Considering Mondial QV 85' with 110,000km – Advice Needed! | FerrariChat

Considering Mondial QV 85' with 110,000km – Advice Needed!

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Fulmonte, May 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM.

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  1. Fulmonte

    Fulmonte Rookie

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    Michael G
    Hi everyone,

    I'm considering buying a 1985 Ferrari Mondial QV that currently has 110,000 kilometers on the clock. I had the chance to drive the car, and I must say it felt really good on the road — solid, responsive, and enjoyable overall.

    The previous owner has done a number of repairs and maintenance over the years, and overall it seems to have been looked after.

    One of the reasons I'm seriously considering this car is that, due to the higher mileage, it's priced quite attractively compared to other Mondials on the market. That’s definitely something I’m factoring into my decision...

    That said, I wanted to ask the community — especially owners of Mondials or similar Ferraris — whether this mileage should be a concern. I know that regular maintenance is key with these cars, but I’m wondering if the high mileage alone should be a red flag or if, with proper care, a Mondial can remain reliable and enjoyable to drive well past 100k km.

    Any advice on what to check also? Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Thanks in advance for any advice or shared experiences!
     
  2. stasha

    stasha Karting

    Sep 10, 2021
    125
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    steve steve
    Check the fusebox for signs of burned connections. This is a troublesome area and very prone to needing replacement (55 connections or so go thru this).
    Make sure all the solenoid-activated doors, lids, hoods, all work.
     
  3. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    Apr 25, 2010
    3,371
    Central Florida
    Get a compression and leak down test done, that should tell you the health of the engine. Anything else is pretty easily fixable. If that checks out and the price is right I'd say go for it.
    Alden
     
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  4. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    Sep 2, 2002
    1,130
    Long Island, NY
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    David S.
    Just doing the math, 110,000km is the same as 68,000 miles. I do not consider that to be "high mileage" on an older Ferrari. To get that far means someone has been servicing it regularly. For reference, my 3.2 has 79,000 miles. Sure it's needed some work, but it's such a pleasure to drive.

    As suggested above, having the mechanical and electric bits checked out by a trusted and knowledgeable mechanic is a good way to go. A documented, well maintained example in good overall condition should be more important criteria than mileage alone. In fact, as has been said often around here, having ultra low miles would be more of a red flag!

    Hope it works out!
     
  5. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido F1 Rookie
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    Jan 21, 2004
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    Guido
    There are Mondials with more then 200.000 km...so for the mechanic part you do the normal checks first.(oil leaks, compression tests, leak down test).
    Look after rust (underside doors, sills, inside sills under carpets, wheel arches).
    A happy owner since 2002.
     
  6. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 24, 2003
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    Welcome to FC. If the price is right and it drives well, why not? These are extremely fun cars to drive. Just do your DD as mentioned above and remember............'the least expensive Ferrari will be the most expensive one'!
     
  7. Fulmonte

    Fulmonte Rookie

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    Michael G
    Thanks! for sure will check them all... Thanks. Of course i dont look for the cheapest one but ypu see we dont have a lot of options where i live.
     
  8. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    And you live where?

    Short story: About two years ago, I looked at a beautiful 308 that was fresh off a full $10K+ major. When taking a test drive, it took 5-6 key turns to get the engine running. I tried to leave right then. The owner said just hang on. Once started, he drove us a couple - three miles where it seemed there was just not enough 'ummmf' in the motor. Hard pass for me. Turned out the $10K+ major had to all be done all over again due to poor workmanship.
     
  9. Fulmonte

    Fulmonte Rookie

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    Michael G

    I live in Greece.
    I have never had a Ferrari although I always had Italian classics (lancia and alfas)
    My choice is the Mondial not only because of its low price but also for its easier maintenance compared to other models.
    Sure I would like not to have any bad experience like this you say...
     
    PeterS likes this.
  10. PeterS

    PeterS Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Your drive proved your like for the car. IMO, 99% of those who talk smack about them have never driven one.
     
  11. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    Nov 1, 2005
    4,083
    Canada
    The issue is age not the km.

    The rubber hoses, fuel, brakes and coolant and such should be inspected, probably replaced. There are lots of coolant hoses, including two under the plennum which are hard to access. Clutch slave cyclinder seals leak, and the slave hose gets cooked by the header.

    The car looks like it has the metric rims, the Michelins TRX are available but expensive. If the tires have a date code greater than say 8 years they will need replacement regardless of tread.

    The typical issues with these cars is fuse boxes. GT Car Parts has a nice rebuild service that is worth the upgrade with a modern quality circuit board.

    The bumpers on the car in your pic are painted, rather than the original black rubber. I am not sure if the paint on that rubber will flake off or not.

    As for other mechanicals, fuel distributors are due for a rebuild (rubber parts inside). Rubber seals at the differentials can leak, CV boots split, cam seals and cover O rings leak, etc.

    But again these are issues with any car this age, regardless of km. How it was stored will have an impact as well.

    Looks like a car that was driven, and that's actually a good indicator.
     
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  12. Fulmonte

    Fulmonte Rookie

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    Michael G

    Hello! Thanks for your info!

    Yes she has TRX , but i plan to change them with 16' look alike... Do you have any suggestion for supplier??
    You are right for the bumpers. I also dont like them this way. I am thinking to respray them or find a way to make them look original again.
    As far as i know some leaks were repaired. About the fusebox etc i will have the car checked at a mechanic.
    My concern is that even if today seems that everything is in good order, shall i wait a lot and expensive maintenance in the future because of its high mileage? For example is there a mileage limit where the engine must have a rebuit or a very "heavy"service?

    (Otherwise, it works and drives very well, better than a very low mileage mondial i drove....)

    Thanka again
     
  13. afterburner

    afterburner F1 Rookie
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  14. Fulmonte

    Fulmonte Rookie

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    Michael G
    Miles??? Wow..
    Everything ok? Have you made any repair to the engine?
     
  15. afterburner

    afterburner F1 Rookie
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    Yes miles :) Almost everything is ok (I could never get the "lights" fault indication on the check control to operate correctly) but only with permanent, regular care and maintenance. I don't let small issues accumulate. And regular driving goes a long way towards reliability. I have no reliability issues in terms of the car getting me where I need to go and back. It's the only car I own and it gets used for all the daily professional and private tasks. Check my thread here.
     
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  16. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #16 moysiuan, May 5, 2025 at 7:31 AM
    Last edited: May 5, 2025 at 7:37 AM
    I would say that once you get to say 200,000km you have a high milage car. For example, valve clearance adjustment is part of a periodic maintenance for these cars. Eventually the valve seats will wear to a limit of adjustment and require a cylinder head rebuild. The engine cylinders are alumasil coated. This is expected to last beyond 300,000km, even then the block can be renewed and recoated. The engine fundamentals are very well engineered, these engines are viewed as the best made by Ferrari ever.

    Depending on how driven, transmission syncros can wear out. Not sure what a typical km would be before a transmission rebuild would be in order. Maybe 150,000km?

    Steering racks and suspension bits might eventually need renewal, but time as well as mileage can have grease dry out so even cars that sit in storage will face this. For example, wheel bearings could be cleaned and greased and if done they will last a long time, they are oversized for the application.

    For the car you are considering, age related things and maintenance history are more important than the mileage. If the body is in decent shape, go for it!

    I do note that parts sourcing and finding mechanics who know these cars is more challenging than, say an old Porsche, so there is more committment required. Doing some basic work yourself would make for a more successful ownership experience.
     
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