I'm back.... Again

It's funny, Igor, some people will say a Ferrari should always go to a specialist, others that a 348 is one of the last Ferraris you can truly wrench on your own. Take your pick My take on it is that if you can wrench it at home as a reasonably competant amateur, then there's no reason a half decent auto shop can't work on it. Doesn't really tally to say you can crack on on your own but if not it has to go to a specialist, if you see what I mean. Regarding having to be pretty well versed, I'm not and I've fixed a few minor bits and bobs on mine with no snags. You just learn as you go along and as these usually aren't daily drives there's no desperate hurry.

I love all Ferraris and chose the 348, partly because of it's looks (was a child of the 80's, teen of the 90's) but also because of the old school, unfettled feel when driving it. As you go newer you obviously get more and more punch but to me it slowly feels a bit more 'filtered' (not been in a 430 in motion but would guess it's a step further along that road). Thing is as you go back from the 348 you loose a little performance but don't really seem to gain much more old school feel.

That said, I know two guys who bought a 348 and are selling it again. They had a taste of Ferrari ownership and the performance of the 348, next to her younger siblings, wasn't what they wanted. That said both came from a 911 Turbo .........

To me, if performance is top of the list, go as new as possible. If not, and you love the looks, the 348 is a pretty good car to go for. The 308s and 328s will likely be a tad cheaper to maintain if you use a shop, as will a 360 and a 430 (but I doubt that'd be the case as they get older!). All in all, I think the best advice is go try 'em all! The 'hunt' is half the fun

 

No probs Igor, and I'd say yes, she's very fun in the turns. Regarding the shop, I've heard people say they'll fix it themselves but if they can't it's got to go to a specialist. Just doesn't tally. A couple of the specialists I know are forever telling me to get my hands dirty, it's just a car. If a good amateur can work on a Ferrari 348 why do people think a pro who normally works on Alfas or Fiats can't? Personally where do I go? A Ferrari Main Dealer mostly. Love going there, nice people, great cars to look at (got asked by one of the guys to pop over and have a good nose round an F12 next week). It's also very local. If I'm trying to fix something simple and get stuck? I've got numerous mates who are very into their cars, one owned a shop that did custom turbo systems, methanol injection setups etc. Trust me, there's no shortage of volunteers when you say "fancy coming and helping with my Ferrari?"

 

Shoot Igor...if I can do it anyone can. I was sort of a ground breaker on 348 stuff back in the 90's. The reason to use a specialist is not because your mechanics can't learn but they will be learning on your car and your nickel. Nothing is hard they just don't have the quirky knowledge to make these cars run. They will not know things like suspect wiring first, SDECU's are crap, the 10min relearn process is critical and solves many problems, engine out tricks, fast ways to access stuff like how to not end up like the guy who gave up on his CV joints, brake bleeding with key-on, tricks to bleed the clutch, how does a bad throwout bearing sound like a gearbox problem, etc. Have you ever read a Ferrari workshop manual? It will say "check the wiring" and list specs. Those GM cars you mentioned those workshop manuals with tell you details and "flow chart" your diagnostic steps so you can find answers.
does this happen Y N go to step 3 and so on.

 

I wanted to say basically the same thing but didn't know how to put it into words. Well stated and very true.

 

The most important thing you will need is this site. The brotherhood is chalk full with knowledge, tips and tricks.

Parts interchange, ricambi america, T Rutlands, Amazon.com (yes amazon, just purchased a new TPS sensor BOSCH part for 25.00)

You will know when to take it to a specialist, when you can do the work yourself, and all the best tips and tricks in the world....right here on this site.

1994 348 Spider owner for over 10 years.

 

I think quite a few of the older 348s have been sorted, but I went for a later one. There was a steady improvement over the production run with a few key dates to look out for. A list of when the Euro cars got the updates is under factory enhansements towards the bottom of this (very long) page. My Ferrari 348 and I'd think the US cars got them at more or less the same time. Just be aware that these are the dates that the improvements were made on the production line where as when people say they have a '93 car (as I have) they normally mean when it was first registered. My car is a '93 348 but was in fact on the production line in '92 so those are the updates it got.

 

Igor

I have had my 348 for 3 months and luckily have not had to do a thing but enjoy and drive it. I have a lot of tools. I completely took an MG apart and rebuilt everything including the engine, transmission, wiring,suspension, even painted the car myself. But I would be terrified to try and do anything on the Ferrari. If it needs anything its going to a SPECIALIST. fIND THE BEST CAR YOU CAN, A FERRARI MECHANIC YOU CAN TRUST, and enjoy the car and this brotherhood. They are both wonderful and a privilege to be part of.

 

Hi:

In Oct 2012 I bought a 328. The owner always took it to a shop that only worked on Ferraris. When I had the PPI done on the car it was at a local shop which worked on foreign cars, and every now and then a Ferrari.

When the car owner and I were in the shop he made a comment, which I came to understand and appreciate later. He said that there were too many mechanics in the shop working on too many different cars.

After I purchased the car I had the same shop work on the items found during the PPI. To the best on my knowledge they were fixed properly, except for one minor thing. For that task I provided the parts and told the shop what I wanted done. End result was only part of what I wanted done, was done.

Lesson learned, when I select a shop to work on my car now, I only want to see Farraris in the shop, and only see the owner and maybe another mechanic in the shop. That way when I ask for something to be done, it will be done. Another reason to use a shop which only works on Ferraris is their recommendations. My shop recommended a place to repair two of my rims. That shop did a great job, they look like new. Another recommendation was an upholstery shop. Another great place.

Some times you need the shop to work on your car, some times you need to pick their brain. You need to pick someone that can provide both so you have piece of mind and a great ride.

ceb39

 

Yeah I am the one who gave up on my cv joints. One of the first times I have ever given up on a repair on any car in my entire life of car ownership.
But this car does not intimidate me. Most things really are garage mechanic stuff. I did the oil change without a problem. It was well worth the time. Next project is the transmission fluid.
That cv just kicked my ass. But I had quite a few people trying to help me to get it done. I fully admit I just wussed out on it.
Do not let anything like this deter you though. I will always attempt to do my own work first but sometimes for peace of mind it is nice letting a pro handle it.
I spoke with a 308 owner yesterday who told me he had someone do his as well. Again sometimes it isn't gratifying to smash your knuckles ha ha.
But if something comes up to ferrarichat I come first to see if it is a project for me or a project for someone else.