Also buying a 456 but....

Do a search on the 456 value guides in FerrariChat. Much information has been posted. Very well worth the time and effort.

 

My 1999 M GT has a small gap in the window at the back on drivers side. See here:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149802

I'm not all that bothered about this as it does not let water in.

As for the valve guides, I'm not really sure, my car uses a bit of oil (I'd guess 0.5 L every 1000 miles, possibly less actually), I would consider this to be within the normal operating ranges of any performance car. There is no smoke from the pipes, only a certain amount of steam when the car is started in the cold. Didn't produce much steam tonight when I went out (it's about 15 deg C in my garage at the moment).

As the 456 uses fuel it seams to not let air into the tank much, so when you fill up there is a large amount of air that rushes into the tank as you undo the filler cap. Bit odd, but again from the postings here seems normal.

Other issues seem to be electric seats (no exp of this myself), hissing rear shocks (no exp of this either).

My car does however have a creaking from one of the front bushes, I have bought some silicone lubricant which I plan to spray on.

Above all a very refined capable car that will leave most cars standing, (and you can get 2 kids, your mistress and your golf clubs in as well).

 

ditto: same issues.

let me know how the silicon works...haveing a 'creaking' issue too....

 

Sprayed the oil down both sides of each of the rubber bushes the other day. There are 4 on the suspension wishbones (as far as I can make out) and one for the anti-roll bar.

I haven't done any miles since and I recon it'll take a while to work it's way in.

I can still make it creak by leaning on the front bumper and rocking it up and down.

Due to go to Silverstone and back this weekend so I'll let you know if it's solved.

 

would like to know how it worked out.....I still get that creaking sound when I do the fender push....not concerned unless it's shocks!!! yikes.

 

This is another known issue I am told. My '95 has it. It is the front sway bar bushings, they are just noisy (squeaky). I have been told you have to grease them to keep them quiet (supposedly spray won't work for very long).

 

Just had Ferrari do the motor mounts a couple months ago....they said front end was fine, NOW....would have been more costly if mounts not done soon: steering issues.

BUT, doesn't mean they missed the 'squeek' .... will look at it more: thanks

 

Ah yes the 456!

IMO although the "M" is perhaps something which is newer, and a bit more modern, I would buy the "regular" 456 GT.

I perfer the look, and the price range. The styling is more slick. . . especially if you are able to find a RED or YELLOW one!

ALWAYS BUY A 6-SPEED, i would never buy the automatic.

But . . .(LOL there is always a BUT) . . . If you were to find a pretty decent milage and well priced 99-03 car that is in a 6-SPEED, then go right a head and buy that!

 

Issues concerning the 456.
Either Problems I have had experience with myself or with many other 456s in town.

These are not listed in order of the most common problem but here I go.

1. Windows, there is always a gap on windows (normally 95-99), lol no matter how many times one fixes them, it always ends up with a gap again and again. (I had a friend who tried fixing them, it cost $3000 CAD each time at the dealer. He did it twice but still it is the same) I suggest if it aint too much of a gap just leave it.

2. The cooling fan in the engine doesnt work at 100%, normally happens to the 95-98, minor problem but I think the age has something to do with it.

3. ***** This is perhaps the MOST COMMON and MONEY concerning issue***** The automatic transmission. First thing is, as stated in previous post, never buy one in the first place that has an auto trans *unless* the car you are looking at has a very clear and excellent history on it. This trans cost is unbelievable. Had 3 cars locally with this problem (there are 10 or so. . . perhaps less 456 in Vancouver). One car which is 99 had to replace it twice. The other two were (i believe) 00 and 01. They both replace it once.

Stick to a 6-speed if you can.

4. Check engines lights. I am not familar with this on the "M" version but the 456 GT, they always turn on. There normally aint problems with engine but this light always turns on. Changing the sensers dont work. It is a waste of $1,000 at the dealership to change them.

5. I am not sure of the exact name of this but the on the 456 (95-98) where one changes the strength of the fan . . . the temperature and so on (right under the radio) when the car is left under the sun a while, 1-2 hours . . . It seems to create "bubbles" / air build ups or pockets underneath it. It looks very wierd lol, too bad I dont have pics. The bubbles wont go away when it cools down. It cost around $300-450 to replace that.


I hope my info helps.

 

left out a couple items:

6. Rear/front hydrolics on shocks, tend to leak, needing looking after.

7. Motor mounts, go out about 12k - 30k miles range: ABSOLUTELY need to replace .. rifledriver mentioned newer mounts like in Enzo or 575/SuperAmerica would be better replacement since replacing with stock OEM mounts will wear again.

8. Air/manifold intake leak: causing rough idleing.

9. Leaks in Radiator: DON'T Let dealer fix, they are stuck in the FERRARI OEM box, of newer part costing more, and needs to replace the oil radiator too!!! go with after marked aluminium or recored radiator...

