Tip for Prospecting owner (F355)

I heard that the early 355s (1995-96) have valve problems that sometimes need to be corrected. Anyone else hear about this?

 

www.the355.com

 

Hi Paul - Welcome to FerrariChat.

I bought my first Ferrari, a F355, with reference from the members here. It's a fabulous car, and its pitfalls as well as its strengths are well documented on this site.

Before I purchased my car, I read up all about F355's in general here, and can sum this up:

• Know what you want, your "perfect" car will come around sooner or later (pick your color, mileage, price point, driver car or show car, etc)
• PPI, PPI, PPI (Pre-Purchase inspection) - a few dollars invested in PPI's may help uncover some potential issues
• Don't buy off eBay (see PPI reference above)
• Be patient
• Search on the terms: "355 valve guides", "355 buying guide", "Bosch 2.7 vs 5.2" here to arm yourself with some basic info.

The search results above will probably answer a lot of questions, while bringing up new ones. It's best to be educated when making such a commitment. Also, as NoDoubt mentions above, the website http://www.the355.com/ is a good resource for new buyers.

If you find the right F355, it will be a rewarding drive. I haven't regretted my decision! Good luck!

 

An Oldie, but a goodie : http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/256120/256560.html?1054899989

Excellent post from Tony P & a few others

 

'95- mid '98 have Potential Valve Guide Issues. They most likely would of surfaced by now. See above Post.

 

When it comes to Ebay--remember your not buying a car from Ebay--you are buying it from the seller. ALOT of Ferrari dealers as well as private sales use Ebay to list the cars. They don't expect to sell them thru Ebay, but just use it as cheap advertising basically. I wouldn't say not to buy from Ebay, buy from someone you can make a good raport with. My 355 I just bought was listed by the dealer on there site and the owner on Ebay and it was the same car. Do good RESEARCH!!!! Ask ALOT of questions before a purchase, doesn't cost anything to ask questions..

 

You should definitely have a PPI (Pre-purchase inspection) done by a competent unbiased professional on any car you are interested in buying. F355s from 1995 through mid-1998 were delivered with bronze valve guides, which have proven to wear prematurely in some cases. Starting with assembly no. 27689 (visible on a plate on the driver's side of the engine compartment) sintered steel valve guides were used. Replacing the guides can be a $15,000 or more exercise so a leakdown test should be performed on the car. My mechanics at Continental Autosports tell me that readings above 5% are starting to get worrisome and above 10% indicate real problems.

Exhaust headers and cats tend to wear out prematurely on some cars as well. Continental has told me that they see premature cat and header wear more on post-1995s. The 1995s have the Bosch Motronic 2.7 engine management system that uses a richer mixture, resulting in lower exhaust temperatures.

 

Valve problems......never heard of it mate

 

Oh, and stay away from Pink ones.

 

Good thread, I'm in the exact same boat. Looking for a 355 but need to do more research first...

 

I spent a couple bucks and Carfax'ed every car that I was considering (2 or 3). I decided on the year I wanted (99), the color (red) and the trans (F1). I then went thru process of elimination to find the perfect car. I ended up working with Rob Oteri at Naples Motorsports. Told him what I wanted in a car and he hand picked the perfect ride for me. Be patient and it will come.

 

Great methodical analysis!!! I would have to agree

 

You got my car!!! Those are my first choice for options, maybe yellow too.

 

Did Rob explain to you Naples Motorsports' restocking fee if you return the car?

There have been a couple of threads on here about Naples, and no one can quite pin that down.

He's got a great cameraman and detailer to clean up his auction buys, but as a buyer you are paying a heckofa premium to get the car detailed. You could go to the auction yourself and easily save $10,000 for the same car.

He also tends to lead his customers to his same bosum-buddy PPI mechanic. For the PPI, I'd think most buyers would prefer someone a little more objective.

 

since I am a Ford dealer and I have access to all auctions across the country I called Rob before I pulled the trigger on one at a New Jersey auction. He talked me thru the potential purchase (Carfax showed a front end repair due to collision and I wanted his opinion) and went to work to find me the right car. A day later he found me a different car from out east (lower miles, clean Carfax and no sticky interior pieces). It is now in my garage and I couldn't be happier. I paid a very fair price (I had the 30k done immediately and Rob's price reflected that) and couldn't be happier with my treatment from Rob.

 

I'm glad that you had a good experience. Others have complained that Naples charges for the 30k without actually doing it, so perhaps they were confused.

As a Ford dealer you probably already knew to ask for the old parts (to show that the jobs were actually done as well as to allow you to evaluate the car's true inner condition).

Were you satisfied with the condition of the old parts from the 30K service?

 

Algar did the service and I have their receipts. Naples had nothing to do with it other than set it up for me.