Does Anyone Know This 550 Maranello?

Looks like someone's trying to make a quick 40 grand.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/528683-anotehr-550-gullwing-%2489-500-a.html

 

Hi,

Look around here as there are many suggestions and there are many experienced people who will help.

I've had my 2000 550 for three months. Here are issues I've had:

I received 1 key and 1 fob, no PIN code. I didn't know this was a big deal until reading about it here. You need to get 2 keys and at least 2 fobs, and the PIN code for the immobilizer.

The 'switch plate' around the center group of switches was broken. I was lucky to get a replacement part on eBay and fixed it myself.

The passenger side sun visor 'droops', won't stay up. Expensive to sort this out. I'm still working on it.

Use an OBDII diagnostic tool to check for codes. Read up on "slow down light" SDL here.

Check paint for touch ups. (Not a big deal for me if it's done right.)

Trip odometer doesn't reset.

Check that all syncros are smooth. 3rd and 4th on mine are clunky. But note that 2nd will be stiff until the gearbox warms up.

Check A/C if it's important to you.

Touch all controls and switches. Sticky or black stuff can come off.

Check condition of wheels. One of my yellow caps was cracked.

But overall, what a great car, awesome engine.

It's easy to be intimidated and nervous, as I was, when you first see the car. Just take your time.

Good luck.

-Jim

 

The big stuff would be the
A. Motor Mounts ($1,000 Each Side) just did mine
B. Updated ECU ($2,000) for two , just did mine.
C. Steering Rack ($4,500 kit) $3,000 in Labor ..... P.S. just did mine.
D. Fans up front ( over $1,000 each at dealer) there are 2 of them.

Just right there is over $10,000 in parts and labor.

I like the looks of the car, and the price is reasonable if all the stuff is done.

Just did a major on my 1998 back in August 2015 price was $12,000 Plus.
But I always use a dealer.
You could easily put $20,000 in the car over the next 2 two years is always possible so don't be shocked if it happens. Just be shocked if it doesn't ... Hope not ... best of luck and keep us posted.

Also they all have the shrinking dash, which can go up past $4,000 etc, etc....

 

1. Go to the Florida section and get referrals for someone to do a PPI. (As an aside, South Florida is not known as a hotbed of great Ferrari mechanics.) Spend the money to hire your own guy.

2. Get the carfax and figure out the original dealer. If you're really, really, nice, FOH might run the history for you. (It's been a while, but I might be able to help.)

3. Spend several hours on Ferrari Chat. The list of things that can and will go wrong is long. The problem is not necessarily the big things. An A/C evaporator coil can cost $5,000.

4. At 40,000+ miles, I'd forget the investment aspect. Once a modern Ferrari goes over say 7,500 miles, it is no longer an investment until many years in the future.

BTW. I drove my 1998 for 20k miles, and door to door cost (including depreciation) was $3 a mile. You do the math.

PS If you like rowing gears, there's nothing better.

 

i see that alot in your posts...... your the CPA....

 

Nah, I don't do math. I'm a poet!

 

Bought mine in 2012, and put $30,000 in it just to make sure things don't happen, and to fix the things that did happen. But I may overdo it when it comes to service.

A F430 at $119,000 might be cheaper year to year. But not sure if they have gotten as low as they can. Ferrari is always a mystery.

So factory in the F430 how much lower the car will drop..... ??? $10,000 maybe.... then cost each year, ????

Do the Math

Multiply ??? By !!! and divide by smiles on your face writing a check.

 

Those are just awful photos for a professional dealer.

Even Peter's when the car was at Gullwing were 10x better.

Nothing says "$40K Bump" like blurry, far away photos.

Bring your checkbook, and negotiating pants.

 

The other big thing about the 550 is the coolant hoses. Likely they've been replaced from original as OEM couldn't last that long. Mine failed one day off the trailer. But give the ones you can see a good look. Hopefully you can see some receipts----who did the work is very important. I'd be prepared to leave it with your guy for a thorough go thru, especially if it's not been touched in three years. Good luck! Bill

 

Mine blew as well right after I finished up the major.