10. Seat gremlins...having some now on rear-entry buttons ...not working

11. shrinkage on front/rear dash leather....same on all Ferraris

12. WATCH how you bump front over curbs!!!!!! bad design on radiator return hose, where it STICKS DOWN!!! toast that and will need a lot of fixin.

13. Bubble warpage on environmental controls: RIcambiAmerica has fix.

14. Overheating is an issue with non M models, not sure of M's but could fix if stuck in traffic a lot with manual fan button or fixed thermostat.

15. REAR-Spoiler issues....Mine is NOT currently working that I can see when I trail it going from 0 - ???? MPH. not sure of fix, seems to be many issues, but would like this to work

16. GAS smell, due to deteriorating gas lines, gas venting, seals on gas filler cap etc. same with 550 as I understand it.

get a clean, 456 GT ... I believe it is a VERY good looking car and near its depreciation bottom...but, time will tell as some of these issues spring up at same time : Valves etc. etc. etc.

compare to a 355, and I believe you beat it on belt changes, and valve guides in a sense. Break even at least between the two. [12 vs 8 cylinder guides, but engine out for 355]

once you look at, drive and experience the 456, you'll fall in love. and YES you get the looks on the street, and road, of course the tubi add a LOT to that notice.

 

I totally agree!!!

There is another thing I left out.

17. You might have problem with this and I also heard another fellow F-chatter with this problem. The headlights . . . sometimes, it doesnt seem to want to pop-out when you (i guess lol) "turn on/ open" the headlights. Expensive to fix at the ferrari dealership. (they normally ask you to replace "this and that" when in fact all one has to do is fix and not replace certain parts.) Just get a trusted body shop to do the job.

 

Oh . . . I was just out on the highway the other day. BOY was that AMAZING on the 456. Went up to 165 km/h (100-103 mph). The car was steady and everything fine. Spoiler was working but the window gap was the only thing bothering me. I believe the spolier comes down at 120 km/h (75 mph).

 

to carry on the #17

First day I got the 456, exiting the Freeway due to wrong LA turn....confusing place....the headlights started to alternately go up and down but NOT in unison: very funny to look at if your not the owner...disconnected the controlling relay with read window heater relay and all was well. BELIEVE it was due to her pressing the passenger front floor board against the fuse box top, which shorted/hurt that relay. Faulty design in my opinion.

ya' annoying, but now have to be a FEATURE.....character noise....

 

Yah I agree.

 

I had the gaz (petrol ) smell last week. Turned out to simply be that I hadn't tightened the fuel cap enough. Turned it 1/4 more and now no smell.

I had mine on the track last Wednesday at Silverstone - it was absolutely brilliant. Handles very well and went like a rocket. Anyone with a 456 should take it on a track, you'll be surprised by the handling, I could easily keep up with the 355s & 360s.

Following the track day I now have no creaking ! I guess the silicone grease had plenty of movement to work it in.

 

ever do the superman thing, where you tightened it too much and you feel like an idiot trying to unscrew the cap to fill it at the station? Did that. Too much pressure and I actually had to drive home, get out the pliers + cloth and loosen the cap.....

tightness should be juuussst enough to keep in pressure but not toooo tight, like over torqued: go full tight, back off 1/8 turn.

still reluctant on this, the low profile tires, are not my cup of tea on cornerning with heavy car...too much drift. bought set of rims, stock for this, but currently on ferrari ads ...someoen else mentioned this too. can you give inflation, tire picked?

great, thanks on the silicone, will try it.

 

I have Michelin Pilot Sports inflated to the recommended pressure.

In hindsight I would drop that pressure 2psi (?) as the fronts have worn more down the middle than the edge.

As far as the low profile tyres go the Pilot Sports are 17" 255/45's and 285/40's so not really that low, but certainly not like the 225/70's on some of the old cars.

 

did you find any steering probs. like under/over... I believe a bit of under early into apex, but easy to overcorrect and then oversteer.

what did you find?

 

I suppose the car did under steer a little at times, but I wasn't driving to the limit. The under steer was easy to correct but didn't really over steer much. When I did get over steer it seemed easy to catch to stop the car going to far. I did however leave the traction control on so this may have helped.

I did some laps in the poring rain and the effects were obviously exaggerated - I had the traction control cut in a few times when I powered too hard out of corners. Overall thought it seemed really predictable.

Also: Just been out in my car and noticed the return of the creaking from the front end. I think it disappears on a wet road due to the water lubricating what ever it is that's making the noise. I'll keep trying to fix it though!

 

Traction control: forgot you had an M...rats.

Rats, again...thought that silicone would work...back to drawing board

 

another general discussion on 456 purchase and issues: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162037&highlight=456+seats

about readying a 456 for track use: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157078&highlight=456+seats

gumball : http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147857&highlight=456+seats

 

No they won't

 

It is not air rushing in, but vapour rushing out when you open the petrol cap.

 

My 550 window has a leak and I was told it is just a minor adjustment...is this a different problem altogether than th e456 window problem?