348 Spyder Service/Purchase Questions

the mechanic that did my major changed the belts on my spider
but he said it didnt need the tensioners changed cause it had low kms
is this correct?

 

most guys seem to be comfortable with 3-5 years...Ferrari recommends 3 years. I had my water pump rebuilt during my last engine out and I think that is a good expenditure of money. Most guys are installing the Hill tensioner bearings too.....another very good upgrade.

 

It wasn't an "omission" by the shop -- it was a judgment call. The tensioner bearings weren't necessary, and the water pump must have looked "good," so it was not fiddled with.

I always installed Hill Engineering tensioner bearings when I did major services on my Mondial t, 355, etc.

Would you care to name the shop that did the work?

 

I was told by the mechanics at Boardwalk Ferrari in Dallas that they do not replace the wp or tensioners as a "normal" part of a 30k service. They leave it to the discretion of the servicing mech and the owner, depending on the condition of the parts. If the mech feels that these parts will survive another 3-5 years, they leave them alone. I ended up having my major done at Norwood and they replaced the tensioners with Hill parts.

 

It sounds like you're talking about the black 1995 348 Spider at Tysinger Mercedes in Williamsburg.

When I spoke to the salesman there, as I was interested in the car -- he said that they had a standing offer from California for $42k and that management would only consider offers over $45k.

They've had the car since December and I think they're in it cheap enough to sit on it for a while.

The nice thing about the service Foreign Cars Italia did is that they put in a new clutch and TO bearing as well.

But geez, only 900 miles in 3 years.............

 

In my opinion the tensioners bearing should be changed anyway during the major service ....
they are the number one reason for the timing belt failure.

 

the first issue is the service and what is and isn't included. Some 'specialist' garages do a 'cam belt' service rather than a 50K km service.

Best to be guided by the service schedule as described by Ferrari themselves. Where the 50K km is far more extensive than the 'cam belt' service conducted by some 'specialist' garages.

The water pump is not included in the 50K km service, so it is a judgement call by the owner guided by the garage carrying out the service whether is is 'overhauled'. Some of the parts needed for the water pump overhaul are not available now from Ferrari, though available from some specialist suppliers.

The water pump is key to the well being of the engine as should it seize, it can knacker the engine as the same single belt drives the cams etc.

My car is going through the 50K km service and it is interesting comparing this with the 'cam belt' service carried out last time.

Additionally decisions around the 'quality' of alternative parts from suppiers are in the process of being made as to whether to use them or not.

Have a look through the forum threads and there are many views as to what should or not should be done and how the 'service' is conducted, either engine left in place and the fuel tank removed, or as Ferrai specifies, engine out within the frame.

Hope this helps, I'm not an expert but a careful owner who endeavours to have the best quality work carried out.

 

So it is...... Interesting... When I was trying to work out a deal with Tysinger on this car in October 2009, they were not willing to take a penny less than $47k. It's my understanding they've had this car in inventory since February 2009 (but I'm going from memory and could be off by a month or two in either direction). They claimed to have paid $58k for it. I spoke with the previous owner by phone, and he confirmed that they paid him $58k. Tysinger also refused to do a compression and leak-down test in their own service department. They wanted me to ship the car to Foreign Cars Italia for that. I walked away.

 

In my opinion, if the engine is out, you may as well replace the tensioners and have the waterpump replaced/rebuilt (whichever the case). You need a piece of mind, and you only want that engine coming out "once" for the major (as opposed to dropping the engine to do the belts only then a year or 2 later coming back out to replace the waterpump...and as for the tensioners, you'll have a bigger problem than simply dropping the engine to replace a siezed tensioner)

just my 2 cents

 

I would go with thinking the worst and get a major service and know its been done and have a shop near you do the major.This way you are good for at least 4 years and know the condtion of the engine. Did you get a PPI ??
I would absolutely get a compression test.
I have this model and its a blast, good luck

 

I buy, fix up, and sell Volvos on the side.

The #1 issue with crapped out motors is tensioners going bad.

Personally for ME; even though the "major" was done by Foreign Cars Italia, I have way too much experience with failed tensioners and the damage that they can do to feel comfortable with this car.

And why a clutch so early?

Why drive so little?

Tysinger screwed the kitty on this trade. They'll probably have it forever unless someone walks in, dazzled by the cavallino rampante.

 

True

 

5 years has worked fine for me and doing the water pump every other time. Tensioners I leave to the mechanic to call out and I trust them.

 

I have seen this car and passed on red/tan..there's a 1995 red/tan, 15 000 miles on it and the major was done in dec 09,it's at Kessler Auto Group in Florida,nicer car and less money.

 

Do a PPI if you look at car from Kessler. PM me I have a great guy close to Steve who will tell you like it is

 

I believe 'Silky Smoove' (another member here) looked at the red/tan Kessler 348 (in person) before he bought his 355. If you're interested in that one, send him a PM as well.

 

How much did it sell for?

 

You're just like me. Looking for a 348 Spider in these colors, LOL!