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
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!
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?
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.
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.
I have a 2001 550 I'm looking to part with. Original owner, 4,000 miles. Let me know if you are interested.
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.
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.
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
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