456 is back from repair, and running beautifully! Yeah! | FerrariChat
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456 is back from repair, and running beautifully! Yeah!

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Diablo456, Feb 10, 2007.

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  1. Diablo456

    Diablo456 Karting

    Jul 27, 2006
    145
    #1 Diablo456, Feb 10, 2007
    I'm very happy to report that I picked up my 456 from Ferrari of Denver yesterday after a 4-month repair for leaking bronze valve guides and a couple of other misc problems (steering rack, mounts, etc). I promptly drove it back 400 miles home, and the trip went without a hitch. I had FoD save all the parts, including all 48 bronze guides which I'll post some pictures of shortly.

    A couple of observations.

    1) Ferraris are a pain, no getting around this. While I was cruising over La Veta pass in the 456, running flawlessly with no vibrations, rock-steady, no hesitation and an incredibly smooth and torqey powertrain, I thought, this is what it's about. Those moments wipe away all the frustration and heartache you put up with to keep a Ferrari in good working order. I have to say, the 456 is an incredibly-refined design and just a complete joy to do extended road trips in. The seats were just flawless, 6 hours non-stop and I came out refreshed with no sore spots, etc.

    2) I had the steering rack rebuilt, and this makes a noticeable difference in ride and handling. Just spot on, no hunting or tilling of the wheel, and very smooth road feedback now. If I hadn't driven the car pre- and post-rebuild, I wouldn't have known what a difference this makes. Wow.

    3) The engine indeed pulls more strongly, and runs much more smoothly. This likely results from the new engine mounts as much as anything, though FoD did a very careful job of both timing the cams and synching the throttle bodies. This car is just smooth and strong now, a complete joy.

    4) I took the occasion to order some very good rims/tires for the car while it was down, a nice set of custom-machined HREs with Michelin Pilot's (got a heck of deal off ebay at $2700 for this $13,000 set, basically new). These also make a difference compared to the no-name rims I had previously. Specifically, I had moderate vibrations in the old rims above 65mph, none what-so-ever with the new rims. Car just pulls and pulls, well into triple digits with no fuss. Night and day from when I sent it up for repair.

    5) I know karma is going my way, when ebay also featured a great, custom floor mat in my cars colors (tan with black cavallino) and the words "456 GTA". New, from Lamborghini of Orange County, about $100. Sweet! I figure less than 40-50 US cars would match this set, and they look great.

    6) Overall, I'd say the 456 is running better-than-new (seriously, tight, strong, and all the bugs now worked out). What an amazing car. As frustrating as its been, it's just a sheer joy to have out on the road now. Had the wife out for lunch today, she even commented how much better it was running and feeling. *This* is what it's all about, in the end.

    I'll get a few pictures up laters of the old valve guides as well as the new rims.
     
  2. audihenry

    audihenry Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Mar 27, 2006
    662
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Henry
    #2 audihenry, Feb 10, 2007
    Post some pictures of your car! I love the 456!
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,122
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #3 Rifledriver, Feb 10, 2007
    Good to hear.

    When they are right you can understand why we go through it all.
     
  4. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Greg Calo
    #4 GCalo, Feb 10, 2007
    Great news indeed, but there goes your European vacation!

    Wish I knew you wanted floor mats. I have some 456 beauties!

    Have lots of fun with that car. It's a beauty.

    Let's see those new rims, too.
     
  5. GTB4NART

    GTB4NART Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2004
    421
    #5 GTB4NART, Feb 10, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    They are magnificent cars when they're all sorted. Mine needs about $15k worth of items right now, including the major. I hope I have the same satisfaction when I get my car back (I won't take it in and get it serviced until my mobile phone software startup company turns a profit - what an incentive to turn a profit!!).

    I look forward to a nice long, similar road trip in mine when it's fully sorted.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  6. tiara4300

    tiara4300 Formula Junior

    Feb 27, 2005
    650
    miami ,fl.
    Full Name:
    Adam
    #6 tiara4300, Feb 10, 2007
    Please post a pic of the invoice. share the misery with your brothers
     
  7. GTB4NART

    GTB4NART Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2004
    421
    #7 GTB4NART, Feb 10, 2007
    Please, for the sake of your weak-hearted fellow 456 owners, DO NOT post the invoice...or at least black out the total! ; )

     
  8. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    26,141
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    #8 donv, Feb 11, 2007
    Glad to hear it! They really are wonderful machines when all sorted.
     
  9. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,156
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    #9 JazzyO, Feb 11, 2007
    Congratulations, that's what it's all about! Should be a good weekend!
     
  10. oss117

    oss117 F1 Rookie

    Jan 26, 2006
    4,185
    Plantation, Florida
    Full Name:
    Alfredo
    #10 oss117, Feb 11, 2007
    I was wondering about you Diablo456: I am glad to hear you are back in business and happy with the way the car runs.
     
  11. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Greg Calo
    #11 GCalo, Feb 11, 2007
    I love the look of the 456 and would love to feel that 12 cylinder engine purring and pulling.

    However, when I think of it as a declining asset into which a $12K-$15K repair may be required, I get a bit gun shy eventhough the best ferrari mechanic is a good friend and I can fully rely on him.

    Is this a regular occurrence with all the 456's or is it the earlier year models only?
     
  12. GTB4NART

    GTB4NART Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2004
    421
    #12 GTB4NART, Feb 11, 2007
    I know of at least eight 1995 456s with some miles on them that had not had issues outside of non-sealing windows, leaking shocks and motor mount issues. I can't speak for other years, auto trans., etc. I think the depreciation has slowed quite a lot. I was recently eyballing a 2005 CL65 Mercedes with 14,000 miles for $80k, then I decided that this will be a $15k car in 5 years with all of the repair liability of a Ferrari. The depreciation on a 456 looks pretty reasonable in comparison.

    No question, almost any modern Ferrari is one cambelt snap away from a home equity loan. The financially timid needn't apply.


     
  13. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Greg Calo
    #13 GCalo, Feb 11, 2007
    The depreciation on the M-B is a genuine concern, but the out of warranty expenses will go beyond what they would be for Ferrari!

    M-B is a big risk today. Not one I am willing to again take.
     
  14. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,122
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #14 Rifledriver, Feb 11, 2007
    Just have to do like us Greg. We talked our way into 11 years of warranty. That Benz aint going anywhere until it is 11 years old.
     
  15. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Greg Calo
    #15 GCalo, Feb 11, 2007
    I can say that it will be out of my garage in the next few weeks!!!
     
  16. Bryan

    Bryan Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,310
    Montrose, Colorado
    #16 Bryan, Feb 17, 2007
    Diable:

    your comments on the Auto trns would be appreciated. I am torn between 6-speed and GTA. My wife loves stick shift, but if the clutch on a GT is anything like my 365 GTC4, she won't like it; so the option is a GTA.

    However, auto trannies are not Ferrari's forte...
     
  17. Diablo456

    Diablo456 Karting

    Jul 27, 2006
    145
    #17 Diablo456, Feb 17, 2007
  18. GTB4NART

    GTB4NART Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2004
    421
    #18 GTB4NART, Feb 17, 2007
    The clutch and shifting on the 456 are easy compared to other Ferraris I've had/driven. I did put swepco in the box and 2nd is no problem now (never really was THAT bad).

     

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