Long long L O N G drive in 512 BBi

A strange question. If this trip fills you with such trepidation, then why are you considering it?

Anyway, I couldn't for my life imagine feeling the same way. I've done 400miles+ trips in my much less comfortable 365BB, and I loved it. It was noisy, warm, and smelly. It was bloody great! This is what you buy these cars for and I've taken my 330GTC, 365BB and 550 Maranello all across Europe, in various holidays. I've done 625 miles in one 6 hour drive in the 550 (epic!), 650 miles in 11 hours of torrential rain and traffic jams in the GTC (stressful), 500 miles in 7 hours in the BB a couple of times (great).

I personally find I don't get any physical problems in my Boxer, but then again I don't get back problems often so I can't speak for you. As for reliability - this is completely down to the individual car. There are Boxers out there that would not break down once in 10,000 miles, and then there are the ones that break down every 500 miles. Personally, I've been stranded on 6 separate occasions with the Boxer. I don't let it faze me - it just reminds me that I need to get this car properly sorted (which is being done as we speak). If the car is in perfect condition there is reason to fear a breakdown, but there are no guarantees in life.

The only real consideration to NOT taking the Boxer, in my view, would be the almost complete lack of luggage space. I hope you do the trip, and I hope you enjoy it. I think it will make this boring road a worthwhile memory.


Onno

 

Bruce,

I have complete confidence in my 365bb...and it hasn't left me stranded in any way, shape or form in over 20 years. I know the car well, as all of the maintenance, as well as the typically neglected issues (every single piece of rubber hose) has been addressed on a regular basis. My longest trip in the 365 was over 1,000 miles...from Rochester, NY to Providence, Boston, Southern NH, then through the mountains of VT...and back to Rochester. Once I relaxed and settled into a comfortable speed, the car was quiet comfortable. I found that once on the highway...I could really back off the throttle, maintain speed and the car was reasonably quiet. The car never missed a beat.

The only downsides were:
-A bit a fatigue
-Lots of attention from other cars and Johny Law
-Poor AC
-My ears were "buzzing" a bit

Although it was alot of run, I'd prefer to do this trip again in a car with a bit more creature comforts (my M3). Then again, I am 20 years older now...

David

 

Can't give opinion on your car but i've done a few 350 and 400+ miles runs here in Ireland in the testarossa and i absolutely loved it. Planning hopefully on doing it before end of the summer again. Go for it!

 

I'd just break up the drive and not try and do more miles in a day then you're comfortable with.

You going to the FCA meet?

 

Hey Bruce,
It sounds like you got your smog issues settled!
I haven't driven mine that far in one shot, but once on the freeway it's a pretty comfortable ride.
Just put the windows up and turn the AC to high(and hope for the best), tune in a decent station on the radio and listen to the tunes through the squeeky speakers, get the cruse control on(your foot in just the right place on the throttle) and sit back and enjoy!
And don't forget to watch the fuel gauge! And the speedo!
John

 

ONNO - Great post. I hear you. I must say that the "6 times" stranded probably would get my attention and make me a little nervous, but mighty cool of you to press on, get sorted, and do it again.

2DINOS - I'm half envious. Take this trip with an open mind, be prepared, have fun. Screw the luggage, just inspect everything you can before leaving, take the right amount of tools for a 'what if', make sure your AAA is up to date with the phone number saved in your cell and get gone. The Boxer will probably run better for the experience, and your familiarity if not confidence/joy in the car will soar.

 

1. When I pick the car up first time, last September, the shop hasn't put fuel in. I run out of fuel on a hill just 10 miles from the shop. Thanks! Guy comes 'round to put fuel in and brings battery because it's dead. I ask: "are you sure the alternator is working?". "Yes"
2. Next day, car dies because battery runs flat whilst driving. Clearly the alternator is not working. No BB alternator available. But I need to catch the ferry. They put a Testa alternator in - that should bring you home.
3. Next day, 5 miles from home, car dies again whilst driving. We bring the 550 around to swap batteries and arrive safely home. New & proper alternator fitted.
4. No issues for a week. Then - on the way from Germany, a fuel hose comes off and gushes fuel on the hot engine. Because I stop immediately and the fuel miraculously does not ignite, the car is still with us. Cause? Some bright spark used a plastic T-piece, which melted under the heat of the engine, blocking the fuel line.
5. A few days later I drive it to France. The car dies again just before I get to my destination - cause? You guessed it - alternator blew.
6. The shop spends a lot of time during November on sorting out the electrical issues. I drive the car in December and she runs sweet as a nut. In May, I come to pick her up again. Car won't start. Eventually, it takes the shop 8 hours and a working 365BB to find the fault: a short in the tach that prevents sending the pulse to the bobine.... We eventually make it home without mishap but she's not running well because the shop has been fiddling with the carbs, thus undoing the great work of December.

