Help Appreciated - Pre Purchase Inspection Results (Photos) | FerrariChat

Help Appreciated - Pre Purchase Inspection Results (Photos)

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by oo7ml, Jul 29, 2020.

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  1. oo7ml

    oo7ml Karting

    Dec 4, 2018
    105
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Hi,

    I'm very close to buying a car from a Ferrari specialist in the UK. Part of the deal that they offered was that they would carry out a full mechanical inspection on the car, and resolve any issues, along with a full service, including Cam Belts.

    I am not as mechanically gifted as a lot of members on the forum, so I would greatly appreciate anyone's input into the report below.

    One would also need to be sensible too, as the seller has carried out their own report at the end of the day, however they are a well known specialist and it would not be in their interest to put their reputation on the line by supplying a bad car. They have been very good to deal with so far, and out of respect for the Dealership, I will keep their name out of the post.

    Thank you in advance for your help and input, it is much appreciated.

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  2. rpissm

    rpissm Formula 3

    Aug 11, 2013
    1,620
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Buyer beware. Always get a third party ppi.

    Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk
     
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  3. rpissm

    rpissm Formula 3

    Aug 11, 2013
    1,620
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Also, there's nothing on that report that talks about things that matter... Body filler, frame condition, rust, engine leaks, etc?

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  4. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    5,561
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    Compression, leak down etc

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  5. Ludwig

    Ludwig Formula Junior

    Mar 27, 2006
    307
    Redmond WA
    Full Name:
    Ludwig Allegra
    I would like to see at bare minimum compression and a leak down test. This will at least give you a ballpark sense of the basic mechanical integrity. They don't mention brakes but the images show new plating so possibly redone to some extent.
    The differential should be done when the engine is out for service.
     
  6. Zeff

    Zeff Formula Junior

    Oct 8, 2018
    678
    Cupertino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    #6 Zeff, Jul 29, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2020
    Check the age on the tires if older than 7 years you better get new tires. Check age of battery, if older than 5 years I would get a new one. You don’t want to be broken down on the side of the road for basic maintenance stuff. Make sure the brakes don’t squeak, if they do get it repaired now. Have them replace fuel hoses, coolant hoses as needed when doing the major. I second doing the diff now for peace of mind. I would check the function of the lights, turn indicators, a/c etc myself and make sure I know what works and what doesn’t. Take a lot of pics of the car from all angles as this will help you focus on any imperfections on the car cosmetically and also if anyone damages the car while it’s at the shop.
     
  7. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    What a crappy "inspection". Looks like a CarMax special. Get a real PPI.
     
  8. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    11,484
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    Forgive my ignorance, but what model/year of Ferrari are you intending to buy? :D (I'm sure the experts can identify the model from the suspension components)
     
  9. oo7ml

    oo7ml Karting

    Dec 4, 2018
    105
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Thanks all. It's a 1990 Testarossa.
     
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  10. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    11,484
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    Thanks. UK RHD car?

    +1 .... It's far from comprehensive. Get a professional PPI and try to get an owner who has experience on these cars to go with you to the inspection.

    Both? There are four (two on each door). They have a common fuse. I wonder if the electric doorlocks are inoperative, too (same fuse). Shorted wiring somewhere or the previous owner was just too lazy to change the light bulbs? Anyway, relatively minor stuff (in the grand scheme of things).
     
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  11. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2004
    2,371
    Argent/Brasil
    Full Name:
    Guido
    Possible earth issue ?! Jees, Wet finger work
     
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  12. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,741
    North Wiltshire, UK
    #12 A348W, Jul 30, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2020
    That looks like a main dealer health check that takes them about 30 minutes to do and is broadly meaningless. (Got the T-shirt on that one!!! Hendon tried that on me; cowboy to the extreme!)

    the dealer and buyer have vested interests; no matter how nice they are and they are not going to do you any favours that does t also benefit them.

    you MUST get a proper ppi.

    The first person to speak to is Tim Walker at Walker sports. An impeccable record and implicitly trusted by everybody. I’ve just been speaking to him about a ppi on a 355.
     
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  13. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,741
    North Wiltshire, UK
    I meant to add, a proper ppi should cover:
    - mechanical
    -body work
    - interior
    - cosmetics
    - service history
    - paper work
    Where something has been picked up it should say if it’s normal wear and tear or unusual and if it needs doing now.

    Good luck. From what I know it’s very much a buyers market for most all Ferrari’s at the moment so don’t rush! (Yeah I know!!!)
     
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  14. MOSS

    MOSS Formula 3

    Apr 28, 2004
    1,619
    They aren’t going to replace the diff. That is a joke and completely unnecessary unless it is broken now. Just learn how to drive your car with some care and don’t abuse it like most do. It will be fine unless its a very high mileage car of course.


