| Author |
Message |
David White (Dwhite)
New member
Username: Dwhite
Post Number: 27
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 8:28 am: | |
Hans - I know what you mean, My car is much happier as I drive it regularly, about 3-4K a year. Try to get it out atleast everyother week, even in the winter if the roads are dry and the salt has been washed away. |
j scott leonard (Jscott)
Junior Member
Username: Jscott
Post Number: 135
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 4:11 pm: | |
So, what do we consider "low milage"? I have 34K on my 89 328. I consider that about average. I intend to drive about 3-4K a year. How much does this impact value anyway? Not that I'm really that concerned about value, just wondering. |
Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Junior Member
Username: 4re_gt4
Post Number: 77
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 6:04 pm: | |
Hmmm... I'm running close to 800 miles/month. Since I have been using it at that rate, a couple of oil leaks self-fixed, a slight water pump drip completely stopped, the A/C compressor stopped leaking, and engine oil consumption has come way down. Plugs no longer foul, and some slight carb seepage has stopped.
I guess these cars weren't really meant to be driven. |
Henryk (Henryk)
Junior Member
Username: Henryk
Post Number: 99
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 5:58 pm: | |
I have cut back from 10,000 to 5,000 miles per year (April through September). Other interests prevent me from using them as much as before. |
BobD (Bobd)
Member
Username: Bobd
Post Number: 521
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 3:41 pm: | |
1000 to 1500 miles per year for me. |
David White (Dwhite)
New member
Username: Dwhite
Post Number: 25
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 2:50 pm: | |
I did not say I would pay more for a high mileage car. I feel more comfortable with cars that have been used and treated well. Besides these motors & trans. will go well over a 100K with the proper care. They do build race cars. Remember the old adage "If you want to finish first, you have to first finish,". Ferrari's are build well. Most are still in existance.
Just curious, how many miles a year do people out there drive your cars? 2-3K I would hope. 15-20 yr. old car = 30-60K. |
Henryk (Henryk)
Junior Member
Username: Henryk
Post Number: 98
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 11:00 pm: | |
Bob: Now you know why people disconnect their speedometers!!!!!!!!!!! |
BobD (Bobd)
Member
Username: Bobd
Post Number: 519
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 10:12 pm: | |
Good point about the things that can go wrong in low mileage cars... like rubber, bushings and seals. Now let's chat about things that can go wrong on high mileage cars. Let's see, there's engines, transmissions, syncros, cluthes, worn out interiors, alternators, rust, bearings, brakes, AC problems, electrical gremlins, worn out switches and gauges...
Geez, I still think I'll take my chances and stick with the low mileage cars. |
Bill Steele (Glassman)
Junior Member
Username: Glassman
Post Number: 55
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 8:39 pm: | |
I'm curious, would you gass bags actually pay more for a " Car Thats Been Driven" over a low milage car with records? If so, let me know, I can
locate tons of "High Milage Examples" thats right, cars that have been driven as Enzo intended. Unlike the cars that have not been driven that we all lust over. Who give a •••• about what Enzo intended anyway! |
BobD (Bobd)
Member
Username: Bobd
Post Number: 518
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 7:40 pm: | |
I'll take the lower mileage car that's been cared for... rather than the high mileage car that's been cared for. Anyday. Ever. It's a no brainer. |
David White (Dwhite)
New member
Username: Dwhite
Post Number: 21
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 3:01 pm: | |
I'm not saying it's worth more. I'm saying I would rather deal with a used vehicle that has been cared for, then a vehicle with low miles and no use or not the regular mait(ie: 15yrs old 8K miles never a full service, lots of wax jobs). I have over 50K on my 308 QV and it runs great . . .why do I fear putting that in print. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 1093
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 2:25 pm: | |
Dave, you're correct. And as an emission part if Ferrari indicated in the manual that it needed replacement prior to 50k miles, then it would be obligated to do it for free. |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 1585
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 2:07 pm: | |
If a car that is driven is worth more than a garage queen then why isn't my car worth a fortune since I drive it all the time and have a bunch of miles? |
Geoff J. Germane (Germane)
New member
Username: Germane
Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 11:31 am: | |
Thanks to all for your comments. Now, another service related item: My owner's manual (1987 328 GTS) provides valve lash settings of intake: 0.008-0.010 in. ; exhaust: 0.014-0.016 in. The service manual lists metric lash adjustments: intake: 0.20-0.25 mm; exhaust: 0.30-0.35 mm. The metric to English conversion indicates that the intake clearance ranges are nearly equivalent. However, the metric specification for exhaust valve clearances converts to approximately 0.012-0.014 in., tighter than the clearances given in English in the owner's manual. If I set the exhaust tighter, I will effectively increase (only slightly) the valve duration. What valve clearances do these motors like? Thanks in advance. |
David White (Dwhite)
New member
Username: Dwhite
Post Number: 20
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 9:30 am: | |
Personally, I would rather have a higher mileage car which has been cared for and driven then a car with low mileage and just started and run. To many things can and will go wrong. Rubber dries out after time regardless of climate control or not, this means all suspension bushings, seals, belts ect, not to mention bearings, brakes, any hydraulic system and frozen clutches. I never understand why people don't drive them unless they don't have the time or have a huge collection of other autos. What is the point of having a toy if you don't use it. Those that say they love to look at them . . . get a model or a picture. Sorry, but when I hear these stories of 15 yr. old cars with super low miles, please, sell it to someone who will use it. I have 3 sports cars which I drive every chance I can get.
