New to ferrari and help choosing.

Hi all

I am a Mercedes man. Have had 30+ over the past 15 years. I own and run a Mercedes independent garage in the UK and know them like the back of my hand.

I have been hankering for a ferrari for a while, and had decided on a 348GTS. I spoke to a few of my car friends who have ferraris and they both told me not to get a 348. They couldn't say exactly why, but both said they were crap.

I have a budget of between 50 and 100K (keep in mind UK prices). 348's are floating between 45 and 65 here and 355's between 65-120

So its between a F355 Manual GTS or Berlinetta or a 348 GTS.

I would like to use the vehicle when possible, it won't be stored and kept very low mileage to retain its value.

I am a bit torn, but maintenance costs are not an issue.

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Alex

 

Is your budget for maintenance truly unlimited?

 

Owning mainly V12 range toppers, or AMGs, or both, I am no stranger to rididculously priced parts.

If its not for those, its for 1960/1970/1980 models that are no longer in production etc. MB has most parts available, but classic center parts are eye watering. It doesn't bother me. All labour will be done in my workshop.

 

Having owned both 348 (2.5 yrs) & 355 (7 yrs) in the past, I would recommend the 355. Both will require engine-out belt services and as you said, maintenance isn't a significant concern. The 355 is, IMHO, light-years ahead in terms of performance, handling and looks.

 

If maintenance costs were a non-issue, I'd buy a 355.

 

Thank you. I plan to find a dealer with both after the lockdown. It will be good to test drive them back to back. I agree on the looks, especially the rear quarter and rear end. I am yet to see both side by side in person.

Thank you Thorn.

 

You’ve actually got a ton of choices under $100K, including something as new as a California or 430. I had two 348s and loved them both!

Here is my last 348 - one beautiful car!



I had an 82 308 GTSi and it is of course the poster child of Ferrari thanks to Magnum PI, but it will take you 15 seconds to reach 60. Awesome cruiser though.

If I were you, I would start looking at all of the options. That way you can narrow down what you really want.

I just bought a very well cared for 360, but I wish i also had room for a red 308 again, as it has to be one of the best looking cars of all time.

Good luck!

 

Hi Alexander,

My wife and I have been Mercedes people for the last 20= years and have had many cars in and out of our household. At one time we had 3 of them in the garage at 1 time. I was looking at purchasing an AMG GTR when I bought my 458 Spider. I hated watching the values of the GTRs fall to crazy levels in the matter of a year or 3. The Ferrari for me has a much stronger base and a greater demand over the long run (IMHO). I began looking at 360's years ago and then moved to 430's but decided on a 458 because of the maintenance (not an issue for you but one for me).
Get the car that rocks your world after you have driven both and make sure it is optioned the way you like. There are many cars out there and don't settle for just anyone. Make sure it has been well cared for and respected.

For what it is worth, I still love the Mercedes brand and my wife and I still have 2 in our garage.
1) 2014 E350 4matic sedan DD for the wife
2) 2006 SL55 P030 package
Great cars to have and enjoy.

Good luck with your search and welcome to the Ferrari family

Best wishes,
Gene Greer

 

Spend a lot of time reading about the 348 & the 355 in the dedicated section here then try both (if down south KHPC could help) and make your own mind up

Do not go for the lowest mileage and do not sacrifice the pleasure of use for a hypothetical value hit - many of them could have a genuine 50000 miles plus by now so an extra 5 or 10 000 will make no difference

 

Thanks, A friend of mine had 2 Californias and whilst lovely cars, they don't do it for me. The pininfarina design is what is drawing me most to those models. I can also get a 360 or 430 in the same ballpark, I may look at those as well, but I do want a real manual and a manual 430 is out of my budget.

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I do need to consider them all though, just need a good dealer that will help me out.

 

Yes I agree, they don't hold their value unless they are very low model runs. The SLS did drop like the others but then promptly stopped and start rising again! Not many people saw that one coming!

I think a big part of their residuals are the limited numbers in which they are made and sold, amongst other things. While I intend to use and enjoy it, rather than store it, its nice to know it wont plummet to nothing like a lot of MB's.

Me too! My daily is a 2014 S65, but I have a few, C63, 190e, 74 450 SEL LWB, 78 240D W123, 600 SEC W140, I do love them!

Thanks for the advice!

 

Thanks, I will take a good look. KHPC are very close to me, so that is great, I will give them a call.

I agree, I intend to use and enjoy it so I won't go for the absolute lowest mileage. I have always thought very very low mileage cars don't reward being sat around and give more issues than ones that have been used a bit more.

 

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Ok I fixed it - user error

My 348s were both extremely reliable. I replaced the TO bearing in one, and a fuel pump in the other, and that’s pretty much it. These cars don’t get their due.

