328 with or without ABS?

What are the pro’s and contra’s about the ABS as it was fitted on the late 328 models.
If my information is correct, ABS was an option on some 1988 cars and became standard on the 1989 models. I’ve already learned that you can tell the differance by looking at the wheels.

Would you prefer a 328 with or without this system and why?
And what about the quality and reliabilty? Wich Ferrari model was the first to be fitted with ABS? Was that the Testarossa?

I’ve also heard that the cars with ABS have an extra warning light fitted on the dash.
Where is it located? Could someone post a pic of a dash where this light is visible?

Oh, and sorry if this has been asked before, if so, I didn’t find it.

Thx.


Alexander

 

I can't compare a 328 with/without ABS but I have ABS on my 89 and I have found it to be excellent. I did a lot of "panic" stops from over 100MPH and some in turns and found that it works very well. I realize that it is an early system but I can't tell any difference in its effectiveness compared to the ABS that was in my 1999 Porsche 911 or in my wife's 2002 MB S500. Attached is a pic of the dash area. The ABS light is the yellow light, second from the left at the top, above the speedo
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

My car has ABS, but it wasn't a deciding factor in my purchase (and I don't think it should be). If I drove it in the snow they it probably would have been!.
I do think however the suspension was modified at the same time and this and the fact the car was newer and in near mint condition was why I purchased an 89 ABS model.

 

My experience with ABS in the snow in NY driving my 911 is that it's a disaster! I'm sure it works fine if you have good, studded snow tires but if you are using the oem performance tires and get caught in the snow, you can drag your foot out the door and slow the car better than ABS does. THe problem is that it won't allow the wheels to lock. Sounds like a fine idea but I discovered that in snow or gravel, regular brakes stop better BECAUSE they will lock up and start pushing the gravel/snow in front of the tire which helps you stop.

I drove the Porsche once in the snow intentionally and I was never so scared in a car in my life! From that point on never drove it intentionally in the snow though I got caught at work a couple of times when it wasn't supposed to snow.

I spent 8 years in Alaska so I was well-versed in snow/ice winter-road driving with non-ABS cars and both regular tires and studded snows. Studded snows are better! . So the NY 911 experience WASN"T because I had never driven in snow before.

 

Your info is correct except the wheels. While it is true that all cars with ABS have convex wheels, not all cars with convex wheels have ABS. The wheels were changed to give more negative offset when the suspension was upgraded during 1988. They have nothing to do with ABS.

I have an 89 and the ABS works well for an old system. In normal driving it will rarely engage. It does not interfere too soon. Personally I think the upgraded suspension is worth a premium. ABS is no big deal either way.

Dave

 

I have only one issue with the ABS on my 1989. In a system of systems, it is one more complicated electrical system on a 20 year old car. My ABS light was on for two years before it was finally diagnosed as a intermittant malfunctioning valve. Last year, I had a small leak at one of the lines on the ABS pump. Now, there is not a trend of bad ABS problems in 328s, but for a pessimist, it is another thing that could go wrong. Overall, I think ABS by itself it is a pretty neutral point. As has been said many times before, find a good 328 in any year, and you will be happy. The suspension upgrade may be more bang for your buck.

The other thing on the later cars is the shape of the wheel. Hardtop already explained why the difference, but some people really do not like the looks, while others do.

The extra waring light on the dash will come on for a few seconds at start up as a test, then go out. It may come on if the fluid level is low. The light itself actually says "ANTI LOCK".

 

Thanks for the information and pic.
Really appreciated!
One of the cars I will take a look at next week is a ‘89.
Good to know about the upgraded suspension too!


Alexander

 

I concur.

I specifically looked for a concave-wheel 328, but mostly for aesthetics. But one of the big virtues of the 328 and earlier cars is their simplicity, and that started to slip away with ABS -- and then was really lost with the 348.

 

We really need Spider 348 to chime in on this one. He now owns a 355 Spider. Both cars have caused him immense amounts of grief around the ABS issue. All, by the way, still unresolved.

 

My ABS has only engaged one time, and that time it really didn't matter, but was nice that it kicked in.

These days, ABS/wheel design are often the most commented on part of the package, but it was different
'way back when'...

What happened was that the car mags started writing up the new 328 suspension design for the 1988 cars,
and shortly thereafter started making noise about the upcoming ABS. Since ABS was fairly new, it all
sounded like Ferrari keeping up with state of the art. Then, Ferrari tied in the ABS portion (in the U.S.)
with only being available on the '89 models. That, combined with the upcoming 348 rollout somewhere
later in 1989 meant that if one wanted a 328 with 'all the goodies', one had to snag an '89 model.

That was what I surmised, and directly led to me getting my ride, as indicated in some of my previous posts.

I don't remember the car mags commenting much about the wheel redesign or the ABS; the revised suspension was the main thing they covered...'anti-dive' is how I remember the mags & Ferrari calling it.

These days, the only thing that's settled out is the suspension is marginally better and the older wheel design looks better. I happen to like both, but obviously, can't get both on the same car.

 

just BUY a 328!!
don't bother about abs.....

there not MADE to break but to DRIVE

 

The suspension changes vs. ABS is a better reason to consider an '88/'89 328 IMO. The benefits of the suspension changes are debatable as well, though. Find the best sorted out 328 that fits your needs, that is what is most important, not ABS for sure. Mine's an '89 and I don't find the antiquated ABS system to be very reassuring.

Jeff

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189472

Fifth picture down.
If your master cylinder/brake fluid resevoir looks like this... your 328 has ABS.