Doing ownership research on the early 456 | FerrariChat

Doing ownership research on the early 456

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Charles456, Dec 2, 2012.

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  1. Charles456

    Charles456 Karting

    Oct 8, 2012
    68
    Georgia, USA
    Full Name:
    Charles Johnson
    #1 Charles456, Dec 2, 2012
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2012
    Hi team,

    I'm considering buying a used 95 456, and I am trying to get a feel for it.
    I'm over 40 years old, professional, and have had porsches, MBs, BMWs.
    Things like tires, brakes, tail lights, engine seals, are actually cheaper than my MB SL550.
    I have been browsing cranks and head prices at Recambi, and they are much higher, but acceptable.
    The car doesn't currently need a crank or head, but I have to consider the worst case scenario.

    Can you share some of the costs and avaiablity you have had, to help me determine if I want to get involved.
    After some thought, my biggest obsticle is the fear of needing a part, and having to go on a worldwide scavenger hunt to find it.
    Having my toy sitting in a garage for six months would put a frown on my face.
    Have you found the parts to be easily available at Recambi and elsewhere?

    Thank you very much for any comments.
    Charles
     
  2. LARRYH

    LARRYH F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2011
    9,677
    virginia usa
    I know what you mean while I do not own a 456 I do however own a 550 which shares many of its parts , and parts are just not a problem . they may be pricey but they are readily available . I have found Ricambi to be a great source and any ferrari specialist should have no problem fixing anything . Where you start to get into problems is in cars like my 1972 DINO where most parts are not directly available but can still be found. THe bigger concern many people have is the cost of ownership everything cost double but it is a reliable car and I have found the more you drive it the better it gets.
    I started out with a new California a few years ago and what I can tell you is once you get hooked you will wonder what took you so long. I am in my mid 50s and hate anything that is a pain in the ..... However I sure love my my Fcars ... of course it is not a new car so realize that....
    Best of luck you will find this furom to be very helpful in this regard.
    Larry H
     
  3. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    #3 2000 456M, Dec 2, 2012
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2012
    Hi, Charles. Is there any particular reason you would prefer the earlier 456 over the later 456M? There are a number of 6-speed 456Ms currently on the market (see the thread on this page: "Ferrari 456 cars for sale.") Over the long (and not-so-long term), the initial purchase price differential will not be very meaningful and, as you can easily tell from reading the threads in this section, the later in a series the car is, the more kinks and weaknesses have been addressed. As for parts, I agree; there's never been a problem getting them and sometimes its possible to get an identical part from a non-Ferrari source; e.g, the famous alarm siren which goes bad eventually can be had from a Chevy dealer for $78 instead of $300+ as a Ferrari part.
     
  4. Charles456

    Charles456 Karting

    Oct 8, 2012
    68
    Georgia, USA
    Full Name:
    Charles Johnson
    Hi guys.

    I prefer the styling of the older 456, I'm just lucky they are selling for less.
     
  5. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,176
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Charles- Go to ferraridatabase.com and you can download owners manuals and workshop manuals for the 456. Be advised there are Motronic 2.7 and Motronic 5.2 cars. Advantages to both, but the 2.7 cars tend to be less complicated, especially the alarm system, and are obviously on the earlier cars.

    No automatics until the 1996 timeframe, so all the early cars are 6 speeds.
     
  6. 360modena2003

    360modena2003 Formula 3

    Jul 11, 2009
    2,438
    Expect to do the following if not done yet:

    1. Timing Belt and tensioners
    2. Radiator Hose upgrade (from Helms at Scuderia)
    3. Replace fuel pump gaskets (same as Alfa 164)
    4. Motor mounts (from the 550, not critical, but improves the feel)
    5. Replace rear suspension bombs (cheap - uses the same as BMW X5)
    6. Fix window alignment - adjust if required.
    7. Check the suspension actuators (if need to replace, buy used ones from Corvette)
    8. Cat temp ECU - if faulty, remove and replace (expensive - buy from Daniel at Ricambi)

    Then check your clutch and make sure you have the alarm sorted out (although Helms may be coming out with a delete option to rid us of this nightmare)
     
  7. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,176
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    You want to replace the motor mounts with ones from the 575M, not the 550. Both fit, but the later ones are much improved.
     
  8. Charles456

    Charles456 Karting

    Oct 8, 2012
    68
    Georgia, USA
    Full Name:
    Charles Johnson
    #8 Charles456, Dec 5, 2012
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2012
    360 Modena, Exactly!
    Generally, I keep my cars it top condition, fresh oil, fresh belts and hoses, and keep the maintenance caught up. I have NEVER had to replace a crankshaft or head on anything I have ever owned, but I should know the cost of things before jumping in.

    Tazandjan,
    I certainly will. Thank you very much.

    I have a question about Ricambi. Do their parts fit and work well? Dare I ask how they compare to authentic Ferrari parts? I use ONLY authentic parts.
    Oh they ARE genuine original parts! That is GREAT! I absolutely LOVE the online drawings and part list with prices.


    Thank you
    Charles
     
  9. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,895
    Richmond
    Full Name:
    Pete
    Anything Ricambi carries that isn't oem is usually vastly improved over oem - for example the Hill tensioner bearings.
     
  10. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

    Sep 29, 2007
    12,600
    Portland, OR
    Full Name:
    Allan
    A good source for brake pads and rotors is Formula Dynamics.
     
  11. Charles456

    Charles456 Karting

    Oct 8, 2012
    68
    Georgia, USA
    Full Name:
    Charles Johnson
    Guys, Thank you for your sincere responses; you are helping me tremendously.
    Who should look at the car for the PPI. I assume it should be a Ferrari technician. Where do find HIM?
     
  12. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,176
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Charles- The head mechanic at Ferrari of Atlanta comes highly recommended if he will do a PPI.
     
  13. Charles456

    Charles456 Karting

    Oct 8, 2012
    68
    Georgia, USA
    Full Name:
    Charles Johnson
    Okay, that is fine.
    I live within walking distance of Ferrari Atlanta!
     

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