355 buying questions in regards to their issues.

I rest my case...

 

That might not be enough..

 

Ryan,

I am your twin brother here on f-chat. Many years and lots of reading.

Owned a 328 for 5 years and sold it to buy a 355. Im very happy with the decision. I'm going on my second year of ownership. Look up my posts on my buying experience.

I would agree with the other owners in trying to find a well sorted car to minimize (but not eliminate) trips to your mechanic. I would probably not buy a 355 unless you have a great local independent mechanic that you like and trust a lot. I would only look at fully documented cars with full records (and I mean every one). Finding one that has had the valve guides already replaced is the pot of gold - especially the '95's. The PPI after that will let you sleep at night and get started on lots of road trips. There are many 355's that fit this mold. So take your time to find the right one - then move quickly... I'd shy away from cars that have too many questions or unknowns. Why risk it to save a few bucks.

Great choice on the GTB and the stick shift. Feel free to PM me with any other questions on what I came across.

Sorry that you had to experience the rude side of the block. It comes up more often in the 348/355 section than the 308/328 section - probably just an insecurity on their part. I could care less how many posts you do or don't have. You've had a 328 - I understand why you are looking at 355's now. Most are here to help. So enjoy the search.

Robb

 

Lol. Post of the day.

Robb

 

Just what was your case anyway? And to your detractors I would say stuff them. If they had 1/2 your knowledge and experience as well as generosity with your knowledge, time and garage then perhaps they could speak up. I just spoke up because I don't want to be bashing a guy who wants to upgrade models even if it is to a 355 - doh, I couldn't resist.

God forbid that could be me when I am old enough to own a 550 or 2. Yeah, I talking to you.

 

Exactly Vince.

These guys should embrace a guy like FBB. He has forgotten more than these kids will ever know but alas, as jet fixer , engine fixer and the other caretakers of this site over the years have learned, it's better to be silent and charge these idiots for the information that to educate them for free. The guys in this section act like ungrateful women and know it all teenagers.

Know it alls with their "new to them" fifteen year old used sports cars.

Pathetic...

 

Excuse me, Mr Nikki Sixx (I'm sure not the real deal). But, FBB offers no help here. He only comes to put the 355 down and stir the pot. The 355 section has a page of topics with users needing help and he offers zero with his "knowledge".

 

Hilarious! As if?!

Maybe once they turn 75...

 

LOL! My knowledge is going right over your head.


nikki sixx as not the real deal? By your standards he is twice the 355 owner you are since I'm pretty sure he has two of them.

 

I think he meant he's not the 'real' Nikki sixx of Mötley crew fame.

I don't know why owners take it personally when someone disagrees with them. Post your experience and let it speak for itself. To say the 355 doesn't have issues is false, but to say they can't be fixed is equally false. Buy a car that's fixed or go in knowing what it may (probably) need and you should have a positive experience.

 

You will get banned for comments like that.

 

Exactly, Pete.

 

Time to elevate this section boys.

If someone posts something that you don't agree with, ask more questions of them to find out where they are coming from. Those with the knowledge will then GIVE you the answers and educate you. In turn, the people with nothing to actually contribute will be exposed.

Otherwise, this section will turn into a circle jerk or a Chris Farley "mean girls " skit.

It would be a shame for it to continue on the latter path because there is some otherwise intelligent people in this section who need to buck up and contribute in a positive fashion. Not to mention, you represent ownership of a very special model of Ferrari.

 

If calling it like it is, is wrong... I don't want to be right.

 

here we go again.

 

every rose has its thorn?

 

SSNISTER, THIS is what I come over to the 348/355 section. So spicy over here... seems all posts end like this when anyone questions the reliability of the 355. Many have me on "shoot on sight" *chuckle*.

Dude you've owned a 328. You know what you're getting into. You know the risks and what to look for. If you really like the 355, then that's the car you should get. Not a 550. You're already ahead of the game with any issues the 355 may have. Personally I'd be proactive and throw aftermarket on if possible if my car had great compression numbers.

 

I wouldnt give him that much credit. Look at the questions he is asking.

 

Thanks, I have things pretty well figured out. I just had some lagging questions on the common issues being that a 355 is very different then a 328, and I figured some in here could steer me in the correct direction, and MOST have. There always are a few "village idiots" on forums, all you have to do is put them on ignore. Some of the comments in this thread from certain people are why this forum has lost some of it's best members. They tried to help, and others questioned it, so they left. I asked very few questions regarding my 328 on here due to not wanting to deal with some idiotic responses from adults that act like know it all children. Lucky for me I was very knowledgeable on that car and had a few locals with 328's as well. One of my buddies upgraded to a 355 a few months back, and that is what swayed my choice. I love driving the car, hearing the car and looking at the car...I actually am looking at two cars next week and if any meet my criteria I will have a PPI done.

 

When I did the PPI on my 360, the mechanic who did my PPI was questioning how he did the compression numbers on mine... I didn't care as they were fine and the price I paid for the car was a song.. but if I were in your shoes compression and leakdown would be something I'd def. ask done with pics.. Even if it meant paying a tad more. It's almost too bad they can't look at the headers with a FLIR for comparison and abnormal hotspots..

 

I will have the compression checked for sure and leakdown done if necessary. I already decided I am just doing aftermarket headers, cat deletes and the rest of the exhaust regardless if the OEM headers are bad or good.

 

Just because you change the guides doesn't mean the valves are bad. Everything needs to be checked out.

I just had my heads done by a shop near Detroit that does million dollar Ferrari's so I trust he knows his ***** anyway my bill was $2300 for new guides and a light decking. Valves needed to be cleaned and the normal work that goes into heads. But my seats were good, valves were good so I'm satisfied.

I went through the compression and leak down on mine because I had it apart and didn't want to tear it apart I the future. Now the guides are done and it's modern material not the crap ferrari used 20 years ago.

 

Going with aftermarket headers is a smart move given the fact of how many OEM headers fail at one point or another.

When I purchased my car the car only had 8300 miles on it and the original headers were in good shape, but I had a custom set of headers made out of 321 s/s so I would never have to deal with that again. Preventive maintenance.

The car is a 95 and has the original valve guides in it. I will only address this issue when necessary.

 

Just as a data point. I was advised by Dave helms directly and by Brian Crall indirectly and by an owner of three Ferrari dealerships that the best header replacement at the current time were OEM new headers which I had installed last year.

Just because someone on fchat says it's so doesn't mean it is gospel.