What kind of maintenance is involved on Diablo Vs. a 512 TR?

i've had both....w/o clutch, the diablo is cheaper to service than the 512tr (chain vs. belt). w/ clutch replacement, the diablo will run into some serious money (engine out). relative to drivability and enjoyment, my diablo takes preference over the 512tr.

 

it depends on who you ask. on my 92 diablo, it's a bit north of 13k done at george evans. relative to engine strength, i have NO CLUE....i never keep them long enough to test their durability.

 

I have a 512M and a 99SV. The apparent difference is the chain vs the belt cam drive. The difference in service IMHO is the 512 requires the engine to be removed to do the belt service,BUT the clutch can be changed with relative ease. The Diablo requires virtually "NO" cam service but requires the engine to be removed to change the clutch. So I suspect it is a draw. FRANKLY: with all things considered (including engineering and ease of problem rectification) I would select the Ferrari! Just my opinion I own both and find the F-car more enjoyable and comfortable. I realise that this is an anthithecal post to most of the Lambo people, But it is my opinion

 

when did you get an SV? color? sell the 355 and 328?

 

I suspect none of this stuff is that hard if you have done it before. IE: yank an engine out of some car and replace the clutch and put it back in. I have done several of these. However, pulling a motor out of a Lambo and stabbing it back in is a BIT of a chore and you had better make sure that everything you did is JAM up, because if it is not you are are going to do it again. The broken belt deal on the Ferrari---is a bit of Kabouke theatre. I suspect if you let them go long enough they will break. But if you let the timing belt break on an American engine it might also damage the valves, seats and pistons. Good maintenance will alleviate most of these problems

 

I dont remember what the thread was exactly but it was very popular and it purtained info on parts that you can get from NAPA for easier replacement (cost wise)....

I mean you don't really need to pay 160$ for a hose. Noone really should, although I imagine their are people who would rather see their car fixed for 30K then send a kid to college.

On the topic of Ferrari VS Bull.......The ferrari IMO has more service problems and mechanical quarks...... A close friend has a 355 and has these two gaskets in the Tranny that snap and then need to be replaced ALL the time. It costs about 7K everytime from a ring snaps and the ring only costs 3.50 a piece. He has 55K on his clock and his mechanic says it is the cleanest (mechanicaly) he gets to work on. SOOOOO I guess that it just really is what car you get, since they are all handmade. (maybe not all ferraris are handmade) but Lambos are!!!!! There are a few guys on here that say their cars are better and stronger built than any other of the exotics they have owned. If you want reliable check out Lotus and maybe even some Aston Martins.......they get great reviews all the time!

PS.....The Bulls are still sexier!

 

Hahaha, Lotus' have to be one of the most unreliable cars out. The Elise has improved things substantially, and mine has been relatively trouble free, but stuff still falls of and it has some querks.

If you look at something like an Esprit, i would suggest that the mechanics get to drive them more than the owners.

Cant comment on Aston's though

 

I'm the one that started the NAPA thread and it can be found on two web sites.

When I bought the Diablo I did a full major service just for the fun of it Discovered everything will cross reference to a part from NAPA. My major service DIY was a few hundred dollars. I also replaced the coils, dist cap and rotor (all from NAPA). The 5.7 is very easy to work on. I was surprised on how well the motor was designed for service. Drain plugs, fillers, filters are all within reach and easy to get to. Designed with the mechanic in mind.

The FCar belts are the killer. Factory said 30K or 5 years, but recently revised it to 3 years.

The clutch is the weak point on the Diablo. The problem is the factory clutch is not designed for hard driving with that much power. I know people with 50K on the clock and clutch is fine, but these are pampered drivers. There are several aftermarket products that will remedy the problem. C/F, Carbon or triple plate. In terms of price - you can get a clutch rated at 750hp for $3k. Installation is 19 labor hours at the dealer. My mechanic is $75/hr.

 

Here's the link to the parts list. This site also has a step by step procedure to fix many common items DIY
http://www.lamboweb.com/Car%20Parts.htm

 

I just recently had a friend who bought the Elise and absolutely loves the lil'guy. He hasn't had any problems with it and drives the living **** out of it. I have witnessed the violence myself, sad true, but the thing actually kinda likes it. I have heard of complaints about the Electrical systems though. (I dont know for sure)
Aston Martin is a little less tolerable to punishement, but they do drive well and have little problems from what I hear under the daily abuse. I also have a friend with a DB9 and he hammers on it, I am not sure how much maintenance is on it, but he has done only a minimal amount. I would compare it to a Z06 (not in performance, astons are just nicer there) but in things breaking and having problems.
But whatever the car is, make sure its inspected by someone YOU trust!!

 

frankie,

i am shipping my car to you next time i need major service and/or new clutch

 

My Orange 6.0 recently had a clutch change thanks to Busta Rhymes rappin style of driving prior to me owning the car. It cost $6500 for the clutch change. If you pay $13,000 for clutch work, it better be on TWO Lamborghinis.

-Ben

 

Get the Diablo, if it gernades on you I will help pull the engine etc.

 

^^^

Cripes! Are you saying the F car has problems on a subatomic level? Bummer!

 

haha, hadn't had any coffee at time of post.......but now that you mention it there is something a little creepy about the similarity of Ferraris McDonald colors. I find that whenever I eat McDonalds I have to **** and whenever I see a Ferrari I have to ****......maybe your right,

 

*cough* cough* HACK!!

Umm, yeah they're not.

Yeah I want the windshield wipers to go on when I adjust the temp. Oh... not enough light up front, I better turn on the radio so my head lights go up.

Why do the brits drink warm beer.... yep.. lucas refridgerators.

 

The only weakpoint on a Lambo clutch is the driver. Clutches will last a long time unless people try stupid stunts like burnouts with a VT or so. I have owned two Diablos. VT and SVR and none ever needed a clutch while I had them. I did not baby them by any means.

Karl

www.europeanroadandracing.com

 

Awesome job!!!!!