My new 355 , a few questions..

Finally sold my Vette and bought a 1999 355, trying to find a few answers to the following questions:
The radio onlys says "wait" in never comes on or asks for the code (which I have) , not that I want to listen to the radio but how do I correct this?
The previous owner says , in regards to the f1 transmisson the following, is it all correct?:
A) when coming to a light, or generally slowing down, allow the computer to downshift, it will do the same or better of a job with no effort from the driver
b) to use reverse engage 1st gear and move the lever back, why would you not move the lever back in neutral?
c) always leave the car in gear when parking, then engage neutral before you start, why not park it in neutral on a flat surface?
Also, it is necessary to always set the e brake? how about when stopped in traffic for long periods of time, should I remain in first or put the car in neutral while idling?
Also, the belt service was done 3-4 years ago, maybe 4,000 miles ago, the dealer says to do it, the owner says he was told it was good for 6 years, what's the consensus on how soon to do it?
Thanks in advance for help to my (hopefully not) dumb questions!!
Mark
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I do not know the answers to your questions...but wanted to tell you that is a BEAUTIFUL color!! What is it??

Enjoy your new baby. It will be a world different than your Corvette for sure.

 

Thank you, it's officially called Grigio Ingrid, looks like a light pewter, I wanted red or yellow but loved the color when I saw it person

 

Mark....where in Mass. Can you come to one of our Sunday gatherings here in Glastonbury CT. We have a few Mass guys that make it down regularly. One down 84, the other down 91. That is a Stunning color that I would love to see in person. I drive a 348 so can't answer your questions but we have a regular (UConn Huskey) with a 355F1 that I'm sure can show you what you need.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241982

Also find us at

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252811

 

Congrats, that's a nice car, I was eyeing it a few months ago on Ebay but decided on a manual 6 speed instead. Great color.

 

Had my 355 F1 for about a year now.

Not sure about the radio as i replaced that immediately with a high-end system in the factory locations.
A: I always shift to neutral. The less work the system has to do, the lower your chances are that something will break.
B: I always engage reverse from neutral as advised by my Ferrari mechanic.
C: ALWAYS leave the car in gear when turned off. The Ferrari e-brake is not 100% reliable!!!!

I leave the car in neutral until the light is about to change.
My belt service was done 4 years and 5000 miles ago. I just got mine done last month because my cats and headers failed at the same time.

ENjoy that sexy piece of Italian art!!!!!

 

With regards the radio showing 'WAIT' this is usually down to someone having too many attempts at entering the security code, dependant on the make of head unit and the number of wrong codes that have been entered you are looking at a wait of between 4 minutes and 4 days. If a wrong code is entered to begin with there is usually a time delay before entering the code again, each time you get it wrong the waiting time doubles up !!!!!!

 

First, Gorgeous color.

ok about the radio: I know from experience, that type of problem can be a B$#@ to work out, it may be worth going out and spending a few hundred bucks and getting an aftermarket headunit. You will prob get something much better as well, so look at it as an upgrade to your sound system.

About the belts: I cannot say for sure, but that is, IMO, pushing the limits of how far to go with them. Plus, if the dealer is saying to do them, you may just want to go ahead and do it. Its better than having them go on you, and needing a new motor.

Best of luck with your 355

 

Congrats, and that is a gorgeous colour!

Regarding the major service, sooner is better than later. There several threads here with opinions on every 3 years to every 5 years.

 

Thanks for the advice and good wishes. Interior is unique too, I love it.......
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice interior.

1) radio , change it. you will have better with less problems

2) belts , if you can afford to change them now then do so. Then you start fresh. The consensus on belts differ. Basically 5 yr max as long as you don't track the car and 25k max miles. This is what I was told from well respected mechanis

3) more important use Hill Engineering tension and get the valve guide done , if haven't been

 

Congrats on a great car!!!

Here's my answers:

A. I never let the computer downshift when it hits low revs, that's just not fun! seriously it's a 6-speed manual, drive it as such. It can't be done any 'better', it's the same actuation events on a downshift whether you command it or the low revs signal it.
B. Always N first, then R. 1 to R is possible but the manual says that's not preferred.
C. I always stop in N unless on a steep incline. True, don't trust the E-brake 100% so use your judgement. I actually keep a plastic wheel chock in the car for steep inclines.
C2. Tough to judge, but if I think I'll be there for more than 20-30 seconds I'll engage N.

Also avoid reversing, to simulate a torque converter the ECU just slips the clutch (to avoid stalling). I always try to park where I can pull straight out.

Keep it in 'sport' mode for faster shift times, and enjoy WOT shifting at 8500

 

Thanks!!

 

Nice Color combination! I have a 348 so can't help you any issues.

 

I concur!!

 

More pics please!

 

+1.

Especially the pull to neutral when approaching a light. That's the way you would drive a manual, right?

Or, for maximum fun, depress the gas pedal until the bypass opens, then throttle blip downshift through the entire gear box. At least then the wear and tear is worth it

Gorgeous car!

 

Did you decide to sell the car??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-355-F1-1999-Ferrari-355-F1-Berlinetta_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem19b5c357feQQitemZ110423660542QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

 

That didn't take long.

 

I'm very confused now... ::

 

It's on his dealer website too for 75K.

http://www.rizoliauto.com/#shoptag

 

Back to the 'Vette - I guess when he found out how much the major and the valve guides were he realized, uh oh, this 355F1 could be reeeeeeally expensive to own...

 

I own a dealership that specializes in pre-owned trucks. It's "beneficial" to put all my vehicles in inventory. My entire inventory is automatically sent by computer to cars, autotrader, e bay, etc. That being said, I really don't want to sell the car, I bought it to drive, but If someone offers me a $12,000 profit, well then..........it's time for a 360!!

 

Oh, and I knew how much the service was before I bught the car, Darin at BSC is a personal friend of mine, I just wanted to figure out the best timing to do it. I'm also well aware of cost to maintain the car, I don't think I'll miss a meal because of it

 

Well, then you are probably in for a long relationship with your 355