Which 328, Pre or Post ABS?

The wheels are not interchangeable due to offset differences. Aftermarket wheels can correct the problematic look. Note that the convex wheels were put in place with the suspension modifications; not all convex-wheel cars have ABS. You can expect to pay a premium for the 88.5-89 328s over the earlier cars.

 

If all things are equal, and it is only the wheels you dislike, you should go for a later model. Wheels are easy to change (see my profile).

Two thoughts:
1. If you are getting a 328, get the best one you can find. 1989, low miles, all service done. Then you know you have the "best" one you can.

2. Buy a good 328 (regardless of year) and be happy with the price you pay for the amount of car you get.

I dropped somewhere in between. I bought an '89 with higher miles (lower cost).

 

Ah but some dislike the 89 due to its old style ABS..thus an 88.5 ABS ready pre-ABS may be your ticket.

 

I'm with Omar here. I guess it's because I'm an auto technician by trade that I'm not a big fan of early ABS. First off, it is EXPENSIVE when (not if) it breaks. Secondly, the technology of ABS back in the late 80's, while very good for the day, is still prehistoric compared to the most basic system offered on econoboxes of today. Add to that I'm not too crazy about the convex wheels either. Also I'll echo what Mule said!

Dave

 

Dave is pretty much on the money. First of all, I don't know your budget, but if the 89' is affordable to you, then buy a 1989, as what Dave said, and change the rims/wheels. I agree as far as the rims go that the pre 1989 rims are much more agressive and muscular looking, but they are also a little dated looking. Besides the offset for pre 1989 rims on a 1989, the other problem is overheating the brakes. The old rims just don't work on a 1989. There are so many nice after market rims, but probably the nicest is what Dave purchased for his 1989. Having the last of a great line is definitley worth the extra bucks and much better for re-sale. Most of the "kinks" are gone by 1989 and in the future the most sought after examples of the "328" will be the 1989 examples.
Go for one that just had the major and make sure that the car gets inspected before purchasing it. It will give you years of pleasure and if its a good example, it will give you years of trouble free service. In the end, what ever year you purchase, will be a beautiful and enjoyable ride. Good Luck!

 

In anyone's opinion, what is the premium cost of an 88.5 over an 87 or 88 assuming both cars have similar mileage?

BTW, I love this site. All members seem very straightforward and honest and the information has been terrific! I'm a newbie and learned alot.

 

I think mileage is the key. I've found that the prices of most non-ABS 328s with similar mileage & similar service histories will be in the same price range regardless of year; more miles means lower price; fewer miles means higher price.

Just be sure that, whatever the mileage, the car has been serviced properly. And don't be swayed by very-low-mileage cars; if they haven't been driven enough other problems may pop up. I'd say look at cars that have been driven an average of 1500-2000 miles a year and haven't sat for long periods of time.

 

Honestly, whatever the buyer will pay. Since people have different opinions and thoughts on later model cars, one might pay a lot, while someone else may not see a difference and then not pay the premium. But as the market goes, there are '89 cars with asking prices in the low 60's, so some people feel the premium is a lot. Most seem to be asking high 40's, low 50's with average miles, while 86 and 87 cars are high 30's, low 40's. Mine was a great deal in the mid 40's, delivered, recent major service, with new tires.

What the market will bear. A yellow 1989 328 with 700 miles has been up for sale at 82K many times, but I don't know if it sold for anything near that. If you think that the 1989 car gives you 5k more car, then it does.

The bottom line is educated opinion and research, and your perception of the value of the car. I think I would pay more for the newer car, less wear, possibly better shape, as much as the ABS and suspension changes. If I drove a 86 or 87, I may not be able to tell the difference. If you can drive both, you may decide on the older car based on (again) price for what you get.

 

Colossus, I've driven both (86 and 89) pretty hard and find both to be brilliant as high speed cruisers (220+kph) in VERY twisty road conditions. They are extremely user friendly and found they can be driven near the limit very quickly whereas the GT4 I had and some 308gtbs can be difficult to push near the limit.

I never got near to using the ABS (this option is for people who can't drive properly in the dry but must admit it is nice to have in the wet) and we know most Ferraris disappear when the rain comes down.

I'm about to buy a 328 as well and will only be considering the 88 model as the convex wheels look terrible and I don't need abs.