|
Bill Steele (Glassman)
Junior Member
Username: Glassman
Post Number: 54
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 9:22 pm: | |
Bob,
I try to start and run the car a couple of times a month. But in Montana the driving season is only
about five months a year as far as I am conscerned! The important thing is, these cars can sustain a long period of of storage with not a lot of pain occurring. So don't be afraid of a low milage car. This is what we all really look for any way isn't it. |
BobD (Bobd)
Member
Username: Bobd
Post Number: 515
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 9:08 pm: | |
Bill, how often do you get it out and/or start & warm it up? Wow, only 650 miles in 12 yrs! |
Bill Steele (Glassman)
Junior Member
Username: Glassman
Post Number: 53
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 8:11 pm: | |
Having just done the service on a 1983 GTS with 20,000 miles on it I do have some insights on this issue. I have driven this particular garage queen only 650 miles in about twelve years. The timing belts as were all belts and hoses in perfect condition. ( Car in climate controlled garage since I owned it ) The timing belt tensioner bearings were absolutely shot! We replaced all hoses and belts, as well as changing all fluids. It really wasen't a very big deal.
I don't have a total with parts and labor yet, but it isn't going to be bad. |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 196
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 6:01 pm: | |
The reason the manual says 52.5K, I have been told, is that the US government mandates that any part that can affect emissions has to last that long or 5 years.
Dave |
David White (Dwhite)
New member
Username: Dwhite
Post Number: 17
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 2:57 pm: | |
No question, replace the belts immediately! This is part of owning an exotic, you have to do the maintenance. With these cars it's all about preventative maintenance. Post-mortem maintenance is 5X as expensive. One reason for cheap exotics is the owner could not afford the scheduled pit stops, hence Pisa 'o sh--(wasn't she Jack's long lost cousin)
When you decide to bury the tach you want to know the motor will not detonate - huge expense. My 308 says check at 15K, replace at 30K or 5 yrs. |
Dave L (Davel)
Junior Member
Username: Davel
Post Number: 169
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 2:02 pm: | |
Replace them now. If either breaks your going to rebuild the top end of that motor for up to 5 times the cost of the service you are doing now. Visually without flaw means nothing. They can and will break usually by shearing the teeth off. Your doing the right thing and replace them again 5 yrs from now as mentioned by Mitch. |
Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Junior Member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 82
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 10:00 am: | |
In addition to a milage limit, belts wear out from time. You may have a 15 year old belt in that engine, the youngest that belt might be is 10 years old.
The belts on my 95 F355 are recommended for replacement at 30,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes earlier.
Good luck. |
Geoff J. Germane (Germane)
New member
Username: Germane
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 9:42 am: | |
Greetings,
Regarding replacement of cam belts and bearings for a 328, I notice a discrepancy between the owner's manual and what mechanics and sales people recommend. I obtained my 1987 328 in 1992 with approx. 19,000 mi. It now has 27,500 mi., and I am performing the 30,000 mi. service early because of the concern others have expressed that the timing belts have never been replaced. I have been given the impression that the engine is like a time bomb in terms of the rupture of one or both of the belts. Yet the service information for the vehicle indicates that the belts should be inspected, and possibly replaced, at 30,000 mi., with certain replacement at 52,500 mi. Also, nothing is ever mentioned about the tensioner bearings. The belts on my vehicle are visually without flaw, with appropriate tension. Any insights concerning this issue? Thanks in advance! |