355 values - I just don't get it

I'm always interested in these "other things" that are found wrong. I haven't had a major on my 355 yet as it had a major as part of the purchase (with valve guides, valves etc.) But with my 308 twice I was told I should replace the clutch and water pump. I said no both times. The car is not 352 years old and still running the original clutch and water pump. The clutch grabs as it should, the water pump doesn't leak, and the engine doesn't over heat. And the tensioner bearing that every one replaces at every belt change? Once, after 25 years and they really didn't need to be replaced then either.

So with a 355, you take a car that is running fine in for a major and they come back and say it needs this and that in addition. What are the this and that's? Anyone? CV boots? Motor mounts? Clutch? Just what makes a $5k major approach or exceed $10k? Let's hear some answers. (And let's leave out valve guides and Headers.)

 

I was referring to the cost of the majors on the 360, 308, etc. They seem high in that pic.

 

some possible "others"

Motor Mounts
Lifters
Exhaust Clamps
plug wires
rubber boots
rear main seal
exhaust valve rattle / not working

etc.

all small things, but they do happen
Motor mounts go due to heat. So do the plug wires / boots... etc

 

I'm asking for actually experiences. Not possibilities.

 

While I'm not looking to sell, it's always reassuring to know my 355 isn't a fast-sinking depreciation. So I for one am hoping the new wallet stuffing tax scheme and elimination/reduction of mortgage interest will channel money from homes to cars... the F variety !

 

Ignition wires: $700
Motor mounts: $600
CV boots: $200
Connector rubber boots: small prices, large labor (hold the gold kit comments, I don't need it)
O2 Sensors since they live at the edge of insanity everyday
Injector service
Tires, if you drive them they wear out, if you don't drive them they still age.
Repaint wheels, repaint bumper for curb and road rash
ABS pump ($3,000), especially if the previous mechanic hot wired it to run 100% duty cycle
Slave bearing, especially if you don't drive it.
Water pump rebuild or new, every other service.
Welding of subframe (prevalent on 95)
By pass valve in op. Lots of trouble shooting there
Disintegrating fuel pump rubber boot after sitting 20 years in gas whether you drive it or not.
Get my spider roof to work (pots, pump, rubber bands, hydraulics)
Seats redyed
Dash re-coverered

This list is a bit unfair because half of those happen to ALL Ferraris.

 

that'd be it's own great thread... "I went in for a 5k major, it cost XXXX more and here's what happened"

sjd

 

Again, actually experiences. Plus, many of those items have nothing to do with a major or aren't necessary at all except for personnel preference. Eg, tires, repaint wheels, bumper, welding sub frame, Spider roof, seat dye, recover dash.

 

Yes, I think I'll start it.

 

Where do you think those came from? Actual experiences. I see a lot more 355 than you do, I am willing to bet on that.

 

How about a fresh list of items that really should be done with the major. Only mechanical items.

 

except that when the car is on a lift for a month and partially disassembled anyway, it is often a great time to remove the bumper and have it painted. You don't think body cosmetics are not considered wear and tear items to be serviced at the time of service? And the wheels, well you want the car to be perfect when the engine is back in, right?

 

There's a difference in that and "I found subtensioner 198293 to be inadequeate, it needs to be replaced for $679, and as a recommendation the chain, bearings, hubs, springs, and fermagulator should be changed too...that'll be $2500 more, and 1500 in labor...(owner makes poo noise and posts to all the forums about hos 355's suck). I got the feeling from John's question, were those necessary things, nice to haves, a really good idea as a precaution, or is the owner getting "taken".

sjd

oh, wait...i just got yelcab's tone...derrrrrr (lack of vitamins in my lunch)

 

How about this?

The header blew its bits which takes out the cat converters. And the two fans sucked so much juice the fuse board was on the verge of melting. $3500 fab speed headers, $2000 rebuilt cats, $300 for two fans. That is $6K over the service price.

 

You and I wrench seriously on our cars so we have a different perspective (labor is free even if you do it multiple times). The average owners do not wrench on their cars and that is whey they take the cars to the mechanic. Once it is there, the following normally happens:

We heard the death rattle from the flywheel so we took it out to repack the grease. Your clutch is 60% gone, so do you want to replace the clutch and pressure plate so you don't have to pay for labor again?
The engine sags 1/2 inch on one side and we found the engine mount to be bad on the left. The right side has some cracks as well even though it is not fully gone, it is suggested you change both.
The ignition wires show signs of cracked rubber boots and water protrusion which will lead to misfires. The previous mechanic did not use the Dave Rocks wire pulling tool and cracked the insulation rubber. We suggest you replace the set.

These are not "mechanics ripping off customers." but rather well thought out suggestions for the customers to decide. You want your mechanic to suggest these. If you think that these are stories of mechanics out to get you, then you are missing the point.

 

Not for California legal cats. $1400 gets you just one.

 

And $2000 just got added to the bill....

 

Here's why the 355 values are below TR values. TR's were the most heavily produced 12-cylinder car that Ferrari had ever made at that time, by a long shot. So the value of those cars dropped into the low $50K's as the car aged. I bought one in pristine condition, recalling that my sons were subteens when the car was new, and had bedroom posters of the TR and the Countach. So I figured that if I hung on long enough, there would be a ride up as the teens of those years amassed enough assets to go after the dream cars of their youth (don't we all?). Sure enough, about three years ago the market values started climbing into six digits, and so last year I swapped mine for a much faster 612 OTO. The 355 will never have the "bedroom poster effect" going for it. I recall the sheer excitement when the TR was introduced. That didn't happen for the 355 either. It would be nice if driving pleasure translated directly to resale price. But in this category of car, it doesn't happen, because so many purchasers don't intend to drive their Ferrari very much. So many of these cars are bought and then parked, maybe doing 400 miles a year or less.

 

Yes, that's along the lines I was thinking. I would agree that if I took my car in and the tech showed me that the header had holes in them and the cars were shot, they need attention. But wheels bumpers, spider tops, and interior are not pressing issues that need to be attended to. But if the tech told me I had 6 cylinders with compression between 200 and 210 and two with compression in the 190s and the engine needed to be rebuilt I'd tell him to pound sand.

 

One thing can lead to another. As a child of the 80s, I bought a 930 Turbo, 308, 928 and some Alfas. As the hobby expands and you see different cars at car shows, you start desiring different cars than what you wanted as a teen. You get your first Ferrari (308) and all the sudden you want them ALL. Next thing you know, you end up with a CS, 355, and 328. Tastes change and the poster cars from childhood simply start the journey as you begin to afford toys. I can assure you there was no CS on my wall as a teen. In fact, I didn't even know the CS existed until I had my first Ferrari around age 40. I saw a 355 in my early 20s, but never said I have to have that. It all came as a result of the car hobby journey. The best thing for the value of all these cars is to show them to young people and display how much cooler they are than a F#$%^& Tesla ! They will then discover the cool models on their own.