Why so many 355s with incomplete service records?

I think that some of the owners are wising up and changing there own oil and filter. Saving them selfs £500 just for doing that....maybe. I change my own oil, fluids and plugs ect twice and some times 3 times a year. So thats 2-3 basic services right there, saving me £1500. Its the most basic of jobs, I also do every thing else to my 355 from clutch changing onwards.And i think the internet helps owners understand the process. IMO of course, to save any flaming

 

I have partial records on my car, i have only the major records.

 

I've looked at 4 cars now, 3X348's and 1 360. None have any service history. Only stamps in the book. When you think about the 348's, there are only two stamps for a totaly of about 13 years!

 

So should one be worried if they found an F-car that has had a recent major done but with no previous records of any kind?

 

Documentation can be a good or a bad thing when selling. It might even scare a buyer in what he has to look forward to in repair costs and unreliablity!!! The guy I bought mine from had sunk over $17k in the 30k sevice 300 miles before I bought it. He just could not afford the car any more.

Like chaa mentioned above, I plan on doing alot of my own maintenence. Having an FAA license to work on aircraft and over 15 years experience, I think I can change the oil, plugs, preventive maintence and inspections etc. Hey I kept my 993TT in tip top shape even full time mechanics took note of my attention to detail.

On a last note IMO the car should be evaluated for what it is in the here and now. Everything in any given car worked at one piont. The test should be, what condition is it in right now!! Just another perspective.

 

Personally, I wouldn't. But on the original question, I just think to some people a Ferrari is just a car, and to a good amount of people it is like me driving a Geo Metro. It's all relative I guess is what I am trying to say. I know if I had to sell a Geo for 5-10% less because I didn't have records, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Just my thoughts.

 

It's impressive to have a bulging file folder with 10 (or 20...) years' worth of receipts, but as someone else on this site posted a while ago I don't really know what I'd do with a receipt showing brake pads were replaced in 1996. Either the pads/rotors are good, or they're not. Likewise, I don't care about the previous 4 battery replacements, a decade of gas receipts, etc.

Assuming a car passes a compression/leakdown test, test drive and a visual inspection top and bottom, the important receipts seem to be the ones showing the most recent 30K/major and 15K/minor services - because you don't want to run the car on ancient belts/bearings, and the service is a big chunk of money. Other receipts are nice to have, but sometimes I think Ferrari owners just think it's cool to show off a big pile of four-figure yellow slips. I admit it, I keep mine.

OTOH, if a car comes with that documentation it shows that the previous owners were meticulous. But given that 355s are older cars now and going on their 3rd and 4th owners, I'm not surprised the paper trail has gaps. The radiator leaked; it was rebuilt; it doesn't leak anymore. Do I need a receipt? Who cares?

My two lira.

 

That's how I see it.

My car also came with a folder stuffed full of receipts and documents.

 

No service records could mean odometer tampering, everyone knows how important they are for Ferrrais.

My new 355 was sold new in Houston and was serviced exclusively there with 2 majors and misc other stuff, if maintence was done at an authorized Ferrari dealer you can call that dealer and give the vin and recieve all work done on that car from their records, another advantage of a dealer serviced car

 

Agreed 100%.If the car has up to-date service records that's all that matters.

 

Mine were complete and incomplete. The last owner had all receipts from Ferrari of Denver, none from the previous two owners. But probably the only valuable info of the stack were when the cats were replaced and when the 15K & 30K were done. Taking a third party to inspect the current state of the vehicle is worth more than any stack of paper.
-Bill

 

I found a low mileage 1998 355F1 (7500 miles). The last major was done 2 years ago, is it a problem ?

 

Thats also what came with my 348. The 2 previous owners spent a fortune on it. The car is immaculate. The craziest receipt I have, shows the car was driven 60km's in 6 months and they spent $800 to service it. Crazy. I have since replaced the clutch and will do the major soon and I will continue the trend and document it all with reciepts and pics for the next owner.
If I ever part with it.

 

Have you got a PPI done? As long as the PPI compression/leak down test is ok. Then it should be ok. You should replace the cam belts every 4-5 years, so you have another couple of years before you should have to do another major service/cam belt change.