Anyone Know this 550?

I'm considering a 1999 550 Maranello with S/N ZFFZR49A8X0113528. It's titanium over black and is currently being sold by Motorcars Intl in Springfield, MO (www.motorcars-intl.com)

If anyone has any info, history, or just wants to comment on this vehicle, I would be much obliged.

Thanks-
Vic

 

Looks to be an early 99 car. Make sure it's had a recent major, and all of the updates. It does not appear to be a CAN bus car. I would also check to see which TSBs have been performed and which haven't (steering rack unlikely, although not necessary, etc.)

--Dan

 

Hi Dan--

Thanks for the quick reply. It is a 1999 vehicle with a build date of 09/03/98 and an in-service date listed as 10/19/98.

Last service was on March 25, 2005 when it had a timing belt maintenance w/ rollers and cam cover resealed at Boardwalk Ferrari in Dallas. I don't know where it stands on updates, but will inquire with my local dealer, Ferrari of Washington.

BTW, what is a CAN bus car? Scratch that, I just realized CAN=Car Area Network. Is this good or bad? In other vehicles (BMW, Mercedes) that I have owned, I found the CAN was a PITA as some of these systems do not seem to be ready for primetime. Your thoughts?

Thanks!

 

I currently own both a CAN and non-CAN 550. Like all things, more electrickery means more time and expense to solve problems (with increased likelyhood of problems). The non-CAN car has had relatively few problems - the only thing of note is the thermocoupler issue which is endemic of 550s.

I can't compare directly as I haven't had the 2nd one for more than a few months, but I wouldn't make it a point of contention.

Can you get a full service printout of the March 25 maintenance? I assume that by timing belt service they mean that they did a full major on the car (4 belts, 2 timing and 2 accessory), as well as all of the usual nonsense with a major. FYI, they will have to pull the cam covers off to do said service, and so I should hope that when they go back on, they get resealed (essentially, that means nothing).

Check to see which updates have been done and which haven't. If you aren't getting the straight word, I will dig up my records on 550 TSBs and try to go over them with you.

--Dan

PS: in ferrari terms the build year is the model year (unlike other manufacturers). For example, my 2nd 550 is a Dec. 2000 build with a march '01 delivery, but it is still referred to as a 2000 car.

PPS: just to put it in perspective, my first 550 is a july '97 car (very early). this car is still rock solid mechanically, so don't buy into the "newer is better" hype. it's not necessarily the case. yes, the 2nd car is much tighter, but that varies from car to car.

 

I just got a copy of the invoice for the timing belt service in March and have attached it. It doesn't seem particularly specific to me.

Thanks.
View attachment 550 Belt Service.pdf

 

It looks like they did just the timing belt part of the service, which is wierd, especially since you have to remove the accessory belts to get to the timing belts.

You should ask them why they did not complete the rest of the major with 75% of the work to get there done.

--Dan

 

Thanks Dan!

Sorry for my ignorance, but aside from the accessory belts, what else should have been done?

 

Just silly stuff. I'll find the list. Plugs, other randoms. try searching for 550 major to find previous lists, or i'll go dig mine up.

--Dan

 

Check this thread and article on 550's, for some added info:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58486

 

VIC

I RECENTLY JUST BOUGHT MY 550 FROM THEM

I DEALT WITH RANDY..GREAT GUY AND GREAT COMPANY

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS, CALL ME DIRECT 888 882 6965

THEY KNOW ME REAL WELL AND I CAN GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED WITHOUT ANY BULL


BRUCE

 

Dan, Bruce, and SrfCity--

Thanks a bunch for all of the help. I am waiting for a call or email from the salesman (Troy B.) at Motorcars, but have asked for the following info--

1. service history, including which TSBs/updates have been performed;
2. detailed summary of mechanical condition (including compression/leakdown test results, if available);
3. detailed summary of cosmetic condition (interior and exterior);
4. Discussion of the known issues with Maranellos (like the dash leather shrinkage, manifolds, radiator neck, among others) and their status on this car;
5. Does this car includes everything it should, like manuals/warranty book, tool kit, two sets of keys, etc.;
6. An honest statement of not just what you know, but what you suspect about this car's history.

