Climate Control panel in a 550

i have a 2000 550 and have racked up 50k miles since i bought it with 551 miles on it in Oct. 2002, so the control panel for the climate control system is all bubbly and discolored from sitting in the sun and heat over the years. I have contacted ricambi and they do not have one for the 550, only for the 456 and 355. Does anyone know where i can get one or even a fix for this? any help would be great

justin

 

Tim Stanford told me that the Ricambi guys are working on an aftermarket panel for the 550. He said late summer. I'm not holding my breath on that one.....

I was quoted around $2k for an OEM panel, thats another option. The final option is to get a carbon fiber one. I think one of the sponsors makes one. MAcarbon?

 

I have the carbon fiber one, it took forever to get but it looks nice. only problem is the light no longer goes through it like the stock one

 

I had same problem on my 550 and I decided to just live with it as it worked

 

Mine's going that way as well. If/when you find a replacement, can you please post here where you got it? I'd like to get a new one in due course as well.


Onno

 

I replaced mine with the carbon fiber one, which is awesome. I bought it from a sponsor here.

I trade my perfect panel for a rare bottle of scotch with a fellow Fchat member, who never sent me the scotch, nice.......

I have one more panel that is in 80% condition. no bubbles just not pristine.

 

ricambi needs to step up to the plate and produce one, there is obviously demand for it

 

Same here. A couple of small blebs which aren't too bad. I can live with it and the few other blemishes that comes with a 60,000 mile car.

Barry

 

I think it is the founder of the 355 registry that is offering 355 owners a reconditioning service. I don't think that there's that much of a difference. There sure are similairities.

Too bad. Bubbley panels, gummy switches, carbon build up on the plugs. The stuff we put up with.



John, too bad the guy stiffed you.

 

Stan is correct: Fellow F-chatter 285Ferrari (with perhaps the most disturbing avatar on record, yet with many contenders) has a service to redo the sticky problem...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=137612746&highlight=sticky+dash#post137612746

See POST #9 of the above link. Hope this helps!

 

Don't look directly at my avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!! The 355 overlay will not work with the 550, BUT if anyone can do w/o there panel for about 45 days or so---A overlay WILL be made for you guys..The designer needs about this long to make the template, etc..I had a guy with 2 550 panels tell me he was going to send one of his to me for the template reproduction and overlay manufactoring--He never did...I told him I would replace the overlay for him after the new overlay was designed and cut him a huge break on the entire refinish process and he never sent it--Any takers??? You would be doing your fellow 550 owners a great service!!!!! PM me is interested...

 

Hi Guys,

We do make a carbon version. Its a bit more than than an eventual overlay would be. I don't think there is much comparison of the outcome though.

Our delivery time is about 5-7 weeks depending on our backlog. Yes, the icons don't light up but the knobs still do. The car we installed the prototype in already had a bit of carbon in it and also had a alcantera dash. It looked very good! Install took about 2 hours due to it being the first one and us documenting the install process.

You can see pricing and other information at:
http://www.macarbon.com/store/ac-control-panel-219.html

For a complete list of our 550/575 products click here
http://www.macarbon.com/store/550575-maranello-5/


John
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

An overlay like the 355 one's for the 550 are in the works!!!!! Stand by for at least 2 months for final design and production!!! More info will follow!!

 

i know you said 2 months, but any updates thus far that we should know about....something along the lines of, hey we are ahead of schedule!!!

 

I can give you an update... we have run into significant design issues. The raised lip on the outer edge of the 550 unit is part of the sticky overcoat, and we're not sure how to address it. If we manufacture a flat overlay (like the 355 one), the lip will remain gooey. Worse, the cut line between the lip and our new overlay might look really crummy -- depending on who does the work.

Another option, and I'm quite serious in this one, is grind off the lip entirely. Our overlay would then be manufactured a millimeter larger on all sides to cover that region. Who's got a spare belt sander?

Anyway, that's the update. I know people are anxious for these things -- and so am I. I get calls DAILY for them, but I simply will not rush a product into the market if it's not something I'd put into my personal car and be happy with the quality.

 

I would vote for gringing. Laying the overlay into the recess I think would be more difficult than sanding it off. I think it would also look less fussy.

 

I would suggest the overlay, and let each of the individual owners deal with the gooey part. We already do with the sticky switches, and quite honestly, I'd deal with this the same way....

Hand the overlay to my independant, and ask him to get rid of the sticky goo, then apply the overlay.

 

Bump-n-grind. Sounds somewhat sexy. I'll speak to the manufacturer on Monday and see how we can proceed.

 

Daniel,

I'm sure one of the designs you're considering is reproducing the entire HVAC control panel cover, lip and all, rather than just an overlay. A bit more expensive but it would look right.

Barry

 

This sounds like a good idea, the owner o the car will be dealing with any "stickyness" anyway, why make it your problem. Make the overlay and they will buy it.. After all most owners have an independent or good interior guy they are confortable with anyway.

 

I could not wait .I had my own made.If anyone else needs them they are $75 a piece.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

where do I send you my check/mailing address for one of these?

 

Mike550M,
Can you post a pic of this installed? How does it compare to the OEM one?

 

Mike---the overlay looks fantastic!!!




Here is a Euro panel I did last month...
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

^ These are now in stock in both Fahrenheit and Centigrade for the 456, 456M, and 550. Proper nighttime illumination, color match, etc. No more sticky, no more bubbles!

We've just sent a batch to Robbie at www.stickynomore.com. He can certainly install them (it is not as simple as a 355 or 456 panel), and the result will be stunning.


http://www.ricambiamerica.com/index.php?cPath=100031
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login