All of these issues would have been prevented if the car had been properly restored, with care. So that is what I want to do now. Completely run through the electrical system, replace all wires and have all dials reconditioned. The fuseboxes also need to be replaced. She should be fine after that. Needless to say, I will use someone different to do the work.


Onno

 

Onno-

It's hard to find the right people to work on these cars.

Gene

 

I'm lucky Geno - I've got two great specialists in Holland now. She'll be sorted out soon enough.

Onno

 

Have you misplaced Bill Pollard's phone number? I have driven my Dino (#10704) 60k miles and never been stranded thanks to Bill. 30k on my 400i (#049773), same thing.

A

 

That's what the Boxer was built for: comfortable GT cruising. Went 500+ miles from NYC to Toronto last year stopping for gas and breakfast. Excellent. The engine noise in 5th at 70mph is fine.

 

You're too kind. What can I say - I just love these machines and try to soak up the experience while, and as best as, I can. You never know what's around the corner. Carpe Diem! Carpe Ferrarem! (Seize the Ferrari)


Onno

 

In my opinion, it's hard to find the right people with the "correct mind set" to work on these cars...as well as other Ferrari's of this era. 95% of the work I do on Boxers and on the various client cars that I service is purely long-term preventative maintainance. I'm finding that many shops, particulary Dealers focus on the "why" the client brought the car in concern, versus really spending the time looking over the car and addressing the long neglected x, y or z issues....as those items are not on the typical list of what should be done at the xx,xxx mile service interval. This "attention to detail" really comes into play on the low-miles garage queeens.

In my very early days of bb ownership, relaibility was a factor. Now, with the piece of mind knowing, that every possible service/maintenance item on the car has been addressed within the last 5 years, I have very little fear that the car will leave me stranded.

The true cost of ownership certainly isn't low, but the rewards of ownership are, well....priceless.

David

 

Whoa! This trip took you a year and a half to complete?! You really did take your time.

So, no mechanical issues nor getting to know many tow truck drivers. Good news. Always raises your confidence level to spend quality time in the car.

 

I picked up my 512BBi from the Florida Keys and drove it non stop back to Oklahoma...2000 miles in 30 hours amd it didn't miss a beat.

I've also used it to drive to Denver a couple of times: a 1600 mile round trip and it was perfect (although the trip gets borring because of the scenery!) I also drove up into the mountains for breakfast where the altitude definitely affected power...

The car has excellent suspension compliance, way better than something like a Corvette; surely this is what the car was designed for?

Having said that, I did 250 miles yesterday and the heat in the cabin was bad (currently the A/C isn't working) I like the idea of the ceramic coating on the screen; its a big heat trap!

I also drove my 308 back from LA to Oklahoma; another 1500 mile journey, and that was excellent too.

Ferraris are excellent cars; they love to be driven!

Robert

 

Fantastic, Robert, that's what we love to hear!

Can't wait to enjoy my Boxer this summer after 2 years of distractions.


Onno

 

It appears you passed your smog test from the OP, but you might need another soon! Did everything get sorted ok? You are right about the mileage, surprisingly good. Range is amazing with the 120l capacity.

Maybe it is a false impression, but I feel very confident driving the Boxer away from the "nest." I have found a way to get my luggage to meet me at my destination, best of both worlds!

Even after many hours, I do not tire of the sound of that motor behind me. We don't need no stinkin' radio!

 

My wife drove 470 miles one way from Atlanta to New Orleans for the 2004 Ferrari French Quarter Classic, and back. We filed my Boxer Ferrari Scudonia luggage for 4 days/3 nights including my tux and several evening and cocktail dresses for my wife. It was tight, but we had a blast. We did send our dirty clothes back home via UPS.

 

as long as you have done the mechanical work, they are strong runners.
i did the targa florio and covered about 3000km over 5 days door to door, and it didnt miss a beat.

 

A client of mine has done several coast to coast trips in his.


Never let him down yet.

 

I've been lurking in the Boxer/TR section for a while now, it seems to me that the biggest problem with the boxers is that they just aren't driven enough, and that's a shame. What's the highest mileage Boxer someone has seen? Let me guess the car ran beautifully? I know the old V8's need to be run, I can just imagine how bad it is for the 12 cylinder cars to be sitting or only driven on short trips. I'm sure with Boxers it's probably imperative that it be driven the way it was intended and you should have years of trouble free miles. Or is there some sort of achilles heal with this model? Other than the diff?

Jim