Deposit on '00 550

Ask Gary about Jim. I've not dealt with Jim other than one time I contacted him to ask him to call me if he got a manual Maserati Coupe, never heard from him even though a few months later he had one on his web site. That said, my experience with this sort of thing is that most dealers will not call back, so I figure he's just typical in the call back sense. Otherwise, all I know is what has been reported on F-Chat, which appears to be generally good.

Good luck on the car. I am in San Diego, let me know if I can help in some way.

 

I would think a major service is due based on time. Sounds like it has had 3000 miles in 3 years. The car has basically sat for 3+ years (really 7 as 5800 miles is barely break-in).

Anyway, your PPI guy (who has a great reputation) will be the final judge on that issue.

I have never spoken with or dealt with Jim, so I really can't comment here.

Anway, sounds great, best of luck and post pics!

-dsd

 

Congrats on what sounds like a great find.

A 550 should have a major service every three years according to Ferrari, so this one is certainly due its service. I know some F-chatters here that service their cars every 5 years without problems, but that is not the official schedule and therefore you have a good claim to demand one.

I'm sure Gary will support this view.

Good luck with the buy!


Onno

 

You have the right guys in SD - Jim and Gary. There are some issues with this model so make sure Gary walks you through them (trans and brakes). Do remember that these cars have the bronze valve guides which will likely fail at some point. They have been greater issues on non-driven cars, so look for that. Gary will check compression correctly so you can get a heads up on that.

I hope it works out. This is alot of car for the money.

 

While they're doing the major service, don't forget to make sure you've updated the hoses under the intake manifold with the superior type (possibly silicon?)
See this thread:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126228&page=3

 

I am unfamiliar with any historical/common issues in respect to 550s Trannies and brakes......would you mind elaborating on this further?

This is the first time I've heard of this in regards to a 550 (although it is a well known issue with most 355s)......is this information correct?

My understanding is that (in the 355) Ferrari stopped using the bronze valve guides by mid-1998 or so......why would they still continue to use them on the 550 afterwards???

 

Mike Sheehan has reported that 550's sometimes might pop out of reverse - this is due to the circlip failing. About $3,500 to fix according to him.

There are no regular issues regarding brakes that I am aware of.

The 550 never had bronze valve guides - this is a myth crossed over from F355.



Onno

 

you are sooo smart, unlike me. duh! i just pay and pay. i have a 2000 550. now has 7000 on clock. had a 15000 mile service done with 5000 on car. not worth chance, a no brain er. enjoy your purchase. i love mine

 

Gary Boblieff sounds like a great PPI guy in the SD area. Cany anyone recommend a similarly good PPI guy in the San Francisco/San Jose area? Also, what sort of mileage is good for a 550? How many miles per year is enough to keep the mechanical parts in good condition but not too much?

 

YMMV (pun intended), but I considered my car when bought to have a nice mileage for the year (7 years old - 23000km/14300 miles). A little less would have been nice. So annual mileage of about 1500 miles is a good minimum, I would say. Anything less I would be hesitant about.

Mind you, it also depends on how the total was put on the dial. It could be that it was driven 12000 miles in the first year, and almost none after that....


Onno

 

I vaguely recall reading this on his "550 page", and might have seen a couple posts regarding it...hopefully, that is an indication of it being a relatively low frequency occurrence.....

No brake issues, but plenty have complained about the squealing pads. Easy (and relatively cheap) fix, though.....

Thank you for the above confirmation.....I wondered how I could have possibly missed these two issues (after reading about 5000+ threads regarding 550 concerns, LOL!)

 

...on my '01 550 2 yrs ago. Both were top quality experiences (just as it seems you're having).
No regrets at all.
Congrats on getting JL & the seller to go for the belts; it is time.

Look forward to pix in your driveway when you get the car......

Best,
James
'01 TdF Blue/Natural

 

Gary does good work - he services my 328, but they also just finished an engine rebuild on a 275GTB - so I'd have confidence he'll do good work on the 550 major.

I'm in San Diego as well. Let me know if you need anything checked out.

 

Brian Crall
Ferrari Brian Crall Company
10 Beta Ct. San Ramon, CA 94583 (925) 552-9700

 

I agree. Makes my Boxer purr like a kitten. Okay, like a lion.

 

Good luck with this one, it sounds like you have good people lined up on the deal & the 550, as far as I know, always had a great reputation as almost the perfect handling car.

Keep us posted, nice to see a write up of a good car, with good seller and great PPi guy -

Hope it all goes well for you - + the interior on a 550 (for the old fogies amongst us, at least) is very understated and elegant, I imagine an enjoyable place to be over the long term...

I'm jealous!

best regards,

 

What maintenance did this car need?
Thx