550 - recondition or redo interior

Hi all,

As some of you know, I've been looking for a proper 550 at the right price for a while now. By that, I mean my circumstances can only allow me to buy at what would be considered "a deal" in case a squeeze requires me to sell (I'm very familiar with the usual costs but better safe than sorry right?). I may have found one, which I'm on my way to see today, and though it has thumbs up from a respected independent tech who has maintained the car recently and currently has it sorted, it does need some TLC (wheel rash, dash leather shrinkage, carpets, probably stickies, tired looking full nero leather). I know this list will add up to a pretty penny and I'm considering that in my total cost calculation. My concern, however, is affect on the value if seat leather is replaced (Daytonas btw). Alternatively, it seems dying the leather is not considered an effective solution if the seats are in fact past their prime.

I would greatly appreciate community feedback regarding these options and also what you think about breaking up the interior colors with a more dynamic combination that would tastefully work with the exterior color. I think consensus on the 2nd part will be to keep the original all nero but doesn't hurt to ask. BTW, it doesn't look like I'll be able to get a hold of a window sticker copy.

In conclusion, this might be a great candidate for me to buy with a long hold intention and take it to the next level over the next year or 2. It already has 30K miles so I won't have to worry about enjoying it.

Thanks for reading!

 

Here are some pics that were sent to me. I know it looks decent (especially the rear shelf and roof liner, which were likely redone) but with the other interior details that need attention, dash for sure, I might not be able to resist refreshing all of it.
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There are SO FEW with the quilted headliner. Wow

What model year is it? I should start a list of the quilted headliner cars with the model years.

 

I know, that's why I'm working hard to see if I can make it work. It's a 2000.

Though without a build sheet, I wonder how one would confirm if it was a factory option?

 

If the car is registered to the official Ferrari web site (in "my Ferrari - my garage") a list of the original equipment will be provided (that's how I know the golden brake callipers on my car, another 2000 550, are part of the original configuration).

 

Not finding either page on the Ferrari site. Would you happen to have a link?

 

It was accessed from "Sports cars/Owners/MyFerrari", but now it seems one needs to have the MyFerrari App for smartphone. The way it worked was that you registered as an owner, provided the VIN of a car owned, and after a few days of whatever checks Ferrari added the car to "your garage", listing its configuration.
...
The owner account has been migrated to the app (it's not on the "old fashioned" web anymore apparently), I downloaded the app and the information is there.
So the new MO should be to register the car on the app.

 

Wait until you see the car in person before you decide what needs to be done, if anything, with the interior.

 

Got it, so not something a shopper like me can do?

 

If you are asking whether the quilting was an option for 2000 550s, definitely. If you are asking whether the quilting was original, almost certainly.



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When I bought my 550, I could not find one with an intetior I liked, so I bought one which was otherwise a good car, but with an all-black interior, which I hate, and had it selectively re-trimmed to create a "two-tone" effect (matching dog optional!):

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Indeed, my understanding is that only the owner could get it.

 

Same story for me (‘99 with TDF Blue and a polarizing 2-tone Blue w/Crema or Sabbia) except I haven’t done anything to change it yet. Image Unavailable, Please Login

Yours looks great. Is it re-died or new material?

 

Beige parts are new leather, black parts original leather retained. I am not sure that you can dye black leather to a lighter shade successfully.

 

Taz to the rescue! Thank you Terry, that's great to know.

 

Thanks John, that's a beautiful interior and in line with what I myself would like. If, however, I end up moving on this and it likely has factory quilted options in nero, I'd probably keep the original color scheme.

 

I know interiors could (& can) be ordered pretty much any which way, but I wonder if your 2 time is all factory? And curious to know if you'll make a change or if it'll grow on you? TDF exterior is my favorite Maranello exterior!

 

I love TDF too! Would love it more if it was paired with cuoio or beige in mine

My 2-tone is original. I’ve lived with it for 4 years and I don’t hate the interior but don’t love it. I’m having some other work done to improve the car and that has me thinking about changing the interior to something I’ll love.

 

Mine is somewhat similar without the full on two-tone.. TDF exterior, and crema seats with blu scuro carpet, steering wheel, upper dash etc. You could fairly easily convert a few pieces one way or the other depending on your preference and have it a lot less polarizing. Even just the wheel would make a huge difference. Much as I like my crema seats contrasting with the blue carpet and dash, full blue would also look spectacular.

 

Thats pretty cool. Not for the timid though.

 

I really like that interior. Not seen that before. But I can see why it's polarising. Conversely, resale black leather, which I had on my 550, I find dull. All in the eye of the beholder.

 

There is no straight answer to this. There are specialists who can work miracles on original leather, that would be your value retention option. But you may end up paying more than you would for a change to colours you prefer. As you're buying it to drive, you may choose to do the latter but then would suffer the additional hit at resale. I always find the obsession with originality above everything else a bit strange but it is what it is. Or you could wait for the right colour option car to come up, but lose valuable Ferrari driving time.

 

100% agree. My preference would be to wait for "the one" but fear is never having it happen due to price price points. I am noticing the market soften a bit with the driver examples, which might allow the stars to line up for me.

 

I do want to clarify that my concern regarding value isn't if I change color (I probably wouldn't as I like the all black especially with the quilted trims) but if the leather is redone with new material. I know plenty of dashes, shelves, roofs and carpets go through this and those cars only seem to fetch bigger dollars. I mean what percentage of collector cars, or even 25-30+ year old Ferraris have their original leather?

 

We can help with all the sticky parts - www.stickynomore.com