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550 purchase? Nearest service 500 miles...

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by mele, Jul 30, 2007.

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  1. mele

    mele Rookie

    Jan 17, 2007
    4
    #1 mele, Jul 30, 2007
    Group,

    I am contemplating my first F car purchase, a 550, but am concerned about the nearest Ferrari service center being 500 miles away. We live in Western Montana with Seattle being the nearest Ferrari dealer/service center. It is 500 highway miles on I-90 and I fear this would be a problem for service/repairs. I do not know of any independents that would be any closer... I thought maybe in Spokane WA but was unable to locate one.

    Question 1) I am currently nervous about doing this, what do the forum members think of owning a F550 with having a service center so far away?
    Question 2) Does anyone know of a closer independent that could service a 550? Spokane is only about 160 miles away and would probably be the best bet.

    There is a Porsche dealer in Spokane (as of a year ago) and that would probably be my backup plan, a TT or GT2/3 perhaps....

    just looking for thoughts, thank you very much for any replies.

    MEL
     
  2. CrazyEnzo

    CrazyEnzo Formula Junior

    Jul 31, 2006
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    #2 CrazyEnzo, Jul 30, 2007
    It shouldnt be a problem if plan to drive it there. But if you are really concerned about this ... why dont you just put it on a flat deck or truck and ship it there. It shouldn't be too expensive.
     
  3. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

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    #3 JazzyO, Jul 30, 2007
    Hmmm, Mel. Not ideal. In your favour is the fact that 550's are very reliable. Unfavourable is that official Ferrari computers are required for the service, so you would need to get it to Seattle for all servicing; once a year at least, and more if/when something breaks. If you decide you want to risk it, I would suggest that at the very least you have the car on a trickle charger at all times when stored so that the computer systems keep their settings.

    All things considered, I'd be reluctant to go for it.


    Onno
     
  4. mele

    mele Rookie

    Jan 17, 2007
    4
    #4 mele, Jul 30, 2007
    Onno,

    Thank you for your thoughts on this, and that is an excellent point I was unaware of in regards to the official Ferrari computers for the services.

    I did talk to a specialty shop here in town that works on Jags, Range Rovers and other odd import vehicles and they were fairly confident they could work on a 550, but admittedly had no experience with new F cars, only some older models. I'm certain they were unaware of the required F computer for services, though they may be helpful if/when repairs are needed. I suspect this Ferrari computer is required anytime something needs to be flashed to the computer on modern F cars, is that mainly services, or ?

    Sorry for the questions, just want to be sure about this before jumping in. Montana is a great place to live, but it has its drawbacks with things like this.

    MEL
     
  5. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    #5 tritone, Jul 30, 2007
    Mel- there has been another 550 owner on the board from Montana; has not posted for some time tho.....do not know if he had the same issues or whether he found a solution..... will try to find his name. FWIW, as posted, the 550 is exceptionally reliable (for a Ferrari) ;--)
    P'raps you could schedule your vacation time in Seattle every year around service time......other than that it's every 3 years for the infamous 'belt job'....

    Anyway that's why you have your RR/'Burb/AllRoad/etc.; to keep you going when the Fcar is out of town......

    It can be done....I live on an island 3 hours from Seattle; just requires good planning.......

    Do it!
    James
    2001 550 TdF Blue/Cuoio
     
  6. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 14, 2003
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    #6 darth550, Jul 30, 2007
    Don't bother. He's been banned for years.

    As for your reservations, Don't let your nerves keep you from enjoying the car if you get one. They are pretty reliable if you do the routine preventative maintenance. Remember this though, even if the service center is 5 miles away, you're gonna need to flatbed it over there if it breaks so what's a few extra hours of travel time? :)

    They are great cars; Get one and see for yourself! :):)
     
  7. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH F1 Rookie
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    #7 vandevanterSH, Jul 30, 2007
    That reminded me that I saw he who should not be named pulled over by the Wy highway patrol about a year and a half ago. On topic, I live ~350 miles from a dealer and driving the
    f-car for service is not a punishment. Plan a weekend in Seattle to go with the service; sounds like fun. I have 67,000 miles on my Maranello and last night was the first time she rode on a flat bed. I shredded the LF tire on junk in the road.

