Rookie information needed

Depending upon what was included in the “major belt service”……

 

Assuming the car is now in good mechanical condition after the recent work, I'd suggest you look at the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual and get an idea what is needed based on time/mileage for normal usage. That's the main thing you can predict and plan (for any car). But then also keep an eye on things, listen, look for oil leaks, etc, and be ready to address (or at least understand) age-related issues as you discover them.

Normally the types of services you describe by the seller are done to "catch up" for deferred maintenance, neglected maintenance, age-related issues, etc. Basically the seller is trying to put the car in good running condition and get it to some baseline condition for sale. If the car had not gotten a lot of use in recent years, then you can expect to discover additional issues as time goes on. Quite a few of these cars sit in a state of neglect/disuse for years and years, then a seller will dump a bunch of money into the car for a "belt service" to catch up maintenance on paper. But there can be lots of other issues waiting to crop up.

Was this car actively driven over the last few years?

 

Did you have a PPI? If so, that would point to anything you may need. If not, it may be worthwhile to pay $500 to have it inspected so you know what may need attention.

 

Congratulations on your new car. It seems like a great car.

So, did you found where it was sold in Europe?
The car owners manual must have the dealer info

 

Oh. And read the sticky threads here. Those will help you in basic maintenance and what to look for.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-308-328-buyers-guide.175886/

 

Motor mounts, throttle / clutch cable / shocks - bushings / brake rotors / water pump / plugs / extenders / wires / starter / alternator / hoses . My 328 was only 10 years old when I bought it, with 20 k miles, so after 24 years and 100,000 miles, I basically did all that and more. Your car has only 30 k miles, but its now 36 years old, its going to need a lot of work other than belts and cam seals . My car was driven, and basically new for a Ferrari at only 10 years old, so all the major parts lasted quite a long time before I restored it.I also replaced all the gauges, clocks because I was tired of the original orange ink that faded to yellow, and I replaced all the interior switch gear. You ought to get yourself a big jar of Vasoline, because your going to feel like youve been ****ed by a train ! lol

Big G

 

I would suggest regular use, at least 25 miles or more per run (more is better). When something needs attention, deal with it. Relax.

 

Because this is a new car you don’t know, keep some money aside for shakedown issues. I would say $5,000 plus $1,000 for regular stuff.

 

It’s like A N Other old car .As others have said keep a mental war chest of money , thousands to throw @ it .Less if you are keen DIY er .
To get VFM ( value for money ) …..two things .
A - use it ! This dilutes the $ / mile ratio .
B - the market will rise investment wise = you should ( your estate maybe ? ) come out above water when it’s time to offload by yourself or your widow .

So relax and drive it in the meantime .

 

That would be my advice also; 328s are usually robust cars, if driven regularly; if this one has been driven regularly then, by all means the O.P should continue to do the same; my own rule is never less than 75 kms per run (which is about 50 miles) and preferably more.
Keep "about 5.000$" in reserve for extras, and about 2.500$ anually for regular, usual, maintenance (although costs of maintenance do vary country by country).
Once you have started to use it, check its history: what has been done, and not done, during its past. Then draw a schedule, estimate the costs, and plan ahead. And chose your mechanic carefully and wisely: someone you trust. You should be fine; I haven't have any bad surprise on my two cars during the last fifteen years; there are things that need to be done, and these are budgeted and will be done; but the regular maintenance has been surprisingly regular...and relatively easy on the wallet.

Rgds

 

If you think your 328 is intensive in maintenance, wait until you have a 355, 360, or later. Or, wait until your Porsche 997S suffers the dreaded bore scoring problem.

 

I'm digressing here, but...Mitchell, "bore scoring problem" doesn't print in my french brain. What does that mean?

Rgds

 

This is what the inside of the cylinder number 6 on my Porsche 997 Carrera S. The lines at the upper left are scratches (scoring) of the cylinder wall (bore hole). In the Porsche kingdom, that is known as bore-score. That is an engine rebuild costing $25K. I have no translation into French for you.

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Got it, thanks. And ouch...Known problem on these cars?

Rgds

 

Don't know anything about Porsches but engine bores change dimensions while running and sometimes end up not round which can cause that. With US v8's we would specifically select engines that had more cylinder wall casting thickness on the thrust side for max performance builds because the bores would tend to stay round under load. The difference could be substantial - we measured nearly 80HP difference between two identical 426 Hemi engines simply due to the ability of the bore to "remain round" in the 'good' engine.