355 Spider being collected on Friday - my first Ferrari! | FerrariChat
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355 Spider being collected on Friday - my first Ferrari!

Discussion in '348/355' started by Bikelawyer, Nov 24, 2013.

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  1. Bikelawyer

    Bikelawyer Rookie

    Nov 24, 2013
    7
    #1 Bikelawyer, Nov 24, 2013
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2013
    Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and to Ferrari ownership. I have bought a 1997 Rosso Corsa/Nero leather manual LHD 355 Spider with 30,000km (18,000 miles) on her. I cant wait to collect it on Friday. Any tips for my first drive (2 hours back home)? I look forward to hearing from you with any advice. The company I bought it from have done a cam belt and tensioner change, it has also just had a new clutch and cats. Stainless sports exhaust on there too so are these the main areas already dealt with for me?! Also, when I store it (under cover) in a barn can I leave roof down so as not to wear the roof mechanism out or is it best to keep it stored (between weekend drives and hopefully a dart across to mainland Europe) with the roof up?

    Cheers
     
  2. Harrydino

    Harrydino Karting

    Apr 9, 2013
    206
    London
    Full Name:
    Harry
    #2 Harrydino, Nov 24, 2013
    Firstly congratulations, you have chosen a great car! With regards to bits and pieces the only other thing I have on my spider is a challenge rear grille which I think makes a big difference in the looks.

    With regards to the roof in my experience it's best to use the roof and store the car with it up and put it down when you go for a drive. From what I have heard problems occur when people leave the roof down and done operate them
     
  3. Harrydino

    Harrydino Karting

    Apr 9, 2013
    206
    London
    Full Name:
    Harry
    #3 Harrydino, Nov 24, 2013
    *Dont
     
  4. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,636
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    #4 SoCal1, Nov 24, 2013
    Hi Bike Lawyer

    RU Russ Brown the Bike L? LOL

    Bets luck with the spider. I keep mine in the garage roof down uncovered for a couple years now, put it up 2 times. No issues at all. Some slight wrinkle in the fabric that strained right out with sun and water when I washed it
     
  5. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
    2,398
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #5 roadracer311, Nov 24, 2013
    The best advice I can give you regarding the top, is to check the level of the hydraulic fluid before operating the top. It's bad for the pump and the hydraulic rams if it's run low. Topping up the fluid is often missed, during a normal service.
     
  6. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    #6 gothspeed, Nov 24, 2013
    Congratulations!!!! ....... :D
     
  7. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    20,042
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #7 tbakowsky, Nov 24, 2013
    Congrats and good luck!!
     
  8. Bikelawyer

    Bikelawyer Rookie

    Nov 24, 2013
    7
    #8 Bikelawyer, Nov 25, 2013
    Thanks to you all. Very good tip re hydraulic fluid. Not Russ Brown but do my best in Blighty!
     
  9. ssnowball

    ssnowball Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 28, 2013
    296
    Full Name:
    Scot
    #9 ssnowball, Nov 25, 2013
    Congrats Bike - I too just finished up the paperwork on my purchase of a F355 Spider - look forward to seeing your posts in the future (and photos).
     
  10. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,709
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #10 greyboxer, Nov 26, 2013
    Two keys three fobs a toolkit tonneau and load of handbooks should be with car - 2nd gear may be unusable for the first few miles - car is wider at rear than front so beware central kerbs
     
  11. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    6,059
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
    Full Name:
    Grant
    #11 taz355, Nov 26, 2013
    Congrats your gonna luv her.
     
  12. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,793
    Redondo Beach, CA
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    Bruce Bogart
    #12 plugzit, Nov 26, 2013
    Drive it like ya stole it!!!!!
     
  13. RSO1091

    RSO1091 Formula 3

    Mar 31, 2012
    1,547
    Idyllwild, CA.
    Full Name:
    Henry S.
    #13 RSO1091, Nov 26, 2013
    Congratulations and welcome to the F-Car club. As was mentioned, second gear will be a bit hard until the transmission warms up, but it's not too bad. And if you're new to the Ferrari experience, don't give in to the temptation to shift at 4,000 RPM as you would in a more domestic car. These cars are meant to be driven at high RPM's in order to get the best performance and experience out of it. Enjoy your first drive and post a photo of your car when you get home. All the best.

    Henry
     
  14. Markphd

    Markphd Formula Junior

    Mar 10, 2012
    713
    #14 Markphd, Nov 26, 2013
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2013
    I would do the first 30 mins as a simple shakedown run... just make sure that everything is running the way it should be, coolant temps stay stable, oil pressure increases nicely with RPM, and the car is making those happy sounds... once past that first 30 minutes, it's time to find a tunnel and open her up! So close to the car I have.


    [​IMG]
     
  15. stevew3765

    stevew3765 Formula Junior

    Oct 27, 2012
    716
    Tulsa, Oklahoma USA
    Full Name:
    Steve Wool
    #15 stevew3765, Nov 27, 2013
    Welcome and congratulations!!!
     
  16. Bikelawyer

    Bikelawyer Rookie

    Nov 24, 2013
    7
    #16 Bikelawyer, Nov 27, 2013
    Thanks everyone - all taken on board - not collecting Friday as decided to have a new roof to finish the look so a week tomorrow is the collection date!
     

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