348 want to buy...maybe

Evening all

So I guess this has been asked many times before but I'd like to come at it from a different angle. First a bit of background...just sold my c4s due to moving countries, had been thinking the next toy might be a 997 gt3 - last of the Mezgers and probably the newest 911 I'd own... a separate discussion entirely - but I keep coming back to the 348's, fantastically boxy, Testarossa-esque strakes etc

So would be interesting to hear some real world opinions on running costs, practicality of living with (it obviously wouldn't be a daily), and the reasons why you chose the 348 and whether there are any regrets. The internet is full of horror stories about 15k service bills and poor performance so would like some real life examples!

thanks

 

internet is also full of total idiots and BS!

1) poor performance. compared to what? its a 1980s car; it will not have anywhere near the performance of a modern car; but that is not the point and if you think it is; a 348 is not for you
2) maintenance costs. depends on a) how well the car has been looked after by previous owners and b) where you live (you guys in the states get royally done over on serving costs). but also generally speaking parts arent cheap. a well looked after car should not cost the earth to maintain.

 

Just do it! Only live once. A little different animal from a Mezger..

 

I'm in NL but may buy a UK car...will depend on a few things. I appreciate parts costs are going to be high but in terms of specialist prices...minor service vs major service cost? I've seen wildly varying rates quoted by people - and as you say A248W the intenret is full of bs so it's never clear if they own/have owned or just have opinions...

 

Drove a gen 2 once.....now I like a clutch with some heft combined with feel....but that was rediculous heavy, it wasn't even fun to drive just a chore.

 

I can only speak for Uk service prices having done a number of annual and engine outs on my 348 and now 355. prices in the US seem very different for some reason!

 

if you wouldn't mind elaborating that would be useful, trying to get an idea of standard yearly service, two yearly (?) major service, then bigger bits like cambelt plus the reasons for engine out and how often you'd expect that.

As said it would either be a Dutch car or a UK car as I'm jumping between quite a bit

thanks

 

I'm quite junior on 348 also, but here's my 2 cents.

Obviously the parts do have a price, but it's not always awful. Searching here and with the part manufacturers numbers will help finding cheaper, but still reliable options for some cases. Naturally, if you crash and need body parts, the cheaper alternatives are probably quite low - but that's a risk worth to take, if you ask me.

Fortunately, as it's not a daily, it's always possible to put it into garage to wait payday or parts delivery. Having such car in garage waiting for payday or parts delivery also gives motivation to power up that payday or parts delivery

Firstly, it's the most beautiful car in the market ever, with the outstanding 80's manifesting looks. Absolutely stunning. It was love at first sight, when I saw first one live in 2011.

Then, when I finally got to test drive one, I didn't stop to take photos during the test drive like I usually do. I just didn't wanna stop nor get out of the car, I just wanted to keep driving.

Why, oh why I didn't track the market tighter and plan more seriously, as I actually could have gotten this a year or couple of years earlier with some other choices elsewhere.

Especially a major service is a handful of work. Dropping the driveline out of the car and doing everything properly takes time and every hour of labor has a price tag. The parts do have a price tag too, but the hour costs one can cut down if it's possible to DIY.

As mentioned, I'm quite junior on these so far and I'll have my first major next year. I'm planning to do it myself with couple of friends both to save some euros and to learn, see and do myself.

 

There was a post from an owner that went 77k miles on his belt before failure. The math on the regular service vs grenade was interesting, but I think it would be fair to say every 5 years keeps you very conservatively safe.
Annual service is several hundred dollars and a pleasure to do over a weekend when you can really inspect everything. They are very fun to wrench on, and this forum is filled with great people that will help you manage the challenges. I wouldn’t recommend a 348 to someone that doesn’t want to get his hands dirty, because they need care, and they are fun to care for.
The car is also really really fun to drive. Gated stick with no traction control or power steering; It’s not for amateurs. It is not an easy toy that anyone can manage. You have to actually drive a 348. They are super sticky down winding roads. They love 120+mph, stop very fast, and the engine sound is just what dreams are made of.
The 348 is also one of the best looking cars ever made.


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basic yearly, then major every 3 is what the manual broadly states, but most people look at major every 5. annual is just oil & filters and brake fluid. major is engine out doing cam belts . this is where costs can spiral as some say “whilst you are there” and do lots, whilst others will take a more measured approach. i always did plugs (just easier) gearbox oil and fuel filter. tensioner would be on a case by case basis and never felt the need to do the water pump

the cars are getting old so expect other bits and bobs from time to time such as hoses, radiators, break lines, suspension bushes etc. etc. but nothing you wouldn’t expect on any 35 year old car.

as mentioned they are relatively easy to work on yourself, so as long as your not bothered by a fully stamped service history (as a fair few have this in the uk) you can save yourself a load of money doing the annual services yourself.

 

thats great, cheers guys. I do quite a bit of my own mechanic'ing so happy to get stuck in

lot to think about and definitely swaying me towards one, also need to decide if I can squeeze my 6''4 frame into one comfortably enough...

 

No worries. The 348 ignition key has a super special one of a kind hinge in it just for people like you. All your problems solved. Well worth the replacement price of over a hundred big ones.

It will be tight but I think you can manage. I’m 6’1 and comfy. Swapping the wheel out with something like a Momo 88 could help get those knees in. No one looks cool getting in and out the first couple times. Well worth a practice or two before going out on the town. Everyone will be looking.



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On the tall guy front, just added the Hill steering wheel spacer which helped a ton as I’m long legged at 6’1”. The only problem is the turn signal becomes unreachable, so I glued a small paddle to a cheap hand-tighten hose clamp from Oreillys and fixed it to the stalk. Works great!

 

The hill spacer is great if you're tall. I'm 6'3" and have the 2" (50mm) spacer.

sjd

 

If you do your own mechanic'ing, then the 348 is the ideal model for you. Very easy to work on, and also very fun to work on (for most jobs), and the cost of parts varies. There are several DIY threads here with thorough step-by-step with plenty of photographs to assist. And, you can jump on here anytime and ask something, and 100 percent of the time someone will be able to assist.