Is it risky to buy an old lowmiler?

The answer to your question is "maybe." There are a lot of unknowns with any car unless you get a PPI done by a qualified mechanic. Helmut is right with his post about the tensioners and bearings and on a car that has only travelled very limited distance over a very long time there are any number of things that could happen regardless of whether it is a Ferrari or not. There are a LOT of moving parts inside these engines and if any one of them seizes or breaks it is going to get ugly very quickly.

I would suggest VERY limited driving if any at all and getting it to a mechanic ASAP to have the car gone through to find out what attention it needs before going out and having fun.

I just bought my 308 a few weeks ago and am having all the service work done before I get it and start to have my own fun. I know that its being done right and that my car will be mechanically impeccable once it is finished.


PDG

 

I would just plan on a full major. If you have a good, reliable mechanic that knows what they are doing they should address any of those issues during the major. There may be a few extra things that come up during the process as well, so be prepared for that.

Then go out and have fun with your car.

Do you have a mechanic locally that you trust? Also, where are you located? There are probably people from here on the board that can direct you to someone in your area. Do you have the VIN of your car? That would tell some of the people here more about your car and its mechanical issues. Or there may be someone who can even run a carfax if you havent seen one.

Just a few random thoughts....


PDG

 

In all honesty it is a neglected car. It has barely moved since Reagan was shot.

If you want a driver, these are the ones to walk away from because you will spend more to get it driving than you would on another GTSi.

 

For a $15,000 service it should be a major with all belts, hoses, valve adjustments and necessary seals. And while I would rather have a higher mileage, well maintained car, this unit may well have already had its geriatric problems addressed. One look through the suspension for age-deteriorated rubber (which should have been replaced anyway on a higher mileage car) and you may have a nice car. I would just NOT pay a premium for a "low mileage" car.

 

This may be the key here. Do you have the shop invoice for the 15k work? Or any other service invoices?
I would assume belts & bearings, valve adjustment, plugs, maybe wires & caps, all fluids, possibly brake hoses, front wheel bering pack.

Did the receipt indicate any unusual electrical work? This is of major concern.

Is there any body rust/evidence of prior body work?

How did the ppi go, thngs like cv & tierod rubber boots.
How are the tires & suspension bushings, shocks?
How does it drive and start?
Are there any oil or coolant leaks.
Do the radiator, fuel and heater hoses look fresh, resiliant?
Do al of the electrical items work?

hth,chris

 

I have heard all the Garage queen stuff before. IT REALLY DEPENDS. I bought my Mondial w/15K on the clock. However, the service history reflected that the prior owners had meticulously cared for the car, including keeping it in a climate controlled garage. When I got the car I had a PPI done and a couple of minor things repaired on the prior owner's dime. I have since had the car serviced and inspected a couple of times with instructions to "fix anything they can find." Outside of a routine maintenance, the car hasn't needed anything except a new ignition switch.

I say all this to say, if the car has been well maintained, a Garage queen IMHO is the best option, but you need to be careful.

In your case, the fact that the car recently had 15K worth of work done on her is damn good start, especially on a 308 (15K goes a lot farther on a 308 than a 355!). Have the car thoroughly examined by a top notch mechanic, examine all the service records, and if it checks out, buy her.

Just my .02.

 

Were the tensioner bearings also done? I dont see that on the list, but I would make sure those were replaced as well.

Aaron

 

Absolutely I would rather have one that has rolled 60,000. In fact mine had 57,000 when I bought it. It has almost 105,000 now.

I am just saying that sitting still is just another way to not maintain a car, just like never changing fluids, etc. Be careful.

 

Too true, Tommy. The one thing that I immediately notice is the unfinished aluminum plenum. Is that somebody's idea of customizing or is there a more ominous reason for the refinishing - like one including combustion?

 

Sorry Petter. I have never seen a 3x8 engine with the air box not painted (typically) red. I only ask; Why would anyone make that change? Is it to make the engine pretty or is it because there was damage?

 

Peter,
It looks like a great car and that the major was pretty comprehensive. Just make sure you have a top drawer mechanic go over her before you buy anything. When it comes to bearings, unless they have been exposed to moisture, etc, replacement is usually a function of mileage, not time, or so I have been told. Though, things like tensioner bearings are so cheap, it is good insurance to just replace them. That being said, it has been a long time since anything was done on that car, so don't assume that all seals are still good and that the rubber is still supple. I did not realize initially that the major had been done so long ago. I got my Mondial soon after its last full on major, which gave me a lot more comfort. You really have to make sure she is not leaking, etc--especially since she has been sitting for 5 years. I would be looking at everything, from inspecting gear oil, engine oil, all seals,hoses, wheel bearings, to doing compression and leakdown tests. Anything that can be done short of tearing down the engine. If it all checks out, then take her.

You may suffer some kind of catastrophic failure within the first 5K miles, but hey, that can happen with any old car, no matter how well it is maintained

 

Weren't the 2 valve airboxes painted black and 4 valve red?

 

Dunno. Sorry. My Euro, gray-market 4-valve Mondial is one of the first QVs. It has the Mondial 8 style airbox without the 4-valve text cast in - and its red. And sadly, I have verified that there really are 32 valves in those heads - by bending up a bunch of them.

-rick

 

And Petter, please don't take my comments as negative. This could be a GREAT car. Because of the money involved with these cars - especially in Europe - we just have to manage financial risk any way we can. That's why you'll hear us asking questions that may sound negative. Check the car out carefully, buy it if its good, do a service on it, then DRIVE IT!

 

It's going to be fine.........

Congrats on the purchase!

Technically, I agree...your rubber belts have "expired" while the car was sitting still! And the observation on disuse on the other bearings is well justified caution...

BUT, after a freshening of the timing belts (and the tensioner bearings should always be changed at the same time), and all the other fluids( I'd especially chek out the brake fluid and the rubber caliper coupling hoses)......you'll be good to go.

It the metal that wears, the rubber rots, so take a look at things like the giant rubber coupling on the fuel filer neck, and the cross connect tubing couplings under the car between the fuel tanks...

These are the areas I inspect to gauge the condition of the car overall...

These guys are right in a way, no one likes to see a nice car burst into flames, but common sense comes into play too!

Hope this helps!
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