts still are a bit pricey. Even after all that I still am glad I have my 348 and I'm keeping it for good. I a nut shell get it, if you don't like it you can always sell it. But I'm betting you'll like it. | ||
| neal (95spiderneal)
Junior Member Username: 95spiderneal Post Number: 120 Registered: 3-2002 |
348 rule! must 1st do research. start with june 01 issue forza. many hardcover buyers guides also available. must read and see many cars before deciding on which particular one to buy. also keep in mind its a buyers market and prices are down so negotiate heavily regardless. maintenance is reasonable esp with so many refurb parts available on internet. you will not be disappointed if you do homework | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 489 Registered: 1-2002 |
Scott, You are about to get lots of advice, but I'll start. It is generally accepted that with 348's, the newer the better. They made a lot of upgrades as time went along. However, 92's have the major ones already done. Most of the issues with 348's are electrical, but this is a hit or miss deal. Make sure the 30K service included timing belts and a water pump rebuild (motor has to come out to do water pump). A car with 30K on it will likely have the bugs worked out. Clutches can be pricey because the flywheel is filled with grease and the seals go bad. The car you mentioned has probably already had a clutch replacement, but check. A TS should not be any harder to sell than a spyder, but, of course, will always be worth at least 10K less all other factors being equal. IMO the car you describe should sell for around 50K unless it's an off color. Before buying any particular car, a pre purchase inspection is highly recommended. You can go to Ferrariportal.com to find lots of related websites. Good luck, Dave | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1179 Registered: 10-2001 |
Scott, welcome to Ferrarichat! From what I've heard, and this is not through experience, the early 348's have some issues with electronics. Not sure if those effect the 92's. The best thing to do is join the local chapter of the FCA and meet people who drive and service these cars. I joined a year before I found my car, and the wealth of info is amazing. I wouldn't buy anything without getting a Pre Purchase Inspection from a repuitable Ferrari mechanic. Someone who knows what to look for on these cars. | ||
| Scott DeGhetto (Scott63)
New member Username: Scott63 Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2003 |
I am looking at a 1992 348 TS with about 28,000 miles. It has had the 30,000 mile service performed recently and is in very good condition. I have no idea what the car is worth (as I am new to Ferrari's) Is there any particular year of 348 that is better or should be avoided? Are the Targa's much harder to resell than a spyder? Will the maintenance bankrupt me?? Lastly, can you recommend aany dealers or sources for used Ferrari's? Thanks Scott |