Ferrari 550, 1 owner, only 109,000 miles FSH.Well would you?
Discussion
POORCARDEALER said:
this has been a really interesting thread.
OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
You might be right, but when you read about how many of these low mileage cars are far from 'needing nothing', I don't think he has made a bad choice. I will take this all back if he spunks five grand on a pair of headlight of course! OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
slippery said:
POORCARDEALER said:
this has been a really interesting thread.
OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
You might be right, but when you read about how many of these low mileage cars are far from 'needing nothing', I don't think he has made a bad choice. I will take this all back if he spunks five grand on a pair of headlight of course! OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
RSoovy4 said:
slippery said:
POORCARDEALER said:
this has been a really interesting thread.
OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
You might be right, but when you read about how many of these low mileage cars are far from 'needing nothing', I don't think he has made a bad choice. I will take this all back if he spunks five grand on a pair of headlight of course! OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
slippery said:
RSoovy4 said:
slippery said:
POORCARDEALER said:
this has been a really interesting thread.
OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
You might be right, but when you read about how many of these low mileage cars are far from 'needing nothing', I don't think he has made a bad choice. I will take this all back if he spunks five grand on a pair of headlight of course! OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
slippery said:
You might be right, but when you read about how many of these low mileage cars are far from 'needing nothing', I don't think he has made a bad choice. I will take this all back if he spunks five grand on a pair of headlight of course!
Not a chance of spending £5k on headlights don't worry!!I only just discovered this thread, and burnt a very happy half-hour reading it through..
Fantastic. Totally brilliant - PHAB, you seem a really top guy and thoroughly deserving of the reward this car is turning out to be! I think we all greatly appreciate you sharing the costs, gives us a very heartening idea of what's possible, and I love seeing someone take so much care over their car.
It looks absolutely brilliant
I wanna be in there
Fantastic. Totally brilliant - PHAB, you seem a really top guy and thoroughly deserving of the reward this car is turning out to be! I think we all greatly appreciate you sharing the costs, gives us a very heartening idea of what's possible, and I love seeing someone take so much care over their car.
It looks absolutely brilliant
I wanna be in there
POORCARDEALER said:
this has been a really interesting thread.
OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
The truthful answer to this question is no, only because I genuinely don't think such a thing exists. I looked at a number of 550s that were realistically in my price range and above it and (believe it or not) the one with 100,000+ miles on the clock was by far and away the best car cosmetically in paint finish and panel fit. Mechanically, I definitely took an 'educated punt' - yes the highest mileage 550 in the land probably but also a single owner car backed up by a paper history of ridiculous depth and detail. The V12 isnt a stressed engine at all and the gearbox is pretty tough by all accounts. I assumed the suspension and bearings would need work but remember it also had an end to end check by a franchised Ferrari specialist prior to delivery....if there were gremlins I was going to know about them!OP...Do you think in hinsight you would have been better buying a lower mileage car needing nothing?. (from a financial and hassle point of view)
I admit I have spent not inconsiderable money on the car but the result is more than worth it. I know (hope I know!) that the car is mechanically very sound and cosmetically it is getting on for concours, headlights aside. A low low mileage 550 is pushing £80,000 now and even then I would be worried that the lack of driving could have led to perished piping etc etc (assuming that the mileage was correct in the first instance). These are cars that need to be driven, maintained and loved.....I wish such a thing existed but from my experience a 550 'needing nothing' is a bit of a misnomer Im afraid!!!
……Thread revival just incase there is anyone out there following! 
The car has spent the last few months in the garage under a fleece cover due to the appalling weather. Aside from being frequently started and run up/moved around for the sake of the fluids and tyres it has barely moved in anger and the total miles it has covered since October could be counted on two hands.
However, plans are afoot for a substantial road trip in July down through France, into Switzerland, over the Alps, down into Italy and then back along the length of the French Riviera before turning for home. Suitable preparation has thus begun...
The car is currently at Rardley Motors having an ‘end to end’ examination (and full fluid change) so as to build a list of items that need addressing before July.
Specific items I have asked them to check are:
• An intermitted ‘clonk’ from the rear-end over uneven surfaces (suspected worn rear suspension bushings or perhaps worn mountings like those replaced on the front end).
• Stiff throttle linkage. I drove a lower mileage 550 in November and found that the pedal felt smoother and ‘springier’ – suspect slink kink in the cable or perhaps a corroded throttle cable. I replaced the pin and bearing in the pedal myself but it has not solved the issue.
• Drivers window rattle. Common issue on 550s. Needs re-aligning.
I will keep the forum updated for the people interested in the ins and outs of running a (very) high mileage V12 Ferrari !
The car has spent the last few months in the garage under a fleece cover due to the appalling weather. Aside from being frequently started and run up/moved around for the sake of the fluids and tyres it has barely moved in anger and the total miles it has covered since October could be counted on two hands.
However, plans are afoot for a substantial road trip in July down through France, into Switzerland, over the Alps, down into Italy and then back along the length of the French Riviera before turning for home. Suitable preparation has thus begun...
The car is currently at Rardley Motors having an ‘end to end’ examination (and full fluid change) so as to build a list of items that need addressing before July.
Specific items I have asked them to check are:
• An intermitted ‘clonk’ from the rear-end over uneven surfaces (suspected worn rear suspension bushings or perhaps worn mountings like those replaced on the front end).
• Stiff throttle linkage. I drove a lower mileage 550 in November and found that the pedal felt smoother and ‘springier’ – suspect slink kink in the cable or perhaps a corroded throttle cable. I replaced the pin and bearing in the pedal myself but it has not solved the issue.
• Drivers window rattle. Common issue on 550s. Needs re-aligning.
I will keep the forum updated for the people interested in the ins and outs of running a (very) high mileage V12 Ferrari !
Edited by PHAB on Monday 24th February 17:34
PHAB said:
I will keep the forum updated for the people interested in the ins and outs of running a (very) high mileage V12 Ferrari !
I don't think I speak out of turn when I say... that's pretty much everybody.Update away! Especially on your summer trip - sounds like a wonderful drive. Perhaps from the offset you ought to implement a "no toll roads" rule so as to force yourselves to use the minor roads through the continent - slower, but so much more rewarding!
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