348 reliability and DIY options......

Spark plug changes are easy with the engine in, but plugs last quite a while. Oil changes on the engine and transmission are easy except that the engine does sit pretty low if you're doing it without a lift. Clutch changes can be done at home without pulling the engine or the transmission. Brake pad changes are straightforward. All of the engine ignition and injection management is done through the Bosch Motronic control units, there is really nothing to adjust, it generally should start and run, hot and cold, with no particular issues. The climate control system can be a pain in the rear, with "a mind of it's own".

A big factor is the cost of parts, some of which are insanely expensive and getting higher all the time. Personally, I would not own a 348 if I had to rely on the dealer for repairs. Almost anything can be fixed at home if you have the space, the time, the tools, and mechanical apptitude.

FChat is a great resource, many knowledgeable owners here.

 

Jeff, you are an asset to the 348 Brotherhood!!

 

one million percent agree

 

the fun factor of a Ferrari with an aftermarket exhaust is worth the cost. a vette does not come close.

these things are simple to work on IF you have time.

BUY IT, you wont regret it

 

I think this is very true and good advice. I'm looking to pick up a 348 soon as well, and I was initially horrified to learn about the service costs associated with the car. Did a little more research and discovered that I can take care of pretty much everything but the belt service, mainly because I do not trust myself to set up belts and tensioners and degree cams on an interference engine

 

my thoughts word for word.

Already done my own alternator refresh, brakes, gear oil change, etc...

 

+348 but I am going to try a belt change myself in 4 years.

--Mike

 

Now of course I'm VERY pro Ferrari, to me that is my dream car so there really was no deciding. BUT...you've got to want it bad enough to put up with the high cost of ownership (even DIY).

I was just thinking today about my other toy, '69 Firebird convertible. Wonderful to drive, especially today with the top down, and over 12 years total maintenance cost is in the neighborhood of $500. Including oil changes. Just noticed a nice old Vette today in Ferrariads 'other' cars section...great investment, won't lose money and costs nothing for maint. But it's not a Ferrari...all depends how bad you want it

 

Just like I am sure you have now, find yourself a good group of 348 guys in your town and you can do much of the maintenance yourself, even the engine out and clutch work if you dare. I am lucky to be in the company of fellow stooges!

 

I have a c-3 vette I've had for 22 years that I thought about selling to get a 348, but wasn't sure I was ready to part with it just yet, so I kept it and added a nice 348 spider that now gets all the drive time, I haven't driven the vette in more than a year (maybe once around the block) but I do start it every once in a while but I love the Ferrari! I'd say go for it but you also have a really nice looking vette! have you gone to any cars & coffee events? it's a great place to talk to owners and look in person at different models.

 

If you like getting kicked in the nuts by your girlfriend buy the ferrari.

I used a 348 and C5Z as both street cars and race cars. If you ask a specific ? I can probably led you and opinon.

 

I take it that all went pretty smooth? Anything tricky with the brakes, or are they pretty straightforward?

I think I just lucked out in the maintenance department. I talked to the guy who works on my airplane earlier, and it turns out he was an exotic mechanic before he got into A&P work. I asked him about the belt service for the 348 and he said, "No problem, we can do it here in the hangar. Just buy the parts." Sweeeeeeeeeet! Of course, I have to buy the car first...getting there!!

 

Easy Peazy....Only problem I had was a mechanical one with the alternator. The belt tensioner cinch bolt was lightly corroded since the last service. I rounded it off trying to loosen. Ended up removing it with vice grips. Big PITA but not a Ferrari issue. I got a new set of 6 point box wrenches out of the deal also. Got the flare nut style for flexibility.

 

Awesome. More good news

 

I have had my 348 for almost 20 years and the car has been extremely reliable. It is a very different experience than a Vette.

 

I'm staying out of this one other than to say I did mine in the first off season I owned it (7 years from it previous major). Glad I did because the tensionner bearing race seal was toast but the belt was fine.

Here's a bad pic. Your not supposed to be able to see the bearing race.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I've had my 348 Spider for over six years now and it has been relatively trouble free. The only big problem I had was a relay that melted down and took the whole fuse box with it. It filled the cabin with smoke and scared me half to death, but the actual repair was easy, just write a check for a new panel and swap it out.

That's been my experience in a nutshell. The cars are at least 14 years old so stuff is going to go wrong, but overall the layout of the car is straightforward and not that hard to work on. Space can be tight sometimes, but not any worse than expected for a small sportscar. The one exception being an engine that has to come out for a belt service, but you seem to have your eyes wide open on that one.

Parts can be a problem. This site is a great resource for generic interchange parts, but Ferrari specific parts ($175 for a thermostat) and 348 specific parts (several hundreds of $$$ for a fog light, if you're lucky and can find one) can be a turnoff for some people.

But it's their loss. Owning and driving a Ferrari has been like no other car. Behind the wheel you really get a sense of the car's heritage and pedigree. And it doesn't take a car guy to recognize it. I'm constantly getting compliments and thumbs up that I think are disproportionately high for a car that is 14 years old and can be bought for less than a new M3.

-Alan

 

Well, I'd vote for the Ferrari, just because it's an experience. However:

- The timing belt is supposed to be replaced every three years, per Ferrari, and if you take it to an independent shop expect to pay $5000+, more at the dealer. Whether this interval should be 3 years or 5 years or 'until the engine explodes' is a matter for debate, but if the belt goes you're looking at a five-figure repair bill. The engine is removed for a timing belt or major service on the 348 and 355.

- 348 gearboxes can self-destruct at large expense - search this board and there is information on how to protect against this.

- Old Italian electrical systems are susceptible to failure, and the 348 was Ferrari's first try. You can save yourself a lot of grief by upgrading the alternator and cleaning contacts.

My opinion is that the 348 is not the most reliable of the older Ferraris. However, it is relatively simple if you're mechanically inclined. Beware of parts prices -- if you break a targa latch or other model-unique parts, it hurts.

For reliability, I would put the 328 and F430 manual gearbox-model at the top of the list.

Good luck. Going from a Corvette to any exotic sports car is a huge move, but every serious car enthusiast should cross the rubicon at least once.

 

having owned 5 vettes and now a 348, I would take the 348 hands down. You likely can do most of the work involved in maintaining the car (and, you will likely enjoy it too). Nothing drives like this car, at least that is the way it feels. If you don't want the attention from owning/driving a Ferrari, the car is NOT for you either.

 

I can say this to be true regarding any Ferrari: stay on top of servicing and be proactive with preventative maintenance. While the engine is out, they are going to want to do all kinds of other stuff besides changing the belts and tensioners (water pump, valve adjust, certain gaskets, O2 sensors, etc). Let them do it. You do not want a minor problem to grow into a large problem and have something catastrophic happen. You want your car to be 'fresh' all the time. The engines are pretty much indestructable, but just like any racing type engine, one must stay on top of things.

 

excellent advice

 

New guy here located in the Stuart, FL area. Interested in buying a 348 (probably TS) in near future and would like to talk with anyone close by who has one or knowledge of the 348. Enjoyed reading the replies above.

 

This will be my first post. I am contemplating a 348ts, when the time is right. They are gorgeous cars and every time I see one I am left speechless. I am extremely mechanically inclined.. I've built dozens of cars and bikes from the ground up... just fully built a 1987 Porsche 911 from scratch... video below.

The one thing that is a bit off-putting, in my initial research, is the lack of any outlets for purchasing parts. I was extremely lucky to have a 911 warehouse practically in my backyard here in LA for any part I needed for my rebuild.



Can't wait to dive into my first 348 experience! And add a Ferrari to my collection!

-Ian