355 vs 348 for purchase?

I've been toying with both the F355 and 348 spyders for purchase. I've sorted it out to:

F355- more power, more sophisticated, more problems (hydraulics from convertable top, valve guides and headers)

348- more mechanical items, some electrical problems (AC, window motors, relays)

I think both cars are beautiful and wouldn't mind either car. Is the power in the 355 so significantly better that it outweighs the problems in the engine?
Is the 348 much more raw, but less problems with mechanicals?
How does each car handle compared to the other?

Has someone owned both and can give a report as to risks and benefits?

Many Thanks

 

http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html#Fdifferences

 

Thank you for directing me to that web site. I have seem it before and that is where I initially started to appreciate the differences. To read it gives the idea that the 355 is more sophisticated but also more trouble. The extra motors and switches seem to be ahead of the time but I also understand that at the first iteration, they were also more trouble. It seems that the 360 worked all these problems out.

I simply don't like the 360's lines and the cost is still higher than I care for at this time.

I'm looking for a nuts and bolts experience, a seat of the pants for driving one and the day to day little things (top usage and leakage, oil change, fuse failure rate, etc..)

Again, many thanks.

 

If I were to get a 355 it would only be the '95 model year. Having said that, I drive a 348.

 

I think that's fair to say. The 355 does some cool things, especially when brand new, such as the electric adjustable shocks, electric seats, power top, automatic exhaust bypass, plus a 6 speed (or F1) tranny and ~~ 370 or so horsepower.

But how many 355 owners are going to go purchase new airbags (10 year expiration must be renewed per factory)?! Come on, they aren't going to do that unless they personally suffer from a spontaneous deployment.

Most of the 355 model years had valve guide problems, and they all seem to suffer greatly from exhaust header failure.

Italian electrics can be fine the first year or so, but then you start getting into the maintenance/trouble-shooting zone, so the more electrics that you have on your Ferrari, the more effort you are going to be expending...and even if you are financially comfortable-enough to casually stroke checks for quality maintenance, you've still got to hassle with getting the car to a shop plus shop time, down-time, etc.

When I was looking for my first Ferrari, my top concerns weren't luxurious power tops, power seats, power shocks, power steering...I can get those things from a Honda!

I wanted sex appeal. Marque heritage. A great driving experience. Italian leather. Pininfarina styling.

...and simplicity.

That's the 348. Frankly, I have trouble believing that the 355, with its larger 6 speed or F1 tranny, larger engine, dual air bags, power steering, power-adjustable-shocks, power seats, and power hydraulic convertible top is somehow **lighter** than the 348 which has none of the above.

They share the same steel frame and subframe, and the 348 *grates* simply aren't that heavy!

The 348 has the better-looking, more masculine, more aggressive front bumper and similar body lines/interior, so you get the same or better "look" in a 348 as in a 355...and 370 hp with more weight vs 312 hp with less weight and less parasitic drag (e.g. no power-robbing power-steering pulley) means very similar performance in 348 Spider vs 355 Spider models...regardless of published numbers to the contrary.

 

The 355 was a big change for Ferrari, 348 sales at the time were very slow
in and comes the 355 which was a major sales hit due to its good looks and big power, it was so popular the 355 affected 512 Testarossa sales, you got a lighter better handling car with similar performance, the 355 showed you didn't need the extra weight to have supercar perfomance.

The popularity and performance of the 355 is part of the reason Ferrari dropped the regular production mid 12 line in favor for a front engine design, the power and performance were overlapping on both cars with the 355 being the better track car as well.

375-380 hp in a 2976lb car is alot of fun and its easy to get 400hp with exhaust and K&N filter mods.Their is a huge difference in driving a 300hp car vs a 375-380hp car, thats 25% more power in a car thats is 260lbs less than the 348 plus the 355 is substantially stiffer in its chassis while being lighter, you hear complaints with the 348 handling but not the 355.

If you have the means a 355 is a great choice, my car has never had any of the formentioned issues at all except the typical interior parts which have been replaced and they can affect both models.

 

The 355 is a great car, but I question how it could even remotely be lighter than a 348.

The 355 has 370+ horsepower, which is cool, but to get them it had to go to a larger motor (3.5 liter) than the 3.4 liter 348.

That adds weight.

The 355 has a 6 speed or F1 tranny; again, that weighs more than the little 5 speed tranny in the 348.

The 355 has an exhaust cutout valve/ecu/circuitry, dual airbags and multiple crash sensors plus air bag ECUs, electric seat motors, power-adjustable shocks, and a power top for the Spider version.

The 355 also has power steering. That adds a hydraulic pump, hydraulic fluid, and an extra pulley on the engine.

That all adds weight. The 348 has none of the above.

The 355 has 18 inch wheels/tires. The 348 has 17 inch wheels/tires.

The 348 and 355 are identical in size and share the same steel frame and subframe...so I have to question the claims that the 355 is somehow magically lighter than the 348.

I'd bet lunch on anyone who wants to weigh their 355 (Spider, TB, or TS, not Challenge!) against my 348 Spider...that the 355 weighs more in spite of the "published" numbers.

 

I own a 328, but considered the 348 and 355. I tend to agree with No Doubt, that the extra complexity of the 355 Spider isn't something I'd want now that they're a decade old.

