F355 GTS Finally Here! | FerrariChat
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F355 GTS Finally Here!

Discussion in '348/355' started by cuse92, Mar 27, 2014.

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  1. cuse92

    cuse92 Karting

    Aug 13, 2013
    52
    Kent, UK
    Full Name:
    Ben
    #1 cuse92, Mar 27, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I posted a couple of months ago about my CEL issues when I picked my F355 GTS up for the first time after buying it last August and spending several months fettling it and storing it until I got my new garage. I drove it home in a rainstorm (no other choice this past January in the UK unfortunately) and the CAT ECUs did their thing and put me in limp-home mode. I took the car to The Ferrari Centre, which is only minutes from my house, to get the CEL codes deleted and while it was there decided to have the last bits I wanted done completed while the weather was still iffy. I finally picked the car up today and I am a happy man!

    What I had done:
    1. Capristo exhaust - best money I've ever spent on any car... it had a Quicksilver exhaust on it which was nice and better than stock, but nothing near the same sound. Quicksilver now sold.
    2. New black carpets in interior - I can't understand how people as style-conscious as the Italians could put bourdeaux carpets in a Rosso Corsa car, but in any event the old carpets were worn and nasty and the difference in reds was redlining my OCD so out they went. I kept the old ones in case I sell the car and someone who is obsessed with originality wants to put them back in. I also had the underside of the targa top lined with matching black leather, and a new black leather case for the targa top made.
    3. Replaced OEM pillow airbag wheel with 360 wheel. Straight bolt-on replacement that makes the interior look 10 years younger. Kept the original for easy switch back if sold.
    4. Replaced nasty aftermarket Sony stereo with a Ferrari Becker head unit from an F430.
    5. Replaced sticky bits etc. with carbon fibre replacements - centre console and door handles. Car already had carbon door sills.
    6. Painted wheels gloss black and replaced wheel bolds with black Hill Engineering Challenge bolts. I kept the original bolts, and the wheels would cost £125 each to switch back to silver. I prefer the black/red with yellow badging look myself, but am sure that is not for everyone but it is an easy change...
    7. Replaced body colour OEM rear valance with a rear challenge grill. I kept the original again in case of sale...
    8. I just did the cam belt service so while the engine was out I had the cam covers repainted in red crackle finish and had the engine bay detailed. Also had bonnet and headlamp pods resprayed and had a new, smaller front number plate made.

    So she's now exactly as I wanted her, although as mentioned I have everything I need to return the car to stock if needed (I have zero plans to sell the car while I'm still able to drive...). Picked the car up today and took the long way home... best bit by far is the Capristo, it is absolutely amazing...

    Anyway, first three are before pics so you can see changes, and the rest are pics from today, which are unfortunately are poor quality phone pics.

    Ben
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  2. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 26, 2012
    3,821
    Tinton Falls, NJ
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    Bob Ferraris
    #2 drbob101, Mar 27, 2014
    Congrats and enjoy...

    Not a fan of the wheels but youre right about the carpet for sure. Looks much better.
     
  3. cuse92

    cuse92 Karting

    Aug 13, 2013
    52
    Kent, UK
    Full Name:
    Ben
    #3 cuse92, Mar 27, 2014
    Thanks. Yeah, I went back and forth on the wheels and decided it was cheap enough to give it a try. It is funny how polarising that one point is with Ferrari owners - all the guys in the shop thought they looked great, but another 355 owner that was there didn't like them. I can always change them back, but I have to say they look better than I thought they would in person. I'm just not a big fan of silver alloys - seems like every car has them these days.
     
  4. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 26, 2012
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    Bob Ferraris
    #4 drbob101, Mar 27, 2014
    SO many of the new Ferraris I have seen have black wheels now. It must be the latest look. I think the stock wheels are just done so nicely and the contrast between black tire and body paint just works for me. I am a bit of a purist though and you can switch them up as you said. Enjoy.

    I do like the 458 radio. I have an aftermarket head unit that I put in that I dont like. I really only use the iphone for music so I was thinking of dummy rigging an OEM radio somehow just for appearance but having the iphone cable. Havent thought it through and dont have the OEM radio even, but what you did is interesting.

    I sometimes really sctrach my head when I see what people actually order from the factory for their cars., i.e. those red carpets. Really...you think someone (his wife or girlfriend if he had one) would have said, no honey, that doesn't work at all. LOL. We saw this limke green something or other driving down the road the other day and the wife said OMG is that ugly. I said, yes and someone actually sat in a dealership and said I want that color and PAID for it to. No accounting for people's tastes. As you said you have nice new carpeting now also.
     
  5. CLIVE77

    CLIVE77 Karting

    Sep 10, 2010
    151
    Upper Clatford, UK
    Full Name:
    Clive Spencer
    #5 CLIVE77, Mar 27, 2014
    Ben

    Your 355 looks awesome. Those black wheels and the challenge grille really set it off. The black carpets also look great. I've got an old Triumph GT6 with an all black interior - I like it much better that the red carpets and crema seats in my 348. In a few years when I get the concours bug out of my system, I will junk the carpets and creama bits and fit black carpets and F40 seats. Oh, and black wheels and black challenge wing that I've got stashed away for future use!

    Enjoy your new car - it looks really special..
     
  6. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
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    Nov 20, 2006
    2,484
    #6 cuneo, Mar 27, 2014
    Looks great! Might I suggest the Hill passenger side kick plate? Might be nice to break up all the black. Good call on tearing out the red carpet, that would have killed the car for me.
     