 

OMG! I'm choking. I DIY. Steering rack rebuild $150 bucks. AC compressor rebuild under 100 bucks.

My major: all fluids, balance clean all injectors, new tensioners, new Ferrari belts, gaskets etc. oil filters, fuel filter,walnut blast the intake, some coolant hoses= hundreds of dollars. Rebuilt the water pump maybe $200. $300 bucks to do the injectors. Added MSW cop conversion little over $1000 iirc. What a bargin!

I could not afford the car if I had to do $12k major's. Ouch!

 

If you buy the car be sure to actually drive it. In my experience that's the only way to keep them reliable. Plus it decelerates aging...of the owner!

 

I think you're getting hosed bud. I guess that's the dealer tax though...but seems one could've had all of that done for 1/3rd the cost.

 

Mine died three days after I bought it. saw "smoke" coming from under the bonnet. Engine heated up like mad ! Small hole in coolant hose - dry and crackly to bend.

 

I bought my manual 550 in 2007 and have used it as my only car since then - stuff that goes wrong? where do I start? there are plenty of things that can and will go wrong with these cars
1) AC plenty that can and will fail
2) Fuel pumps - well documented - I just did mine and hard to find new ones - they are submerged in fuel so in the end the rubber parts of them fail
3) Steering pump and rack will fail - mine did
4) actuator switch will fail so that hazard lights come on - easy to fix
5) battery off switch fails after to many uses
6) Alarm and central locking system usual fails
7) The ECU mounts will corrode and give you electrical problems
8 ) Im on my 2nd alternator - hard to get them reconditioned
9) trip counter never worked
10) door lock jammed
11) batteries fail all the time - feels like they didnt leave enough room for a suitably large battery so this tiny unit is expected to start that big V12 - expect to change them more often than you think
12) Cat's failed
13) Suspension actuators fail - the plastic cracks - and they are not cheap or easy to find on ebay

basically they cost $$$ to keep going - I wouldn't ever think you can make money owning these cars - what you might do is break even if your lucky - i.e. the value MIGHT rise by the amount that you spend on maintenance and servicing - BUT its all worth is

 

Keep in mind, there are three hoses. Don't ask me how I know this.

 

Tell me the dealer and I am there. It would be worth shipping if I could get $30,000 of service for only $9,000 plus dollars.

PM me.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

Same car?

 

Prices of 550s are dropping in Europe this year. Plenty of cars offered and they stand long, even if priced sub-100k€. The dealers are throwing them on the market now, having bought them two years ago with the hope of (further) excessively increasing value.

I have mine since about 10 years. No major problems. Three of four shock actuators have been replaced in the meanwhile. The pressure hose of the clutch failed (difficult to exchange, you cannot reach the clutch end easily). Various vacuum hose leaks. Intake gaskets failed. Just recently the aircon compressor went. That is actually it aside normal routine stuff, like brake discs and pads, belts etc. No sticky, no electrical problems, interior keeps very nice. Costs very reasonable seen over the time (I do most things myself), less than service costs of an average Benz, e.g.

As an investment, I think rather not in the present market situation, except if you think in terms of decades. On shorter terms, if lucky, you have fun for a couple of years and have paid for gas, oil, insurance and tax only at the end. Quite nice deal anyway, compared to average new cars, which typically loose 50% with 4 years, aside the service and running costs. Not to speak about the superior fun you have driving the car.

Cheers, Bernhard

P.S.: I just bought a brand new steering rack kit for a very nice price from a fellow Fchatter, many thanks for that. Just to put it on the shelf, in case ... A kind of insurance, because things you have in the garage typically do not go wrong .... ;o))

 

-> http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/407142-anyone-know-550-a.html

 

This is classic and so true Bernhard!

It seems that none of the spare parts that we buy & keep will ever fail on the car!

 

Drive it. Should you need a luggage set, I got one!! http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-parts-collectibles/529855-550-luggage-bag-set.html#post144858540

 

Yep.

 

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