Also, I generally find things like power seats and power tops to be a waste in small 2-seater cars. You don't need them, they add weight, will fail eventually, and in a Ferrari will cost dearly. I'm not even sure why I have "dual-zone" climate control in my 328, where you sit pretty much shoulder to shoulder with the passenger.

Aesthetically, I like both, but the 355 is a notch more gorgeous. Go rent the Goldeneye Bond flick if you aren't convinced.

 

Personally I favor the appearance of the 355. My 348 was far less to fix, however, this according to my mechanics and not personal experience. Every one steered me away from the 355 when I was considering a purchase despite my lust.

Performance-wise they are similar, although I confess that drag racing 355's will show the main difference between the 2. The 355 is just a better car and far more refined. It is fast, but I was surprised that it wasn't by a great degree. The 360's, on the other hand, no contest.

Bottom line - if u want greater simplicity with less potential maintenance, then the 348 is for u. If u have to have more current technology and the slightly better performance and creature comforts that go along with it, the 355 is ur choice. That upgrade may come at some cost, however. Remember 95-97 355's have those pesky valve and exhaust manifold issues.

 

Jon and Vince V, well said. Fair comments all around. Very even-handed to both 348 and 355 models.

 

No it doesn't.

And there are lots of ways to save weight in lieu of all those items you listed. It's pretty easy to shave 100-pounds off a car and if Ferrari decided to put the 355 on a diet, it's likely they did just that and it came in under the 348.

 

So what's the shipping weight of the 355 engine block compared to the 348?

 

I haven't ordered on lately so I couldn't tell you.

348, Bore and Stroke 85x75 10.4:1 CR
355, Bore and Stroke 85x77 11.1:1 CR

Are the blocks not the same?

 

No, the blocks aren't the same. The 348 has 4 valves per cylinder whereas the 355 has 5, so you've got entirely different tunneling, intake, exhaust, cooling, fueling, emmissions air pumping, etc.

Different intake plenums. Different belts (2 timing belts on the 355, 1 timing belt on the 348).

Heavier cams on the 355 (need more lobes to open/close 5 valves). Heavier clutch/flywheel to deal with more horsepower on the 355.

Plus the 355 block is mated to a heavier 6 speed tranny (which likewise holds more gear oil than does the 348).

I'd guess that the 355's cats are heavier, too.

 

The 355 has 8 throttle bodies. The 348 has 2.

Does this add up to a weight savings for the 355??

 

If ya balls arnt big enough to own, drive and maintain the complex 355, then go get a easy to maintain 348 And stuff all this weight saving this and weight saving that BS, i weigh 19 stone so that s**t dont matter anyways becourse my 355 will still leave ya 348s for dead.....even with another 20 stone pasenger and another in the boot Yea!!!

 

True enough, but that's only because pink 355's have to be fast-enough to escape from being Bubba's new boy toy.

 

what happened to this thread?

You understand the valves per cylinder has NOTHING to do with the block, right? Why do you insist that the cams are heavier? Because the look that way? The flywheel can be lighter and easily handle more power.

 

I was hoping I could get enthusiasts form each model to give robust answers. There is great information here when read thru the colorations. Can I summarize to say that the 348 is a simpler vehicle and has slightly less power. The power doesn't seem to reflect on the passion of the 348 owners. None the less- the 355 is more complex and powerful for the better, but with more to go wrong. As complex Ferraris age, the complexity issue may be a problem.

Where do I go?

Thanks

 

Nobody has mentioned the not insubstantial 15-20 thousand pound price difference yet.. If you want one and you are happy spending the extra (remember to add another 5k GB pound 'slush' fund for manifolds etc) then go for the 355 - I'm sure you will love it.

Be careful if actual power outputs are of a big concern to you - IIRC of the 4 355 dyno runs I have seen documented it was the 2 95 M2.7's that came up with the goods (chaa??). A 98' (I think..) at a PistonHeads dyno day recently had 320 at the flywheel (the '280hp' german cars were giving 280hp).

Genuine 355 wheels are much lighter than the 348's BTW, which helps performance and handling. I actually like the appearance of my std alloys, but boy are they heavy..

 

Actually these are pretty good points. We ignored the obvious - cost. Here we have 348 Spiders in at about $55K up to about $62K (I sold mine at $61.75K). 355 Spiders look to be around 10K higher for similar years - 94/95 348's and 95/96 355's.

As far as perfomance goes, well, my 1995 Dinan prepped M3 was every bit as fast as the Ferrari and better off the line up to about redline in 3rd (about 90 mph±). Around there the 348 walked away. Of course, it probably started that walk at about 70 mph. I owned both at the same time and they were, coincidently sold at the same time.

 

I think you've got it. To some extent it depends on your car budget and preferences.

Horsepower doesn't seem to equate to owner happiness, BTW. If you cruise over to the Dino forum on FChat, you'll 'meet' guys who will never be selling their cars. Ditto among some of the 308 owners.

You need to go to a Ferrari owners get-together in your area and decide which one you like. The best time to ask someone about his car is when he isn't selling.

 

If you are worried about maintainance costs, join the elite of Ferrari owners, and learn to fix it yourself. You will save THO$ANDS and THOU$AND$ of dollars doing the work yourself.

Drive both and then choose what you want.

If you choose a 348 the Brotherhood is here for you.

 

Hey i like pink

 

Yeah, Baby!