F355 2.7 vs 5.2

The best "fix" (albeit an expensive one) would be to use the Challenge/Fiorano steering rack and P.S. pump. I drove an F355 Serie Fiorano and to be truthful, I really could not tell any difference. However, that could be due to: (i) my lack of driving skill; (ii) the Fiorano is a Spyder; and/or (iii) the bushings and other steering components could have been worn.

BTW Bob, thanks for the interesting info on the alignment settings.

 

I have the Challege rack and pump on my 95 355. The steering is a little quicker, but the sometimes vague feeling is still there.

 

No its a common but fairly recent trait for journalists to make this omment. 348 owners just bring the fact up as often as they can because they haven't been used to journalists saying anything nice about the 348 since LDM's famous remarks

 

My 355 has no airbags. I trust myself but not other people. I'm not that bothered as usually it's only me in the car and that's my risk. But with family or girlfriend in the car then it becomes a slight concern.

 

Scott- Usually I do not post much in the 348/F355 forum because I do not know much about the cars and there are so many experts here.

Plus, I still feel guilty for kicking Ernie when he was down.

 

Find a 2.7 and never look back. Most F-mechanics will tell you that with this model the earlier years were better and yes they do produce slightly more power and the 2.7 does have airbags on both sides. Stay away from the spiders.

 

That's because those that like the manual steering are stuck with it. I wouldn't give up the power steering on my 355 even if I was paid to do so.

 

I've read on this forum and some other sources that the 1995 model year is the most desirable.

I have no idea if this is true or how one could actually gauge it but for arguments sake, speaking of the US market and US spec models, assuming this is true, I'd like to understand why.

This thread echoes most of the differences I've read about between a 1995 and later years. Nothing about them really stands out as significant enough to offset a potential 4 year newer (1999) car and any improvements and "de-bugging" that potentially occurred.

So my question is, if you are one of those individuals to whom the 1995 is more desirable, would you please enlighten me with your rationale.

This is a sincere question. I am in the market for a gated GTB or GTS.

 

Personally I would always prefer newer. Most of the market would agree.
The '95 is only more desirable to those that already own one.
These owners are also very adept at manufacturing fake reasons to justify their choice.
I don't care, except for ONE thing:

There is no evidence, anywhere, that the '95 produces more power than the newer models.

This claim is nothing more than a myth which is endlessly perpetuated by those who just happen to own a '95 model F355.

There is only one sensible rule when looking for a good F355: buy the best one you can find, with a good history, regardless of year made.

 

from this it can be concluded.... no, you(bobzdar) don't own a 348 and that yes, you (steve355f1) own a newer 355 (which isn't a '95!)......on both points quoted above, you're both absolutely wrong.....many many non owners and current journalists who actually took liberty to drive the 348 have commended on the 348s steering (as to the annoyance of many like you) and the 2.7 355s did have a slight hp advantage!....well the former is a little subjective since it's a "feel" but comparing sandra bullock's looks to susan boyle's is as well! as for the latter, it is a numerical fact...so let's not argue.....

you sure you don't belong to the set of newer 355 owners (5.2M) who is trying to make your car just that more desirable!!! a case of the pot calling the kettle black perhaps?

ps : realised after posting that the initial two comments are from two different users!!! lol....but will still stick to my "analysis"! point made nevertheless

 

I'm sorry, but you are simply wrong in regards to the '95 has more power myth.

I've been asking for years for some actual evidence. There isn't any.
If you have some, please let's see it!
Simply saying something over and over again does not make it true.

A year or so ago a highly respected Ferrari engineer waded into this debate and stated that after many years of placing dozens of 355s on his dyno he had seen no evidence whatsoever that the '95s produce more power.
He said that they are all pretty much the same.

My mechanic (who has been working on these cars since they were introduced) says exactly the same thing. In fact the 355 which produced the most power on his dyno was one of the latest cars.
But after testing dozens of them, there is no difference apart from what you would expect to see between individual cars of any type or year made.

 

Obviously from someone that does not live in the land of sunshine.

Nothing better than on a beautiful 80 degree day like today cruising up the coast with the top down. Had a friend in from New Jersey with me today and he was mentally making plans to move. A spider in California will do that to you!

 

Hey I'm from New Jersey and the only 355 I would own is a spider! Nothing better.