348TB Pre-series? (My 1st Try)

Oh thanks PAP, very good of you to remind us !!!

I'm off to turn the heating back on

 

Lol!! Sorry mate!!

 

I had to turn the central heating back on last week.

I'm going to apply for jobs somewhere warm to follow my PhD. Hmmm, I wonder if Australia has any need for more Neuroscientists...

All the best,
Andrew.

 

I will call my friends at the Neuroscientology Centre for Neuroscientists today to find out for you Andrew!

I will let you know asap!

 

Excellent.

Actually, I really was considering Australia and had been following the job adverts with associations like the Australian Neuroscience Society. My parents are still holding out for a move back to the South USA, and my fiancée reminds me about my paranoia over giant spiders (something Australia has a lot of, I gather). It's probably most likely I'll end up in the Deep South or East Coast USA, but anything's possible... it depends entirely on where the best job is!

Anyway, I think I might be taking this thread a bit too far off-topic so my apologies to Ricardo and I'll leave it there.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

No problem.

My home country is Portugal, the best weather in Europe, with the very well known Algarve.

By coincidence I am also emigrated in Africa, near the Equator.. so you cannot beat me sunshine wise...

 

Sounds like you have a plan!

Dont the let fear of big spiders hold you back from moving here. Its not like they are going to eat you or anything!

Off topic, bah! Its all good!

 

Ok,

Returning to my personal hunt of my future 348....

The one that I found now is more likely to be known by you, as it is an American Import.

It has June 1990 on the door pilar plate, and Vin: ZFFFG35A1L0086160.

It has been resprayed with high quality, and my father felt the car light and tight, with a good feel on the gerabox lever.

The (unofficial) Ferrari dealer will put 2 new rear tires and the missing badges on the left and rear, as well as a new timing belt.

The car doe not have the OEM exhaust nor shield.

It has very odd seat belts and all gauges in US units.

My questions are:

- The speedometer is in Km/h..... so not original... How can I find out the aproximated milage on the car? Disc brake thikness? Other evidence?

- Thru Vin and date can you tell if it does have twin plate clutch? How can I check?

- Any pros and cons for US versions?

Best regards,
R
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Can you describe the seatbelts?

Definitely not original, since a US car should be in Miles/Hour

I read somewhere here on FChat that the ECU does record the actual mileage, but I believe that is for the model 360 and newer. I am not 100% certain so please don't hold me accountable.

 

Hey Ricardo, that looks tempting!

Note: I'd like to measure my comments by stating I've never owned a Ferrari and am not an expert - just a passionate fan. So probably take this with less weight than comments from proper 348 owners.​

Sounds good on the replacement of the badges and timing belt. Personally, I'd try to push for new tires on the front as part of the deal as well - unless those look nearly new. This is one of the few questions I feel confident enough to answer specifically:

It's worth noting that people's driving styles can be different. Some people use engine braking to aid deceleration and some use just the brakes. With that in mind, if the car has the original discs, then it will tell you more about the previous owner(s) driving style than it does about the true mileage of the car.

Furthermore, discs are a consumable item just like pads and you'll wear through them. I'm not sure how you'd find out by looking at them whether the discs currently on the car are orignal from the build or whether they've been replaced at some point. For this, you'd need to see the detailed service history.

As for other indicators, I'd say that if a car has been used a lot then the seats will feel a little more 'lived in'. Slightly less taut and the surface of the leather will show signs of wear. From the pictures, it looks ok - but you can't beat peeking in the car yourself. This 'measure' is something that can be applied to all cars, not just Ferrari - although with a big purchase like this, it's obviously more important to pay close attention.

As you say, the big thing is trying to ascertain confirmation of the car's genuine mileage and find a way to make sure this is well documented - it's not only important to you now but also in future should you ever decide to sell.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Andew, this is very intelligent advice, and is an indication of your passion for the 348

 

Thanks.

As for the detailed photos of seats, cluster, and setbelts, please advise on the following...

Cheers,
R
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Yeah......WORN OUT!!

 

Yeah!

This forum continues to provide extremely valuable information.

I just got the complete (recent) background on this car, thru the Portuguese thread... and is not so good... dammnn.. another one down the drain...


It seems to have passed by some dealers before and spent some time exposed to weather....

Also, it was originaly black ...

 

Oh dear... those close-up pictures revealed a hard life, didn't they?

Frustrating to have to pass, but probably the right decision. Better luck for the next one, Ricardo.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Hi,

My quest continues....

Mine is a kind of a small country, so the news goes around quickly, specially within guys who love classic cars, such as me and my father....

What came up this time was something a liiiiiiiittttttlllllllle bit different...

Someone heard that I was looking for a Ferrari, so they invited my father to see this nearly new F40....

Basically the car has only the mileage from the dealership to the owner's house, were it was put on a custom made trailer and there it has stood, and moved around ever since. A total of 495km on the odometer..

Newer that this is very difficult, but unfortunately the oxidation is starting to show the years..... and the price has an extra "digit"....

I give you the photos...

Regards,
R
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Wow!! What a waste of an F40!

Is it for sale?? Do you know how much for?

Thanks for sharing pics mate!!

 

WOW!!

Post this in the supercar section, plenty of knowledge there and I am sure they will find this very interesting....


Are you considering buying it?

 

Unfortunately I do not have the asking 400.000 euros.......

 

What's up with that F40???

 

Basicaly I think this one is cripled for life. The decision to make money with the car and not puting any miles on it just ended on the condition you see on the photos...

I guess that the fuel tanks must be changed, belts, water pump, all hydraulics, hoses, turbos, piston rings, valve seals.....etc....

 

Very sad

 

It is Done!

I now have to change my "Ferrari Ownership Status" to Owner.... at last!

I want to thank all of you guys that advised me to hold on and wait for the best 348... and I found a 12.000 Km 348GTS (320cv) in a private sale!

This is one more dream come true and is seating now in my garage, next to my 454 1970 Corvette Stingray!

Sad is that I am still at 7.000 Km away from it... waiting painfully for my vacations back home!

Very best regards,
R

 

Awesome, and congrats!! Can you post some pics as well as details (year, colour, mileage, etc)

 

+1!

Congrats Ricardo!!