Are valve guides an issue on all the 456's? In the opinion of this group, what would a reasonable price for a 10K, 2003, "Schumacher edition". Thanks for your opinions.
you mean this one? http://www.carthink.net/inventory/FerrariOfAtlanta/cardetails.asp?VIN=ZFFWL44A030132385
Firstly no such thing as the Schumacher edition. It was the Scaglietti edition which Schumacher happened to get the first one. Personally I dont think they are worth much premium over the same year equivelent. Second without direct experience as I am not currently a 456 owner, I have read a bit about the valve guide issues. But I think it is common(ish) on Ferraris in general as my Mondial t had the problem, as have 355s. But if you get a car and have a ppi done, then the problem can be picked up. You will know before you buy if the car has a problem. Hope that helps.
I've not heard the T had this guide issue. Can you elaborate? 456's might/probably will develope the guide issue over its life time, but not a very expensive fix if done right: Rifledriver had a good thread on this, will provide later [as others also piped in]. If you get blue-smoke during start and it lasts a bit, probably will need to have it done, as is motor mounts and some hoses etc> also look at rear suspension and radiator leakes, but get it recored or new aluminum ones. as for the replacements on these items, with exception of mounts, where a newer issue might be better, stay away from the Ferrari replacement parts, unless you want to replace again, and at that higher price or keep 100% P/Minus stock for show. Aftermarket on some of these issues are MUCH better.
Not very expensive ? You must be kidding. A minimum of $15k is what this will cost you, if it is done properly.
There were 2 schumacher edition 456 cars: #109289 & #109887 both were US delivery. See www.456gt.com for a little bit more detail. re. the valve guide problems, I personally have only heard of these on US 456M's. I believe it is related to US petrol content.
ME: perhaps bad construction on my part. What I meant was 'if done right'. If you go with Ferrari's fix it WILL be expensive because the 'better'/replacement part is not much better and will need replacing again. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138843 If you go with aftermarket guides like posted on the thread, then they will be 'less' expensive in the long run. $15k is what I'm hearing for valve job at a minimum with Ferrari stock or better stock, but yes it's expensive, but less so with better parts.
Its not a Schumacher edition, but the Scaglietti edition. The first car was made for Schumacher. The first Chassis number comes up with two cars one the same chassis number. Some mistake there. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Petrol content? What is so different on European vs US fuel to make the guides break down? Would be interesting to understand. I would think more issues would result in metal fatigue from burnt/spent exhaust air, than intake yet the guides are all failing: correct?
Simply do a search on that subject here in FerrariChat. There is ample information, trials and tribulations courtesy of Rifled Driver and others.
mogas specs are different all over the world, let alone within the usa. the sulfur has been dropping steadily everywhere, but faster in europe. a lot of the mogas coming into the usa east coast comes from europe btw. in any case, i seriously doubt that a valve guide probelm can be blamed on 'us spec' mogas. too many variables. btw, looking at the pics of the scaglietti version i see that the only difference to my car is that i would need to paint the area above the waist line a darker grey, otherwise they are identical. so i dont think they can be worth that much of a premium now...it was just a way of getting rid of the last ones sitting around unsold....
See #7 above for link to Rifledrivers' response to this and the various pics of valve guides. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=138843
