Enzo Ferrari Spotted
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
I came very very close to buying a 1998 355 GTS about a year ago. Then I visited a local Ferrari mechanic to check out his shop and saw the horror of all those mid engine cars in there for "routine service."
For routine major service, they drop the engine out the back and basically tear down / rebuild the top end of the motor EACH TIME. Everything rubber = has to be replaced, water pumps re-built with EACH service (dependent on model), cracking headers, rebuilt axels, bushings, mounts, etc. The list goes on and on and on and on. And by the way, these cars have 5k, 10k, maybe 15k miles on them...... And I haven't even mentioned the deplorable interiors that literally fall apart. The Italian Leather is beautiful but horribly delicate, adhesives peel off and leave surfaces sticky, electronics fail, etc. Being a perfectionist, I would NEVER be able to keep the car in a 100% condition. And that is a game I simply have no interest in playing.
For routine major service, they drop the engine out the back and basically tear down / rebuild the top end of the motor EACH TIME. Everything rubber = has to be replaced, water pumps re-built with EACH service (dependent on model), cracking headers, rebuilt axels, bushings, mounts, etc. The list goes on and on and on and on. And by the way, these cars have 5k, 10k, maybe 15k miles on them...... And I haven't even mentioned the deplorable interiors that literally fall apart. The Italian Leather is beautiful but horribly delicate, adhesives peel off and leave surfaces sticky, electronics fail, etc. Being a perfectionist, I would NEVER be able to keep the car in a 100% condition. And that is a game I simply have no interest in playing.
I suppose one must be prepared for the expense of service and parts for a high end Italian sportscar, built in limited numbers. Not like you can head down to the local auto parts store for...anything on a Ferrari except maybe a wiper blade and washer fluid?!?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
'twas ever thus. A 308 tuneup required the rear interior to be removed. 
Btw was Enzo Ferrari with Elvis Presley?
Btw was Enzo Ferrari with Elvis Presley?
I came very very close to buying a 1998 355 GTS about a year ago. Then I visited a local Ferrari mechanic to check out his shop and saw the horror of all those mid engine cars in there for "routine service."
For routine major service, they drop the engine out the back and basically tear down / rebuild the top end of the motor EACH TIME. Everything rubber = has to be replaced, water pumps re-built with EACH service (dependent on model), cracking headers, rebuilt axels, bushings, mounts, etc. The list goes on and on and on and on. And by the way, these cars have 5k, 10k, maybe 15k miles on them...... And I haven't even mentioned the deplorable interiors that literally fall apart. The Italian Leather is beautiful but horribly delicate, adhesives peel off and leave surfaces sticky, electronics fail, etc. Being a perfectionist, I would NEVER be able to keep the car in a 100% condition. And that is a game I simply have no interest in playing.
For routine major service, they drop the engine out the back and basically tear down / rebuild the top end of the motor EACH TIME. Everything rubber = has to be replaced, water pumps re-built with EACH service (dependent on model), cracking headers, rebuilt axels, bushings, mounts, etc. The list goes on and on and on and on. And by the way, these cars have 5k, 10k, maybe 15k miles on them...... And I haven't even mentioned the deplorable interiors that literally fall apart. The Italian Leather is beautiful but horribly delicate, adhesives peel off and leave surfaces sticky, electronics fail, etc. Being a perfectionist, I would NEVER be able to keep the car in a 100% condition. And that is a game I simply have no interest in playing.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Yeah it is a shame that these cars have to have their engines pulled to do various services. Oh well, I guess Ferrari expects deep pockets of their buyers anyways.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
JK no, I just got to drive one for a little. Best experience of my life...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 295
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From: Seattle, WA
2005 C55 AMG
That's very sad. The 355 is one of my all time favourite Ferraris, it just looks so 'right'. I remember seeing a thread somewhere, years ago, where a guy daily drove his 355. The regular maintenance bill came out to like $15k. I understand the timing belt change is a big pain for those cars, a motor out job. But I think I also read about a shop in the UK, a Ferrari specialist, that developed a process to do it with the engine still in the car. The other Ferrari I absolutely love is the 550/575, and apparently those motors are quite bulletproof, and timing belt jobs can be done with the engine in.
I suppose one must be prepared for the expense of service and parts for a high end Italian sportscar, built in limited numbers. Not like you can head down to the local auto parts store for...anything on a Ferrari except maybe a wiper blade and washer fluid?!?
I suppose one must be prepared for the expense of service and parts for a high end Italian sportscar, built in limited numbers. Not like you can head down to the local auto parts store for...anything on a Ferrari except maybe a wiper blade and washer fluid?!?
Yes, the V12's are easier to work on. However, they still require extensive tear down for service, although the engine does remain in / attached to the car. With the older 550's dropping into the high $80k range, and the 456's in the high $60k range, they are more attainable too. They still have dodgy interiors, and are just as delicate though. Oh well, I guess you have to pay to play
