Maintenance costs of 355

The only way I see the 355 reliable if you drive 500 miles a year and avoiding
being in traffic(HWY MILES ONLY)

The only reliable 355 is a queen-garage car.

 

this is total focking BS.
I had my F355 for 8 months now, I put 7600 miles on it. My total cost of repair during this period is ZERO, not a penny. I did get oil change twice, cost about $250 each at dealer.
I drive in NYC traffic often, just earlier tonight, I moved 4 blocks(less than a mile in distance) in 45 minutes, no problem.

I am not saying every F355 should be just like mine. I just think it is in general a reliable car unless you are unlucky to stuck with a problem one.

 

I am not sure what your motivation for saying that is, but my experience with a 355 and friends who own 355s have not had major problems with 355s that
are driven often. --tony

 

Hi Tony,
interesting comments. I've had my 355GTS for 4 years now. In that time I had the belts done. I am intrigued by some of the replies re how often they need doing. Ferrari in OZ tell you every 3 years regardless, so i had mine done. At the same time the clutch bearing was going so they replaced that also. Total cost was about $9,000 OZ. Both my CATS have gone as well. They are due for replacement. Also had a fan motor go $1,000. Apart from services and brake pads I've had no other major issues. Oh there was a heater switch problem. If the car has been serviced regualrily by a Ferrari dealer you may be able to purchase an extended Ferrari warranty. They are not cheap cars to run. Don't let others kid you. But they are worth it. At full speed on a mountain highway they are truly awesome. And with the top off or down you get to hear that glorious symphony running in your ears. Drive them hard between 4,500 and the redline and they sing. You'll use rubber and brakes if you do drive hard, but what the heck. I get about 4000ks out of a rear set of P Zero's. Since I've had the car I rckon it's cost around $1 per km to run for maitenance. A long time ago one of the Vanderbilts was asked what it cost to run his yacht. He said if you have to ask you can't afford it. A Ferrari is a bit the same. The say that there have been a total of 100,000 Ferraris built and 80,000 still remain. You'll be one of the few. The simple pleasure of knowing you have one is justification enough. Enjoy the ride.
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I checked with Ferrari SPA and they told me 3 years for cambelt change. 5 years is very risky but do-able if you can't afford every 3 years.

 

You are very mistaken. In fact, atrophy takes it's toll faster on garage queens. Do a search. This topic has been discussed hundreds of times and has a common consensus...the more you drive the less problems you have.

I drove a 355 almost daily. Then in a 6 week run went from Miami to LA, north to San Francisco, north to Canada, down to Chicago, east to New York, then down to Miami. All I did was oil changes.

In over 3 years of ownership all I did was scheduled maint and I had a temp sensor switch go bad on the L rad and a potentiometer replacement under the seat (spider). When F introduced the 355 they ran a car around the world as part of a promotional tour.

I found the cost of ownership similar to my former PTurbo.

 

Have them show you that in writing *lol*

The shop manual says 5 years. Some people on this board have gone 10 years thinking it's miles only...I would never risk it.

Sure you can change them more often, but at least 5 yr / 30K. What is interesting a Toyota with Gates belts is to be changed 100K miles. FCars rev much higher, but basically use same type of rubber/kevlar belt.

I think what most people don't understand right away is that it is more than belts. Tensioners need to be replaced also, they go bad/weak and they have a bearing that can freeze..just as bad as breaking a belt. Cam cover seals need to be replaced. On a garage queen (see above thread) infrequent use can cause seals to harden and create leakage on belts.

I've often wondered if F desgined the car this way intentionally to get more post sale service revenue.

 

Coooooool....

Smart move on the belt change...

Wish you many happy miles...

One of my favorite cars that served me well.

 

husky, good news mate, look forward to driving with you! try and get it up to zhuhai asap...

 

With the Cats issue I have to agree with you. It is really a shame that Ferreri
did not do a recall and fix it at their expense. It seems that the Cats can
go out on any year 355. Other than that, batteries run down, leather shrinks if not taken car of, etc......

If it is $1/km for your $100k car, I bet if you drove a $25k car like you drive
the Ferrari it may be $.25/km and the $25k car may not even last, and surely
will not be as nice as the Ferrari

That may be true!

I can understand choosing the wrong metal for some applications, Ferrari does not make enough cars of a certain model to get the feedback quick enough, compared to say GM that makes millions of a type of part, they get a few hundred thousand complaints they know they have a real problem. In the end we are fans of these cars and are willing to pay what we can to keep them looking and running perfect, and if we can not we sell them to the next fan that can. I do not mind spending money on tires, pads, oil changes, etc... it is the parts you know that should last longer that bug me, but in prespective the joy of driving the F-cars joy overrides the disappointments so we open our wallets and smile
--tony

 

Look; no offend to anyone, ferrari is not the best sport car in the world.
If you own a porsce 996 or 997 (less cost then ferrari), I am sure that thoes cars dont develop
problems with cats,manifold,alternator,melting console,shrinkage of dash
belts or tesioner ,muffler ,clutch, easely chipping paint, in all average of 20000 miles or sooner.

