Discussion
Hi All,
I am becoming increasingly tempted to acquire a 348, possibly in addition to my Cerbera but might have to be a replacement.
Can anyone give me any onfo on a 348 eg running costs, servicing, reliability, which are the best models/years, things to look out for etc? Also, has anyone moved from a TVR Cerbera to a 348 (or vice versa)?
Many Thanks
Greg
I am becoming increasingly tempted to acquire a 348, possibly in addition to my Cerbera but might have to be a replacement.
Can anyone give me any onfo on a 348 eg running costs, servicing, reliability, which are the best models/years, things to look out for etc? Also, has anyone moved from a TVR Cerbera to a 348 (or vice versa)?
Many Thanks
Greg
Great cars. Bullet proof engines. Look great in black (but I'm biased 
www.fcars.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3749)
348 already discussed on PH. Here's a couple of examples.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=259176&f=63&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=261483&f=63&h=0
Best 348 resource is: http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/
Don't let negative comments sway you. Most are made by people who've never owned one or driven one properly.
GTB/GTS/Spider are the last ones made with an extra 20bhp and all the suspension modifications.
Can be expensive to service if things go wrong.
Electrics will give you a headache.
Get one with a Tubi exhaust!!!! Otherwise expect to pay around £2K for it.
Very very few good ones around.
They're getting old now, so things tend to start wearing out.
I'd suggest a full damper re-build if not already done. £60 per damper from Bilstein.
>> Edited by angelis on Thursday 4th May 09:38
www.fcars.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3749) 348 already discussed on PH. Here's a couple of examples.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=259176&f=63&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=261483&f=63&h=0
Best 348 resource is: http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/
Don't let negative comments sway you. Most are made by people who've never owned one or driven one properly.
GTB/GTS/Spider are the last ones made with an extra 20bhp and all the suspension modifications.
Can be expensive to service if things go wrong.
Electrics will give you a headache.
Get one with a Tubi exhaust!!!! Otherwise expect to pay around £2K for it.
Very very few good ones around.
They're getting old now, so things tend to start wearing out.
I'd suggest a full damper re-build if not already done. £60 per damper from Bilstein.
>> Edited by angelis on Thursday 4th May 09:38
Good advice from the gent above.
I have had mine 18 months and it's been spot on. I paid top money at the time but it proved to be worth it. Bank on 5 grand over 3 years for correct servicing (two standard, one with a clutch plate maybe and one major belt service/valve adjustment etc.).
The later the model the better in most cases. Models where the battery is in the front (in front of LH front wheel from 92ish on) are generally considered less troublesome than earlier cars. Buy on condition and take the odo reading with a pinch of salt - I looked at a car with half the miles but double the interior wear (speedos are easily disconnected).
Limited mileage, second car insurance should be around £500. Make sure it has unlimited glass cover - I had a chip/crack that needed a new screen and trim. Bill to ins. co was £1600.
I have had mine 18 months and it's been spot on. I paid top money at the time but it proved to be worth it. Bank on 5 grand over 3 years for correct servicing (two standard, one with a clutch plate maybe and one major belt service/valve adjustment etc.).
The later the model the better in most cases. Models where the battery is in the front (in front of LH front wheel from 92ish on) are generally considered less troublesome than earlier cars. Buy on condition and take the odo reading with a pinch of salt - I looked at a car with half the miles but double the interior wear (speedos are easily disconnected).
Limited mileage, second car insurance should be around £500. Make sure it has unlimited glass cover - I had a chip/crack that needed a new screen and trim. Bill to ins. co was £1600.
300bhp from 89' to early 94'
0-60 about 5.5 (though the 1st to 2nd change is difficult to get right to do this)
0-100 or 1/4mile about 14.5
Max about 170
94 GTB's/Spiders had 320bhp and lower geared final drive so were quicker to 60.
They can still keep up OK for a 17 year old design.
>> Edited by chrisx666 on Thursday 4th May 13:14
0-60 about 5.5 (though the 1st to 2nd change is difficult to get right to do this)
0-100 or 1/4mile about 14.5
Max about 170
94 GTB's/Spiders had 320bhp and lower geared final drive so were quicker to 60.
They can still keep up OK for a 17 year old design.
>> Edited by chrisx666 on Thursday 4th May 13:14
IceBoy said:
What is the performance like on these cars?
