Help me join this insanity - 550 desires

dave - scour the archives here. there's more information about 550 buying than you can shake a stick at. from differences between model years, to common problems, to lists of TSBs and recalls, and so on and so forth.

if you're so inclined, perhaps you could coalesce all that information into a 550 Buyers Guide for inclusion on FChat. i have to imagine 99% or more of the information is in the archives at this point.

great car. you won't regret it.

take a test drive. always get a PPI from a reputable independent party.

doody.

 

Howdy Dave,

Doody's correct as usual. There is a ton of info in the FChat archives including the recalls, TSBs, data on major services and common problems. The 550 is a great car that both my wife and I enjoy. Send me a private message with your contact info and I'll give you a call. I live in Ahwatukee.

Roy

 

I am in exactly the same boat. I also am looking for blue with light interior.

I even have the 12 cyl BMW (850CSI) if possible maybe you and I could collaborate on the research we are doing.

I'm in Maryland

[email protected]

John

 

I recently purchaed a TDF with the light tan interior and I must say the color combo really works. Nice to hear that other people appreciate it too. Good luck on the search, that is half the fun!

 

1. Outside temp sensor.
2. Remove the coolant expansion tank.
3. At least the battery location is obvious on a 550. I've lost count of posters LOOKING for the battery on a 360!

 

in San Diego.....
Bobileff Motorcar Co. 858 622 1600

highly recommended on Fchat.

only a couple of miles away from your car.

Bill in SD
99 550

 

Check the dealer service centers. People don't do this often enough.

I spent probably 8 months looking for my 2nd 550, only to find it 6 miles from my hours. And the combination is killer: pozzi with crema (or is it sabbia? JC?) w/ dark dark blue dash and inserts.

If you're ever in the bay area you're more than welcome to drive mine to see how you like it.

--Dan

 

what he said......

Gary did the PPI on my TdF Blue 550;
experienced/careful/brutal,
buyers advocate/not dealers shill.
Did a PPI on my 330 GTC 10 years ago too.

James

 

I've owned 2 550's among other Ferraris. They are great GT cars, big, heavy, luxurious, powerful. If you are not used to a modern hi performance car, they will seem quite fast, but they truly are meant for hi-speed cruising, rather than stop light launches or tight canyon carving. As you've seen from the archives, they have had their share of problems, nothing dramatic, but enough to make you want to shop carefully for a car which has had all the upgrades per the factory. I would recommend that you look for as late a car as your budget will allow- in fact, i would probably take a later car with higher miles given that there were running changes. My 2001 performed better than my 97 and had far fewer little glitches. I would also make sure you buy from a dealer that has fully fettled the car- otherwise, the few thousand you think you are saving up front will evaporate in small fixes as the car gets settled in. Tires also make a huge difference- i prefer the Pirelli to the others, save for the Goodyear Fiorano, which is the best compromise tire for this car, but it's pricey if you have to get it through Ferrari.
I am currently driving a 6. Diablo, which is a 'comparable' car- far more dramatic on the road and behind the wheel, not as user friendly, way more exotic- the 550 could almost be used as a daily driver by comparison. Good luck!

 

If you ever consider selling your 850csi let me know.

 

You have Mail.

It is #27 of 225 CSI sent to the U.S.
Also was the New Youk Autoshow CSI
It is outstanding condition and is nationaly known in the BMW E31 community.

John
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Very nice! That car will always be one of my favorite BMW's of all time, the 850Csi. Your color is Hellrot correct?

 

I feel the same passion for the 550. Sat in numerous, never driven, have ridden. And let me tell you, it is like none other. Here is the thread i started about it


http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37835

 

MUST...HAVE....THAT....850CSi ! ! ! ! ! !

I had a BMW 635CSi several years ago, I absolutely regret selling that car!!

 

Patrick if you are ever in SF you can drive mine.

--Dan

 

I am selling the CSI to make room / help pay for the 550.

[email protected]

 

more fuel for your (550) flames........

www.cars.com/go/search/fs_search_results.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&cid=&dlid=&dgid=&amid=&cname=&zc=98261&makeid=51&modelid=1400&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_51_%7CD-_1400_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-98261&aff=national&aff=national

(hopefully that will get you to cars.com/Ferrari/550.......)

James
TdF/Cognac 2001
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In Canada we could not bring in a 850 CSI, I have always loved this car.
I have owned 3 850s and finally sold mine and have a 645 as a daily driver.
Unless you have to I would not sell the 850CSI.

As for the 550, I have owned some exotics but this is a really nice car. It is easy to drive it is not finicky, you can drive it hard or not, and if I could I would have it for my daily driver.

Just make sure you buy the right one and you will have lots of fun with it.

alican1