Let me know if there's something I missed. BTW, do any of you have an opinion on what a fair price would be for this vehicle?

Thanks Again-
Vic

 

THEY WILL NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS 4 AND 6

AND WILL ONLY TELL YOU WHAT THEY KNOW AS FAR AS PAPERWORK IN THEIR HANDS..

THEIR IS NO WARRANTY ALSO..........

MAKE SURE THE COMPRESSION / LEAK DOWN TESTS GIVE YOU GOOD #S OR IF NOT, WALK FROM THE CAR....

BRUCE

 

Bruce-

Did you get a PPI done before purchase? If so, did you have it done in Missouri or NJ?

I am assuming that Motorcars will be amenable to sell it subject to it passing a PPI at my local dealer here in DC.

 

Dan: Is this only for 550s? It's not for 360s. My '04 360 Modena was delivered to me in Dec '03, and my '05 360 Spider was delivered Dec '04. Window stickers and all other docs matched the newer year. Maybe the practice changed a few years ago after your example?

?

Tim

 

THE PPI WAS DONE IN NY

I HAD A TR, IN WHICH I WAS TRADING AGAINST THE 550

THE DEAL WAS IF THE 550 PASSED THE PPI, INCLUDING LEAKDOWN AND COMPRESSION, THE SALE WOULD BE MADE..

IT DID, AND BACK THE TR WENTR TO MISSOURI..

GET A PPI DONE BEFORE THE SALE...NOT THE INTERESTED PARTY..

BRUCE

 

Could be. I have always heard that cars are referred to as build year. Dunno.

--Dan

 

August and later cars should be refered to as the next model year, industry wide. Leave it to guido's to screw that up.

AS well, listed on the 550 pdf, they did the belts and they said the resealed the cam covers. Well, to get to the cam covers you have to take off the plenum and should replace those gaskets, 164092 x2, as well, the 140753 x2 cam cover gaskets were not on there or the x7 117275 cam o-ring's. There was also no mention of the 163987 x4 cam seals, common with a 30k service on the 550/456 's since they pull the cams out of the motor, by the book at least. The prove the did not pull the cam, the cam bolt o-rings, 114808, x4, were not listed either. They did replace the drive belt tenisoners, the 70000933x2, which is often missed. And the part number is an update from the org. part number. There should have been two more belt part number, which I can not remember right now, but the drive belts should have been replaced unless there was an earlier service not shown.

The Cat Temp ECU's are not a 550 only issue. They fail on a lot of the F cars, so don't look to far into that. Simple fix. I would be more worried about the hose, part number 181599, and 175233, which are under the intake manifold. We have posted many times before about those hoses. I have seen those fail more then anything else on a 550.

Good Luck!!

 

OK, so I've come to learn that Motorcars does not have the previous service records, tool kit, or manuals. They claim that they will replace the tool kit and manuals, but they can't get the service records. Evidently, these items were stolen from the previous owner--but they aren't sure if the car was broken into. They say that there is no evidence of a break-in.

I also learned that this appears to be a three-owner car, first in Palm Beach FL, then CA, then OR.

I did contact Ferrari of Washington this morning about doing a PPI ($550), and mentioned the service records to them. Their service department was kind enough to offer to try and track down service records from the FNA computer, and through the original selling dealer.

Asking price is $117,500. It is titled as a 1999 model, titanium w/ black interior, and 19,800 miles. Motorcars indicates that although the invoice may not reflect it clearly, the recent service at Boardwalk Ferrari was for a full belt service.

Would you consider buying this car without service records? Should I be concerned about the fact that it has already had three owners? In light of the foregoing, what do you think is a fair price?

Thanks in advance.

 

I would push for a slightly lower price, or see if you can work in 1 or even 2 years of the powertrain warranty into th eprice if they're not willing to drop the number.

If you can call boardwalk and get them to send you in writing that the service performed was a full major (along with part numbers, etc.) then I would say your price is a bit high but ok overall.

--dan