348 pros/con which years

search is your friend..use it

 

There weren't any bad years for 348's, well...except in the automotive press.

The early 348s (e.g. 1989) had dual racing clutches and normal seat belts, but used M2.5 instead of M2.7 (on board diagnostics and dual throttle position sensors, real sensors, not mere switches). Early 348s had the battery in the back.

Later 348s came with the laughable mouse motor seat belts, but used M2.7 and had the less expensive to replace/maintain single clutch. From the SS models through the Spiders, the later 348s had the single-can muffler (less weight, more hp). The later 348s had the battery in the front for better front/rear weight balance.

Naturally the factory made some updates/fixes over the years that you would want to perform if you bought an early model (e.g. oil pump).

Much more info is on the 348 Primer in the link below.

 

Many of the changes can or should be incorporated into whatever year 348 you own also. The metal timing belt covers from the early cars are more durable and will avoid one of the potential problems with timing belt failure down the road. Some later year 348 have these installed. I'm not sure what advantages the Motronic 2.7 offers, but I am not one to mess with the car's computers anyways.
The later year 348 have adifferent suspension geometry (don't know the differences), but many early year 348 have aluminum spacers installed to increase the rear track for better high speed stability.
I would recommend just finding a 348 in excellent condition and expect to keep $5k or so in reserve for a large unexpected repair. I have't run into the large unexpected repair in almost four years owning my 348, but you don't want to avoid fixing something that needs correction.
They are all great cars, and can vary immensely in condition, so go see as many as you can locally to know what you might be looking for.

BT

 

Having recently purchased my 93 SS, I was directed by those taking me under thier wing to purchase the most recent model possible, but was also told if I found an early year model in excellent condition that most of the updates could be accomplished without great financial output (like the wider rear track via spacers as BT mentioned).

The key is to find an example by someone who really cared for the car. Use your gut, you will be able to tell when you see it and talk to the owner if they did or not. GET A PPI prior to purchase by a good Ferrari mechanic of your choice, and then buy one. They are great cars, but they are still just cars. Sh$t happens so the $5k in reserve is also wise advice.

Great time to buy, just be careful, and methodical, and one the right one is found, BUY IT!

Then drive it and enjoy it. They are a blast. Good luck, and there are many folks on this board that can provide sound advice.

Best of luck in the search!
MB

 

The bigger question is what sort of an owner will you be? For example, if you plan on wrenching on your own car the 2.7 motronics has the advantage of displaying engine codes to help with diagnostics. Just about every year has some differences, and whether or not they confer an advantage will depend somewhat on your perspective as an owner.

Another example is the single disc clutch on later models is cheaper to replace, but replacement clutch packs are more difficult to source than the earlier twin disc units. Personally, I really detest the "mad mouse" seatbelts to the point where I am considering 355 spider seats so I can do away with them.

To answer one of your original questions, the 2.7 motronics were introduced during the 1990 production run. It is super easy to tell if a car is running 2.5 or 2.7 - look at the throttle bodies. If only one throttle body has a black sensor on top it is a 2.5 - if both TB's have a sensor it is a 2.7 car.

IMO the top priority is to find a car in the best condition regardless of year, mileage, etc. Generally speaking the later years are more reliable as there were updates to the alternator, ECU's and so on. Check out No Doubt's 348 primer, that should answer most of your questions.

 

From what I remember reading before I bought my 348 is that most of the upgrades in the 348's happened in 93-95. Since I wanted a 348 TS I knew any 90-92 would be about the same. They did not offer a 348 TS in the USA in 93-95 except for the rare special editions. I would have hoped for a 92 348 TS but found a nice 90 and bought it. Mine has the 2.7.

Rodney Dickman
1990 348 TS.

 

Eric there is an easy way to put those pesky mice to sleep in a nice locked and usable position so you don't have to replace your seats.
NoDoubt showed me how in Vegas after a very long walk along the Blvd. in search of a screw driver.
Just give me a shout and I can tell you how.
Jeff

 

Some of these 25mm rear wheel spacers.

Available from the good guys at www.ricambiamerica.com
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Agree with the others ...

When I was buying my car, I was lusting after the Series Speciale - loved the tail lights and the other little bits to differentiate it from the regular 348. But the price premium at the time pushed it beyond my budget. I settled on a 1991 ts instead with some decent service history - one benefit to my car was that the previous owner had removed the strakes in the rear giving it a similar look to the Speciale. With a few simple and cheap modifications, I could get it to about 95% of the speciale look. I now have the car I desired. In hindsight I wouldn't have done anything different

Conventional Ferrari wisdom is buy the most recent model you can afford and also the best serviced car that you can afford. Alternatively buy a car with no history dirt cheap and get it properly serviced - both ways you may end up spending about the same. The choice is up to you.

If I were in your place, I would first decide whether I would want a coupe, targa or convertible. I would then ignore the model year of the car and find one with the best history and best add-ons that I want (exhaust, pedals, cats, etc.) Take your time, look around and pick the best car you can find. Good luck!

 

The 348's suspension is completely adjustable for ride height, castor, camber, toe-in, and corner balancing. Pre-1993 models need 25mm spacers on the rear axel.

Shod her with good rubber, then set your ride height, camber, toe-in, and corner balance. Align. Refine.

