Keeping the miles low on your f355 . . . | FerrariChat
Buy

Keeping the miles low on your f355 . . .

Discussion in '348/355' started by sdbmwfxr, Jun 26, 2011.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. sdbmwfxr

    sdbmwfxr Karting

    Feb 25, 2011
    238
    San Diego
    #1 sdbmwfxr, Jun 26, 2011
    . . . might be one of the worst things you can do to the car. I bought a higher mileage F355, a '95 with 48k on the odometer. It was nice as everything that could possibly go bad on the car did, and was fixed by the PO or the one before him. I've got headers, valve guides, etc, etc. I get it on the lift at my shop at least every 2 weeks to make sure everything is on the up and up.

    However, the PO had driven the car about 200 miles in 1 year. To be honest, when I got the car it didn't run all that great. I had CEL lights that would come and go, and some hesitation here and there.

    Now, instead of going crazy trying to fix things, I actually drove the car. Got it used to being used, in a sense, getting it into shape. I fueled it good gas, with about 94 octane, and increased the intensity of driving with each trip.

    To explain how different the car runs now is difficult to quantify. It is so much smoother, starts much better cold, and just effortlessly pulls through the tach. No more check engine lights, no more hesitation. The more I drive this car, the happier it seems to be alive.

    Like Rick has said, the harder I drive it the better it seems to behave.

    So. If your F355 is just sitting around and only gets a soft casual drive a few times a year, knock it off. Let it play, and you will be rewarded handsomely.

    The term 'Italian Tune-up' has never held to be so true . . . .
     
  2. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 9, 2007
    24,468
    Kuwait
    Full Name:
    Mike Seals
    #2 mseals, Jun 26, 2011
    Excellent post!

    I feel exactly the same way... and use my 355 as a daily driver (when it's not 115 degrees outside, like it is now)....

    Mike
     
  3. race850i

    race850i Karting

    Jan 6, 2010
    132
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Themis
    #3 race850i, Jun 26, 2011
    ahahahahaa keep driving it my friend:)

    l do the same 4 years now and its getting each time better and better!!!
     
  4. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,785
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #4 AceMaster, Jun 26, 2011
    Good post...cars were built to be driven, Ferraris were built to be driven hard :D
     
  5. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
    Full Name:
    Rick
    #5 Sandy Eggo, Jun 26, 2011
    My sentiments exactly! Mine had 36k when I got it and just keeps getting better - now at 42k.

    When is yours due for a major, Chris? Can def make a few recommendations to put on the "while you're in there" list.
     
  6. spaghetti_jet

    spaghetti_jet Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2005
    947
    Europa
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #6 spaghetti_jet, Jun 26, 2011
    I fully, fully agree. Due to a combination of issues like being posted overseas, having 2 kids etc. etc. my 355 has been barely used in the last 5 years. Prior to the slow period my car was used extensively. Anyway, the deterioration of the car was alarming. Practically every seal leaking, cam belts rock hard, grease in bearings turned to wax. It was in a bad way.

    In march I dropped the engine and have worked on it pretty much most nights since then. Friday she ran again for the first time. Next week I'm taking it for smog and safety test certificate. Then...

    ...I have a summer of THRASHING in store for the car!! I have budgeted for speeding fines as part of the running costs.

    Moral of the story, don't let the 355 stand too long!

    Detailed list of what I've changed so far: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=325873

    Get out there and drive.

    And some info on the cam belts: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322521
     
  7. TheOnlyest

    TheOnlyest Formula 3

    Sep 25, 2007
    1,686
    Las Vegas Nevada, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #7 TheOnlyest, Jun 26, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  8. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
    Kalifornia
    #8 Kaivball, Jun 26, 2011
    That's awesome. Mine has almost 58k now and seeing this makes me excited.

    Kai
     
  9. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Apr 25, 2006
    2,713
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #9 3forty8, Jun 26, 2011
    Absolutely! Just added 981 miles on the Pauper's Run last weekend; drove it this weekend and I swear it just feels better and better the more it is driven like it was meant to be.
     
  10. rbellezza

    rbellezza F1 Rookie

    Jun 18, 2008
    2,793
    Henderson, NV
    Full Name:
    Roberto Bellezza
    #10 rbellezza, Jun 26, 2011
    That is a car that has been enjoyed !
     
  11. rbellezza

    rbellezza F1 Rookie

    Jun 18, 2008
    2,793
    Henderson, NV
    Full Name:
    Roberto Bellezza
    #11 rbellezza, Jun 26, 2011
    Really sorry I was not able to make it. Did anyone posted pics of the run ?
     
