355 PPI Suggestions

I am wondering if anyone here can point me in the right direction....looking for PPI in the Cleveland OH area as well as Chicago IL. .....preferably someone who really knows 355's.......any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

If Columbus is not to far away , give Jack a call at NJB

NJB Automotive, Exceptional Ferrari Service and detailing in Ohio

 

FWIW, I've got mixed feelings about PPI's. If the car your looking at has a good service history and records you can review, it might be easier for you to do your own inspection.

In my case, the car I bought came from an area with no qualified shop near by and the seller (older gentleman) was not familiar with a PPI and in no way was he going to allow me to ship it for one.

Mine was serviced by Algar and had a major 252 miles prior to my purchase so I called the service manager at Algar and discussed the car. He knew the car well and gave me confidence. Attached are a few documents that may help you. One I created and another from Ferrari.

Be sure the car has 3 FOB's and the PIN number if it's a 96 or above.
View attachment Ferrari_355_Pre-Purchase_Questionnaire.pdf
View attachment Ferrari_Approved_101_checklist.pdf

 

Hi Dave. Lots of very pertinent questions in the questionnaire. Is the mechanical side covered by another questionnaire? Service history, Ferrari/Independent, last cam belt changed with engine/tranny in or out of the car etcetera.....

 

I did not list that specifically since I was thinking that's all part of the service records but you are correct, I should have.

 

In defense of the PPI , I walked away from a 355 that was extensively serviced at Algar that had voluminous service records from them with the car. (over 23K worth)

AT the PPI, compression and leak down done at Algar, it showed something that was not visible on any service records and was a surprise to the technicians that had worked on the car. Leakdown and compression tests are not part of routine servicing if there is no indication of an issue.

I wouldn't buy one of these cars without having it done.

 

You are so correct DrBob...Ive seen many done at the shop I frequent and believe me, the would be owners whether they buy it or not are happy they had it done. The dealers or sellers are usually not that happy, but these guys find everything. Its unbelievable what you will find on these cars especially when the PPI is done by competent mechanics that know these cars inside out.

 

I would never buy a 355 without a compression / leak down test.

 

With the guidance from members of this board, I did pursue a PPI, leak down and compression test when acquiring my 355 in November 2013. Fast Cars determined that the engine mounts were collapsed and the cvc boots needed replacement, both items that I would not have noted on my own. Just to know that a professional very familiar with the 355 completed the PPI was a huge piece of mind to me, being a newbie and knowing only what I have read here. This information combined with the results of both the compression and leak down test were critical components necessary for me personally to know what My starting point was. Granted, this is no insurance policy, but it was a better start than if I were to have done the checklist on my own.

There are many members that know their stuff when it comes to these cars, as some of the DIY's scare the hell out of me with their complexity (my Stetson is tipped to you gentlemen), but it's my goal to begin delving in and grow my knowledge for future quality time with the new member of my household.

Check my posts and you will find a quick overview of the PPI results as well as the leak down and compression results, which were pretty good.

I do not know if they do PPI's, but you may want to try connecting with Lake Forest Sports Cars in Lake Bluff IL. They were the original dealer who sold my beauty new, and followed up with two trade ins and two more sales of her afterwards. I have spoken with one of her previous owners and he speaks highly of their reputation. He was a good guy and we spoke for a long time, discussing both my blue and his 348 which he still owns from buying new back in the early 90's - on a side note it sure is fun talking with other enthusiasts about these cars!


990 N Shore Dr, Lake Bluff, IL
(847) 295-6560

 

Anyone know a good shop in Denver for a PPI on a F355?

 

Dave Helms at Scuderia Rampante in Boulder is the only place around there that I would go to.

 

Dave Helms no longer offers PPIs.

 

FoD quoted me $1200 for a full PPI with Compression/Leak Down. Does that sound reasonable?

 

That's pretty high, about double what they've been

 

the prices I've been quoted with a leak down test are 500-750....no more .....all reputable shops

 

It is consistent with what I had quoted from other Ferrari dealers. 8 hours at $150/hr.

 

John, when I was looking at another car before I bought mine, Foreign Cars italia quote me $500 total which was on the low side. $1200 is very high.

Dr Bob had one done at Algar, perhaps he can comment. IIRC it was not even close to $1200

 

My quotes were from F of Fort Lauderdale, F of West Palm and F of San Diego. All of them also broke out the compression/leak down so the car could be inspected first and then it could be decided if I wanted to proceed with the comp/leak testing. I actually only paid about $600 at Fort L. because I didn't like the preliminary inspection (back in 2012). And at San D. I didn't need the comp/leak because the shop that was doing the major on the car documented the compression and leak down before and after the head work. They also did a leak down on the block to check the cylinder liners/rings (no point in doing heads if the cylinders are bad). So that ended up around $600 too.

From talking to the independents in those areas I found that the dealers were far more comprehensive.

As I recall, the car Dr Bob's had at Algor had a bad leak down. Did the PPI goes any further?

 

John, I'll let a Bob elaborate but I'm pretty sure Algar did a compression test and then did it again (another visit). I don't recall how comprehensive his PPI was.

In the few months I was looking (or following), I've never heard north of a grand...

 

I think I paid the about $500 and change. I told them to do the LD and CC first and call me with the results and then if I wanted to go further with the PPI there would be additional charges. I don't recall what the total would have been if I had finished the PPI.

Just for kicks I told them to finish the PPI when I was driving home after witnessing the CC and LD and knowing I wasn't going to buy the car. He called me back in an hour with some cursory verbal comments about incidental things (subframe had been bent from improper jacking). I think at that point we all knew I wasn't going forward and they didnt want to charge me any more and they didn't.

 

I am close to pulling the trigger on a 1995 355 spider located in the Chicago area, can anybody recommend a reliable/responsible shop to complete a PPI in close proximity?