Brakes on early cars are ventilated 355mm fronts and 335mm rears. They're considered a weak point by most owners as they fade quickly under hard use. From 2005 the 6.2-litre cars received the calipers from the Gallardo, which helped and they were improved further from 2006 at the LP640's launch, where the front rotors increased to 380mm. Many owners have upgraded to the Gallardo calipers on older cars and it's a desirable modification.
Budget £1,700 for new set of P Zero Rossos
New brake discs and pads will cost £5,300 direct from a dealer and fitted, though some owners tell us they have saved large sums by cross-referencing Lamborghini and Audi parts numbers so they pay Audi prices for the same items.
If you want the ultimate in stopping power for your Murcielago, you need to seek out one of the few cars that were sold new with carbon ceramic discs. They cost £7,780 as an option when new in 2006 and are worth having as they not only give better retardation but help shore up the value of the car.
Tyres are another hefty cost to bear with the Murcielago and Pirelli P Zero Rossos remain the rubber of choice for most owners. Bank on spending the thick end of £1,700 for a full set. You should be wary of any car that's not on the original wheels. Aftermarket wheels can often put extra strain on the suspension and differential that already have plenty to deal with. A damaged alloy wheel can usually be repaired, but if it's too far gone a new wheel is around £1,300 from Eurospares or from £500 for a refurbished one.
See quote below for why an inspection is wise...
The front end lift system hiked up the nose of the Lamborghini by 50mm to help it traverse speed humps and acutely angled driveways. It uses hydraulic power driven from the steering system. Failures are rare, but it's best to check this set-up works if fitted to the car you're looking at for any signs of red hydraulic fluid seeping out from seals. After using the lift system, it's important to let the car drop back to its normal ride height to avoid putting excess stress on the components.
As for the suspension itself, this is very durable. New dampers will cost around £4,000 for a full set and any car that's been stored for prolonged periods will benefit from an overhaul of the suspension. As with all performance cars, a full geometry check and set-up is always a good idea to ensure the car is tracking straight and to eliminate any tramlining.
PHer's view:
"I bought mine without an inspection and then spent £10,000 getting it to drive properly. A specialist check is well worth the expense, but at least I now have a car that drives brilliantly. A fool and his money and all that..."
Ed Tee