550 newbee advice | FerrariChat

550 newbee advice

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by greg246, May 18, 2008.

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  1. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 2, 2004
    25,476
    Sydney,Australia
    Full Name:
    Greg
    Hi all

    I am looking to buy a 550 and have a couple of questions (have searched archives already) about a car (1999 model) I have looked at

    1. the plastic rim around the aircon vents feels like soft putty. Is this a common problem? Are replacements easy/expensive?

    2. the aircon does not blow cold. Are aircon problems common? Is it usually compressor related or other?

    Thanks
     
  2. NOWANNABE65

    NOWANNABE65 Formula Junior

    Nov 22, 2007
    773
    Midwest, U.S.A.
    Full Name:
    GLC

    Look for another car.
     
  3. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 2, 2004
    25,476
    Sydney,Australia
    Full Name:
    Greg
    that's the feeling I'm getting but just wondered whether these were issues common to all 550's
     
  4. riverflyer

    riverflyer F1 Rookie

    Nov 26, 2003
    3,583
    Mendocino, Ca
    Full Name:
    John
    Greg, 12 cyl Ferrari's are expensive to maintain(hence plummeting values for the modern 12's) and if those are the two worst issues this car has, you have a winner!
     
  5. greg246

    greg246 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 2, 2004
    25,476
    Sydney,Australia
    Full Name:
    Greg
    thanks for the reply. I know how expensive V12's can be as I had a 365bb for 7 years :)
     
  6. dakharris

    dakharris Two Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 7, 2001
    29,441
    Sleepy Hollow
    Full Name:
    Cavaliere Senzatesta
    I keep hearing that. What's there to maintain on a 550 that costs a lot compared with other models? No engine outs. I understood that routine maintenance costs no more than an 8 cyl, except there are more plugs to buy. Compared with a 360, which costs more to maintain?
     
  7. NOWANNABE65

    NOWANNABE65 Formula Junior

    Nov 22, 2007
    773
    Midwest, U.S.A.
    Full Name:
    GLC
    I have not problems with my 550, but if these problems were common with the 550s, I would look for a different model, unless you have time and money to blow or you are really in love with the 550. I just bought my 550 a year ago and did not experience any problems. If it does give me problems and need to go to the shop more than once or twice, I would dump it in a heartbeat.
     
  8. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    if you've done a PPI and that's what came back --- tell the seller to fix those two problems and buy the car.

    there is a process (on this board) to "clean" the melting plastic. it's non-trivial, but folks claim it works. if some of the plastic is melting though, more will melt at some point, as i understand it. replacement from the dealer is insanely expensive. there are aftermarket carbon replacements - they're not free either.

    no data on aircon. mine blew like the wind at mcmurdo.

    doody.
     
  9. stan996turbo

    stan996turbo Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2004
    684
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Stan
    I have a '99 and I replaced the compressor or condersor last year. There're great cars, go for it.
     
  10. shg_gt500

    shg_gt500 Rookie

    May 7, 2007
    36
    Scottsdale, AZ
    I have a 2001 550 I'm looking to part with. Original owner, 4,000 miles. Let me know if you are interested.
     
  11. Qksilver

    Qksilver F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2005
    4,316
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Never have problems with the AC, it's always blowin' cold. As for the aircon panel, they tend to bubble. I believe MACarbon makes a CF replacement.
     
  12. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    528
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Thibaut A.
    I had a leaking compressor. I had a reconditionned unit put in. Since then A/C is good and cold.
    the plastic in the 550 (and 456 and 355) has a rubberised coating which goes soft. they all do. Probably linked with U/V exposure. Nothing to about it.
    550 is a fantastic car. If these are the only two issues raised at PPI, then buy and enoy.
     
  13. ketel

    ketel Formula 3

    Aug 6, 2007
    1,352
    Sausalito, CA
    Some details? Color, options, price expectations? THanks.

    ketel
     
  14. shg_gt500

    shg_gt500 Rookie

    May 7, 2007
    36
    Scottsdale, AZ
    #14 shg_gt500, May 20, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm helping a friend of mine sell the car. This is what I know...It's a 2001 550. Yellow, black/gray interior. Carbon fiber sport seats. 6-Speed. All original and stock. He is the original owner.

    He bought the car new from Algar Ferrari in PA. 5K service done by Algar Ferrari in August 2007. All original tools and manuals included.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  15. crmlcruiser

    crmlcruiser Karting

    Dec 28, 2005
    150
    Carmel ca
    Full Name:
    Michael
    nice car .....Price??... pm me if you dont want to post it here
     
  16. VisualHomage

    VisualHomage F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2006
    5,611
    San Antonio
    that's the one I want, in yellow but with black interior. I like the 575 wheels on it.
     
  17. PCH

    PCH F1 Rookie

    Apr 7, 2004
    3,007
    Not 575 but 550 modular a.k.a. Barchetta wheels.
     
  18. The extractor

    The extractor Karting

    Dec 9, 2004
    90
    Deerfield BeachFlorida
    Full Name:
    Dr. Joe
    Check-out Ferrari market letter for used 550's. There are a few good cars in there. I see that they is a newly posted car for sale there. A yellow 1998 with crema interior
     

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