Hi FerrariChat. I found an ad for a low-mileage manual 360 Modena with an immobilizer issue. I'm making this thread to ask for some extra guidance as I haven't found all the answers I was looking for. According to the seller, the car originates from Kuwait and was later brought to the Netherlands. Allegedly, it hasn't been started or used for the past three years due to the immobilizer problem. The current owner acquired it a year and a half ago but "hasn't found the time" to work on it. The only action taken was applying power to the starter motor to check if everything would turn, which, unsurprisingly, it did, but nothing more happend... I contacted the nearest Ferrari dealer, but unfortunately, they don't offer inspections without the car physically present at their shop. So I either send a car I don't own around in a country I don't know or I check it as thoroughly in person (perhaps with someone) with as much knowledge as possible. So here are my questions and doubts: 1) Shouldn't the car cranck without firing if the immobilzer is active? (Or was giving power to the starter motor the only option?) 2) Which Diagnostic Device do you recommend? Is error reading not that conclusive in Ferraris of that era? 3) Apart from compression (if it cranks) and inspecting the cylinder with an endoscope, what else should I examine? 4) What are some common problems associated with the immobilizer issues? 5) Are there companies that resets immobilizers, retrieve PINs and produce fobs within Europe? All the one I could find where mainly in the US. 6) What other checks should I perform (without driving or taking it completely apart)? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
It is all completely fixable! It really depends on the condition of the car and price. 360Trev can do an immobilizer delete or you could just get all new fobs and electronics from Ferrari - $$$. Cars from the mid-east are probably very dusty and have seen a lot of hot weather. Think about replacing all the rubber bushings, hoses, etc. How is the leather doing? Is it dry or have mold growing on it. I would want paint thicknesses on every panel to know if anything has been done. If it becomes your hobby you could do it all yourself. If you have to pay someone else it is going to get expensive. So depending on above, $50,000 might be worth a try, if its closer to $90,000 it would be a pass for me. 1) mine does not turn over without pressing the button! When it was delivered, I had to ask how to start it - lol 5) I got my pin extracted and additional fobs from gobble
It might be all fixable, but at what cost? He doesn't own or have the car. He is in Italy and the car in Kuwait. You may end up spending more money than the future value of the car. Why not add the money you're willing to spend to make this questionable basket case road worthy and purchase one that starts and drive BUT needs some TLC? Since I see your Join Date is today, might I add what everyone here already knows......"The CHEAPEST Ferrari could end up being the MOST EXPENSIVE Ferrari" Don't learn the hard way with a money pit. However, just my opinion. Good luck with whatever decision you make.
Car is in the Netherlands, so I suspect shipping wouldn’t be to bad but factor that in. At the right price I’d do it if you have some basic mechanical horse sense and are tenacious. Probably recover your investment selling parts if it doesn’t work out. Imported car (for you), storied, unable to start it. In my opinion worth no more than 1/3 the market value of an “unstoried” otherwise exactly same example. You are taking all the risk. For me I’d consider it. Owning a Ferrari in Italy something super sexy about that. Just don’t drive it in Naples!
It's going to be a money pit whether it's in a barn or a dealership There is a plethora of info on this site, but first things first, there are a few options for bypassing the immobilizer. 360Trev could reprogram, there are more "plug and play" options, the cheapest would probably be sending the ECU to @gobble to get an appropriate fob. A good "starter" code reader would be a Foxwell with Ferrari software. It doesn't do everything but probably the best way to read what's going on in the ECU's. You didn't mention the year but there are different issues with different years. I would definitely recommend turning the motor by hand after updating all the fluids before attempting to start it.
The immobiliser still controls the starter motor relay. You can short out a certain pin on a plug behind the driver to override immobiliser/F1 TCU control of the realy, but applying power directly to the starter is probably just as easy. With the sun/heat in Kuwait, I would make sure all the switches, plastics, leather and paint were ok. Would you have pictures of the car?
I don't want to hijack the thread but as an interesting coincidence there is currently in Finland a (at least claimed to be) low mileage (29 000km) gated "barn find" 360 Modena for sale. The reason for low price (59 000€) is immobiliser issue. As a standard disclaimer, I am not associated with the seller in form or fashion and I don't have any information what so ever about the car beyond the text in ad. https://www.nettiauto.com/ferrari/360/13937028 Image Unavailable, Please Login
3 years is a long time for a car to sit. I wouldn't pay more than parts car money without seeing it in person.
Thanks everybody for your responses and I completely agree with all of you. I've gone and talked to the Ferrari shop here in Italy and they advised to get it checked at an official dealer. I'll gather more information, and if anything interesting comes up that's worth sharing, I'll keep you posted!
Hi, I’m located in Netherlands and own a 360 Modena myself. If you want, I can take a look at the car and give you my opinion, if it’s not too far from home that is. PM me for more information. cheers, Aroen
Eric355 in France can also do fobs and retrieve PIN. As for this 360... and your questions. You need a good scanner that can read all codes from all modules. I have a Launch. Compression test and leak down test, but no need for a borescope test. My car will crank with the immobilizer active, but car will not fire. It would be safe to assume that it will have more problem than just the immobilizer. So buy it cheap, or move on.
I bought a cheap 360 and it has been a blast to slowly get back into fighting shape but there have been times I have been totally frustrated and wanted to get rid of it. High highs and low lows. Buy it cheap enough that if you paid for all the repairs with a regular shop (or even dealership rates if you are a good negotiator) that you would be even money to a good/normal one and then do some or all the work yourself. Then you guarantee you are in the money and makes risk worth it. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
It's the same car as discussed here. Kuwait to NL. The Finnish seller says "car has been driven so little it has not been serviced yet". I don't think the car is in Finland.
A 2000 that's never been serviced will have a gummed up brake system. Fuel system probably the same along with +20 year old oils, coolant, and cam belts that haven't moved in at least 3 years. I think it's risky to try to start the car in its current state. There will also be dry seals, articulating parts that corrode into place, electronics discharged for extended periods of time, etc.
IDK... 6 years with my 360 and only standard maintenance. Buy a car with paperwork and I think that's the key. Too many times folks whine about the "money pit" when they buy the "bargain" Ferrari--- or the "barn find"
Hah, ive seen this one aswell, That rear grille i always find awfull in this style, found a while ago a Czech car aswell with that grille... lets hope for whoever buys the car he has the original grille with it!
