Hi ! I'm from the Netherlands & new here at this forum. Would like to buy a 550 maranello. Planning to look at a car form 1996 but with the following "problem" Maintenance only 3 services: first owner: 2001: 18.624 km 2002: 32.268 km 2003: 58.826 km second owner 2004: 2012: 71.652 km [service done by the seller, few months ago] Is this a "big problem" ? Thanx ! Francois
Items like brake fluid and coolant degrade with time, as you probably are aware. Brake fluid absorbs water, and the coolant loses its anti-corrosive properties. Crud can build up in the radiator, brake calipers compromised, etc. Regular fluid changes are suggested for a good reason. May not be a deal killer, but it should be reflected in the price. Also, items like the oil in the gearbox and differential are a bit of a worry as well.
2012 - belt service or just oil change ? if latter then check cost to get belts & tensioners done immediately - for local 550 advice send pm to jazzyo Its a bit weird that first owner did not service til 2001 with 18000 km then the huge gap too with the second owner - might be worth double checking
8 years with only 1 service would make me want to walk away. But I suggest you get Alex Jansen of Forza Service to do an inspection for you. Then you will know what you have got. We could tell more if you tell us more. What was done in this last service? What do you mean when you say "service done by seller"? Is this an amateur who did the work? Onno
why someone shells out the money to buy an fcar and then doesn't take care of it properly is a mystery to me... i wouldn't touch that car.
Hi. Thanks for all the "answers". The car is located in Spain and the seller has done a service at Scudo Rossa in Madrid: http://www.scudorosso.com/contacte.php He sent me a scan of "the invoice" but looks more as an "offer". I dont think I 'm taking the risk/trip from Holland to Spain. Even with the cheap tickets or Ryanair.
I would highly recommend you don't buy this car. the service historyperfectly shows how little respect the last owner has shown for the car. Probably ther was something expensive comming up and he could not afford to have it done and therefore sold the car. I bought mine with every service done at the same garage. It's a 98 model and has a perfect service history with only one official Ferrari Garage. The car now has 42'000 km and has performed faultlessly ever since. I overpayd the car for it's service history when I bought it but I am convinced by now i have actually saved money because I never had a costy issue with it. BR Marc
Just because there are no recent records, does not mean it was not serviced. Some countries are gung ho about keeping maintenance records with a car and some are not. It is easy to bring a car up to snuff with maintenance if the car is in good shape. Your call, but there are some really nice cars out there with no maintenance records.
Marc, Thanx for the advice. I think you are totally right! These cars should be treated nice, otherwise keep away..... Gonna look further. Thx ! This is the car: http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx?id=222515523&cd=634933560230000000&asrc=st
I am sure there are nice cars without service record. However, the chances to get a problem car are much smaller when buying a perfectly ferrari-serviced car. With a no service record car you might get lucky.... but you could also lose a lot of money.
Given the rock-bottom price I wouldn't care so much about the service record not being immaculate. I would simply ask the dealer to change the belts before I drove it out as 9 year old belts are a bit of a russian roulette.... Stefano
