Engine out service...No engine out service?

I need help here understanding something. I will be purchasing my second Ferrari within 6 months and want to minimize the service expense. I love both the Mondial as well as the 328's for different reasons. I sell real estate in San Francisco and probably would use the car as a primary instead of allowing it to gather dust in the garage. It is my understanding that some years Mondial's require "engine out" major which will cost in the area of $5k in the Bay Area and some don't require the same engine out which would drop the cost down by roughly $1500. My last 308 ran like beautifully & didn't cost me hardly anything. But tough asking a couple to share one seat on an occasional property tour.

Please!!! Someone clear this engine out, engine in mystery!!!!
Thanks, Dapper Dan

 

Mondial t = engine out (like a 348)

all other Mondial = engine in (like a 308/328)

 

Do you have a recommendation for a particular year Mondial? I do like the coupe a lot but would certainly seriously consider a spyder.

Thanks, Dan

 

You are going to wedge clients into the back seat of a Mondial in this real estate market? I strongly suggest that unless you sell exclusively to height-challenged buyers, you need a different car for work. Although I rode in the back of my Mondial and found it acceptable for short distances, I would never have expected a client to ride back there. If you want an upgrade from your 308 with the same maintenance, get the 328. If you need a back seat to ferry adults around, get a nice four door sedan.

 

No, if anything I would be putting only one adult back there if at all. I have a BMW 745 for those purposes. Back to my last question about the right Mondial. Do you have a recommendation for which year is going to work best with respect to not breaking the bank on the major's? Since we would also use it for taking some trips down the coast to play golf, a 328 becomes problematic.

Thanks, Dan

 

Supposedly, 88 coupes are the best and cheapest to maintain. Mondials will likely cost somewhat more than 328's to maintain because they are harder to work on and the electrical system is not as good. There are many out there that have been used as regular drivers and have 100K=/- on them.

Dave

 

check/search the 328 forum for info. One thing that comes to mind if I remember correctly, is the early 328 Mondials came with TRX rubber, so you're likely looking at a wheel/tire change if you pick one of those up. Don't think 328 GTB/GTS wheels work on 'em either, but don't remember for sure.
There's plenty of writeups on Mondials in the other forum, tho.

 

Actually, there is a Broker here in the city that has a blk. Mondial Sypder that has never had the top up and drives around clients in his BMW when necessary. Since we don't have a lot to show folks we don't generally have them in the car for more than 30 min.

As for my first love, the 328, may I assume you would recommend the later models over the first ones in '86?

Again, Thanks.

 

+1 BUT, if you find a $5k service engine out for a 348/Mondial T from a certified Ferrari mech in the Bay Area, then let me know: I have found a good service as expected and with reliability to be more like $7,500-8+ . Ask me how I know on the last [savings] of a $6k service

 

I spoke with Presdige (I know I should have paid more attention in school) Autohaus in Walnut Creek about a Mondial they had for sale and was quoted this figure roughly 1.5 yrs. ago. He's the former owner of Ferrari of Sacramento and now he owns a small dealership in W.C. and services cars in the back. Now that I know that the Mondials up to '88 are like the 308/328's and don't require the engine out service, I would have to believe he was talking about the '86 he was showing me. If you have the T, oh my! You still may call them and check it out just in case.
There's also a consignment store in San Francisco that has their service dept upstairs named: Dawykiak (415-928-2277). Hope this helps you. Dan

 

Well, I learned my lesson on the last one, in that I will probaby only ever have FofSF do the major. They are not only close for me but have done me well in every case. AND since I bought it from them, I somewhat feel compelled to have them service their product.

thanks......BTW, sounds like you are leaning towards the lesser costing 328 series.

 

We also have a '02 Maserati Sypder that we only have serviced there, so far. Since my wife will have this until the wheels fall off, I'm not as concerned about the resell value being maintained.

Tell me something, do you feel you may have paid a premium buying your car through them? I always wondered about this.
Dan

 

Yes.

