early gallardo

Remember this is the interweb and my unscientific view is that the bad news providers outnumber the good news providers by at least 10:1. I never had any problems (other than the result of other drivers) with my '04, but admittedly only drove 10,000 miles or so. Some folks have had problems with clutch and power steering pumps, but that is all I have heard. I'd ask around with various dealers and try to get as statistically significant idea of the frequency of problems, rather than count on the complaint posts on the net.

For example, I had a '95 355 and nary a concern with the dreaded valve guides; maybe I was lucky, but I do think that problem was blown out of proportion.

Also, find out who is doing work on teh '04 that are now dropping out of warranty on the independent side and see what they think.

 

I believe you want to avoid '04 e-gear if possible, and just keep in mind that only '05 1/2 and newer have the lifting system, if that is important to you. It actually can be useful if you have to exit to the street from an elevated parking lot, I'll raise the front up and hit the street diagonally if possible. The rest of the car is solid, no engine issues, etc. but based on mileage and how it was driven, could need a clutch sooner rather than later.

 

I have a really nice blk/blk 6 speed 15k miles capristo exhaust , smoked tail lights the pics are on lotusofscottsdale.com

 

I think all the 05's have the front lift.

 

"believe you want to avoid '04 e-gear if possible"

Why do you say that? Mine is 04 e-gear.the lift of the 05 I agree with but not the 04 e-gear statement.

 

I heard that 04's had different shift points and I've seen posts about '04 e-gears needing service in the various boards often enough that it's stuck in my head. For you the shift points probably wouldn't matter since you have 5000 hp but maybe for us mortals.

 

I have used the lift system more than 2 dozen times so far. The Ferrari I had must have sat a little higher because there are places where the Ferrari would clear but the G doesn't. And I too was told to avoid an 04 E gear.

 

taller gears which caused them to re-do software early on but
as long as that has been done buy away1

 

The 04's and 05's are all great cars (egear and manual) - however who wants an egear anyway unless you can't drive a stick (just kidding Wayne).

I had one of the first (if not the first Gallardo) in Model Year 04 ...(made in Oct 03) The one at the NAIA Auto show in 04.

The early 04's had some clutch problems - however Lambo NA took car of mine and put in a new one Free of charge (I attribute this to Audi's influence).

If you are going for an 04 - try to find out (if it is an early 04) if it has a D version clutch or better. I think this is when the clutches became very dependable. All mid to later 04's should be fine clutch wise).

I did not (of course) have the lift system in my 04). My 07 Spyder has it - and frankly I do not know how I lived without it. The G sits very low and I had to avoid nearly every big dip, speedbump, entry, etc to avoid scratching the front.

That is why I would look at the 05 - if the cost is similar. Performance wise - there will be no difference in the 04 v 05.

Rich

 

Richard

Had I known the extent of the mods I was planning I
wouldn't have even considered an E-Gear.

Actually I went to Symbolic to buy a 6 speed ....the salesman
conered me into at least driving an e-gear and I loved it.

It was all his fault damn it!

 

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