Inspection of 355 - Need input/thoughts

So, I'm interested in a 355 that's out in San Francisco. I've posted a few threads on getting a PPI in the SF area, and thanks to the people who kindly replied.

The owner of the car is having it inspected (on his dime) at a shop just north of SF, which supposedly has a good reputation - I have no personal knowledge and couldn't tell you. I would plan to have the car inspected on my own dime afterwards regardless by someone I'm paying, but the owner is looking, to his credit I believe, to have the car inspected so he knows if there's work he should do prior to putting it up for sale.

A few things appear necessary - like a major service (2009 was the last) and a clutch (it was at 82% wear nearly 2k miles ago). However, the car also has stock headers and cats, and it's a 98. So I e-mailed and called the shop with some questions.

A few things I'm a bit concerned about in their response:

- They're planning on doing the major service, but they mentioned that they won't be doing a compression test. My understanding is that the compression test would be paramount before dropping the motor. The shop suggested that there would be enough other diagnostic data to determine if there was a compression issue. I've had another very reputable mechanic confirm this is possible (to some extent), but he also suggested that it's unusual not to perform the test anyway, especially before a major.

- I've heard twice now from this shop that they believe there would be no issue with the stock headers and cats on this car - it's a 98 with 20k miles. My understanding is that a smoke test is probably in order for the headers along with an inspection of the cats. Am I missing something? I posted a thread a few days ago to confirm there have NOT been any changes to the headers (so far Fchatters seem to agree), and those on a 98 are just as likely to fail as those on any other year. Another independent mechanic I spoke to seemed to confirm, as well - "just a matter of time for all OEM headers."

So, I'm curious about what makes sense here. The seller, again to his credit, is having the car inspected here and it's on his dime in order to get educated on what should be done to sell it. Do I just plan to ignore any results here and have a completely separate PPI done (I think a PPI done for the buyer is in order anyway)... or do I try to dig into what the current shop is looking at and discuss their inspection process with them?

I'm a first time Ferrari buyer here, so the whole process is very new to me. It doesn't help that the car is on the other side of the country from me! In a conversation with a long-time Ferrari mechanic today, I also got some religion on the 355 in general, too. He was unquestionably telling me, "stay away." Needless to say, that added to my concern.

I'd love any feedback from the crew here. Specifically, I'd like to know how you guys would handle the current situation - I'm thinking the best course of action is to pretty much ignore (or take with a grain of salt) whatever results come out of the shop the seller has the car in, and plan to really rely upon my own PPI. I just don't want to drive the seller nuts, too, because getting to SF is already about an hour haul for him, no less bouncing him around shops. Thanks for the thoughts guys!

 

Thanks Dave - I guess it does vary. Nonetheless, the owner talked to the shop and they're now going to do a compression test. The owner wanted to know, as well.

I talked to the main mechanic at the shop today, and he suggested that there was a revised header somewhere in late 97, and he's seen "few cars" with a header problem in the 98 and 99 range. I just don't know what to make of that statement... especially considering the 99 GTS I visited a few weeks back had less than 10k miles and had replaced headers due to this very problem. I asked if they'd do a smoke test - he said they'd listen to the headers with a stethoscope. Is that normal?

I also asked for more detail around the major service they were going to do. He mentioned that it would be a "regular major" but went on to caveat that things like cam seal and cam cover gaskets would probably not be replaces - "they've only got 2,000 miles on them." Again - I don't know if that's just Ferrari mechanic wisdom or a red flag?

I went to ask how they'd plan to communicate what they inspected back to the seller - is there a checklist or something. Short answer - no checklist. He just rattled off a bunch of things they'd check, and it sounds like they're simply planning to communicate any problems back to the owner.

So, again, I'm kind of left with an uneasy feeling about the comprehensiveness of the major service the car may receive, and while I have no authority to question a seasoned Ferrari mechanic (I'm a newbie to this world!), I'm left scratching my head about things like "revised headers" and "no need for a compression test" etc... which seem to run contrary to just about everything I've heard on Fchat and from at least one other master mechanic.

... confused!