308 to 348

I am in the process of getting an isurance settlement on my totaled 308. I am looking at some 348's. I understand all that can and does go wrong with the 308's but am new to the quirks and level of reliability of the 348. Can I get some insight from the 348 group on what to expect and look for.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Hey Matt, you're welcome to ride in mine the next time we do a local Ferari lunch (typically RFKing, Branko, sometimes Drew, Philip, Mike G, Cosgrove, etc.).

I haven't done much to a 308, but I have fixed an over-heating 308 and I have changed the tranny gear oil on a 308.

For the 308, you have to remove the back left wheel, the inner fender liners, the fill bolt, the tranny level inspection bolt, the differential bolt, and the drain bolt. To get to at least one of those last two bolts you have to remove the 4 bolts on the rear heat shield, then remove the shield.

On the 348, you remove the top fill bolt (or side fill level inspection bolt, your choice) and the bottom tranny drain bolt. If you want, you can remove the air cleaner for easier access.

For more info, go here: http://www.the348.com/tech/348.html

 

While I enjoyed my 308, the 348 was a completely different experience. Even though the 348 line is 12 to 17 years old by now, it is still very much a modern Ferrari. People regularly ask me if mine is a "new" Ferrari.

It's really hard to compare the two - about the closest analogy I can give is when I was a boy, moving from a C02 cartridge gun (a bee bee gun) to a 22 rifle. Both were fun; no comparison in the build and performance.

Of course, there are oodles of cars out today that will run circles around a 348 in terms of performance, but nothing looks better on the road. The 348 is a thing of beauty and as the years go on, it will become much more appreciated.

 

I think the 348 is great looking car! From what I'm told the power and brakeing increaces are very noticable. When I'm able to step up, the 348 is my next choise. Good luck in your search and sorry to hear about the belated 308.

Cheers!

DT

 

you'll really like the difference.
as far as reliability. the only thing my 348 has needed
was a couple of fuel regulators. $160 each. and I repacked
the flywheel.
I've put more than twice the miles on my 348 than I did the 328
that I had previously. I really like the 348.
wish I would have bought a spyder...

 

I went from a 308 to a 348 in '05. Unbelievable difference in handling. I have had no significant reliability issues with either car.

30K service is the only draw back to a 348. The engine has to come out. It doubles the cost over a 308.

 

It does add to the cost.
"*30,000 mile (MAJOR) Service for 308's, 328's, Mondial 3.2's & QV's = $2995.00
(348's are $3995.00, Mondial t's are $4995.00, and F355's are $5575.00 due to parts cost, engine removal, etc.)"
http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html

 

I went from a 78 308gts to a 91 348ts & never looked back. The performance is nice & the modern look to me is awesome. I'm looking to move up to 360F1 this summer & I know it will be even better.

 

Don't forget the antilock brakes (yea!) and the motorized mouse shoulder harness (boo!).

 

excellent feedback. Keep them coming. Any overheating issues? Slow windows? etc.?

 

The 348 has the best engine cooling of any car on the road. If you overheat it then you can blame "no coolant" or some other such owner error.

There is a fix for slow windows on the348.com. That fix also works for 308's.

 

Huh?

 

The 348 flywheel is covered with a dense grease. This dampens vibrations and reduces noise.

But if clutch fluid seaps in, the grease becomes diluted and leaks out of the tranny. Then you need to re-pack the flywheel with new grease (~~ $60).

 

My 348 never got close to overheating Vs the two 308's I have owned. I just sold mine though because I really miss the 308 lines. Will look for one in the late Spring. In the mean time, I'll probably jump into a Solstice.

 

It is modern but requires love

 

About 1 year ago I sold my 85 308 GTB and bought my 94 Spider.

A/C is far more effective than the 308. Not as good as my BMW's but very good. Car stays cool on a 103 degree day (top up of course).

Acceleration is substantially faster in the 348 and you get to redline much faster. I hit my limiter twice on the first hard run.

348 has more room in it

Wife likes it more because it does not smell like gas and exhaust.

Oil changes are a slightly bigger PITA because the air filter gets in the way and drain plugs are notorious for stripping.

Spark plug changes/inspections are a heck of a lot easier on a 348 than the back 4 on a 308.

I hate the seatbelt mouse on the 348.

Battery is in front of the LF wheel. Not a real highlight of your day to take the tire off when your battery dies. At least there are very clear charge points in the engine bay. Right Rear of engine bay...plastic cover covers three + terminals/hubs - negative terminal on frame bar about 4 inches below.

348 has lots of small improvements like easier to use controls and better cabin lighting.

348 has a sensitve A/C control panel. If you see a car with A/C problems assume nothing other than you must have it rebuilt.

30k services more expensive on 348s as engine must come out

348 has a glove compartment.

348 transmission feels different than a 308. 348's is cable "driven". Feel is about the same cold but once warmed up I find my 348 shifts better than my 308 did. Some have said they have had the opposite experience. The difference is not huge and only truly noticeable on very agressive downshifts.

My 348 stays cool regardless of the temperature/traffic outside. 308 did not like Texas Summers.

348 grabs the road better. The tires are significantly wider and that alone makes a difference. Since it is not power steering equipped you get the same road feel. Suspension is significantly firmer. You hit a bump, your nose knows it.

The prices on 348s amaze me. I think they are worth more than they are selling for.

 

Great summary, Mike!

 

I was very fortunate enough to drive a fellow Aussie Fchatters 308QV GTS last week while on holidays. I love the 308's and was very lucky to have a drive of a tidy example. Fantastic cars. Very easy to drive. Steering was very light compared to my 348. Gear shifter was very easy to negotiate also. Only gripe I really had was the cab was too small for my large frame. I am 6'2" and solid built. Lucky it was a GTS, my head was sitting out of the cab by a few inches. Loved every minute behind the wheel though. The performance is fantastic. This one has an Ansa exhaust and it sounds great. Grip is awesome on 15" wheels and "crap" tyres as I was told. Still handled great and performed very very well. I really wanted a 308GTB as my second Ferrari to give my 348 some company in the garage, but............because of the 'smallish' cabin space, I may have to give it a miss. I just felt too uncomfortable in there and also I wear size 14 Nikes. This car has a smaller pedal area than my 348, so I had to drive with no shoes on like a bum. I may have to forget about the 308 now and step up to a 360, 430 or 599 when the funds become available in the future. Pending test drive of course.

I still prefer my 348 for looks, performance and sound, but the 308 is a close runner up.

 

Talk is cheap,
we need pics!

 

Oh, ok mate.
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Wouldnt wanna roll a 308GTS if you are a tall bastard.
Would hurt just a little bit I reckon.

 

Thx.

 

Pap,

Try a 308 GTB QV

I am also 6'2 and fit fine in my 308. 348 just seems to be a bit wider.

 

Thanks mate. I was struggling without the roof on this 308. Would it not be more cramped in a GTB?

 

PAP, you just needed to put the seat all the way back!