Does anyone know this 575M for sale at Rardley in the UK?

The independent had a couple of snaps of it he emailed across this morning, but I'm not sure where it is right now:-


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Yeah, the Meridien car just looks tidy and the explanations of FHP on this forum points to it not being appropriate for what I want to use the car for.

 

So the Black car has popped up for sale today and has the added "Ferrari main dealer Tax".

In a week the asking price has increased by £30,000

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/575/ferrari-575m-maranello/8578998

 

See post #44 for actual spec.

 

Today I test drove both the Rardley and Meridien cars.

Before I report my findings, understand I am probably the least qualified person to pass judgement on these cars. I have never owned a supercar, never mind a Ferrari and I’m generally a new car buyer as I just don’t enjoy the bartering and headaches that go hand in hand with older vehicles. But I’m open to change!

So the following are the findings of the least knowledgeable Ferrari test driver on the forum.


Rardley first,
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/575/ferrari-575-f1-one-of-168-2002/6612032


We met with a well presented clean 575 in the showroom at Rardley (just large enough to fit this single car only).

The car is a commission sale on behalf of the owner.

A clutch life printout was presented showing a little over 56% worn and there appeared to be no evidence it had ever been replaced.

We took the car for a reasonable drive over local countryside and a little dual carriageway. I drove it in both auto and manual modes. The gear change was jerky particularly from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, in both manual and auto, but not uncomfortably so. The higher the revs/faster you were driving the smoother the gear change.

There was a check engine light on throughout the drive, the air conditioning was not blowing cold and the radio didn’t operate (looks like it needed a code).

Rubber seals around both headlights didn’t fit particularly well at the leading edge and evidence of overspray on them.

There was surface corrosion in one spot on the drivers side rear panel were the boot lid meets the rear screen.

The Crema interior was in pretty good condition considering the car is 16 years old.

No sticky buttons, but the vent surrounds were sticky.

The dealer was pleasant and straightforward, he’s valuing my part ex and we’ll be in touch this week.

I realised after I left I hadn’t asked about warranty.



The Meridien Car
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/575/ferrari-575-maranello-f1--2004-04/8525184

First impression is this car was very well cared for with extensive main dealer service history from day one. I preferred the Beige interior to the Crema and I liked the leather trimmed parcel shelf (which was carpet in the Rardley car), it was also in very good condition inside.

Everything in this car worked, the aircon blew cold, the radio worked, in fact the only error I could find was a non working tyre pressure monitor.

Right from the very first moment we pulled out of the showroom it was clear the gear changes in this car were far smoother than the Rardley car in both manual and Auto. It actually felt like a different car. It had a new clutch 4000 miles ago.

It also sounded like a different car and it turns out it’s fitted with Tubi back boxes. So the sound was rich but not overly loud or droning when you pressed on. I also found the suspension slightly more firm than the Rardley car. This is not an FHP car.

When I asked about warranty the dealer explained Ferrari don’t offer warranties for cars over 15 years old and what would be offered is a 12 month RAC warranty which covers a maximum of £4000 per claim with no limit on the number of claims.

The dealer was open, straightforward and accommodating.


So, the Meridien car is clearly the better car by quite some margin, less miles, newer, better condition, a more preferable colour combination (for me). But all this comes at a premium which is understandable, particularly as it’s being offered by a Ferrari dealer and one that’s known for being at the pricey end of the market at that.

What I’d assumed was that premium price came with a premium Ferrari warranty, but as it doesn’t that negates the premium being asked (unless I’m missing something more fundamental).

Did I like it? I’ve never driven a V12 Ferrari. Yes it was an event driving the car. It’s not something I’d want to drive daily, I have an Audi for that but for something to drive at the weekend on a sunny day as an event it was lovely.

Is it worth GBP100,000 I’m not sure with a standard aftermarket warranty.

 

Offer submitted to Meridien this morning and declined.

They aren't taking offers. it's full price only.

They did offer to thoroughly clean the car and cover the first years Road Tax for a full asking price offer.

So I'll keep looking.

However if anyone is looking for a clean well maintained RHD 575 and is happy to pay £100,000 this is worth looking at.

 

I offered £90k expecting a counter offer, but nothing was forthcoming.

It's the second car I've viewed at Meridien (previous was a 2013 FF) and they didn't want to deal on that either. I get the feeling they can ask what they like and aren't that concerned with volume. I respect that, it's how I run my business.

 

It did cross my mind after I'd left that it could be a commission sale. I didn't ask at the time.

Let's see what happens, not many of these seem to be selling at all at the present time. I'm in no rush and sometimes the right deal just presents itself.

 

Really informative thank you. This forum is excellent for things like this. Yes it's on 6 owners currently.

I now realise that when I went to view an FF at Meridien in November 2016 (that was still there 18 months later) it would have been this very car sat next to it in the showroom. Even then I remember looking at the car and thinking how clean it was and what a lovely colour it is.

I'm still comfortable with my offer and what will be, will be.

 

So my search has gone on hold for the time being. I've been browsing for about 6 months but seriously looking for only about 4 months. During that time very little has sold (if any) 575M's from dealers in the UK. The odd 550's seem to be selling but they aren't exactly rolling out the door.

The issue is price. Here's an example of the anomaly of the UK market at present.

2003 575M F1 - 19,000 miles - Ferrari Main Dealer - £98,990

2003 575M F1 - 65,000 miles - Independent Dealer - £94,995

Now I'm not looking for a perfect vehicle to add to a collection of hundreds of cars, this would be my first Ferrari and I wouldn't be unhappy at all to buy something with 65,000 miles (as long as it's in working order) as I'd actually like to drive it. But the asking prices need to be somewhat realistic.

I made an offer of £90,000 on this car:- https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ferrari/575/ferrari-575-maranello-f1--2004-04/8525184

I was expecting a counter offer but the response was "we're not talking offers of that nature, good luck with your search".

So if anyone in the UK is thinking of selling their 575M F1 and is actually interested in selling at a realistic price rather than the current dream values being advertised then I'm interested in buying.

I prefer Green or Blue (yes I know green is rare) and I like light interiors, particularly beige. I'm not a fan of red on the 575.

I don't really want or need a car with FHP.

Later would be preferable (2003 onwards).