360 service cycles

my understanding is that belt change used to be every 5 years . Ferrari now recommends every 3 years. I just bought a 1999 360 with 6000 miles. The last 30k service done in 2004. I just had the service done again. Obviously not because of miles but time. More than I wanted to spend but I want a car that I don't have to worry about for a while.

 

Ferrari says 3 years instead of 5 years for the belt change.... anyone who knows any logic and physics will tell you that a well made belt will not spontenously erode in three years unless it is made of rubber bands..just a ploy by ferrari to increase service profits...if a belt does break with in 3 years or 30 k miles, then it was a defective belt to begin with...btw, two seperate ferrari mechanics told me the same thing...off the record of course.......

 

Two reasons come quickly to mind regarding doing the belts every three years:

- Piece of mind: If Ferrari says 3 years, why push it to 5? If your car's engine dies b/c you're pushing the duty-cycle of a belt... much regret.

- Service records: I think a car with a belt service every 3 years will be more attractive in resale. With a 3-year belt service, it's a check-off item on a potential buyer's list. If you go 5 years, you're going to have to get into a philosophical conversation about what some mechanics may have told you off-the-record.

My 360 is for sale right now (just got a 430) and I'm dang proud to be able to say it had both it's belt services done right at 3 years. It's a non-issue for anyone who's interested in buying it.

Frank

 

good point about the service records...they are key in selling the car and most people want a recent belt service

 

good point about the service records...they are key in selling the car and most people want a recent belt service

 

I would love to hear from anyone who went past 3 years and blew a belt. If this has really happened how far past 3 years were you when the belt let go?

 

Steve, you didn't worry about these things when you had your Honda now, did you????!!!!!!!

 

Actually I was thinking of the thread on prime where not one person could state a case where the timing belt was let go past the due date and it actually broke. I will do all the maintenance on time for the 360 but I think it is a little ridiculous if no one can actually state a case where the belts broke.

And no I never did give the NSX a second thought.

 

like i said, unless you put a rubber band belt on your 360, it will not break or even significantly weaken with in 3 years or 30k miles.....