Customisation

Hi all.
Just an observation from an interested party. I don't spend an awful amount of time on this particular forum as my 2 are previous generations to the 348.
However, It seems as if with the 348/355 crowd customising your cars is far more celebrated than with other models.
Seems at odds with the older vehicles were ridiculous amounts are spent to make it as close to stock as possible
Nathan

 

I'm guessing if the values of 348s start skyrocketing, everybody will immediately get their cars into concour shape. At present, they seem to be the red headed step child of the Ferrari world ( not entirely clear why, but that's another long topic) so personally I figure what the heck? As long as I don't make any irreversible changes, why not have some fun? I guess the other factor is while a GTO maybe perfection, there are a few areas of the 348 I felt could be improved upon.
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I own a 365gt4 and a mondial I know what is like to be that red headed step child!

 

348's and 355's are not rare cars (yet). Maybe when the worlds population hits 10 billion and the amount of people entering the classic Ferrari world we will see them being returned to their original form.

 

Show me an exhaust system that gives more power, is lighter, does not cook the engine bay components, and quieter; and I will buy it.

 

Custom full titanium setup would probably do the trick.

 

Its the final qualifier--quieter than stock that no one produces.

Customization facilitators assumes that all customizers want to destroy their ears.
Well mine are already on the downward leg, and I don't want to lose any more of my hearing.

 

Time to trade it in for a Tesla.

 

Reversible mods...and keep all the original bits (assuming they're in good nick). Stock is boring ...sometimes.

 

....no one?? ..... ......

 

I did not say zero (0) sound, I said quieter than stock.

 

Hehehe.

 

The problem with customizing a car is that what's cool now will be hideous in 5-10 years.

 

What, you don't like donk wheels?

 

I don't think they'll ever be cool.

Certainly, though, there are some parts that can age well. Challenge or 360 wheels on 348s for example will always look good.

 

That's far too much of a generalisation! - It all depends on the type of customizing that has been done.

how about this nicely customized Ferrari Enzo? - Is that going to look hideous in 5-10 years?:
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That doesn't need to wait 5-10 years to be hideous.

My eyes!

 

By the same token, there are those who don't think Jennifer Aniston is attractive! (And they're in the minority too I suspect! ).

 

I'm not really sure what the OP is talking about involves wheels. We 348 and 355 owners who tinker are always looking for things that correct the factory design, upgrade stock parts to better materials, find more horsepower, reduce maintenance and modernize the performance or appearance. There certainly is nothing wrong with this. Most older and newer Ferrari owners don't bother due to either cost or collectibilty issues. For the 348 and 355 crowd, most of us are realists who recognize our cars as not collectibles. Hence we are freed from market restriction to explore our pet interests with these cars.

For me it's about performance within the CA smog rules until we become exempt. I have no qualms about replacing anything factory in the pursuit of more power and handling. My only limitation is cost. I want to do this efficiently. So thank God I say for these cars that are special but still pedestrian enough to let us explore our indulgences.

 

The P4 mention here is funny. Those wheels are super chunky, much like the stock 348 wheels and a huge throwback to 90s Wanna-be "Bonneville" speedster styling. They are horrible for brake cooling, weight and technical aesthetics. The primary reasons I upgraded mine. Yes I still have the originals. The P4 wheels DO echo the 5 point star Ferrari DNA of both the 60s P cars and production cars but from the Enzo, they are a step backwards. This is not just customization but a real Concept rebuild. The Enzo was tested on a 348 chassis-mule. I plan to replace my brake calipers with another set repainted in contrasting (current production options) Giallo with drilled rotors for another aesthetic mod. This makes good sense to me because the calipers are now more visible, better ventilated and not actually larger, yet but could be with the larger wheels. My OZ Superleggera IIIs also follow the linear styling of the TR strakes without going overboard. Oh yeah, what's with all the "Redheaded step child" talk? You guys DO know what Testarossa means right? The 348 is the baby Testarossa.
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I like them the way they came.

 

Bolt-on mods are really never a problem ........ especially performance mods! ...