Dealer/Specialist in the North East for 328/348? | FerrariChat

Dealer/Specialist in the North East for 328/348?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by MackemX, Jan 21, 2004.

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  1. MackemX

    MackemX Rookie

    Hi All,

    I stumbled across this board yesterday and spent most of the evening reading through it because I can't decide whether to go for a '89 328 or a '94 348, which I suppose is a nice problem to have!

    I test-drove a 348 a couple of years ago and was impressed by its go-kart-like feel; I've also been fortunate enough to drive a 355 and 360 but they are out of my price range ATM :-( I used to lust after a 328 as a boy but I am drawn towards the more modern appearance of the 348 and from what I've read there's not much difference in purchase price and running costs?

    I live in Sunderland and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good dealer - authorised or independent - in the North East? Reg Vardy in Durham used to be a Ferrari dealer, but these days they only seem to sell Astons and Jags so I think the nearest authorised dealer is in Leeds. Personally I would prefer an enthusiastic specialist like Talacrest but I've not found one as yet.

    Any help or advice is much appreciated.

    Thanks in advance...
     
  2. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H

    First of all, welcome to Fchat.I personally don't know any dealers North of Watford but that's another story!
    If you have the time to travel down South it may be worth doing as there are 3 very good independents , Verdi, Talacrest & and Kent High Performance who will all offer enthusiastic and objective advice on model selection and prices. There is another outfit, Joe Macari in Wandsworth, though most of his F-cars are LHD,which might suit you.
    There are a number of guys on this Forum who are based up North and i'm sure they'll offer advice on local inde's , if there are any.
    Tony
     
  3. gts328uk

    gts328uk Karting

    Nov 26, 2003
    122
    Yorkshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Hi

    I am biased so would go for the 328 over the 348 everytime, but thats my own point of view. IMO service costs for the 328 should be cheaper in the long term and the 328's in good condition are nearly at the bottom of the depreciation curve so should represent long term value.

    Main dealers in the North are JCT600 in Leeds and Grey Paul in Sheffield.

    Re Non main dealers the views I have heard is that Verdi are quite good and if you want sound impartial advice speak to manu at Scuderia systems.

    Good look

    Mark
     
  4. kenyon

    kenyon F1 Rookie

    Oct 7, 2002
    2,837
    East Yorkshire
    Full Name:
    Justin Kenyon
    Welcome,

    I have a 348 Spider late 1994. I prefer the more modern styling of the 348 spider. A late 348 is in the same price range as a early LHD 355.
    Maybe check out some 355.

    Look in Top Marques, Autotrader website, findit.co.uk, verdi's etc.

    I perfer the front and side styling of the 348 then 355.
    I have had my car for nearly three years and no problems at all. The secret is to drive them often all year round. I think thats the same with any italian car.

    The servicing on the 348 is more expensive then a 328. The 355 servicing is the same as the 348 except for the valve clearance work schedule. More valves on the 355.

    I do like the feel of the 348 more then the 328 and 355. The car must be driven with caution as it can snap out at the back. I prefer this it more of a driving experience in some ways.

    As you said the 348 has a go-kart feel to it especially through the steering.

    With regard to dealers in your are I do not know any only those that have been mentioned above in other Posts.

    Nick Cartwright is Derbyshire is very good.

    I searched for my car for one whole year before I found the car I wanted. There is a lot of 328's, 348's and 355's that are rough and would not touch.

    I went for A LHD because the amount of money saved. The prices of LHD is Europe are the same as RHD in the UK. If I need to sell mine I will sell it in Europe and buy a LHD again.

    LHD is the true driver side for the Ferrari.....
     
  5. hedge

    hedge Formula 3

    Jun 11, 2003
    2,318
    England
    Full Name:
    Marc
    I had similar thoughts when I was looking, and made my decision largely based on advice I was given about the well documented reliability of the 328 over the 348. Plus I adore the lines of the car over virtually any other car on the road! In fact on looks alone I personally prefer the 328/308 over any other car to roll out of Maranello from the 80's until the 360 Modena.

    Also, I figured it would be better to go for the best 328 I could find, rather than an early model 348. I also found a 355 for low £30k's which I considered, but was advised to steer clear - if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is (the car turned out to have a bit of a checkered history, and had previous accident damage).

    I specifically wanted LHD as the price difference was a crazy £10k. The same model in dealerships (1989, red/black, 16k miles, great condition, full history, all books and tools, abs, etc) is £40k+ for a RHD model - I paid under £30k (a LOT of car for the money). Simply not worth another ten grand (+35%) to me to be sitting on the other side of the car, although if money were no object it would obviously be a preference in the UK.

    Then again if money were no object I would be driving the 328 to work and the 360 CS on the weekends.

    Then again if money were no object, I wouldn't be working, so I'd have to get a 288 GTO to fill in the spare time.
     