Also you have to remember the 30K is part of breakdown,since you have to relaced alot of parts that are not gone bad yet due to the fear of later failier.

I am sure there are other 355 owner had additional breakdown experience and
I am interested to hear about it.

However, its one of the most beautifull car in the world with looks,sound and
the name.(thats the only thing you paying a high price for.)

 

and u can pay 20k for a honda and i am sure it is more reliable than a porsche.
whats your pt?
i dont think anyone buys a ferrari for value or reliability.

 

Hello:

I own a F355 Spider which is approaching 50K miles - Yes it has had all the scheduled maintenance and the headers on both sides replaced around 40K miles, O2 sensors replaced, ... but my car has reliable enough/built confidence to have been driven from coast to coast.

I have met owners of a garage queens who take their cars out maybe once a month at best when someone is visiting and when they do the cars are not properly warmed up and are immediately driven extremely hard for a short period of time then put away again for a month - Guess what their F-cars have problems and constantly require service.

Bottom line: As long as the owners are enjoying themselves/not breaking any laws and their families and friends are being taken care of financially. No worries!

 

EDDIE....does someone have a gun stuck to your side??? Is this some whacky attempt to bring down 355 values on the market? are YOU interested in buying this guys potential f-car?...or is this the usual onslaught of poor grammar and senseless thinking?

Let me think here. I met you when you were selling your black/black 355...and what were your words, ah yes "Everything has been done to this car, it's perfectly maintained, I've had very few problems and it's set to run for years needing only oil changes and basic maintainance".

Et tu Eddie...et tu? Let me be the first to offer you a laxative, cause your hummin'

Okay, the 355 ain't no Honda or Toyota, granted.....but nobody bought their 355 so they can keep their transportation cost lean & sensible. Yeah, some valve issues, cat's go bad, manifold exhaust cracks...there are some issues. These cars aren't built by the 100's of thousands where they can spend huge dollars and time innovating them, they are high-performance cars and the demand & tolerances tend to be very exacting....there's a price to pay for it.

So while they can have their issues, I've met MANY 355 owners who have enjoyed their car and had very little problems over the years. All things considered the 355 is argueably one of the most reliable and best made Ferrari's to roll out of Italy. I suppose it's not for everyone. All things considered, the cost is well worth the pleasure derived.

A moderator reported to me that you once typed something and then deleted it. Seems appropriate to now say the exact thing back to you: why don't you just buy a Toyota and be done with it!

And Eddie...DON'T bother calling me, I'll be out...actually driving my 355. Uh....use baking soda...it soothes the burn.

 

Do the timing-belt every 5 years, not every 3. Whoever pushes 3 has an interest in making money from such service.

I've spoken with several Ferrari mechanics who report regularly replacing 5-year old timing belts that come out looking, feeling and in near-new condition. The factory is playing it very safe with the 5-year interval they call for in the service manual.

 

What a load of bollox. Lets get one thing straight. A Ferrari is a supercar. Designed by geniuses for people who want the ultimate experience on the road. So what if the odd thing goes wrong with it? Who gives a hoot? We've all got plenty of money to throw away on what can only be described as a childhood dream for most. I've never met anyone who had a childhood dream of owning a porsche. I have found most porsche drivers are looking for a supercar "like" experience but cannot or will not pay for the maintenance of a Ferrari, so they go for the super reliable porsche. Does not mean I am going to knock them or the porsche. Horses for courses.

If you want a workhorse, go buy a porsche. If you want an Italian thoroughbred that likes nicer hay, a soft warm paddock and plenty of brushing (and if you can afford to buy the car and pay for all the loving you'll WANT to give it), then buy a F-Car.

Ferrari, say it in your head now Ed... Does'nt it tingle just a tad? Now say Porsche... Nada....

 

Steve;thats a beautifull story.

 

Steve, that's a beautiful story.

 

ROFLOL!!!

 

DL
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The first one was bad enough but, Eddie, I'd say you've been..............

DL
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How did this cht develop. Are all F owners slightly crazy. Or just in love with the dream. No matter the cost, owning it is enough. I took my daughters boyfriend out the other day for a fast drive. He's an Alfa 1750 owner, so luvs eyetalian cars. Nicely restored too. Too the point. Did we have a great day. You bet. I'll never forget my first time in a Ferrari. 330GTC out the back in OZ. First time I did over 100mph. 1968 I think. Remember to share the joy of the car with others less fortunate. Even if its only to drop it back to second and plant the pedal.
Thanks for the info on cam belts. I'll consider the 5 year option.
Enjoy your new wheels.