Will the 355 eclipse the 360 as they both age?

BMW Z8s had a problem along these lines. Maybe one of our BMW experts can elaborate.

Except that 328s aren't cheaper than 348s. And fibreglass 308s tend to be in the 328 range.

Not sure I buy the "never" assertion. We haven't yet seen what happens when the V8s age from used car to classic status, so the answer is that we really don't know. The only "low cylinder count" car we have as a reference is the underpowered 246.

 

When numbers get to a certain point, rarity really isn't relevant -- which is what you may be saying in this orgy of statistics.

 

My father was shopping for a Z8 at the same time as the 355. The frame issue with the Z8 ultimately took them off the list.

Z8 forum has an FAQ on the brace BMW released in 2006 for this issue:

http://www.bmwz8.us/vbb/showthread.php?t=823

That works

 

I just had a 30k service done to my 95 355B which included a new clutch disc along with a hill engineering throw bearing and tensioner bearings. The heads were redone with new valve guides. The stock headers were replaced with Tubi headers. The throttle bodies were cleaned along with ultrasonic cleaning of the injectors. New silicon hoses and a new water pump. My mechanic used to work the 355 challenge series and he still has all his notes so he set me up with cam timing that worked best for them back then. Along with some tips from a 6 year Ferrari F1 mechanic, my car is running with awsome power. It is even more fun to drive now then ever before. Massimo(former Ferrari engineer and technician along with 6 years with MS) wants to do some other stuff that he says will make my 355 even faster. He is also going to start working on an exhaust system that will eliminate the Y pipe. He also has a design for a better air intake. This guy is amazing. His knowledge is unending. But now Im straying away from the topic here. Ill take a 95 355 any day over a 360 of any kind.
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Easy big boy...

 

Audi A4 1.8T had 5valves per cylinder at the same time. Porsches have had longitudinal transaxles for 40 years.

I believe the Acura NSX was the first to have titanium connecting rods.

 

As was mentioned there will be extremes in care and 'condition' of both, which will certainly blur prices between the two .............. price aside ... I still feel the 360 is more of a comfy bling mobile ...... when I was shopping the 360 was initially on the table as well, until I looked further into it ........ the 360 was designed with golf clubs and a host of other 'non sports car' amenities in mind ............. where the 355 had a more traditionally pure concept ...... like that retro interior and classic construction that I have always admired in a Ferrari ............... decision made .......

As Mitch said aluminum is nice when new ...... but it does not take repeat stress/fatigue as well as steel ....... though a good design can compensate ........... that said, if the 355 had aluminum fenders like the 512s and others did, I would not complain ....... .......... BTW most of those B-52s fuselage have been extensively refurbished .............

 

I owned a 355 spider, 360 as well as 430 coupe in the past. I did not like the 360 or 430 much but was always sorry I sold the mint 355, finally just replaced it with a 99 355 spider fiorano red tan 6 speed 3,000 miles. I agree its much more classic than the other models. Regarding the z8 I am suspect about the framer issues. I do own a z8 as well and think it is an amazing car

 

The only thing the 360 has over the 'standard' 355 ...... is a few more HP ........... soon to be a non-issue ........ in a few more weeks ....... my nero F355 will welcome a dyno day competition with any 'street' 360 ...........

 

Yup, googled after and found that. That's it, I'm selling this thing tomorrow.

 

+1 lol .......... the nsx could have an entire Ti engine ....... it is still a six cylinder that will never wake the dead ..... like the sound of a 355 .......

 

The 355 market is going through the same thing the 328 market went through 10 years ago. The bad ones get killed in resale and the good ones will hold value for the next 10 years. The 355's have the heavy drag of maintainace cost that will keep it or eliminate it from appreciating for a long time.

 

...just like those pesky carbed V12s...

 

No, the 355 is beautiful but the 348 will eclipse them all !

 

v12 carbs were never made in the quantity's of the 355. Production #'s support that market. Remember in the 60's when buyers of used F cars were scarce. If you pull a 355 out of a barn in 20 years, you will probably have something worth more than it is now but only because of lack of pampered/restored 355's 20 years from now.
I think the 355 is the best looking v8 production F car ever made but there is usually a reason values lag or do not increase and its certainly not because of performance or styling.
What is your serious view of the reason the 355 market has been stagnant and why dont you think it will remain that way for the next 10 years, similar to the 328 market.

 

FML current issue asking price index:

328 GTS 1989: 46,160
328 GTB 1989: 44,625
Gain of 0%-2% since the last index

Those aren't "wonder car" prices. The earlier ones average ~6,000 less.

348 TS: 44.554
348 TB: 40,418
Decline of 13-22% since the last index

There's certainly overlap based on the condition of these older cars, and you can always say that FML is wrong. Sheehan is quite a bit higher on 328s with his price guide. But, statistically, the 328/348 relationship looks to be an outlier.

As far as the 355 and 360, it's too soon to tell. I think 360s would continue to depreciate even in a good economy just due to natural aging, and it will be interesting to see how the market looks in spring 2010 if the economy begins to grow again.

 

Aircraft undergo regular and vigorous inspection and repair of their airframes to keep them in the air. Can you say stripped to the bones? Otherwise we would have more on the ground upside down...

I would guess that these components in the cars will need the same type of attention as they age - and that would make me hesitate... How will you fix a stress crack in them? And what will it cost to fix?

I love the 355 (would love to put a blue gtb next to my 328 in the garage) and will just bite the bullet on the higher maint costs at some point. Not like I will spend much maintaining the 328 so it will be a wash.

I'm just put off by the size of the 360 and all modern F-cars. Isn't the 458 the same size as the 430 and 360?

Robb