  6. Dale

    Dale F1 Veteran

    Oct 7, 2003
    5,211
    uk
    Full Name:
    Dale Juan
  7. MackemX

    MackemX Rookie

    Thanks for the link Dale. The nearest specialist seems to be in Cheshire.

    I suspect that I will have to get my servicing done at the Leeds main dealer, which I suspect will be double the price!

    Thanks everyone for your feedback.
     
  8. MackemX

    MackemX Rookie

    #8 MackemX, Jan 21, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. stevep

    stevep F1 Veteran

    Jan 19, 2004
    8,345
    Geordie Land
    Full Name:
    steve
    hey fella, I live up in Morpeth. Reg Vardy's still does Ferrari servicing and I ahve heard good reports. I get my 355 serviced at Graypaul in sheffield. The come with a covered wagon pick the car up and drop it back off too. Its all in with the cost of the servicing. Their service is 150% and if yer looking for a car let me know. I;ll put you in touch with a great salesman down there who'll go and find you a good one!!!!!!

    steve
     
  10. MackemX

    MackemX Rookie

    Thanks a lot for the offer Steve, I may take you up on that.

    I was hoping Reg Vardy still did servicing but all their Ferrari livery has been removed so I assumed they had nothing more to do with Fcars.

    I will be paying a visit to JCT600 and Graypaul later in the year.

    If you don't mind me asking, what are GP's servicing costs like for a 355? The reason I don't fancy stretching to a 355 is because I imagine it will be vastly more expensive to maintain over a 328/48.

    Cheers
     
  11. stevep

    stevep F1 Veteran

    Jan 19, 2004
    8,345
    Geordie Land
    Full Name:
    steve
    roughly £500 (yearly or 6k), £1500 (3year cam belts or 18k)

    You can also get the formula ferrari warranty (£2k year) which covers you for anything mechanical)
     
  12. MackemX

    MackemX Rookie

    Thanks Steve, that's not bad at all and much less than I was told by Tower Garage. They said it would be £1,500 6K and £2,500 18K!

    The Formula warranty sounds like good value. Presumably that doesn't include servicing?
     
  13. Steve275

    Steve275 Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Jun 20, 2003
    364
    UK
    Full Name:
    Steve
    If you don't mind me asking, what are GP's servicing costs like for a 355? The reason I don't fancy stretching to a 355 is because I imagine it will be vastly more expensive to maintain over a 328/48.

    Cheers[/QUOTE]
    Mack,

    The 328 shouldn't really be compared to the 348/355 as both these cars engines live in sub frames and have to be removed to have their cambelts changed, The 328's cambelts can be done with the enginein situ, My 328 remains steadfastly cheap in comparison to all the other F-cars I have owned and ran, I pay £350 for a 6k or annual service plus any parts, anf £700 for a cambelt change.

    Having said that a 355 shouldn't cost more than £1000-£1200 for the cambelts, 328 still looks better though IMHO.

    The GTO on the other hand cost £3000+, the cheapest bill I've ever had was £2862.85 for a brake service including new pads. Think that's alot try an F50 annual service, thick end of £6k !!

    Cheers,

    Steve
     
  14. Steve275

    Steve275 Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Jun 20, 2003
    364
    UK
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Do you know the owner of this car ? - It's not registerd on the 328 Registry ?

    Regards,

    Steve
     
  15. MackemX

    MackemX Rookie

    I've no idea Steve, sorry. I just found it whilst searching Google images.

    Thanks for the servicing info. £6K for an F50 annual!!!! Then again, if you can afford an F50 that's just pocket change ;-)

    I rang around a few places in the North today and the average servicing ccosts would appear to be £500 for a 6K and £1,500 for an 18K as mentioned by stephen_paynter.

    I am a bit confused about 355 servicing though: the Maranello website states that the 355 needs a 12 month or 12K service and cambelts done at 32K or three years. This sounds much better than 6K and 18K intervals so is it true?
     
  16. Steve275

    Steve275 Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Jun 20, 2003
    364
    UK
    Full Name:
    Steve
    I am a bit confused about 355 servicing though: the Maranello website states that the 355 needs a 12 month or 12K service and cambelts done at 32K or three years. This sounds much better than 6K and 18K intervals so is it true?[/QUOTE]

    Mack,

    Really depends on your driving habits, If the car spends long periods unused or you do minimal miles PA, Then it's best to have it serviced more regularly, If the car is used often and get's treated properly & nothing's wrong with it then there's no reason not stick to Ferrari's recommendations.

    Regards,

    Steve
     
  17. stevep

    stevep F1 Veteran

    Jan 19, 2004
    8,345
    Geordie Land
    Full Name:
    steve
    mmmm, might be worth checking with the dealers, mine gets done at 6000miles or one year which ever comes sooner (normally the year) or 18000miles or three years! Personally I like to keep on top of mine service wise, in looking through its FFSH its had three cam belt changes and its only done 18000 miles!

    Personal preference I suppose.
     

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