The 348 is *enormously* sweet when set up right. I can circle left, stop, back right, doing full 360 degree donuts in the wet...as well as race around a skidpad faster than most ricers can drive in the dry...using throttle and clutch only.


It's a thing of great beauty to push a 348 on the track. Sublime. It's got the engine in the *middle* of the car for a reason. Experience it and then you'll "get" what all of the fuss is about!

 

+1 I got a '90 TS along the same line of thought. With the 18" 355 wheels and spacers it handles like a dream.

 

I also added the Hill Engineering spacers to my 1990 348 TS. I used the 25 mm rears and the 10 mm fronts more for the looks than to improve handling. One of the very few changes I have made to my almost 100% stock 1990 348 TS. If I don't sell it this year I'll hopefully get around to installing my 348 spider muffler and my gutted Ferrari factory OEM cats. Will still look stock but sound much nicer.

Rodney

 

I remember that - you and the mad scientist adjusting Eva "on the fly" in Vegas! I was thinking more along the lines of getting rid of the two belts entirely and having a traditional seatbelt arrangement. I'll bring my screwdriver on the next Pauper's Run since realistically it could be a while before I find 355 spider seats in good condition

 

Yeah, that would work.

Cause one day some f*ckwit said so!

"Ferrari courted him in 1991 to become its CEO, and Montezemolo recognized what he was up against. As he recalled years later about the 348 model he had recently purchased, “I was utterly disappointed. This was the worst product Ferrari had developed for some time.”

 

I would assume so on the wheels, but check with the experts. On the rep, people are just idiots. Those who started the rep likely do not own a Ferrari, and inside the Ferrari community, everyone wants someone else's car to be the "bad" one, not the one they own.

MB

 

That depends on the wheels offset. it is much more complicated than the wheels width.

It is interesting, I've seen owners who didn't like their 348s but it seemed like those particular cars had problems (probably likely due to lack of care by previous custodian), however, I can tell you that in way of value, it is probably one of the best bangs for the buck. Sure, the 355 has more power and additional refinements, however 300+ HP, good handling (with proper set up), decent styling (there are those who really love the side strakes, I wasn't a fan, but I love the car so I'll take the good with the bad - sorry, personal taste!).

My car puts a smile on my face EVERYTIME I turn the key! I always wanted to experience Ferrari from the first time I laid my eyes on one, and from the first moment I drove it, it has exceeded my expectations.

I love it when people critique the car...dated styling...well, it isn't a new car, is it? Simple interior, well, again, I didn't exactly buy it because of the interior, did I? I'm sure we have all heard it, people questioning our sanity, but we know. I have put over 16,000 miles on my car since I got it. If I had to do it all over again, I would. The maintenance can be scary, but really, what Ferrari is the maintenance not scary? Probably just the 1/18th kind that you can park on your desk.

If you run into problems, the brotherhood is strong, advice, parts sourcing, cost efficient fixes, it is amazing. I think this is a true testament to the Ferrari community at large. This isn't just for 348's, our 355 brethren, yes, Mondial t brothers who probably don't get enough credit (yes, I have experienced the Mondial t and know that it is basically a 348 with a tuxedo on and enough room to put small children in the back).

I LOVE MY 348 !!!!

There I said it.

 

That's exactly what Ferrari did on the SS in '93. The rear wheels have 1 in wider offset on the rear to increase the rear track. If you can find a set of challenge wheels they have a wider offset as well.


The second ? is a difficult one, but really beat up on this site. You can use the search and learn alot. Mostly because at the time when the 348 was introduced it was compared to the Acura NSX. The car magazines fell in love with the NSX. Who do you think was spending ad $'s at the time?

Other reason's: poor build quality - I have not seen that, but maybe the early cars, sticky interior parts - yes but these same parts carried over to the 355, poor handling - compared to what a '90 chevy malibu? this was corrected as the years progressed and the '94 tb is set up very well, under powered - again compared to what? 300+ hp at the time was pretty darn good especially from a normally aspirated 3.4 L, styling - matter of taste but Ferrari used styling from the Testerossa in the 348 and no one is bashing the TR.

 

"good handling when set up right" <- When I said this, I was meaning more regarding adding spacers to widen the rear track. Also, if any one is interested, since I added 355 wheels to my car, I have a set of better than average condition 348 wheels from a 1994 which already includes the additional width. I was thinking about keeping them with the car for resale, but if anyone is interested, let me know.

 

In about the time it will take you to read this paragraph you can go from a stop to a speed that will land you in jail and get your 348 impounded. How much more HP can you realistically use in a relatively light sports car on public roads?

Now for racing and tracking on the other hand... just do a search for posts from Fat Billy Bob, Group77Racing, Plugzit, Gothspeed, Ernie, No Doubt and other "stooges" for the dozens of threads on all the projects & experiments being done to get at some additional HP.

There isn't any easy or cheap way to substantially increase HP in the 348. If you want more, buy a different car. Really - it will wind up being the cheaper route in the long run. Reducing the weight of the 348 (CF parts, remove the A/C, lighter wheels, etc.) will improve performance and keep it emissions legal. Ferrari's aren't about max HP, they are about the total package.

 

What he said.

Plus, the entire car was designed around 300 bhp. Unless you want to vastly upgrade the brakes (which are 1980s technology) and suspension, I would concur with Eric that you're buying useless speed at the price of safety. 360s are getting very affordable, so if you want modern performance I would look there.