GALLARDO- ADVICE REQUIRED PLEASE.

[d3hno]

I am thinking of chopping my recently purchased SL 55amg and buying a Gallardo as a little treat in the summer.

There are mixed reactions on this car, I have heard the clutch is stiff and its not very usuable, yet others say its a pleasure to drive and extremely usuable. It will be not my main car as I have another car for work (Although I will be tempted to use the car during the week!)

I was just looking for opinions on expected depreciation, what to look out for when buying and general maintenance costs on this car.

I have heard the later models of Gallardo have a "better" clutch than older models and the first 500 produced are extremely problematic.......

Any help would be greatfully appreciated.

Thanks.
Dean

Edited by d3hno on Friday 12th December 16:13

[Justin French6]

Hi Dean,

I am limited on the info I can give you but some info is better than none. I've driven both (through Super Car Clubs) a manual Gallardo and one with e-Gear quite a few times. I'd defo go for the e-Gear, and I for one, would usually take a manual 100%. Both cars were sort of year 2007. I personally think the clutch pedal on the manuals are a nightmare. Using one for more than a couple of hours just gets annoying. It's obvioulsy all done to preference so your best bet would be to take a test drive of both and see what you think.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Justin

[Andyuk911]

I can't give you a lot of help, but most of the early clutches were replaced under warranty. It should be easy to check if this has been done to a car you are considering.

I think they sound absolutely great, but I must admit, I have not been for a blat in one.

An example of ad with updated clutch.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/637984.htm

[Justin French6]

Sorry, I forgot to add that the Gallardo is indeed awesome ! Even with a standard exhaust they sound wicked ! IMO, Ferrari 430's just don't compare .....

Good luck !

Cheers,

J

[Ment-Al]

Personally speaking, there is no way on this earth that I could live with a Gallardo and its clutch day to day.

It would not be fun, I would not enjoy it because it would be too much effort.

Occasional car... yes. Hooning, why not. Around town, no way.

In comparison to an SL55, its going to be hard work.

E-Gear for me.

[Jules360]

Ment-Al said:

Personally speaking, there is no way on this earth that I could live with a Gallardo and its clutch day to day.

It would not be fun, I would not enjoy it because it would be too much effort.

Occasional car... yes. Hooning, why not. Around town, no way.

In comparison to an SL55, its going to be hard work.

E-Gear for me.

What on earth are you talking about ???? Have you ever driven a manual Gallardo? The clutch is no different to any other performance car's. What specifically is a "too much effort" ? Don't say it's heavy cos it's not.

I commute in mine daily, in traffic on the way home, and its never anything short of a joy to drive.

Now for the OP. The first 500 cars are rumoured to have a few issues, but having had no experience i cannot comment. If the car has had the E revision clutch, which by now most have, then it's fine. 06 cars have the revised ehaust which sounds much better, but earlier cars can be sorted with a Tubi, which sounds magnificent! Suspension bushes can be a bit fragile and need replacing, but are not expensive.

I've had mine 20 months or so, drive it daily and still find excuses to take it out for a couple of hours saturdays and sundays, just for a blast. I've owned some nice cars and driven many more, but have never enjoyed one as much as the Gallardo. And thats coming from an ex Ferrari man who never even gave Lambos a second glance.

[Witchbreed]

I'm shocked at the reports of a heavy clutch. I took an 04 plate G on the Motorway and then through Wolverhampton city centre (test drive) and it behaved like a... normal... car?

Unless you have the same left leg calf as Mr Muscle I can see a problem but apart from that I was impressed with how civilised it was!

Flappy panels are alright for track days and 'Michael Shoemaker' but not my choice! I think the clutch will last longer in a manual too.

[UVB]

I first test drove an 05 manual coupe and found it fine. Did a day at Millbrook where I tried a coupe e-gear and manual Spyder - the latter feeling significantly better than the earlier car. Subsequently bought a new Spyder and have been happy with the manual.

Only negatives are 2nd gear is awkward when the engine is cold but just needs a modicum of patience, and the clutch rest is about the size of the edge of a match book - I don't use it as height wise there's too much chance I might be riding the top of the clutch slightly so I've just got used to putting my foot elsewhere.

Overall I'm very glad I got the manual - love the sound of the gear lever clacking into the slots and the increased involvement of it, but this is highly personal. If you aren't sure which you'd prefer try driving ones of the age you are likely to buy, or perhaps forget about the gears and concentrate on finding one with the options/colour combo's you want then decide if you like how it drives.

[andrew.]

clutch is fine but on balance i preferred e-gear : do not expect mercedes' standards of refinement
there are many more e-gears than manuals out there so more choice and bigger market to sell back into
depreciation will be a factor and buy/sell margins are significant, if you can't live with this, and/or change cars frequently, then don't bother
get it professionally inspected, do not underestimate the cost of apparently "minor" fixes
maintenance costs are high
get a good, long test drive ( the dealer has probably got time on his hands right now )
low speed manoeuvring and sitting in traffic are not the car's forte, but the joys are most definitely worth it

jfdi