Thinking about buying 1999 360 ( Clutch )

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about bying a 1999 360 F1

The car has 50 k miles on it, but I am wondering about the clutch. I have read that it is a big issue? Is there any way I can check how long it will run for ( ca ) or anything else you guys can help out a first time Ferrari owner.

I am bying it from a big car dealer, so I guess they sit on the information. But I want to know what to "ask for"?


Thank you so much for any help

 

First please read the sticky on the top of this section. That should cover 70% of what you need to know.

- we know nothing about you or where you live so can't recommend a mechanic locally
- I started with my mechanic and talked to him about buying my car BEFORE I bought it. If you're in Kia country and the nearest Independent Ferrari mechanic is 3 hours away then this will get expensive for you. Having a NOOB mechanic work on these cars is a very bad idea. Breaking parts during a repair gets expensive quick with these cars.
- You can tell the clutch remaining but you need a Ferrari Scan tool. You need to find a mechanic who has one.
- there are some updates that should have been done on the car. Get it inspected before you buy it. And.. to do that get someone who knows Ferrari's. See above comments. If you don't know what bad lifters sound like on a 360 engine get someone who does.
- Buying a 360 like you buy a Kia is a BAD idea. The big car dealer might know nothing about the car. What does the carfax show for history?

 

Hi, I am 29 year old guy from Norway.

The car dealer sells a lot of exotic cars and I think they know quite a bit about Ferrari, the thing is that I also want to know some stuff going in there to try to make a deal. And the main thing i am worried about is the clutch. It has all the service history 100%. Do they automatically change the clutch when its on a service ?

What would be my question for the dealer about the clutch. And what would be a good answere to get back. How many miles before the first clutch change ?


Thanks again

 

There are annual fluid changes. Done yearly and should have some indication it was done.
More importantly 3-5 years there should be a timing belt change. If a car doesn't have written documentation of this anticipate it being done condition to the sale. If the timing belt fails its $$$$$.
Clutches vary in their lifespan. They are not changed until needed. 20k miles.. 30k miles on an F1 before change. It varies. There are two ways to tell the clutch life one is by plugging in the SD2 computer and getting the readout the car thinks the clutch has. The other is to raise the car up, remove the bottom panel and measure the clutch thickness via the perforated panel beneath the clutch. The SD2 measures it in percentage and this relates to the thickness. An SD2 or Leonardo scanner is needed for this.

Ask them what documentation they have for the car. Are there any independent mechanics to consult for an inspection of the car? There are MANY other things that should worry you as much as the clutch. The timing belts should be first. Failure will be more expensive than a clutch job. Suspension bushings also wear nicely and should be checked. Is there any oil in the coolant tank? If so factor in a new intercooler. $$$$ to get it changed. Lack of fluid changes will result in this due to corrosion.

You are strongly advised to have the car inspected (PPI) before you buy it by someone who knows 360s.

 

Thanks again vrsurgeon this really helps

The next service is free of charge if I buy the car and they would change the timing-belt then, because the milage was not there yet.
What are the typical annual cost owning a 360?
what does a typical fluid change cost ? And does it have to be done at the dealer?

Anyways.... I am in love with the car and I think I need to buy it.

Just look at the awesome color !
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That's got to be the best color combination I've seen recently. All I can say is WOW.
Good luck with your purchase. If the car has a documented history of proper maintenance, the miles on it would not be a concern.

 

Annual costs are relatively minor for the 360. The big items are the clutch, and belt service.

I briefly owned a 360, and my clutch went out while someone was test driving it. Talk about bad timing... If they have the correct tool, they can check the wear.

Stunning color.

 

Yeah, its so nice

Is there anything else then checking when the last time the clutch was changed?

The Belt is going to be changed for 1200 dollar next service.

 

great color good luck if you buy .

 

Nice car, but don't buy w/o ppi. With that mileage, worn clutch is going to cost you.

 

Read the sticky above. Check out Aldous Voice. Clutch is important. Did you test drive it? If the shifts are slow and hesitant, that may be a sign of clutch wear. The early 360s had basic transmission software. It got better with the later years. See if it was upgraded. Probably. Also check transmission and engine mounts for cracking. They can be repaired or replaced for under $1000. Mine were done but the later models are better anyway. SD reader is the best way to see clutch wear. I love the color, especially the cream interior.