    Steve
     
  8. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Bullfighter, Jul 30, 2007
    Living in Montana, you probably have a truck/towing rig. I'd suggest investing in a decent trailer. As posted above, if the car dies, it's being flat-bedded anyway.

    Good luck, 550 is the best of the post-1990 Ferraris, IMO.

    As a fallback, the 1980s Ferraris don't require specialized diagnostic computers (other than equipment a good import shop is likely to have.) ;)
     
  9. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

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    #9 JazzyO, Jul 31, 2007
    On the positive side: you won't park next to one in a hurry if you decide to go for it! :D

    I agree with the above posters that you need to flat-bed it anyway but obviously the likelihood is that it is more of a hassle, particularly is something were to happen over the weekend. However, as I said before, the 550 is an excellent choice as it is very reliable. On the '80ies Ferraris you don't need the specialist equipment but they are a little bit more temperamental. The 328GTS/B is a very good choice there - an absolutely lovely car.

    In the end, it's up to you. If you go for it it is unlikely you will regret the decision as the 550 will make you smile many more mornings than it will cause you heartache. Therefore, I retract my previous statement and say: go for it! I don't know the roads in Montana but imagine them to be pretty special.


    Onno
     
  10. VisualHomage

    VisualHomage F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2006
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    San Antonio
    #10 VisualHomage, Jul 31, 2007
    i say just get it.

    you will adapt to conditions.

    go get the 550. it's there for you right now.
     
  11. mele

    mele Rookie

    Jan 17, 2007
    4
    #11 mele, Jul 31, 2007
    THAT is one of the reasons why it would be lovely to own a 550. The intent is for the Wife and I to be able to just go and drive... she loves going on drives, I love driving! Of course, the kids would be involved as well. In fact, I-90 west of Missoula to east of Spokane is an absolutely beautiful drive that would have to be driven on the way to seattle :D There are some glorious roads around here... available about 8 months out of the year for an F car.

    I had actually never thought of just purchasing/borrowing a flatbed and towing it myself if necessary, good idea. Yes, living in montana does pretty much necessitate owning a truck/suv, and a Yukon XL is our family truckster and would handle towing a 550 without a problem.

    A 328 GTB has often come up on my desire meter, but I would prefer a bit better performance, and nothing looks as good as a 550

    thanks everyone for the encouragement and comments, I appreciate them!

    MEL
     
  12. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

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    #12 synchro, Jul 31, 2007

    There used to be no speed limits during the daytime in Montana. I drove through there in June 1988 after buying/driving my Maserati Bora to my home. It was a very fun time and was quite beautiful too, even at 240Kph.
     
  13. riverflyer

    riverflyer F1 Rookie

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    #13 riverflyer, Aug 2, 2007
    Mele, I think the other Montana owner is Vern. I used to have his email but my outlook crashed and I lost all the old stuff. Is this the one who was banned?
    I live about 3+ hours from service and it is a hassle but no reason to miss out on one of the great pleasures of the automotive world. go for it. Besides, 550's are very reliable.
    Talk to Steve who posted earlier. He is the God of highmileage 12cyls Fcars. Hell, he would probably drive up and take your car to the dealer for you, right Steve??;)
     
  14. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH F1 Rookie
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    #14 vandevanterSH, Aug 2, 2007
    When do we leave? I am on jury duty so I will need a little notice.

    Steve
     
  15. rllucero

    rllucero Formula Junior

    Jul 11, 2006
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    #15 rllucero, Aug 2, 2007
    I live in Santa Fe, NM and I have my trailered to Boulder, CO. A bummer but no choice. I've owned a 328 before and I trusted a local guy and he just never got everything just right, so the car had to go back a couple of times. I know now to only take it to someone you REALLY trust, even if it's 300 miles away.
     
  16. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

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    #16 JazzyO, Aug 3, 2007
    I LOVE the Bora! What a stunning machine. You are a lucky man, synchro.


    Onno
     
  17. RBakerian

    RBakerian Karting

    Aug 1, 2007
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    #17 RBakerian, Aug 3, 2007
    I say pick it up, and grab a trailer to tow with your Yukon. That's what I would do.
     
  18. mele

    mele Rookie

    Jan 17, 2007
    4
    #18 mele, Aug 3, 2007
    Should I feel nervous about such a proposal? ;)

    Thanks again everyone for the ideas and support. I have been looking around, we'll see what happens....

    MEL
     

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