F430...Early models bad?

Have you read any of the 430 buying threads here ? It does not sound like you have - they would be a good place to start - there have been several in the last few weeks and dozens over the years almost all of which cover your specific queries

 

Hope my experience will help you: bought my F430 back in 01.2005, is now 9 years old and almost 50K on tacho...never ever had a single issue with my car, and moreover I am still running on my original clutch...(not on the original tyres though LOL)
Buy your beloved F430, drive it as much as you can and enjoy it. It's a very reliable car.
I suffer every time I see people buying ferraris and drive them 500 miles pro year, it's a crime not to use these cars.

 

It's just the OEM headers on pre-2008's. Many have been changed under warranty already. If looking at a pre-2008 just check to see if the headers have been changed. If not, they will need to be sooner or later. I have a 2007 with updated headers. Solid as a rock!

 

I have a 2006, no issues other than updated the headers after they cracked.

 

I have heard the F1 improved in 08 models.

 

Agree with everyone else on the headers. Will also mention that the F1 transmission was updated in 2008 yielding slightly faster shifts. If you're looking to buy, I'd suggest you attempt to get a 2008+, but I wouldn't let these rather minor issues stop you if you find a great deal on an earlier one. If you save a lot of money, and then are forced to replace the headers ($5,000), so be it. With all you look into, get a pre-purchase inspection done that will tell you clutch life, headers, and other things. The cars are reliable, but nothing is cheap when it is replaced.

 

Had an 05 430. No issues whatsoever. Had the headers replaced under the 8 year emissions warranty by the dealer even though they didn't really need to be replaced. The 430 was more reliable than my 997 TT. I think from 430 on, Ferrari's became very reliable.

 

I bought my 2005 new. It now has 24K on it. Maintenance and repairs have averaged less than 1000./year. The headers were replaced in 2008.

Headers were covered for 8 years and many cars are now out of warranty or close so look for a car that has had them changed or discount for them. They will fail.

Dave

 

Same as all above...had an 05 430 spider and ran fantastic. Had history of headers being replaced but other than that was quite reliable. I think for the $ an 05/06 is a great buy. Although there were slight software updates in later models.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

Is there an official source substantiating this? I've never seen one.

 

just get the latest that you can afford

 

In 2008 CCMs became standard, as did a CTEK battery charger/maintainer and associated wiring. Changes were made to the F1 ECU/TCU just about every model year, but I have never seen Ferrari claim shifting was made faster. The claimed min shift speed for the 360, CS, and F430 by Ferrari is 150 ms for all of them, although there were significant updates that affected shift smoothness and clutch life. Substantial mechanical and software changes were made to the Scuderia/16M F1 system.

 

Not sure about the 2008 models having solved the exhaust header problem. My 2008 430 has a build date of Feb. 2008. The exhaust headers failed at 3200 miles and were replaced under warranty in 2011. This happened before I owned the car so I don't know what model of header was on the car originally.

 

I had my 05 F430 F1 for 3 years and 18K miles 10k of which were mine and the car never gave me an issue. Did have the headers replaced under warranty.

I Just sold it and am saving up for a newer one; 458 or 599 (need to have a 12 at least once).......Good luck.......Steve