  12. 3forty8

    3forty8 F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Apr 25, 2006
    2,713
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #12 3forty8, Jun 26, 2011
    A few in this thread and Dusty posted a link to a bunch of them:
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327427

    Sorry we missed ya - next time you will have the 360 when we hit it up! :)
     
  13. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
    2,398
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #13 roadracer311, Jun 26, 2011
    Nice work!

    I agree. The other thing I make a point of, is getting my 355 up to full operating temperature every time I drive it, in order to cook off moisture. So, if it comes out of the garage, it's going to cover 20 miles or more before I put it away (usually 50 or more). It's also going to get wound to redline in 2nd gear a few times. I treat my Boxster the same way, and it loves me for it. Blow the carbon out the back, get the injectors really going, & exfoliate the tires to bring up some fresh rubber.
     
  14. Rob'Z

    Rob'Z Formula 3

    Mar 29, 2008
    1,024
    Tucson,AZ
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #14 Rob'Z, Jun 26, 2011
    I love it!
     
  15. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #15 F355steve, Jun 27, 2011
    Drive it, sort it out, and drive it some more. Good receipt for a healthy car and happy owner.
     
  16. FerrariDeeJay

    FerrariDeeJay Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2009
    418
    Chino, CA
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #16 FerrariDeeJay, Jun 27, 2011
    +355!!! :)
     
  17. Arturin

    Arturin Karting

    Aug 16, 2009
    201
    Spain
    #17 Arturin, Jun 27, 2011
    Fully agree with you.

    As a forum member had in his signature:

    "Not putting miles on your ferrari is like not havig sex with your girlfriend so that she is new for her next boyfriend" (or something like that)

    Yesterday drove my 355 gts in 110ºF heat without roof top. My skin is burned but the car works like wonders :)
     
  18. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,785
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #18 AceMaster, Jun 27, 2011
    That is quite an accomplishment, Steve...good for you ;) (I know you didn't put all the miles on that clock, but I bet most of 'em:))
     
  19. notoboy

    notoboy F1 Rookie

    Jul 8, 2003
    2,531
    NYC
    Full Name:
    David
    #19 notoboy, Jun 27, 2011
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2011
    Drive on! I've put over 51k on my car and it runs great ;)


    And now that 355s are in the $40s and $50s why not drive the heck out of them? You can't even get a 2yr-old M3 for that price...
     
  20. billyfitness

    billyfitness Formula Junior

    Feb 14, 2006
    581
    Overland Park, KS
    Full Name:
    Bill Leavitt
    #20 billyfitness, Jun 27, 2011
    Right on...love it!

    I'm at 48K on my '97

    The keys, as mentioned above:

    - Drive it often if even for 5 or 10 miles to get the fluids up to temp
    - Do a COMPLETE major while the engine is out...don't chince out
    AND:
    - Don't drive the piss out of it everytime - all the time
    -Warm it up & cool it down properly

    -Billy
     
  21. JAYF

    JAYF Formula 3

    May 13, 2006
    1,140
    Westchester, NY
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #21 JAYF, Jun 27, 2011
    what does this mean?
     
  22. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #22 F355steve, Jun 27, 2011
    If you run it hard let the oil and coolent circulated and temps settle down before shutting it off.
     
  23. Camdon53

    Camdon53 Formula Junior

    Jul 18, 2006
    507
    Texas, USA
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #23 Camdon53, Jun 27, 2011
    I have exactly the same experience as the OP with my 360. The more I drive it the better it runs. Shifts better, idles smoother, quieter suspension, zero fluid loss, the works.

    I should have known you 355 guys are smart enough to appreciate what great cars you've got and how much better they are when they're driven.
     
  24. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,792
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    #24 plugzit, Jun 27, 2011
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2011
    There's a local engineer (older guy) who I see around here driving a "well-used" Dino and in Sta Barbara there's John Corbani who's got something like 200k on his Dino. I wanna be those guys. Had their cars forever, enjoying the heck out of them. Kids say "look at the old guy in the Ferrari"! Who cares about some signs of use. Just keep it clean and well-tuned! I never feel my age behind the wheel! Gonna let a door ding ruin your day? Okay, just shut up about it and don't ruin mine. I've still got a frickin' Ferrari.
     
  25. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 13, 2011
    6,862
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #25 Shorn355, Jun 28, 2011
    +10 - I think you just accurately described "Spa Day" for any high-performance car - Especially a Ferrari!

    I have a 1/18th scale model of my 355 to stare at and let sit around - the one I saved, sacrificed and searched for and finally became a reality I will drive any and every opportunity I have!

    Cheers :)
     

Share This Page