 

Not related to the clutch, but check the history of the emission testing of the car if you can. I've heard too many stories about a new owner purchasing a car and a few hundred miles later, the CEL comes on and is stuck with a high repair cost for emission related repairs.

 

Listen to all the good advice above. Don't buy with emotion. Buy with intelligence. Get a proper PPI done buy a real Ferrari shop.

 

Ferrari 101. That includes a PPI done by your indy mechanic that must know about Ferraris.
I did not get it done as my mechanic also works with the dealer where I purchsed mine. He knew exactly about the condition of the car. I have had "0" issues and am trying to keep her in good shape.

When I visited my mechanic to pick up my car last week, I saw a beautiful black F430 coupe on the lift. I said "Wow it is gorgeous !!" which from outside it was. He replied to me "That is not a good car" and guided me through the car. Mileage of cars do not scare me at all. It had 70K miles but underneath the car, the salt from Winter driving and not washed it left a thick layer of salt plus things were not in place where they were supposed to. My point is the car can look fantastic from outside but you will never know what is underneath... That is why we need PPI done plus mecahnic can pinpoint possible trouble in the future.

 

Hi everyone tomorrow I am going to call the dealer and ask some questions.

What i have so far is ;


- Can you tell me some history of car. Owners / problems etc.
- How many miles since last clutch change ?
- Last time the engine mounts was changed?
- Has the car ever been in a crash?
- Has the car been thru the software updates?


Can you give me some more pointers ??

Thanks !

And yes. I will demand PPI At the only place in Norway that is a certified Ferrari dealership.

 

The mileage you get from a clutch can vary considerably on the style of driving and if the person knows how to manage clutch wear on an f1 system. How many miles since the last time the clutch was changed will give you some information, but the percentage remaining on the current clutch will give you more. You can definitely get that info from the dealer when they do a PPI. The car looks great, good luck with the purchase!

 

Thanks!

 

Beautiful color combo!

Looks like the leather needs a leatherique treatment/cleaning!

The dash combo is not something I have ever seen before, very unusual, unique (i.e. rare in the USA)...

Is that blue leather? What is the black thing above the right vent?

Beautiful car!!!
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Here is what got changed in 2013/2014


And some other test I have NO idea is good or bad?

Any one knows ??


Can someone tell me if this is OK or if you see something bad?

Thanks!
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Anyone ?

 

Mostly in German, but second page looks like alignment. Not sure why it would have "steering box" replaced... Maybe the steering rack was leaking...? Other than that some brake work, it looks like, a hub, brake caliber, maybe oil change... based on recognizing a few words here and there...

 

Well I did it I bought it ! Thanks for the help

 

Congrats! Great color! More pics please!

 

Hahaha. I will have to ask my Norwegian wife. She should understand a bit... It looks like lots had gotten done in Oct. 2013. I do not see the clutch but "steering box complete" which I think you need to find out what went on for that. The way I see it, the most of jobs in major were done.

Clutch life is totally depending on how you drive the car as everyone over here already mentioned to you. It is somewhat fragile but there are so many people go over 20K miles with original clutch. You should not be terrified for that. I had that anxiety when I purchased my first F-car (Maserati Spyder) and everytime I got in the car, I was very nervous until I told myself, "It is just a car... I should drive it to learn the car and will face consequences"
Even though it was a very first stage of mass produced F-1 (It stated in later F355 cars)

Do not get stressed out or worry too much for maintenance cost. It looks like the previous owner tried to take care of the car. The color combination is "Top Notch" Every car comes with maintenance issue. My other cars without warranties (S8 and SL) cost a lot more to maintain than my Ferrari.

Clutch could be replaced around $3K - $5K in USv depending where you get it done. Your machanic can tell you the life of clutch left. There are several expensive parts for F-1. F-1 pump and other things can cost a lot but once it is done, you do not have to worry. Ferraris are reliable more than ever. I personally believe from 360, Ferrari really stepped in and made it to drive daily as I have seen a lot of people doing it.