Looking at 355s

I am a 348 owner so I am not closely familiar with all of the issues to look for on the 355 but I know that one important thing is that the car has a complete history of service records. Also, you need to know when the last major service was done. This is very expensive to do due to the fact that it is an engine out service for the timing belts. It is not a bad thing if it has not been done if it is still within the time interval requirement but if it is coming up on that time, you will need to take that into consideration when it comes to the price you should pay for the car. Good luck on your search!

 

Hi John, I'd be happy to meet up since you're in CT to talk about 355's in detail. But here's my quick take on 355 'issues':

OEM headers will eventually fail on all 355's, but there's great aftermarket solutions for Ferrari-reasonable price (I have Fabspeeds).

All will have a sticky interior at some point, but it's a DIY fix with Easy Off oven cleaner and spray on Plasti-dip. It is messy and takes time, so you can send parts to Robbie - www.stickynomore.com

Valve guides...some unknown % of pre-mid '98 cars will fail. NOT all! Mid '98 they switched to steel, I went with a '99 to be safe. Later cars had other small upgrades too, as is the case with any model as the mfg. learns of issues.

PPI - for sure check compression, you want to see a solid 185+ psi in each cylinder (experts feel free to suggest a different #). My car was higher than this, but some might say a lower compression than this that is equal is ok too.

IMHO an engine out is needed every 5 yrs, and will run you $5k MIN from a good independent. Depending on what's needed $7-9k isn't uncommon...and yes there's 5 figure horror stories.

My car was well driven before, had a solid PPI, and has been nothing but a pleasure to drive the past 4 yrs, no maintenance surprises.

 

Does anyone know which starting which VIN has steel guides?

 

Nobody knows by VIN exactly when the guides improved...

And keep in mind not all early cars will fail guides, only some %. And if you have them upgraded at the time of an engine out major it's not majorly cost-prohibitive since the engine is already out.

 

I think this may be one of the best short buyer's intros to 355s I have seen.

I would add my personal take on valve guides: ignore the possibility of failure, ignore the VIN and potential valve guide material, and ignore any service records. Get a good, reliable mechanic to do a proper compression and leak-down. If it's good, it's good. If it's not, then there is a problem.

I used to argue the header issue, but I stopped after I had to replace mine

 

I had a 99 Fiorano #34 and it had bronze guides. So just because its a late 98 or 99 doesn't guarantee that the guides are steel.