  7. 0.0.1.99

    0.0.1.99 Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2012
    424
    Carolinas
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    Ken
    #7 0.0.1.99, Mar 27, 2014
    That steering wheel looks right at home in the 355...good choice.
     
  8. Eric C

    Eric C F1 World Champ
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    Mar 20, 2009
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    #8 Eric C, Mar 27, 2014
    Love everything but the painted wheels.
     
  9. cuse92

    cuse92 Karting

    Aug 13, 2013
    52
    Kent, UK
    Full Name:
    Ben
    #9 cuse92, Mar 28, 2014
    Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm really starting to wonder about the black wheels now given the "meh" reaction on here. I was 50/50 on them until I saw them for the first time in person, loved them on sight and the positive reaction from all of the techs at The Ferrari Centre had me feeling positive. I'd like to say that I don't care what people I've never met think, but honestly on a forum full of fellow owners who know so much about the car, it actually does impact my opinion. In any event, I'm going to keep them black for the summer and then see how I feel come September.

    drbob101, you'd be surprised how many head units from 360's and 430's come up on ebay. When I bought the one I've got, there were half a dozen to choose from just in the UK. I got the head unit with all of the manuals, etc. in as-new condition, plus the 360 steering wheel, for less than £500 on ebay. The stereo even has GPS, but it is an antiquated system compared to what you can get on a smart phone or a cheapo Garmin so I doubt it will ever see use. I still listen to CDs so the 430 headunit is nice as it has a hidden CD slot. Not that I'll ever turn it on again now that I have a Capristo...
     
  10. spaghetti_jet

    spaghetti_jet Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2005
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    Bob
    #10 spaghetti_jet, Mar 28, 2014
    Very nice. Personally I think the black wheels look good. Your pics have spurred me on to paint my wheels black, but I'll go for sub-gloss or possibly full matt black.
     
  11. tf308

    tf308 Formula 3

    Dec 14, 2003
    1,168
    Virginia Beach
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    Tim
    #11 tf308, Mar 28, 2014
    Another thumbs down on the black wheels. I can't say that I have ever seen a car where I thought black rims looked as good as silver (just my opinion)

    However, I think everything else looks great. Well done
     
  12. driveitdaily

    driveitdaily Formula 3

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    #12 driveitdaily, Mar 28, 2014
    Aftermarket wheels , black with polished lips - good. Factory wheels painted black- not good.


    " serenity now "
     
  13. since-15

    since-15 Formula 3

    Nov 26, 2008
    1,142
    #13 since-15, Mar 28, 2014
    Nicely done (except for the wheels- not my taste). Enjoy it and that killer Capistro sound in good health!
     
  14. Turbo Ron

    Turbo Ron Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    262
    West Los Angeles, CA
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    Ron Stavis
    #14 Turbo Ron, Mar 28, 2014
    I just sold my yellow GTS with black wheels. The new owner changed the wheel color back to silver the day he took possession. I also had a 360 Stradale Steering Wheel on the car. His plan was to put the original steering wheel back on. Go figure. Every one has different taste.
     
  15. Turbo Ron

    Turbo Ron Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
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    Ron Stavis
    #15 Turbo Ron, Mar 28, 2014
    Oh and by the way, don't hate me. I replaced the Ferrari with a 2011 Porsche Twin Turbo. Six speed manual transmission.
     
  16. cuse92

    cuse92 Karting

    Aug 13, 2013
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    Kent, UK
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    Ben
    #16 cuse92, Mar 28, 2014
    No hate at all. My other weekend car is a Porsche, and I don't mind criticism of my choices as long as it is civil and not personal (otherwise I shouldn't be posting pics on a public forum!). Enjoy the turbo. Thanks, Ben
     
  17. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,232
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    #17 PAP 348, Mar 28, 2014
    Congrats Ben, car looks great! :)
     
  18. Eric C

    Eric C F1 World Champ
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    #18 Eric C, Mar 28, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    It's not that I don't like black wheels. I just don't like the stock wheels in black.

    The right wheel in black looks incredible.
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  19. Freddan

    Freddan Formula 3
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    Sep 16, 2012
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    Fredrik
    #19 Freddan, Mar 28, 2014
    Looking good!

    Question: did you swap the doorcards to fully black or some howbjust switched the red part to black?
    Have the same ugly red carpet in my 355...
     
  20. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie

    Oct 8, 2011
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    Elliott Caras
    #20 MAD828, Mar 28, 2014
    Great car, where did you source the new black carpet from?

    Looks great with exception of the black wheels for my tastes.
     
  21. driveitdaily

    driveitdaily Formula 3

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    #21 driveitdaily, Mar 28, 2014
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2014
    I don't know where or when the black wheel look gained traction, for me , the black wheel opening , black tire and black wheel all blend together and the look just lacks definition. From more than a few feet away it just looks like a monotone black hole . Maybe it started somewhere like SEMA, with all the lights shining on a perfectly clean show car and caught on from there. When i first saw it i thought it was lazy people not wanting to clean brake dust on their daily driver civic type thing, but i keep seeing and wonder why.i live in the northeast and the winter salt around here ruins wheels so painting them black seems to be an easy solution, but not an attractive one. Just my opinion though, and i'm nobody , so take it with a grain of salt. Nice car otherwise, enjoy!


    " serenity now "
     
  22. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    #22 308 GTB, Mar 28, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That's a handsome F355 GTS, Ben. Congratulations! Drive it in good health.

    I like the black wheels. My F355 Challenge's street wheels are black...
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  23. gmbjr

    gmbjr Karting

    Dec 18, 2013
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    Austin, TX
    #23 gmbjr, Mar 29, 2014
    I really like the black wheels.
     

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