BHP?
How quick are they compared to the phase of hot hatches?
IceBoy
The later GTB/S/Spider or in real terms (or certainly with a de-cat and Tubi) noticeably quicker than the TB/TSs.
My benchmark was "is it quicker than an M3?" the answer is yes. Not massively on the sprint, but the later 348s will go on to do 176mph, and the acceleration from 80 onwards and from 4k revs is real grin on your face stuff.
Make no mistake - in real life on the road terms, these are very quick cars.
Tubi IS A MUST!
I did 13k miles in the first 12 months in mine and it was superb! put a new clutch in for £750, couple of services at £600 and £800 (inc valve clearances checking), and the fuse blew on the air-con. Not what I'd call a worrying track record.
Condition and service history is king though. Any doubts whatsoever and walk away.
Great cars
IceBoy said:
What is the performance like on these cars?
BHP?
How quick are they compared to the phase of hot hatches?
IceBoy
I was going to ask the same thing. On paper a 348 is not as fast as a Cerbera, so i was just wondering if anyone has driven both, and is there a noticeable difference?
burriana said:
What is the performance like on these cars?
BHP?
How quick are they compared to the phase of hot hatches?
IceBoy
The later GTB/S/Spider or in real terms (or certainly with a de-cat and Tubi) noticeably quicker than the TB/TSs.
My benchmark was "is it quicker than an M3?" the answer is yes. Not massively on the sprint, but the later 348s will go on to do 176mph, and the acceleration from 80 onwards and from 4k revs is real grin on your face stuff.
Make no mistake - in real life on the road terms, these are very quick cars.
Tubi IS A MUST!
I think that these old Ferraris are faster than they feel.
My old 328 is considerably less powerful than a 348 and felt pretty slow after my Griff 500.
But whilst it might not keep up with a Griff, it was absolutely neck and neck alongside a Chimaera along a dual carriageway yesterday evening. I was quite pleased with the old dog, even if it needed 7000rpm to accomplish what the Chimaera achieved with 5000...
And yes, a decent exhaust is a must.
I bought mine from Don Pembleton in Nottingham. It is a nicely made stainless system and he kindly fabricated mine with rather less stuffing than usual. It sounds positively fearsome through the gears and crackles and pops beautifully on the overrun.
It took me about an hour and a half to remove the standard silencer and fit the sports system. It cost about £850, so is a lot more affordable than a Tubi.
Don't tell The Oggs though - he will be upset with me!
gbbird said:
On paper a 348 is not as fast as a Cerbera, so i was just wondering if anyone has driven both, and is there a noticeable difference?
I went head to head against a 4.5 Cerb in mine at V.Max & in March 05 (there will be a clip on PHTV somewhere).
My traction was far far better off the line and gave me quite a jump on the Cerb. I was expecting to be caught fine style but, although the Cerb was slowly starting to make ground it only got to within about 20 meters after the first mile gallop down to the big right hander. Around the bend I put enough distance between us to be well in front by the time we went through the lasers at the end of the 1 3/4 mile straight, some 50 meters or so.
Now if we had started from say a 30mph rolling start at the beginning of the main straight I would guess the Cerb would have had a 50 metre lead on me by the traps as it has more low down torque.
But on that day ...
burriana said:
No idea Marcus .. I was talking about real time, not test tracks and sticky tyres to try and get some traction 
My Griff was supposed to do 0-60 in 4.1 secs. I'd like to see any of us mere mortals do it!
I know what you mean Al, and as I haven't ever been in either of the cars I can't really comment. I just wondered what the ideal world stats on the 348 were.
Given the last time I was out on a drag strip my reaction time was nearly a second I think I'd probably struggle too.
Pat H said:
And yes, a decent exhaust is a must.
I bought mine from Don Pembleton in Nottingham. It is a nicely made stainless system and he kindly fabricated mine with rather less stuffing than usual. It sounds positively fearsome through the gears and crackles and pops beautifully on the overrun.
It took me about an hour and a half to remove the standard silencer and fit the sports system. It cost about £850, so is a lot more affordable than a Tubi.
Agreed, I have one [although on a 355] and it does play a wonderful tune! Cannot comment of the fitting as I took the lazy route and had it fitted during a service.
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