Two out of two, what the hell is going on with the F355?

Of course when talking to the wives about Fcars there is a conversion on the $ figures you know. For example: $$$$ will be converted to $ only

 

Do they even need to know?

Are we forgetting how much those purses and shoes cost?

 

I agree.... I bought one of those inova 3100 obdll code readers and it has been a big money saver. I had 5 codes, using the code index I was able to familiarize my self with the 355's systems. I spent a total $160 (including the cost of the reader $110) and about 3-4 hours to figure everything out and actually do the jobs. That time spent was only because I was unfamiliar with the car.

I am certain, had I went to the dealer for this troubleshooting. It would have run into the several thousands. Why??? Some parts (bypass valve solenoid)just needed lube and excercising (cycling power). It was sticking and I know the dealer would have just replaced it (at my expense). Since I have lubed it and drive the car regularly, the solenoid has worked great and the code has not returned. The thermal switch on top of the radiator was bad and needed replacing... $20 from Ricambi..... I then replaced a ton of vacuum lines that fixed other "codes"......... I think your getting the idea that just because it is a "code" does not mean it is a major malfunction or expense... I have since been "code free" .

The dealer would have charged me a couple hours just to look at the car then several hours to troubleshoot and change the parts. Then sell me the parts at full retail.... On top of that there would be no guarantee they found "everything" so that would mean another trip to the stealer... errr.... dealer and more of "my" time wasted just making arrangements to take the car there to begin with..... It can snowball then pretty soon you end up jaded and your honeymoon with the car over in no time flat. Then god forbid it is actually something big with the car...... then get used to the bend over position for a loooooong time, at the dealer .

Read my paragraphs above... the codes or problems are not always big $$$ unless you want them to be .

+1000 everything is..... (drumroll).... fixable!!!! if one is smart about it, it can be done at a reasonable cost too .

 

EXACTLY!

 

James is a good man...I also spoke to him about my 355 purchase..there is always one in the shop when I'm down there getting something done...Seems even the newer ones have valve issues..as far as the gas goes...I had the carbs on the 330 rejetted and now it runs fantastic...couldn't get out of its own way before...

 

Hey Robin, still at it eh. You managed to get me interested in F cars, (my wife hates you, lol) TT may be going on the block. EUGENIO'S FERRARI SERVICE in CA advertises a major service and top end rebuild with new valves for $13k.

 

Ck your PM's.

 

I don't know those 355s are pretty nice.....
I think if I ever decide to sell my 348, I'd be really tempted.

As for the guys with the 328s, I owned one before my 348.
regardless of the severity, I had more issues with my 328 than I did with my 348.
my 348 has been much easier to live with than my 328.

 

Take THAT Bullfighter

Where are you ?

 

I will step in for Bullfighter until his arrival......... ....

None of that reliability crap holds any water with me..... the 328 has round tail lights and is therefore immune from any derogatory statements !!!!!

 

LOL

 

Your conclusions regarding 355 exhaust manifolds are correct in my opinion.

Let's take those conclusions a step farther: all factory catalytic converters on 355s are weak and prone to failure even when replaced with new factory parts.

In fact, in my experience ALL Ferrari catalytic converters produced for models Mondial t, 348, 512tr, F512M, and 355 -- basically, all mid-engine Ferraris produced model years 1989-1999 (328 and 360 exluded) -- have factory cats that are garbage: they will eventually break up and fail. If they haven't already, they will soon.

What's the solution for a 355? You will need to buy Hyper-Flow catalytic converters (not cheap at just over $2,000 for a pair) and aftermarket exhaust manifolds, perhaps by Tubi (not sure if Hyper-Flow is making these at this time).

Ahhh, these are just the beginnings of the preparations for buying a 355...

Great car, but as you know the 355s are not as ready-to-go as the ill-informed would believe or the unscrupulous would have you believe... you have done well to have rejected those cars that failed compression. Don't be discouraged, though; the right one is out there.

Regards,
David

 

Maybe you're just looking at it cross-ways.


The 355 is a pay-to-play exotic machine. It's not for the price conscious...what it does, it does magnificiently well, but the entry fee to own one is high, and the maintenance to keep one sorted is high.

And that's all well and good. If you've got to have one, by all means open up your wallet.

...but...

I wouldn't suggest a 355 for a first-time used-car Ferrari buyer...certainly not for one with a fixed budget.

I'd say start out in a 328 or Mondial T or 348 (which can have the 355's doors and tail lights with a little extra $$ if that's your "look").

Now, after you've had some seat-time owning one of the above, then by all means jump up to the 355 if you desire the extra performance.

At that point you'll understand the unique Ferrari insurance, title, and maintenance quibbles...so you'll have a reasonable idea that you are stepping it all up a notch.

This is not to diss the 355 in any way. I'm just saying that the 355 is not the ideal *first* used Ferrari.

First new Ferrari, sure. When new you've got a title from an authorized Ferrari dealership, easy insurance, and a warranty.

First used Ferrari?

...Well, that route isn't for the weak hearted.

355 as your second used Ferrari? Absolutely. You'll know the whole game by then.

 

Robin - was there a mileage restriction in your criteria? We had:

• < $75K (before CA use tax I take it)
• Red (Rosso Corsa? or will you take Rosso something-elsa?)
• 6-speed
• GTB or GTS
• No compression/leakdown issues

I looked around for a whole year for mine. It had perfect compression/leakdown during its PPI, and already had new belts etc. One year later, I had to have the valve guides (and valves) replaced anyway. It failed the leakdown test on one cylinder.

I shrugged, paid the bill, and rip through the gears as I left the shop. Was I unlucky? Perhaps, but I felt myself grinning again and that all was well.

Like most posters have said here, the problems are well documented and as long as you keep those items "in scope", you won't be disappointed You shouldn't overlook higher-mile cars especially those that have been driven well and have been cared for.

Would I replace my F355? With what? It's sort of got under my skin at this point, so I may have to augment it with another garage buddy

 

I have had no problems with my 355 vs the 328 had several minor enough so I couldn't drive the car with more miles put on the 355, once you hammer the throttle of the 355 and feel that stiff chassis through the corners there is no going back, I hated the way my 328GTS creaked over corners via the targa top and with it off big time chassis flex. The 355 is a pure performance machine vs the 308/328 are cruisers in comparison, when the 355 came out it was so great inperformance it effected 512TR sales, the same can't be said about 308/328 vs Boxer or TR sales

 

all you guys looking at 355's ???? mine has been for sale, even lowered my price to 80 K. your looking at cars with 30 K miles and bad ppi's ??? mine has less than half the miles , receipts, fresh service just passed state emissions and safety and in fabulous condition........... dosnt anyone look at ferrari adds here ?? geeeeeeeeeeezus. who ever buys is getting a hell of a deal.

 

Thats right!!! Long Live the 355!!!

 

My first Ferrari is a F355, Rossa, GTB, 6-speed. I've put 2,000 trouble free miles on it and its now in for the major; everything seemed sorted when it went it. I know I'll feel better knowing that someone has sorted through all of it, but eventually you just pull the trigger. Its the most fun car I've ever driven, its the most beautiful, it sounds insane (Tubi), and I knew it would cost a bit to maintain.

I, too, was very worried about buying the car and looked for 7 months. Then I met a local 355 owner who has 78,000 miles on his!!! Very few issues and all of them were easily sorted. That convinced me that I could do it, too. I haven't regretted doing so.

All of these cars are going to need work. Question becomes whether you want a discount price and know it was done right or if you want to pay a premium and only have a receipt saying the work was done.