New (to me) 2003 456M GTA

NF2s ?

I liked these (on the car below) and found a set on eBay (oz racing 18’s) but it is a square set-up and I am uncertain I want to go to that route as it is not factory (plus the wheels for sale are in bad shapes but I initially liked the look on the car.

The stock look has grown on the wife and myself I will say.

Anyway here is that car

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NF2s are no longer available. Quite hard to find. This set is from the Petrolicious article about the 456M.
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Another choice would be 575 Modulars, also hard to find and quite expensive these days.

 

I had initially planned to swap my stock wheels for 550 wheels or modulars.
But the more I looked at the stock wheels, the more I liked them.
Now they’re keepers.
I just wish the tires filled the wells a bit more.

 

Jeff- The wheels you liked look a lot like Hamann PGIIIs, also out of production.

 

how u liking it so far!?!?!

 

Glad you asked ! Groan....have to have it flatbedded to the F of B.Hills once again for the third time in < 100 miles since purchase.

Another electrical issue/battery drain tripping the alarm - then just dies. It Must be the alternator as I just had an AGM battery put in last week when they located a short in the power seat causing another draw/alarm/dead car issue. We JUST got the car back from that.

So yesterday, I drive it 40 miles, park for several hours and then jump in car to head home.
Almost home, BOOM a check engine light, I stop for gas by my house and notice the red battery on the upper left was illuminated now as well. I shut the car off, pumped gas and then was BARELY able to restart the car (like the battery was almost dead) and then the alarm trips and all hell breaks loose.....abs/check engine/battery/everything lights up, lost power steering, car was missing and my windows could only be “inched” up. I drove home with the alarm going.

Parked car and Alarm gave 4 chirps (?) when I hit the button last.

Gotta be the alternator.

 

Really sorry, Jeff. Was the car sitting for an extended period before you bought it? The plethora of electrical gremlins would seem to say so. They really don't like sitting and going unloved for long periods. And you're to one getting the backlash.

 

It can take a few tries to sort through things - u will get there

 

Yea, the tires were like 10 years old and falling apart so I know most of the 19k miles were put on long ago. I really hope it is the alternator and it would certainly explain why a new AGM battery would drain to dead following a long drive.

I suppose I could ship it to Braden to sort (if they still work on these) but I hope the dealership can sort it. This is visit 3 already and I have not even smogged it yet (and Fabio is about to ship my pipes!)

 

See what happens with the alternator- bradan is very capable with these if you end up needing them.

 

Hang in there, first year with a vintage Ferrari is hardest, you have to fix and repair things that go south during long term storage. I had to replace alternator too, you'll have a reliable car soon enough! Hang in there!

 

Jeff, since you have the 17" OEM wheels on her, what did you replace the old tires with? Continental Extreme Contacts?

 

Yes they were the only tire “readily” available and like $800 a set out the door. It had old Michelins on before.

 

Yup, those were done. No doubt. How do you like the Conti's??

 

Seem great. Uncertain of the speedrating but I know it is not the vehicle’s max

 

They are ZR rated, with a W rating for continuous speed of 168 mph. Y would be 186 mph+, like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S not available in suitable sizes.

 

F of Beverly Hills called and stated that the alternator seized and that they were not readily available BUT they had an excellent contact that would rebuild it. Maybe this had to do with the shorted seat wires, or recent battery replacement.

I hope this is the last trip there for a while !

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Nice fingers crossed

 

Cheering for ya, Jeff.

 

Fingers crossed for you. Shes a lovely car.

 

Happened to me too, I'm sure you'll be back on the road in no time.

 

Go to fastcars in redondo beach. Take my word for it. Pay less and get twice the attention. Been going there for 10 years. Ask for Craig.


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Thanks for that heads up On Fastcars man.
Live and learn...

H-pipe just sitting here waiting to be installed !

 

You bet-took me awhile to find that shop and once you do it's a great relationship. I love Ferrari dealers but take my word for it-nothing like having that family vibe in your own shop Give them a try-I rarely refer people unless it's really worth it! Enjoy that 456-such a beauty!!!

 

Back in business right in time for the holiday weekend !
Rebuilt alternator installed and good to go !

My wife just went and picked it up and swears it “drives better/smoother”.
Is that due to the fact we had been running on a bunk battery and then a fried alternator ?
or is it likely psychosomatic ?