I am a little scared to buy 355

I have had mine for 2 years and have not had any problems like this. I am currently doing an engine out job. At the end of the day if you buy one and something happens then that is what owning A FERRARI is all about. The thrill comes when you drive the car and that far outweighs anything else from my point of view.

Get it checked out by an authorised ferrari mechanic and this should make the job easier for selecting one.

Good luck

 

If you're scared don't do it man.. I have had mine for about a year and a half and I have had both the check engine light and slow down light drama. The most expensive part is have the problem diagnosed. The fixes in my case weren't that expenseive, it was just finding the problem. Neither of the problems have reoccured nor have any others with the CEL or slowdown light. There are so many different systems that feed into those indicators lights it can take a while to figure it out.

But all in all the 355 has been an outstanding and pretty reliable car and I drive my daily. The car is simply AMAZING and I will never get rid of her!!! If you can make the commitment you should do it no question!!!

 

+1

 

Look for a message from the 328 Syndicate later in this thread.

We're currently running a quality workshop over at the Lexus dealer but will be back on later to field any concerns from future F355 owners.

 

Do you have a particular car in mind? If so post info here, the many experts can help you decide if it's a good move or not at least based on superficial info (a PPI is still necessary).

The big question is, can you maintain it yourself? And if not, are you ready for frequent 4-digit dealer repair bills? Quick story for you - my car 'passed' the PPI, and it's a '99 so that's somewhat expected. BUT they neglected to find the CEL had been removed. So lo and behold I have 2 codes. Did some research here and posted what was going on, eventually fixed both for $325 and not more than 2 hrs of my labor. Been driving my 355 to work daily and on weekends, at least 200+ miles last week (just hit 38k miles). And I would say it brings equal enjoyment just staring at her in the garage...so if it all makes sense for you, do it!

 

Jay,

It's time to change the picture in your profile from the blue car you have posted to the yellow one you have in your garage!

 

Buy after 1997 right?

 

Have had mine 3 and a half years and never had this problem but saying that mine is one of the last off the production line so you would expect all problems had been solved by then.

 

If you are worried about repair bills then ownership is a nervous experience and you can get paranoid about driving it. I felt like that when I first purchased - my solution was to presume US$10,000 a year on running costs and maintenance (insurance, fuel, servicing, tyres, the whole lot). That way if it happens then I am cool with it and if it dosnt I make a BIG profit

As for the cats / sensors - in Europe swapping the cats for pipes hasnt caused me any warning lights but I understand in the US with tighter emmissions specs it does so you need to also have a cat simulator for the sensors to not trip (fill your profile in..!)

The sensors themselves dont have a history of failure BUT if you fit pipes then the sensors in your cats are usually heat welded in there and cant be removed (there are 6 sensors in a 5.2 and when I had pipes fitted two of them wouldn't budge).

The component that does go re: cats is the cat ecu's (x2) which the sensors plug into - these are a small plastic box containing electronics and given heat / age the boxes lid seperates and lets moisture in which causes component corrosion. If caught early enough (before moisture gets in) a dab of glue (epoxy) will seal them back up nicely.

The cats also fail themselves, they are old technology (13 years old now) and the ceramic monolith turns to powder and ends up causing white/light grey powder to gather around the tailpipes (looks like a ceramic coating funnily enough) - modern cats have a metal monolith and are lighter plus run cooler. So at some point new cats or pipes will be required, personally I would go aftermarket cats given the above. I figure the best thing you can do with a 355 is keep it standard but wherever possible reduce the engine bay temps which are HOT.

 

If you are talking bronze valve guides for steel then its after mid 98 but need to check the build number, search on the forum. I have a 98 with bronze guides (no issues yet though).

 

Richard are you going by the assembly number ir you have actually seen your guides??

 

The 355 is a fantastic car. Ultimately it will come to a stage where you will love it so much that you will have it no matter what.

I don't follow up on the 355 do's and donts as much but I think that buying a later model 355 does give you less probability of valve guide/header/manifold issues occuring. But there is no guarantee that it won't happen. Ferrari may have used the bronze components lying at the factory on the newer cars as well.

