Thinking of getting a 456

I just had a baby, so with the addition of another, we're not gonna be spending much family time in the 308. This has me thinking of a 456.

I've read about the things that go wrong, advantages of later years, etc. I haven't been able to find a thread that talks about their belt/valve service costs. Can anyone point me to one or talk about those costs? I've done plenty of searches, but can't find.
Also, the issue with the automatics has me confused. I understand it's not servicable, and a replacement is $50k(??), but has anyone had an auto go south? completely. Should I be scared to get an auto? Seems the only manuals on the market are '95's.

OK, thanks for any and all info anyone can give re: pre purchase research.

 

thinking depending on your personal prefs, that the MGTA would fit you nicely: WITHOUT the Tubis...ya' got a kid in there, and, well, I'm betting the new Mom would nix that.

The auto would make for easy use by her...albeit, not as much fun...My wife loves to shift, but then again our youngest is 24 years old :+

grandkids love the tubi, but for a baby, not a great idea.

Don't worry about the M series being quite the problem as the original GT, although I prefer a lot on the older one...most of the issues on GT were sorted out on the M

get a Nice one, with a PROPER PPI <-- make sure.

rik

 

Rik,
Thanks for the info. I agree with not having a tubi while the baby is still a baby. My 308 is LOUD, so I've got that fix for now.
Good to hear that the M series is more sorted out.
So the auto is not a reliability issue?? Thanks,
Eric

 

I also have been considering getting a 456 M to replace my e46 M3, but this auto tranny issue? what is the story?

I would use this car as a DD and a secondary track toy.. is the auto tranny really that much of a mess? 50k? <-- how is that even possible?

 

You can do a quick search; there have been several threads on the subject. Bottom line: The auto trannies have been fine, rugged units as long as they have been properly maintained. Almost every story is a "what if...". There have been one or two cases of real auto tranny problems reported here in f-chat and in each case, AFAIK, the owners have been able to find someone to do the appropriate fixes, so no new ricardo/gm/ferrari unit needed to be purchased.

FWIW, I don't think the Tubi on a 456M (I've got one) is all that loud, but maybe my hearing isn't that great after all the Rolling Stones concerts I've been to in the past 40 years.

 

Be careful. Isn't the 456 basically a throw away car? IOW, transmission breaks, throw the car away, as in, really, throw it away, like in a dumpster.

 

no.

 

???

 

Uh, no, but if you have one to throw away make sure to PM me first......I have a great catchers mitt.

As a matter of fact they are great buys on a good one, right now....pitty to see such machine going for less than some 328s IMO...or just north of other newer 2+2s

rik

 

You can start here with the index to 456 'stuff' http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218347 I believe a newer entry regarding possible rebuilds of the auto-tranny is near the end. But after a careful read you'll see it's not an issue IMO.


2000: ya' my ears are gone from sitting near speakers at a few. .....but, still thinking he can test drive the Tubi and make his own mind.

 

Well the Auto, it seems, is not serviceable by ferrari or ferrari approved dealers, but there are people who specialise in auto trannies and if something did go titsup you would probably find someone to service it.

I did in Japan, We know there's DBA in the UK, not sure about where you live but I'd be surprised if you can't.

 

Hey. Thanks for the insight on the auto. Makes me feel a little.... safer in buying one.

What is the average service cost of a 456 and what's involved? Belts, valves, ?? Is it like my 308 where you almost always have to do a water pump while you're in there? Any other common "while you're doing the major might as well..." ??

I was originally thinking of probably going with a '95 for lower initial cost, but I am now leaning toward an "M".

Thanks again,
etip

 

"Average service cost" is not really a meaningful phrase. Every car will have different items pop up at different times. The big "30K" service if nothing else pops up is in the $6-9K neighborhood. And be sure to have the full auto trans service, changing screens as well as fluids, etc. But there are always small problems that crop up or things to look after such as leather shrinkage, sticky hvac control surfaces, worn motormounts (replace with the 575's), adjustable shock rebuilds, etc. Semi-annual engine fluid and filter changes will probably run at least $100-200 each.

 

Allen,
Thank you for the reply. That is exactly what I meant by average service costs and other "while you're in there" items.

 

Hi Eric,

There's a 1995 6-spd one on eBay (didn't met the reserve today) and it has 550- 18" wheels.

Buy it now price of $40.5K!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.shop.ebay.com%3A80%2F__%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp284.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D260413559646%26_sacat%3D%26_fvi%3D1&item=260413559646&_rdc=1&viewitem=&salenotsupported

 

Hey Gary,
Yeah, I saw that one, but I am leaning toward an M, just to get all of the updates, AND.... that one is green. Not that anything is wrong with green. All my Darts were green, but..... well.