Low miles not an issue for a Ferrari? | FerrariChat

Low miles not an issue for a Ferrari?

Discussion in '348/355' started by mrpcar, Jun 29, 2007.

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  1. mrpcar

    mrpcar Formula 3

    May 27, 2007
    1,114
    Chino hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Robin
    So I have been seeking my first Ferrari for the pat several weeks, almost 98% of cars I have looked at only gets driven like 1000 mile / year. So Ferraris are prone to oil leaks due to dried gasket and seals?

    I remember one time after parking my 993 for 6 month oil started to leak out everywhere. So I replaced all the seals and never parked the car again, currently I have 90k miles and dry as a bone.
     
  2. VTChris

    VTChris F1 World Champ

    Aug 21, 2005
    13,259


    Dude!

    Your car is here!

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=136849545&postcount=1

    Or are you looking for a 360 now?
     
  3. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
    5,559
    TX
    Full Name:
    Sameer
    Ferraris are very different from other sports cars when it comes to accumulating mileage. :)

    The definition of mileage is quite unique:
    High mileage cars - run 5000 miles/year
    Average mileage cars - run 2000-3000 miles/year
    Low mileage cars - run <1000 miles/year

    It is difficult to make assumptions on a car's condition purely based on miles. You need to factor in service history, location of the car (e.g. East coast cars may have a 9 month running window only). There have been stories of cars that have been running with the odometer disconnected also.

    The best thing is to subject the car to a proper pre-purchase inspection.

    Low miles by itself doesnt mean its a good or bad car.
     
  4. mrpcar

    mrpcar Formula 3

    May 27, 2007
    1,114
    Chino hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Robin
    Let me clearify.

    Are Ferraris known be to leakers if parked and not driven?

    I know for sure that the p-cars don't like to be parked and not driven. It starts to leak like nobody's business.
     
  5. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,973
    MD and NE
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    Robbie
    Not that I have heard of..
     
  6. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,973
    MD and NE
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    Robbie
    Post of the week!!! So true!!!!
     
  7. Dong Juan

    Dong Juan Karting

    Jun 28, 2007
    57
    South
    Full Name:
    Dong Juan
    yes I think condition should be first concern.
     
  8. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
    U.S.A.
    Full Name:
    goth
    "low miles is not an issue for ferrari". Its high miles that is the "issue" ;). Though I buy on current condition... I try to avoid dumping money into a car I just bought.... :(.
     
  9. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2007
    3,653
    rock bottom
    Buy a high mileage car in excellent condition. No worries about leaks, and you can actually drive the thing without the depreciation meter ticking.

    Besides, I believe "actual low miles" on an F40, but not a 355 or 348.
     
  10. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,298
    Colorado
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    Dave
    I have bought a couple of very low mileage cars--a 328 and a 348. I drove both a lot after purchase and never had any leaking issues.

    Dave
     
  11. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
    Full Name:
    Bill Tracy
    Not in particular. They generally leak in any condition. It helps keep the fluids fresh between semi-annual (not bi-annual) services as recommended by the factory and your authorized mechanic.
    :D
    BT
     
  12. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,607
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Jon
    Mrpcar - from what I have seen Ferrari engines are not especially leakproof by design. I.e., if you look at the types and number of seals, there some crucial ones that aren't very long-lived. Specifically, things like cam o-ring seals aren't always of the highest quality/best design to start.

    They are designed to be high maintenance engines -- performance above all else. I don't think Ferrari planned for any of its engines to go 15 years without a reseal. So the answer to your question is likely that if you don't replace aging seals then yes, the cars will leak, probably moreso than a Lexus.

    Porsches are notorious leakers, btw.

    BT - exactly, it's Ferrari's way of keeping your fluid change costs down. All you do is add stuff up top. The car discharges stuff down below.
     
  13. mrpcar

    mrpcar Formula 3

    May 27, 2007
    1,114
    Chino hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Robin
    Well.... I haven't had any leak issues from both of my 993 and 996 until I parked the 993 for over 6 month. Now I drive it at least once a week and no leaks.

    There is a known RMS issue with the 996, which I strongly feel is from owners overfilling the oil. I always had RMS leaks immediately after an oil change when I filled her up to the fill line, but when the oil level is in mid level the RMS leaks stops.

    From my experiences they are not bad leakers at all. I think my wife's BMW leaks a lot more....
     
  14. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
    U.S.A.
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    goth
    +1 I have seen more than a few 355s with sub 15k mile odometers that show five times more wear than my 37k mile 355! I say buy on "condition" "condition" "condition" :)!!!

    The 993 series really changed the "leaky" p-car reputation, mine was dryer than janet reno's @#$%^ :eek: sorry for the visual :p!!
     
  15. expresscat39

    expresscat39 Karting

    Nov 6, 2005
    115
    Bonita Beach,FL
    Full Name:
    Dennis
    My 97 355 has less than 10k ice cream miles and No leaks.

    I am sure you can find a low mileage car that has been driven hard that leaks.
     

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