Personally, what I would do if I were you, is buy a 1995 355 berlinetta that has encountered these problems in the past and have been fixed with aftermarket/better components. You get a car that is discounted quite heavily compared to a 1998/9 version. The '95 car is a tiny bit more powerful as well.

Get a proper PPI done.

 

This may sound harsh but I'm always perplexed with these kinda questions/posts. It's almost as if it's a rhetorical question. Sort of, "If you have to ask..."

If one isn't ready to handle the consequences of ownership, any car for that matter, be it a beat-up Camaro for a college kid or a gazillionaire's McLaren F1 that needs it's fuel bag replaced, then one probably isn't ready for it.

I wanted an F355 but ended up with a 348 (sorry, brothers - 'tis the honest truth). I wasn't ready for the upfront price nor the valve and header replacement cost/risk. And if the ownership of a 348 had scared me, I would've ended up in an Elise or (god forbid) NSX. Fortunately, I had the pain threshold (and wallet) to at least have the 348 as my first f-car.

Someone has made me an offer that I can't refuse on my 348. While it remains to be seen (he says he'll have the cash next month), I will most likely be upgrading to an F355 and joining the sisterhood (there - I've said it!). Yes, I know it's more cash and there's always the valve and header worry (besides all the other smaller expensive stuff like the shocks, etc.) but having broken my Ferrari cherry with the 348 has prepared me for the ups and downs of an F355.

And if my potential buyer bails, I'll be just as happy to continue driving the 348 (I'm not going to actively put it up for sale - the current offer was purely out of the blue from a high school class mate)

 

I admire the honest statement!! I was looking at a 348 because the 355s were more dough. But coming from a 993TT, I could not imagine losing over 100BHP in transition. Hence the 355 won, hands down!!

Its not so bad being in the 'sisterhood' once you come to terms with it !!! We have tupperware and avon parties that have made the 348 owners very jealous !!!

 

You have to admit though that the F355 steering feel is crap vs. the 348, and even a distant second to the power steering of the 993 (which, IMHO, is the perfect balance). I'm still not a 100% convinced and need to drive another F355 or two, otherwise, I may still hang around with my brothers (yes, Pap included) and pass up on the hairdryer and other foo-foo stuff.

 

I know the 348 and 'hot shorts' have a strangle hold on you, but once you get used to the steering it is actually very good!! The extra power, 6-speeds, 8700 RPM and that glorious sound make it all worthwhile !!!

 

Build number and guess (I havn't seen them), car was purchased new in January 1998 so build was in 1997 - last major about 4000 miles ago.

 

Build number 27689 is the magic number - cars after that number were with steel valve guides.

 

I have owned a 355 for several years. I initially fell in love with a red 355 spider but settled with a beatiful 355 GTB with a tubi, never had any issues and traded it a year later for a 99 355 spider. Its been a dream car for me.

I love the sound and the way it drives, its the car that I originally fell in love with.

I read all the reviews and "issues" in the net about 355s but to tell you the truth, other than some bubbling and routine maintenance, the 355 has been a reliable car. Much more than my 328 or 308 (the 308 was a mess)

Yes, I do have a yearly budget and assume that its going to cost me something to maintain the car on a yearly basis. But, what is a dream worth?

So if you like the 355, buy it (After having a mechanic check it out) enjoy it and expect some maintenance cost just like any other car..
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Did you see this thread?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160165

 

That's the car that scared him

 

With all the possible "issues" on the 355....... if they have been addressed, when if ever will they show up, codes, CEL........ would frighten most buyers..... I can say "the more you know the less there is left to chance"...... of which one can apply and benefit in many differing circumstances....

So as I have posted before..... "the 355 is not for the faint of heart" !!

 

I LOVE my 355 but I would describe the steering as adequate at best. As an example of the best steering around try an M3 CSL, Ford Racing Puma or Lancia Delta integrale. 355 needs a different (smaller diameter and looking wheel with thicker rim), less assistance and more feel IMO.

 

355 a must? If you like the 348 styling, you can avoid the value guide issue, get in to Ferrari ownership for less $ and trade-up after a positive experience! Either way, they are great cars. My '92 348ts is currently for sale. PM me if interested. Good luck!