Hi All, Tomorrow I am going to do a pre-buy inspection on a '92 Mondial T Cabrio. I have a Ferrari expert lined up but he suggested that I look the car over myself before I pay him to do it. Does anyone have any advise on what to look for? The car has had Major service including tires and Timing belt. Also some paint work. The complete history of the vehicle is unknown. Mileage under 10,000. Thanks, Dave
Damn, nice car. Check the obvious: Crash damage. Look to the rear trunk and pull the carpet down on the taillight panel & search for damage. Front trunk look to the radiator area for anything abnormal body wise. While under the front trunk look to the fuse box. Check the large harness wires for signs of melting. Pull the large plastic clear cover off & look closely. Check every switch inside the car for function. On center console check the antenna switch, the parking light switch, the HVAC buttons, the ashtray (the part that comes out of the ash tray to empty is often gone and expensive). On the radio portion of the console check the gas flap button, and all of the trunk release buttons as well as the engine cover button. Watch that they activate the servo & dont stick. Also check the suspension button for function. Not so obvious: When you turn the key on so that the dash lights light up you should hear the adjustible shocks "cycle." That is a self test. Dont test that more than 3 times though, as the system goes into fault mode if the car has the key turned on more than three times without moving. Look at the steering column for "sticky" black surfaces. Look for extra keys that work. Look for all manuals & tools and a jack and service records. If the car came with the optional spare see if its a match. If no spare then look for the tire repair kit. Try the headlight motors to see if they work the pop-up lights. Drive the car long enough that you can check the engine temps. Listen for the electric fans to pop on while stopped in traffic. Turn the A/C on & see if it blows cold. Turn the steering wheel when stopped & listen for power steering noise. Pump the brakes and see if the power brake booster feels like it is working well. Open & close the top. Roll each window up & down to look for slow working motors. Run to bank & get the money so you can own one of the best Ferraris ever produced.
Thanks Michael, A friend and Ferrari owner suggested I join this forum and I am glad that I took his advise. Thanks a million for the detailed info. If all goes well we will soon have our dream car. I just hope that I can walk away if the car is not right. I hear stories of people searching years for the right car. Ever since we made the decision to by a Mondial T, the waiting has been the hardest part. Ciao, Dave
Ah! Is THAT what the humming pumping sound is when I go to ignition-on? BTW, I'm not sure my switch actually does anything. With the motor running and the care at idle, when you switch from soft to medium to hard, do you hear/feel anything? I have a cab and the frame is flexy plus I don't really push her so I can't tell. Potholes and other indignities feel the same with the switch in any position.
Actually, when you turn the key on in the Mondial t's, you hear the ABS high pressure pump come on to build system pressure in the right front side of the car (forward of the glovebox area in the front compartment under the big plastic cover). I've never hear the shocks make noise except for placing my ear near the solenoids when the car is not running. There is a huge difference in my t Coupe between soft/medium/hard. Soft is too soft, but the expansion joints in a concrete highway don't bother me anymore. Medium is where I leave it most of the time. Hard is for the track or when someone gets fiesty on the street with me! Good luck, you'll love it! -Peter
Buzz. it sounds like something is amiss. On my car the difference between the 3 settings is very distinct.
Your very welcome. Lolaman is right, ABS can make some sound. On my car though, the little motors on top of the shocks make quite a buzz when I hit the key. Only for a moment, but you can hear it. Its not a bad noise by the way, just a mechanical cycle noise. before I knew what it was (years ago) I actually had my Son turn on the key so that I could watch the shock motor turn - therefore confirminng the noise. It turns both ways on the self test so I think that contributes to the sound. Oh and Buzzm: When I sellect a setting from the dash the shock setting only turns one way, and at least then on my car I dont hear any cycle noise.
