Major engine service on a 456

So I'm familiar with having to do a major engine out service on my 355. Engine has to come out every 3-6 years depending on mileage and a bunch of things need to be changed and costs range from 5k to 20k depending on what gets done.

It's also a big topic of discussion in the 348/355 section and something to look for when purchasing such a car.

I'm presently looking to purchase a 2002 456m GTA with 11k miles and see a bunch of service records but nothing really described as a major service. I do notice filters, belts being changed here and there during the car's history but nothing indicates a "major" being done at some point.

Is this an issue? does the 456 require the engine to be taken out when servicing like the 355? If yes, how often?

Car is clean, looks in great cosmetic shape, price 65k (too much?)

 

Fab,

the engine does not need to come out during the major service on a 456.
A "major" service usually means belts and tensioners, plenum hoses, cam shaft o-rings....
Check the service records for 2 head cover gaskets, that's a good indication that such a service was indeed carried out!

Stefano

 

Fab- There really is no such thing as a major service on the the 456 and other modern V12s. The term is more or less made up by service technicians to match the engine out term for the 348 and F355. There is a combination of time and mileage services to be done, with the big ones at 3-5 years for belts, and 15,000 and 30,000 mile intervals for things like suspension geometry, spark plugs, and valve clearance adjustments. When elements of the time and mileage interval are combined, technicians will use the major term, especially if combined with rebuilding the water pump or other incidental maintenance.

 

Thanks for the answers guys....the specific car I'm looking at is this one:

Ferrari : 456 Base Coupe 2-Door in Ferrari | eBay Motors

I think the seller wants at least 62, what do you guys think?

 

Looks like a nice one. Interior looks like an interesting mix of cuoio and sabia (sand) on Daytonas. Low mileage, but you will need a good PPI. Do not keep up on 456M prices, sorry, but that is a lot of car for the money. The 456M GTA was the most expensive car Ferrari built in 2002, more than an F1 575M.

 

That looks like Grigio Ingrid, possibly the most sublimely elegant color Ferrari ever offered. It goes well with the Sabia/Cuoio interior.

It's simply gorgeous.

 

I know, that is the exact combo I want.....I LOVE IT!!!

Damn it, where did I put those seeds for my money tree?

 

I'm very prejudiced, of course. EXACTLY the color combination of my car except my carpets were ordered to sample dark reddish brown. And mine doesn't have your beautiful contrasting cuoio piping and daytona inserts. Enjoy it. A tremendously elegant combination that just breathes class.

The leather is pulling away around the airbag, so the dash will need to be redone, if it can't be stretched and reglued. Probably $1-2,000, I'm guessing. Take a look at the rear parcel shelf and be sure to feel the headliner for possible pulling away from the roof, as well, since the leather back there can also shrink. I haven't had to redo my dash, but I had the headliner reattached and parcel shelf leather replaced within the past year. About a grand, and a bargain at that.

 

Fab

Great looking car. I have recently purchased a '95 456 GT 6 speed. There are many more automatic models out there and as a result they demand less of a price. You may also want to read some of the threads discussing the ability or perhaps inability to repair the automatic transmission. This concern may be somewhat overstated.

Your closest PPI may be in LA County.

Good Luck

AK

 

When the auto goes and they do it will cost you the price you paid for it

Call any Ferrari dealer or any good ind shop they will give the $$$$$$$

Thats why you should only buy a 6speed

 

I recommend you ignore this comment. I don't know of a single documented case here of either (a) a 456M auto transmission going south or (b) proof that they cannot be repaired. Search the threads on this for a complete discussion.

 

I know, thanks for the warning guys but Fchat is insanely exaggerated when it comes to horror stories and I've learned not to panic.

I am not worried about the transmission and I want an automatic because I plan to use the car as a daily driver.

Don't congratulate me yet, I haven't bought the thing...altough I want to, just have to scratch for some more pennies before I can move forward.

What do you guys think a fair price would be for this one?

 

Here is an insurer who provides a pricing model. Not exactly sure of where they draw the data from. Used this in negotiating my purchase. Just plug in your make model year and it provides a graph depicting the cars value over the last decade.

Classic Car Values ? Valuation tools | Hagerty Valuation Tools

AK

 

here's another nice one that's similar:

2003 Ferrari 456 M GTA, $65,000 - Cars.com

 

I use mine as a daily driver and I am grateful to have the autobox when I'm stuck in traffic on I-5 or stopped on a hill with someone right on my rear bumper. The only time I miss the involvement of the manual tranny is on a pretty day going over winding roads. However, just put the car in 3, turn on the sport mode and drive hard for a while and you won't miss the manual too much. And when you're cruising along the interstate for hours, the type of transmission becomes irrelevant.

If you are keeping the car in Montreal, I'd be really cautious about taking it out in winter. And be sure to keep it on a ctek battery tender over the winter to keep the battery fully charged, especially if you will be driving it infrequently.

 

Here are several car listing services on the web that I used to do my research. Car can some times be found on one and not the other.



Used Ferrari 456 cars, USA - OOYYO

Ferrari 456s for Sale | Used on Oodle Marketplace


Ferrari 456 Classifieds - Cars for sale USA - buy and sell used autos, buy and sells cars and trucks

Ferrari Cars For Sale - duPont REGISTRY


Hope this helps in doing your comparisons and searching



Cheers!

AK

 

There is no way I would use a Ferrari in our winter climate. Actually, any RWD vehicle is next to impossible to use in the winter here. It will be stored along with my 355 in the winter.

 

Glad to hear that you aren't looney and just carry them in you pocket. I was trying to be polite in my comments, just in case.....

 

Source? I know a lot of owners, suppliers and repairers of 456's and I haven't yet heard of a single transmission rebuild other than from abuse (don't do burn outs in reverse!)

 

You will definitely have to remove the extra badges on the grill!

 

figure the buyer can take them off and put them on eBay. lol.

I actually called about the car. it's a consignment sale. there is no service history, meaning nothing was ever done except oil changes at ferrari of Beverly Hills. I am kind of leery of a ten year old car that's hardly been driven. I am debating whether to arrange for a ppi. the nearest dealer is ferrari of orange county. can anyone recommend an indy that is nearby?

 

That is one very good looking car. The late production year and low miles will mean that it is probably everything that it should be. That being the case, you are looking att a correct asking price IMO.


I'm going to go up to Md, and get my 456 and drive it back down here. I miss it. But I also might offer it for sale. I've really bonded with mine, but I know there will be others.

Oozes class. And panache. And will put a smile on your face.

You owe it to yourself.


Oh, and there's enough of them being parted, everyone has an extra tranny to sell.

 

i'd just be concerned with bushings, seals, belts, all non-metal stuff. is that irrational?

 

The recomended belt replacement is at three years and has been discussed here frequently. The seals and bushings should notbe a concern unless there's something amiss.

Motor mounts may become a concern, and having them good makes the car feel better if it needed to be done. There can be other oddities but I consider them to be just that.

 

thanks for the advice. i have to say i keep going back and checking the car out on the website. last week i was in serious negotiations on an '05 575m hgtc car and we got real close but neither one of us would budge so that fell through. there's something about the 456's body style that really resonates with me.