Newbie here. Looking at a 348 TS

As a 2015 newbie owner (Late 1990 348ts) and as James Brown once said "pay the cost for being the boss". I purchased "a well sorted" example. On average its costed about $1.50 a mile. Smile every minute. Brian

 

About the only thing the service books tell me (others might see more) is that the car was maintained according to schedule for its first few years of life, which is a good thing. It also pegs the mileage in 1998 at 13k and change. So either it has been sitting most of the intervening years or the mileage indicated is not correct. I would look carefully for any signs that the car has more miles on it than are shown on the odo. Any chance of contacting the owner(s) who had it during the time it was supposedly sitting? And does the Carfax/Autocheck come back okay?

The odometer reading is a double edge sword here. It adds to the monetary value but the fact that the car might have been sitting for ~15 or more years adds to the chances that it will need a certain amount of sorting. If the current owner has had it and used it for a while he might have already taken care of most of those issues, but you never know.

The biggest concern that I would have is if the front cover bearing recall has been done. A scan of the factory document listing the engine number cutoff point for the recall has been posted in this section by Daniel of Ricambi America so you can check it out for yourself, but I'm almost positive that recall even covered some '90 model cars so yours almost certainly fell under the recall. Failure of that bearing will most likely crater your engine and it's a PITA to get to. On top of that, apparently until Hill Engineering introduced a replacement bearing in the last few months the other replacement bearings were junk, unless your car happened to have the recall performed early in its life when the factory replacement bearings were apparently decent. Best case scenario is that the bearing was replaced with the Hill unit when the recent major was done, but if you get that lucky I'd suggest buying some lotto tickets along with the 348.

BTW, I'm pretty sure neither the 7500 or 15000 mile services would have been "majors". A major service includes a timing belt change.

HTH and good luck.

 

The only way to tell if the bearing has been replaced would be through service records. I don't know if Ferrari keeps records that can be accessed by every dealer, even if they've never seen the car, but if you know of a friendly dealer you might inquire. Also check every available service record and ask the current owner about it. But first dig up the factory recall sheet to confirm your car needed the recall. If you can't find it I'll try to post it later.

 

There are few cars with outstanding recalls so do not worry too much - call FNE or franchise dealer to have them double-check

 

This is the best I can do.
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with the 360 wheels on there make sure to look for signs of rubbing the fender lip on the front fenders. I bought my 348 with the same wheels and had problems. I think the PO had lowered the car and I went down a couple profile sizes on the new tires to stop the rubbing. Catching that inner lip on the fender looks really bad and can create the need for corrective painting which is not a huge deal, but a PITA.

 

Tell them to check it and you will gladly pay them for it if that is a huge concern. I understand that you are trying to lower your risk as much as possible, but even after the PPI there is no guarantee that stuff wont start to break the moment you take delivery.

Buy the car, enjoy it and pay the piper when he comes to collect

 

Unfortunately no. The PPI will not including checking those bearings mate.

The engine has to come out to check those bearings.

Or drop the fuel tank and remove the front timing covers to inspect.

Not worth the time and money now. The major service has been done, just drive the car and enjoy.

If you buy it of course.

 

There is no way to check that bearing, other than dissemble the engine.

 

That one in the tech bulletin, yes.

But I thought we were still talking about the Hill tensioner bearings? Lol.

So much confusion.

 

Everything will be fine I am sure and the car looks amazing!

 

It'll be Thursday before you know it.

 

I hope it goes well for you, David!

 

Lol, very good. Hope the PPI goes well and you are Ferrari driving this weekend.

 

Great looking TS. Best of luck with the PPI.

 

Best of luck with the purchase. Mine still puts a smile on my face everytime i walk past it abd an even bigger smile when i drive it

 

The car looks great!