naileddddd itttttttt..... also check auto seat belt tensioners, usually work but alternates on who will go out periodically...not a big deal, but an expensive issue if you care. rear windows, tested when top up. Matter of fact, check the top, room for negotiation there as is the seats, which usually are not as durable as newer models. really sug. you DO check fuse box as prev. stated....cost me about 3k to rewire some things and get a new box. should have no leaks, oil etc. first thing to do is also notice WHEN, WHO, TIME last belts were changed and did they bother going the extra length to replace the water pump, tensioners, etc..... many other things, but enough posts here to do follow up research. STICK with a qualified mechanic [stress someone who has had experience on the 348/ or mondial T...had my probs with a qualified mech, who only knew the older -- <= 328 series...and cost me 'extra' funds to correct his experience/learning curve.] have this car for about 3 years....have replaced/fixed A/C, some switches, suggest you learn to do yourself, it is more time consuming, than anthing. You might notice after a long, hot/hard run that starting the engine is NOT happening. Seems starter is NOT getting the full charge when solenoid is hot, so, SF Ferrari put in a $80 option to boost current from the key to the starter area...works every time now. PAY ATTENTION to what the car tells you...YOU'll know, sound, feel, engine noise, revs, feed-back feed-back etc. it usually means something and is worth checking out...an you'll know even the slightest of such change....that's what makes Ferrari an adventure [?!]
There is a huge difference in my t Coupe between soft/medium/hard. Soft is too soft, but the expansion joints in a concrete highway don't bother me anymore. Medium is where I leave it most of the time. Hard is for the track or when someone gets fiesty on the street with me! Good luck, you'll love it! -Peter[/QUOTE] I'll second that. My T is the most complete Ferrari package I've owned. 3 cars in 1, and very reliable. PS. Check all solenoids are working correctly, as OEM replacements are pricey. Enjoy !
Thanks everyone for the great info. I definitly heard some noises when I turned the key. What they were is a mystery to me, but at least something happened. Bottom line, It was love at first sight...then I drove it...Wow...I think I get it now. There were a few issues that the dealer will fix. Can't wait to get the car home. This is a complex car...I have a lot to learn. Ciao, Dave
Make sure that the Mondial also has all the updates. - Altenator - make sure the Delco is gone and there is a Nippindenso (sp?) - hot start bypass - Ferrari Dealers can install if its missing. But you should have wiring that runs directly to the starter (bypassing alot - causes hot start problems) - plus like others said - check ALL switches. - Check soft top and mounts and frame - check shocks - check for oil leaks
Congratulations - you will enjoy this muli-faceted Ferrari. Set in "soft" it rides like my old Lexus on motorways. "Medium" is ideal for those long distance exploration weekends away - and "hard" is good enough for track days (even with factory geometry / standard tyres). * And don't forget - if you ever get into golf, it's ideal for "golfing" weekends away !
Unless mistaken, I believe that the three position damper adjustment firms up automatically with speed and lateral forces, so for normal driving in a convertible, you might as well leave it on soft. In my coupé, I usually leave it on medium.
Congratulations! Let me know when it arrives so I can give you my expert opinion. I will need to drive it, though....
Oh, you're gonna love it. It is the most amazing piece of Italian art, that you will ever have the pleasure of hearing & feeling!!! - - - with room for kids---------or beach chairs and both, food and hootch coolers. That's why I love my Rachel. (think I'll have another glass of red) Congrats, Hank
Thanks, we feel honored to own a car like this. However, won't see the mondial for a week or so as it is arriving by transport. The car has around 7,000 miles and although the engine has been gone over by a ferrari shop with all required service performed, it is a bit of an unknown. Especially considering it was in storage for the last 5 years. How should we treat the engine at first? What was the factory reccomended break-in period and technique? Is it ever a good idea to explore the 7,000rpm mark, and if so how long should I wait before going for it?? What is the durrability of these cars? Were they really meant to be driven hard or is it better to take it easy? Any driving tips? Ciao, Dave
I'll second that. My T is the most complete Ferrari package I've owned. 3 cars in 1, and very reliable. PS. Check all solenoids are working correctly, as OEM replacements are pricey. Enjoy ![/QUOTE] One of two scenarios exist: 1. My adjustable shocks are just broken and I'm too lame to feel it. 2. My adjustable shocks are working and I'm too lame to feel it. There is a common denominator here.... :-(
Get a 30K belt change service before pretty much anything. VERY cheap insurance. The belt may be okay but that is little consolation if the tensioner bearings are dry and soon seize. Dave