 

I disagree with your assumption that ABS is a problem on the track. True, if we're talking about recent cars. The ABS on the 1989 GTS is not in the same league as any new car, but I think the purpose is really on wet ground. It does not kick in as easy as a new car. On new sports cars that I have had on the track, you can turn the ABS off, not true with the 1989 GTS. Buy the 1989 for "other" reasons. Not because the ABS. The ABS on this model really make it a non-event. Sometimes, if I'm on sand (not knowing), and I come to a stop sign, it slightly kicks in. It still allows wheel skid. Its really the 1st generation of ABS. I don't know the numbers for stopping distance between a 1989 and a 1988, but I bet its really a non event.

 

I used to own an 87 GTS and now an 89 GTB. I had a 348 in between. I have put about 10K on each 328.

When I was lookiing for my GTB, I wanted an earlier car because of the wheels. But I was always curious about the suspension change, so I bought the 89 and I'm glad I did. In absolute terms, I'm sure the handling is not all that much better than earlier cars, but it feels better. The steering is more responsive and there is less initial understeer. There is much less nose dive under braking. The car just feels tighter. As far as the brakes go, I could take them or leave them. I have had them kick in a few times on the track (as recently as Saturday) but they seem to work well and I never thought they cut in too soon, especially compared to other early systems I had the misfortune of using. Overall, I rate the brakes highly for an 80's vintage car. I have used them on the track a number of times, zero fade, never any kind of drama. Like most, if not, all Ferrari brakes, they work better when hot. I bought a set of 17 inch speedlines for mine which offered more grip, but they weigh about 5 lbs more per wheel and that extra unsprung weight had a detrimental effect on the ride and road handling, so I have been using the originals. For anyone who gets aftermarket wheels, I would be sure to keep the overall weight close.

There are really no bad 328's and if a nice 86 turned up at a good price, I wouldn't hesitate.

Dave

 

Well said!

 

Small world. Hardtop's wheels were the inspiration of me getting the ones I have. Mine were actually a little lighter, but I have never been on the track and don't have the experience he has. He even let me test fit them to my car. Nice that he lives an hour away.

On ABS, mine has never come on, but I am a pretty casual driver. I do drive it a lot, rain or shine, and have driven it a few times in the snow. In fact, I drove it to Hardtop's place in the rain and he lives on a dirt road. It might work great, but I don't know.

As an Alaskan, I never liked ABS on my truck, because it would come on at every stop all winter long. Sometimes a little bit of controlled slide at 10MPH at a stop sign seemed less distance than the same stop with ABS.

 

As far as looks go... I love my 88.5 328 without ABS. I initially also didn't like the look of the convex wheels, but have truely grown to like them better than the earlier concave wheels. The later convex wheels have a bit more modern feel to them.
A Ferrari mechanic once told me that he knew some ABS owners who had their ABS system disconnected for the track. Might be another option if you don't wan't this feature.

 

Without ABS....true motoring. I love mine! MARK

 

....less to go wrong too I guess! MARK

 

Does anyone know how many 328’s with convex wheels built in 1988.5 did not have ABS?

 

If we are speaking about U.S cars, that is relatively easy: ALL the "88 1/2s" are WITHOUT ABS; the exact numbers of which we have...somewhere.
If we are speaking about the whole world production, unfortunately: no-one knows.

About U.S cars: all U.S M.Y "88 1/2" where delivered without ABS; all M.Y '89 with ABS.
In other words: if the U.S car is a "88 1/2" M.Y, it does not have ABS, if it is a "89 M.Y", it has it.

About R.O.W: ABS was always an option (and a paying one, and an expensive option) on european cars, this until the end of production; so...on european market cars, irrespective of bulged wheels, cars may, or may not, have ABS; the telltale is therefore not the wheels, but the brake fluid reservoir; small, and offset towards the passenger side: the car does not have ABS. Large Brake Fluid reservoir, and exactly centered to the middle of the windscreen: the car has ABS.
(All Australian cars with Bulged Wheels were delivered without ABS, it wasn't even an option).

Rgds

 

I have an 89 328 GTS, I bought it with 20 k miles. I wanted a 328 and would have bought any year that was in as good as shape as the one I have . Ive driven my car in the rain as well, and have never used the ABS. Its cool that its there, an 89 without ABS would have been fine with me because you have much more of a choice when it comes to wheels. I have two sets of 17s I can switch back and forth with, one being a set of Compomotives , you cant get the deep deep dish style like the ones on Mike Ts 308, but they still look cool and have a wider stance both front and rear. My 89 has 104,000 miles , and no issues with the motor, most of everything else has been changed, such as the starter, alternator , suspension , etc etc etc . I hope you find a great 328 .

Thank you

 

Nerofer,

That, I did not know. As a student of Ferrari and for future knowledge, where did you find this information? It does not jibe with what is written in a lot of books, forum etc.

Many Thanks