I can see where the customer is coming from....he is spending all this money on service, what's a little more for an original Ferrari part? As long as Bradan offered the lower priced Hill part - and knowing them, I'm sure they did, no reason to push a part that the customer isn't comfortable with. Erik
The fact that a Hill Engineering bearing is less expensive than a Ferrari bearing is like a bunny with a pancake on his head. Its irrelevant to the conversation. The Hill Engineering piece is, simply put, better than the Ferrari one. It has a bespoke NTN bearing inside, completely different grease specifications, and tighter assembly tolerances. Dealers will "poo poo" them publicly, but they sure seem to buy them in droves. Folks running Challenge cars buy them in droves. Certainly, not everyone knows about the brand. Certainly, some people chose the Ferrari packaged bearing. No biggie. But to suggest it is inferior because of its lower price is complete hogwash.
I totally agree Daniel. Cost, in this case in particular (and several other cases as well), is not indicative of which is the better quality part.
Dan I fully agree. The lower price point has no affect on the customers decision. Anyone that has dealt with our service department knows that we offer multiple options and give our best advice. From tensioner bearings, throw out bearings, sticky no more, Scuderia Rampante, etc. Unfortunately, the answer is still no sometimes. I do not think Erik or I hinted that they are inferior reflecting into the lower price point. We both have hill bearings on our personal cars and feel they are superior.
I can totally see the situation where someone is a "casual" Ferrari owner, not a fanatic like those of us who spend our free time reading about the cars we love. To that owner, he thinks he is making the wiser choice by staying with stock Ferrari parts. The lower price on the Hill item probably seemed like a "too good to be true" situation to that owner. This, despite the advice I'm sure the pros at Braden gave him/her. So, yes, I can see a situation in which an owner rejects the advice to use a Hill part over the stock part. That's the difference between a car owner and a car enthusiast. We obsess over these irrational cars, looking systematically for solutions to inherent problems they possess. That's why we know and love Hill Engineering, they provide solutions to these problems. Betcha' no one here would give the "never heard of Hill" answer.... John
Back to painting the wheels. Thanks for any advice. All of us greatly appreciate your expertise. Why shouldn't I powder coat my 355 wheels?
Some believe that the heat curing process used in powder coating can weaken the F355 magnesium wheels.
I didn't know that the possible heat could damage the wheels.......does anyone else have more information on powder coating magnesium wheels. Ferrari of Denver does this for customers. Thanks, Tim
My wheels guys said they do not powder coat the magnesium wheels- They're brittle enough in the first place and they said form experience the tempering process of powder coating can make the wheels even more so.
Heat and sand blasting will ruin the wheels during powder coating. We strictly paint Magnesium wheels now.
Well we just spent 2 days going through the chassis wiring harness. Who ever installed the head unit mixed up power and ground. This project will be on hold until a new harness arrives from Italy. The damage is to extensive to repair.
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Excellent thread, I LOVE following these major service threads! More pics!! Clutch worn in 14k miles??? Power swapped for ground? Jeez... SNB
Back to painting 355 wheels again. I was talking with Ferrari North America and Ferrari of Denver about this procedure. Both have told me that the 355 wheels on all models are not magnesium. They are made of aluminum and can be powder coated perfectly after a light sanding or soda sanding. They recommended that a primer be added first, then the paint, and finally a clear.....all in one process by powder coating. Thanks again for a great thread on the major. Tim
Wrong. See email from Ivor at Speedline UK Hello Rick, * The Ferrari 355 challenge wheels are 100% Magnesium. The 355 Road car wheels were also Magnesium 18 inch diameter but not as wide. 7.5x18 Front. Challenge 355 race wheel size is 8x18 for example. * Kind regards Ivor * From: Rick Sent: 13 May 2011 15:31 To: 'Ivor Braiden' Subject: Ferrari 355 wheels * Hi Ivor, * There is some disagreement on Ferrarichat.com about what the Speedline wheels (standard OEM) for the F355 are made out of.* Most folks believe they are Magnesium.* One user reported that FNA told him that they are aluminum.* Could you please comment and resolve the matter? * Thanks, * Rick
Interesting, I have only ever known them to be magnesium. I have one 355 wheel here that needs repair and even the wheel repair man said being magnesium, they are tricky to repair. I forget why now, but he said something to do with being magnesium. And I thought this wheel repair guy would have never fixed a 355 wheel before in his life, but he had done a few.