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  15. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    8,866
    southwest germany and thailand
    Full Name:
    romano schwabel
    that is also a joke ! ! !
    as long as the diff is broken and nothing more happens it will be ok. but when something then will happen it costs a lot of money.
    and as you know as a long time member here: you not always know if a diff is broken or not. best example paul newman, a very experienced technician, not even feel a broken diff, only has seen that it was broken after he took it out.
    so make your own thinkings about playing roulette ;)
     
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  16. MOSS

    MOSS Formula 3

    Apr 28, 2004
    1,619
    Ok, first, Nat, you can't like my reply and Joe's too because they contradict each other. I am simply saying that you don't need to change the differential when you do your first engine out if you know how to take care of a car. Again as a standing example I will say it again. Owed 4 Tr's over the past 15 years. One was a 800 Horsepower Twin Turbo. ALL of the cars had stock diffs coming and going and not one failure. Why? I knew how to reasonably drive the dang car and not be rough
    or shock the hell out of the driveline. If you have more money than sense and don't know how to drive a standard trans then by all means change it. Put a quill drive shaft in it while you are at it. There is a 1000hp TR running around here that does burnoffs regularly and has never broken his either. I hope I have made my point again and again. Joe, BTW, if I can get this 1200hp TT job done I will replace the diff. I will be right there anyway which would be another reason to do it but make a special trip to that department......no.
     
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  17. Zeff

    Zeff Formula Junior

    Oct 8, 2018
    678
    Cupertino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    Yes, and quite frankly when the motor is already out you might as well do it. It’s a known weak point. I’m keeping my car for a long time and 5k or so more to get it replaced is not a big deal for long term piece of mind. Rifledriver says it is a must do as well as others here with a lot of experience. I listen to people who know far more about this than me. Again, when you do it with the major it’s not a big deal. My car is now done and I will never worry about it. Even if I put 100k miles on the car.
     
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  18. MOSS

    MOSS Formula 3

    Apr 28, 2004
    1,619
    Its a pretty big deal to do it with the major. The major does not go there in any way or form its just the engine and trans is out already. I have never heard Rifledriver say its a must do but even if he did, he is used to working on cars with owners that could tear a ball bearing up with a rubber mallet so maybe not bad advice. Coming at it from that angle then why not. I am just living proof that it is not a must do. After saying this I may drive mine tomorrow and it come apart but again guys, I doubt it. Abuse kills that piece, not use and Rifledriver will back me on that I bet.
     
  19. Zeff

    Zeff Formula Junior

    Oct 8, 2018
    678
    Cupertino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    Before doing my major I called Brian to ask him about this issue. He said, get this done when you do the major. If you don’t you will be asking for trouble. He said he’s seen far too many of them break over the years. With that he asked me “why wouldn’t you do it?” Repair costs are very expensive when they do break. I recommend avoiding that. With that I got mine done. I don’t need that hassle down the road. Call him and ask. He didn’t say drive the car correctly and you will be fine.
     
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  20. Natkingcolebasket69

    Natkingcolebasket69 F1 World Champ

    I totally can:
    1- I think most people drive their TR stupid and I’m this country don’t know how to drive stick. My mechanic, Roselli as seen at least at many tr’s as Brian and also thinks the way u drive it comes into play.
    2-that being said, like Joe pointed out, it’s a weak point and u can’t tell when it will give up so a preventative change isn’t a bad thing

    I see merit in both points!


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  21. Ludwig

    Ludwig Formula Junior

    Mar 27, 2006
    307
    Redmond WA
    Full Name:
    Ludwig Allegra
    You need to address those issues that "break big" and if the engine is out replacing the differential is a just not that big a deal even if you don't personally do it. I would imagine you can get it done for $5000 added to the major. This is really cheap insurance. You don't know how the car had been driven or abused and irrespective if you had a faulty weld it is still a timebomb.
    I replaced mine in my Boxer even though the old one appears intact but the weld quality is not pristine.
     
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  22. Zeff

    Zeff Formula Junior

    Oct 8, 2018
    678
    Cupertino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    Exactly, I just looked at it like it was good preventative maintenance. I asked my mechanic If it would be difficult to do and he said it was no big deal. So I told him to go for it.
     
  23. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 29, 2008
    5,246
    Madison Ohio
    Full Name:
    David A.
    Listen for a noisy 1st gear. Could indicate worn gear. As mine when replacing diff. caught just in time. Small piece in gearbox drain oil. Gearbox drain and oil inspection is very telling.
     
  24. Zeff

    Zeff Formula Junior

    Oct 8, 2018
    678
    Cupertino, Ca
    Full Name:
    Ryan
    Yeah I bet. Also several of the crown bolts were loose on the diff carrier when he went to remove. Another problem equally bad.
     
  25. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    11,484
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    .... assuming the dodgy previous owner/s haven't cleaned off the chunks of gearbox off the magnetic plug prior to sale :rolleyes: That happened with my 355. I found two large chunks of teeth on my first gearbox oil change. When the inspection cover was removed, there was over 10 teeth missing from various cogs, but no additional teeth pieces found in the gearbox. $20k of parts and labour later.... The PPI was carried out by a mechanic known to the previous owner, so there may also have been a conflict of interest in this case.
     
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