The statement has a note of finality that all issues can just be resolved in a permanent fashion and that is just not the case. The engine management system in all but the 95 was not a big success. And that is being polite. There is no fix. The Spider top is infamous. There is no fix. A substantial number of these cars are in California and there is no legal replacement for the OE manifolds and cats. Many have been getting away with alternatives but the state is cracking down harder and harder and just as with some other cars the time is approaching for it to be all but impossible to use anything else. That will affect about 20 or 25 % of the national fleet. The fix is buying more of the poor quality, grotesquely overpriced OE parts. Those are just a few examples but ignores the real problem that most of the 355 supporters chose to ignore. The car should not have required a "Fix" and it really should not have required such a long list of "Fixes". That is the basis for the dissatisfaction by many for the model. Silly them, they just want a car and that is what Ferrari promised. Not a four wheel project. It was after all sold as a finished product, not a kit. My own business and that of many others have and continue to be real beneficiaries of the car and these "Fixes" yet the very people who do benefit and suggest there is something wrong are also the very ones who are told we are wrong and with some degree of animosity I might add. Well go right on ahead and continue contributing to my financial success. It's OK with me. I can only lead you to water.
I don't think it's a billybob thing. Many years have passed now, and the 348 is looking like the over all less expensive operating and more reliable. The manual top on the 348 is making it a big attraction when the newer models are having issues with the top. Have you seen the price for the fix on that glass top for the SA's yet Imagine.
Ok, we need some new thread. "My 355 runs fine, what wrong with it?", "My top works perfectly, what's wrong with it?" , "I live in CA and own a 355, should I move?" "I should have listen to xxxx and bought a Honda." There is nothing fatal about any of the problems on a 355 or any other car. 12000+ 355s and all we hear about are the problems which many of the "pros" seem to promote, apparently, and mostly come from CA and the SW. Perhaps the thread about re-coring the OEM cats was missed. I guess they would have to be considered illegal but never the less, unless the CA inspectors start taking the cars apart to look at the cat guts how are then going to know? And the top problems? Yes, infamous, and exaggerated. So a seat pot breaks. Big deal, fix it or replace it. An elastic strap becomes weak. Easy enough to replace. The mechanicals get out of line. Twist a few wrenches. I've not heard of many cases where a top ECU fails (the one on my 2001 Z4 failed twice). I've not read about hydraulic cylinders failing (I'm sure someone will point me to a thread where one did). And of course, there was the thread on how to make the top manual if you really thing it's a problem (probably illegal in CA too). And headers? Rebuilt OEM also available. Perhaps like re-cored cats not exactly legal, but who's going to cut off the shields and look? Really, give me a F'in break. Close this stupid thread. And again, start reading other forums and see how trouble free other models are (NOT)!.
Early Detomaso's were the same. Ford rushed to get them to market and the car became a work in progress for the owner's. However, over the years through the aftermarket and creative owners most of the problems have been resolved or as resolved as any mechanical object can be. Looks like I dodged two bullets for my F355. It's a 95 and a GTB. Although I could still get bitten by the valve guides. So far so good. I will cross that bridge when I need to.
Brian, how would the DOT in CA know if the manifolds were not OEM if someone retubed or rebuilt them and reused the OEM shields?
A little random, I have not read of many 355 s with this problem. I was hoping that you might talk about the well known problems of the 355 like the valves, sticky switches and manifolds ect. Not some extreme example of an ECU problem Its a good job that the world of Ferrari is not just California then. Not the examples I was expecting, but the end bits like a broken record. You keep saying it at every opportunity. Yes As i read the various threads, I am reminded of who you are at every opportunity thanks. Knowing specialist like you all my life, I know how much the customer contributes to your financial success. Sorry if I sound harsh, but I don't follow the mantra that a lot do on here and kiss arse just because you post. However thanks for your reply.
I don't call that a fix. Those have been falling apart quite quickly. Like Hyperflows we have had a 100% failure rate.
Almost impossible to tell. The aftermarket needs to join SEMA and be an active member to help change some of the laws or at minimum get their parts CARB approved. I have been involved with SEMA for more years then I care to remember and they have made leaps and bounds for the car collectors. Anything can be done if you bring a fresh though to the table
I don't blame them for not wanting to bang their head on the wall. Sorry but I will admit to being pessimistic where California legislation is concerned. As I understand it getting CARB approval for some parts is not a terrible ordeal but of the companies I have tried to get to go that route just cannot be bothered. As a business it is just not worth it for not following their rules and state enforcement is being turned into one of Jerry's cash cows.
I spoke with Daniel at Ricambi awhile back. He stated that he hasn't had any problems with the JPExhaust headers that he sells. Another business was partially re-tubing them. Those are the ones that I read about that were having the problems. I believe they re-tube the whole primary down to the collector now. I know I am my own test subject, but had some built out of 321s/s. Had the OEM shields modified to fit the slight increase in tube diameter.
Perfectly summatrs the prevailing attitude on here Very interesting that most of the 355 negativity on here emanates from California. I wonder what that is all about. The pro 348 anti 455 crowd is very vocal and base near LA and gets a lot of support from the northern part of the state. Could it be the emissions on CA???
It's good to see there are organizations that try to preserve some of our rights as car enthusiasts. Tim, you are absolutely correct. Anything can be done if you bring a fresh thought to the table. I agree 100%.
If one truly believes inside they will always move forward in the right direction. If you did not believe you would not be so active in a positive way I remember as each model year car got older we had less and less ambition to work on them, all we wanted to do was the "Moe Meaty Meat Burger" to service. Meantime my main man opened a shop down the street to do those cars we no longer wanted to touch. Needless to say he became an industry powerhouse just because he believed. I still believe in the Easter Bunny Yes ROI is not a immediate driving factor however can be down the road. "Easter Bunny" There are enough smart people here that if properly utilized this would be a piece of cake. I know fat chance with such strong egos but its nice to imagine.
