348 Ownership Experiences?

The non power steering 205 GTi's are more desirable than the with power steering 205 GTi.s. I would guess the same applies to the 348's? Certainly my non Pas 205 always felt more involving than the pas equivalent.

 

I've heard many 355 owners complain of a dead feel at certain points in their steering. I've never driven a 355 so can't really compare.

But power assitance does rob feel and sensitivity.

 

Yeah, and those other girlie things like pneumatic tyres and suspension bushing do nothing for feel and sensitivity. Let's get back to rigid suspension and solid rubber tyres!

 

sorry Sy, but thats rubbish mate. Bad set-up and/or poor design dictate feel and sensitivity, not the lack of power steering.

 

That means the design of the 348 dictated precise and sensitive handling? All credit to the designers then.

 

Exactly in the same boat here. Had a great 1990 S2, which I used every day. Never let me down. The 348 was in a different league to me, but then it was only a weekend toy so always felt more of an event.

 

i guess it all depends on what you want it for. If you buy it for the sake of having a ferrai and driving at 5mph through city centre's it'll do the job but it'll be hard work. If you intend to driv eit more so on the track or country lanes and know whats involved in looking after them then its a different story. Just dont expect to buy one and think you can use it as a sunday car without any need for maintenance and looking after. was my first ferrai and had it for over a year and loved it to bits. even now have warm memories of it. Theres just something about your first ferrari....

oh, and the side sills are rust buckets too so if you buy one make sure you check them out.

 

Adam,

Sorry mate, but you're wrong The 355's worst feature by a long long way is its steering. It totally lacks feedback.

No 348 has power steering.

The 348 has pretty good steering feedback and feel, but it's not exceptional. It doesn't come anywhere close to the F40 (mentioned above) for example, or the Elise. It is in another league from the 355 though which has horrible steering.

Personally I wouldn't *ever* want a sports car with power steering. Even the best I've driven with power steering (e.g. F430, or perhaps the Noble M12-GTO3) were lacking a certain something in feedback.

Ferrari had it right with the f40 and F50 by not using power steering

 

jas just thought i would point out that ferrari had it right with the F50, F512M, as the are both rear engined 12 cylinder cars with no power steering and electronic driving aids

i am afraid the F40 had 4 cylinders short of being a proper ferrari

 

OK 6 years of 348 ownership.

When I first bought it the car felt great - one rear puncture and even a full set of new bridgestones didn't quite feel the same. About a month ago I fitted 25mm rear spacers and it is incredible - the straight line twitchiness has gone and it doesn't feel like its about to let go around bends.

What's gone wrong -

Clutch slave cylinder failed - upgraded to 355 no problems since

Botched specialist servicing has cost me 3 new cam belts in 6 years mainlly due to badly fitted seals.

Exhaust cat sensors failed - replaced at £200 before fitted test pipes, eliminated the need for them and got a better sound.

Aircon just had safe gas retro fitted.

I've replaced the hand brake cables and that's about it.

On average it has cost me around £1500 per year but that has been boosted by 3 X £2000 cam belt bills.

I suppose it's like anything - get a good one and it's a dream. I love the steering and do not find it heavy - it's heavier than power but is beautifully weighted.

Mine has a challenge engine so I suppose that helps a bit - and remember the first ones are getting on for 18 years old now and it's too easy to compare them to the overweight computer games you get now.

The 348 is special because it was Enzo's last baby car - it is flawed but its got something which the newer cars will never have.

 

What advantage does your 12 cylinder engine give you over an F40's 8?

 

The F40'S eight cylinder needs two turbo chargers to make it go the 12 cylinder engine needs no add on performance products

 

Yes, I know that. The question, in response to your claim that the F40 was four cylinders short of being a proper Ferrari, was what's the advantage of 12 cylinders over 8.

 

torque ask someone who has driven both most people who comment have a 8 cylinder ferrari andnever driven a 12 cylinder ferrari

 

You certainly have to drive it like you mean it. I live in London too and round town mine can be awkward, trying to keep to 20mph on Tower Bridge is bloody difficult for a start!

But get it out on the open road and the steering is great, the gears seem happier shifting at higher rpm, suspension feels planted and stable....love it! Of course I am slightly biased, but I have driven a 355 and have to say I prefer the steering in mine.
CG

 

So is your 12 cylinder Ferrari faster in any respect than an "inferior" 8 cylinder F40?

 

enzo's words (not mine) proper ferrari's have 12 cylinders in the rear shame he died and fiat control the brand now 8 cylinders f1 gearbox(automatic) traction control ect at one time they was a MANS CAR sorry but with all the driving aids on these new cars even my grandma could drive one on the track and look good

 

You didn't answer the question, but I'll tell you what the answer is, it's no! In every respect the F40 is superior to the 512.

And don't put your own words in Enzo's mouth - he didn't say "proper Ferraris have 12 cylinders in the rear". He said they had twelve cylinders, but they didn't put them in the middle of a road car until 1971 which, interestingly, was after Fiat had bought into the company. So perhaps you can thank Fiat for the layout that you consider the only one that a "proper" Ferrari has!