I once put this car in a local car show with a lot of nice cars - including a Bugatti, a Ford GT, and a few really good looking Vettes, and “old yeller” won the “mayor’s choice” award! Hahaha!

 

I was a 30 plus year Mercedes guy as well. Mostly AMGs. My love of all time was my supercharged CL55. Best car I have ever owned bar none. Owned it for 10 years and every day was an E ticket ride at Disneyland. Unfortunately I think Mercedes has lost its way. The SL makes no sense with the AMG now in the stable. The S class is now a joke. The coupe looks exactly like the C and E, there is no ABC (at least in the US) and it used to be the premium car with all the good stuff that was not yet available in the other models. The only thing that now distinguishes the S from the C and E is that it handles like a boat, costs about $100K more and depreciates faster. Owned a S for a year, hated it and dumped it. Ask me how I know about depreciation!

I think you will be very happy moving to a Ferrari. Awesome cars especially if you can do your own maintenance.

 

Nice grouping of cars you have there...

You have great taste.

I a looking forward to hearing what you find and getting your impressions on your Ferrari.

One warning though. When you get your Ferrari, I hope you wont be surprised by the attention. I thought my SL55 and NSX were show stoppers but my 458 takes the cake. It is hard to drive the 458 without people taking pictures of it, stopping at lights and starting conversations waiting for lights to turn green.. People will record you on their phones while driving down the highway and give you the thumbs up sign. You will be regarded as a Rock Star!!

 

Welcome. You're gonna have to drive em both. They each have their own followings. Try and experience first hand either model and then get the one that speaks to you.

Cheers

 

Love the vents. Excellent looking car.

 

I had 2 CL55 Kompressors, one for 8 years, absolutely loved that car too, I know exactly what you mean.

I agree regarding the models all merging into one. I can't imagine the decision to drop ABC in america! ABC with Magic body control is a significant part of why the S class is so good (IMO). A 4 year old W222 600 or 65 is the best bargain IMO. Expensive to run, but most of the depreciation has already happened , and the 600 will have all the toys.

Thye have turned from a very high quality, medium run manufacturer, to a mass manufacturer with significantly varying qualities (having worked on all of them). The Older models (70s and 80's are leaps and bounds above anything now).

 

Thank you! I have a few others stashed away, but those are the main ones. I know what you mean, somebody lent me their California for a week and I experienced it.

I am chomping at the bit to engage a relationship with a good dealer and get on with it, but must be patient for coronavirus to pass, I think a few months at least.

 

I have a CS, but for a good driver during the week a manual 360.
BTW I love my black 95 E320 wagon, smooth engine.

 

Honestly with that budget and history with Mercedes, I would recommend you strongly consider a V12 car. The 550/575 are wonderful GTs. Both the 348 and 355 are very rev-happy engines. If you are ok with the lack of torque, I would go 355.

 

Thank you all. I have many other vehicles, includling lots of 4 pot high capacity motorbikes that need to be revved to get the power out of them (and the V12 S class that makes 1100WheelNM @2200rpm.) so am not too bothered about the torque aspect. The whole package is important to me.

Now that the garages are re-opening I am going to take a 355 out and a 348. One at KHPC (thanks @greyboxer ) I will let you know if something else pops up.

 

Bit of an update, The 355 Spyder at KHPC was very nice, and reasonably priced. I did want a GTS so went to see one one on Friday.

It was a high mileage example (62k) and priced at 69K. In person, a bit tatty which was dissapointing. The dealer indicated there was some movement on the price and that the issues I had pointed out could be rectified, indicating I could strike a deal with them. That dealer is on the lookout for a better example of a GTS for me, as my budget will go further.

Yesterday, a friend sent me a facebook post from somebody selling their 355 Spyder. Rosso Corsa with Crema leather, 24K but its missing service history from 2002/7,000 miles to its recommission in 2015 @ 21000 miles, and is currently 6 years past due for a belt service.

As its past the belt service by a significant margin, I wouldn't want to start the engine so I wont be able to hear it run.

I will get an inspection from an indepdent ferrari specialist in the area to confirm major bits. The seller is asking £65,000 but I would have to factor in A) not being able to run the engine and required maintenace and b) the cost of the missing history.

I would like to make an offer, but wouldn't want to offend. Assuming everything is in very good condition, any ideas on a rough valuation?

 

Move on - you won't agree the value of a service - he'll say I can get a belt service for a grand (or whatever) whereas the bill for it to be done properly especially if elements of neglect need factoring in (eg tyre age - sticky buttons - a/c etc etc ) could easily cost you ten grand - or the car is hugely discounted & I'd still like someone to hear it run as part of the PPI

 

I have spoken to him on the phone, he seems reasonable, so I think I will at least go and have a chat with him and see if he is amenable to an offer. I think somwhere around the 55 mark is where I would want to be, but it is dependent on the condition of the rest of the car I suspect.

I agree on it running as well.