I am considering buying a 21k miles 1990 348 with absolutely no service records. Looks and drives fine. Carfax shows 2 or 3 prior owners. 1. What should I be on the lookout for? 2. Is there any way to reconstruct the service records (via a database)? 3. What should be the first service(s) I perform on the vehicle? Thanks for any and all suggestions! Cha
without service records i would plan on an engine out service of belt and bearings, and check the oil pump tensioners
With no service records, you're playing with fire...however, if you take it to a reputable Ferrari Service shop and have them do a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) as well as a compression test and it checks out then you should be okay. And like db4 said - since there are no records to show when the last major service was performed, you need to assume that it needs a major TODAY, which will consequently take a decent chunk of $$ off the asking price.
If you plan to resell it someday then I agree the lack of service records is not good. If you plan to hold onto it forever then IMO it makes no difference. As the others said have a PPI performed and make sure the compression/leakdown is good. Do the major and drive it and enjoy it. Rob
Disagree with the playing with fire comment. Yes to the PPI that checks out. I bought my car without a PPI or service records, but then I had Plugzit along for insurance and I was an experienced 348 owner. Sometimes you roll the dice. But, as my mechnaic said, these engines are pretty much bullet proof and the odds are on your side when chancing it on a decent 348. That said, unless the car had upgrades, I would look for something like an SS, Challenge or Spider to make sure the car was as sorted as the factory made it.
I would be wary of any Ferrari without ANY service records - some gaps can be explained depending on the owners and their penchant for record keeping but nothing at all would scare me off. Nice 348s are fairly abundant - beautiful one at FOD currently (not advertising - just FYI). I would wait for one with proper maintenance records. The peace of mind is worth the wait and potential additional cost IMHO - Cheers
No service record drag the price down on any Fcar, get ready to spend at least 6/7k for a major right away ... if you are lucky, also another question mark could be the clutch and related parts. To make a long story short ... whatever you may think to save now in purchasing the car, add somewhere of 10K and probably will bring you back on buying a well taken care 348. Just my opinion and non necessarily the true.
No service records = potential great opportunity. I picked up a nice 92 ts - no service records, nobody wanted to touch it. I had a PPI done by a very reputable local indy, and it came back with flying colors. I was able to negotiate a great price based on the lack of service records, had the major done and continue to drive the heck out of it every chance I get. I've seen examples of bogus service history posted right here on Fchat - not always a guarantee of a good car. I'd rather get the car checked out, get a discount for the lack of service and/or records, and then have the major done by somebody I trust.
Thank you all for your replies. Bottom line: 1. Belt, clutch and tensioners are high risk areas. 2. Get PPI. (Already done--checked out OK.) 3. Build major service cost and lack of docs into price negotiation. 4. Buy with eyes open and at good price, should be fine. This is very helpful. Thanks!
I don't think records from 20 years ago make much difference. What's important to a buyer should be what was done recently and the results of a comprehensive inspection. Plan on a major service to bring everything current and enjoy the car.
IMHO, records from 20 years ago also document that the car has had owners that cared. Owners that properly maintained the car. Records to me show caring owners and not just those that dog and dump their cars at auction. Also can be used to document mileage, if that is an important factor. When I was shopping, I was in the group that would not touch a car without records. Maybe for a $20K+ discount I would have thought about taking a flier, but after you invest that $20K in the car, you have the same cost and still no records.
Tim, I agree with you with respect to the records having little to do with the current engine condition, however I would still like to see the history in order to gauge how well the vehicle was taken care of and whether or not it was maintained properly.
Vince, the OP may not have the luxury of taking an expert with him, hence my second point of a PPI and compression at a reputable Ferrari Service shop Also, the OP is a rookie, therefore he doesn't have the 348 experience that you have
I would add fuel filters and fuel pumps to high risk area. You should have seen the condition of the rubber parts on my 348 fuel pumps - totally degradded, most of the crap picked up in the fuel filters (cut them open and check what is colledcted). Still some of that nasty rubber got to my injectors as well so add injector check as well. Just my 2 cents.
Welcome.. Don't drive it anymore!! LOL! 1.) Condition, condition. condition 2.) Not very likely at all...you are basically playing the shot from well out in the rough. 3.) It's call the "belt and Tensioner service", normally every three years OR 30K miles...it's a BIG bill..engine out, water pump and everything else you find cracked/broken/oily on the car.. These guys can quote it more accurately but routinely $6 - 7K on a pampered car. A bit of a wild card in your case...
I knew it was one or the other, I just chose the wrong one . For everything I do in life, if there is this thing called the 50-100 Rule (names exclusively after me): If there is a 50-50 chance of getting something right, then I will get it wrong 100% of the time
HERE is your main exposure, IMO as the 348 was certainly NOT designed for ethanol laden fuel.... Fuel pumps (in the tank) will certainly need servicing replacement, over and above your "belt problem".. Still, bravely cross those bridges, then drive it for YEARS!!! (Well, 3 years anyway!!)
+1000...those first 3 owners bailed out when it was time to "pay up" for all those "free" 'New Car' miles......refresh the car and ROLL ON!!
Then perhaps we can start a new trend to rival the infamous "cambelt service" threads, called the "fuel pump service" threads
I bought my 348 with full service records from the day it left the factory. I did not know they were important and didn't really care that the car came with them. I added my receipts to the stack to continue the service history. The guy I sold it to didn't care about the service records but took them with him when he got the car. Service records are nice, but not essential for many buyers. Get a good deal, do some preventive service, and enjoy the ride! BT
Maybe, but fuel mixtures are SO variable nationwide....IF the car was in a "NO ethanol" zone...it would be fine. I've talked with Dave Helms a lot about the gasoline issues, and he's most likely seeing HUGE leveles of additives "up high in the mountains".....so he's at the cutting edge. So I don;t think there's any 'one answer" anymore. Moorespeed over in Austin has seen some NASTY fuel pumps, but again no telling "where it had been".....
