Factory Tour in March - what 348/F355 questions to ask?

I'll be in Maranello for the 6th year in a row. But this will the first time that I have planned ahead far enough to make it inside for a factory tour. I just got my approval letter from FNA (that will make it into my records binder)...

I've included the areas on the tour in the attached photo.

It is going to last about 2 and a half hours.

Any questions that the group would like me to ask while I am inside on 348/F355 production? I'm sure I will find some great knowledge to soak up even though our cars are 20 years old. Should be a great trip for my brother and me yet again. You really can't ever get enough of the area. It never gets old.

So I'll take notes and bring them with a pen. Cameras aren't allowed. Let's here them. Hopefully they aren't on sticky interiors and timing belt changes.

Robb
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I'm sure you'll ask them how they perfected sticky plastic.

 

I would like more info on the F355 competizione. Can parts that were made for that car still be purchased? Particularly the carbon door panels. What seats did they use for that car, it is hard to tell. Why did they go with a 380mm size rotor instead of 355mm like the challenge car. How were they able to knock 200 lbs off the challenge car?
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....
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Get a James Bond Spy Camera Sports Watch...
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Perhaps Ricambi can chime in, but I saw a shop in Japan order a "F355 Competizione" badge
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Lol! Right on!!

 

Ask them if they will find me a set of OEM carbon seats.

 

$35.50

640 x 480 4GB HD Waterproof Sport Pinhole Camera Watch - Tmart

 

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When I was in Maranello this past November I asked around where I can get parts for the F355 and everyone I asked at the factory or outside said 'talk to your dealer'. The factory tour was allot of fun. If you get a chance, you should see if you can do the Maserati Factory Tour in Modena. I got approval within a day or so since I already was approved for Ferrari. The Ferrari Tour didn't let us into the paint and wind tunnel since there was some secret stuff going on.

 

They're not very accommodating, are they?

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Robb, maybe you'll run into Il Commendatore...
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I did the factory tour last September. I really enjoyed it.

They are strict on the no cameras rule in the factory itself but I was able to take a few shots in the building where the privately owned F1 cars and FXXs etc. are.


The only thing is I would have liked to be able to linger a bit more in the engine assembly area and one or two other spots. They do tend to move you through pretty quickly and more than once I was staring at some process going on only to look up and find my group a long way in the distance!

 

Chances are no-one will even recognise what you are talking about !

 

Have to admit I did kind of get that impression (our guide would have been about 5yo when the 355 came out), but they did still have a 360 on display on the factory floor.

I think it's because it was the first "aluminium" car?

 

+1

They will have no real in-depth knowledge of the 348 or 355 series whatsoever.

They will have been trained (programmed), to talk about the basic history of the factory, the factory as it is right now and what changes have been made in recent times, and they will be clued up (to a degree), about the current production range (I suspect it wouldn't be too hard to ask a detailed question about a current production car that would stump them though), and that will be about it.

The people who would have knowledge of the 348 and 355's from back in the day and are still working at the factory (mechanics/assembly staff/test drivers etc., etc.), will not be available to chat with.

 

I tend to agree....that any info of substance will be lacking...but no harm in asking

 

I've done the tour twice and there's really nobody to ask questions of other than the guide, who's biggest qualification for the job is speaking English. The guys on the assembly line only look up if you have a hot girl in your group, which was funny to see.

 

Have you tried to get into Lamborghini which is maybe an hour down the road? While the facility was not as impressive it was a much more intimate tour. Things happened that never would inside Ferrari, like a worker handing me an Aventador piston to inspect while he was building an engine.

 

The embarrassed tour guide might not agree!

 

Mark,

Yes, we are scheduled for a tour at Lamborghini also. Sounds like the tour at MV Augusta which was intimate, small, and cozy. I've been to the museum at Lamborghini also many times but be we inside the factory. This time my mechanic's cousin has got me in...

Robb

 

Another interesting one to see if Pagani in Modena. I received the Ok within 24 hours of sending an e-mail to Pagani. It is quite cool to see the super expensive exotics being built. We did Ferrari and Pagani on 1st day and Maserati the second day. There were only the two of us on the Ferrari and Maserati tours since it was off-season. Weather was chilly, but we had sunny skies. Lambo factory was closed to tours when I was there in November.

 

You could ask them how to stop the CEL.

 

Factory employees are not to give info of any kind to outsiders except whats allowed and internally not able to discuss much either with each other, not a friendly work environment.