Now a cavaet: Brad had the car listed at top 'blue' book asking price. He lowered it and covered the commission to the original owner [on consignment] at a discount, well I'll just say in the double digits of percentage point. His comments were basically '....we are more interested in seing this type of car on the road [Mondial T] than a garage queen such as this [only had 11k miles or about 700 miles /year] and I want to see/hear reports back that it is being driven......" I of course

both at the discount, and at the comment, that of COURSE I would be driving it and except for shop time, that car has been more than doubled in mileage in the nearly four years I've owned it.

NOW< FofSF is the ONLY factory owned group in all the Americas...North, Central and South. And their goal is of course to offer great vehicles at top prices and service their clients accordingly. They also want to see many cars on the road.

Yes you will pay a premium, but they have ALWAYS stood by their product to me, and made things right, very very reliable service in terms of doing the jobs right, and I have little fears they will step up to the table and take responsibility.

THAT is huge in my terms. peace of mind, little issues. Stuff like that is well felt in the industry.

So, when you buy at a higher price there, I believe you are getting more than just the car and some pats on the back because they are basically FORCED to offer the correct car....no issues.
FofSF seems to always be polite to even me, the 'little buy' whenever I walk in, etc. After five or more years they still remember my name and treat me special....not sure I'd get that anywhere else.

{THIS COMMERCIAL NOT PAID OR SOLICITED BY ANY FofSF REPRESENTATIVE }

 

Thanks for your candor. I always knew that if I purchased a car from them that I would pay somewhat more than if I bought a car from a private party or from an independent. But I would have to agree with you that buying a car from them should give you much more peace of mind. I know that when we take the Maserati in for service, they take good care of us even though there seems to be a fair amount of down time associated with repairing anything there.

I really have a problem getting my head-around this major service cost for a Mondial T/348. At this time, I would probably lean towards a Mondial pre-'88 in order to not encounter the engine out expense. I have no doubt that the powers to be never considered the additional cost since anyone buying a Ferrari must have deep pockets, right?. They should have talked with me first.

Are you a member of FCA (Pacific Region)? I ran into the VP here in the city and after talking with him it seemed to be the right thing to do if you like being around other Ferrari owners.

Anyway, thanks again for the vote of confidence with FofSF. I would have to agree with your thought process.

Cheers!
Dan

 

Dan, food for thought:

Think about an engine out belt change every 3-5 years or constantly worry about your engine not starting, ignition turning off while driving, lights turning off while driving at night, cooling fan cutting out while in traffic.

It's a matter of choice.

 

3 to 5 yrs?? I will be one of those drivers that will drive it 10k at least a yr. and maybe a little more.

 

Have you considered a 308GT4? Basically, they are the predecessor to the Mondial. They have a back seat which is usable, barely, but usable. An early 308GT4 (series 1) with an engine rebuild (replacing the sodium valves) is one heck of a car. I own a 308QV but before I bought my car, I looked at a 308GT4 here in Colorado. The gentleman who owns it does use it sometimes for clients, but I dont think he drove 2 people in it at the same time.

I can tell you that the early carb 308s (1975 GT4 I drove) SOUND GREAT and have what feels as more power, mainly because it doesnt have a cat.

They get hot inside, but you may want to consider one. Plus, according to some on FChat, they are becoming more collectable. The key will be finding a good one.

Do a search for "Series 1 GT4" in the 308 section and do some research if your interested.

James in Denver

 

A Yes, when ever there is a quote of 1 week, make sure to use the correct Ferrari calculator where a factor of 2.25 is the multiplicand


B Yes, but this year I am opting out. Felt the $180/year, other than the great mags. didn't do much for me, in that I NEVER seem to have enough time on the weekends to participate...always driving to somewhere in the cars for fun on our own...

IF you participate on events, then I believe it's a nice deal. Getting Ferrari 'stuff' in the mail feels good. OF course the very expensive carboard membership card feels great too

ALSO, agree the GT4 is a keeper. and bargain if proper example can be found....unless you want the full Fe$$a$i experience I'd probably stay away from the Mondial T/348, it is a responsibility if you are paying others to take care of it that based on your post is something you weren't looking towards doing.