Running costs 355/550

[Lagerlout]

Hi all,

Can someone give me an idea of 355 and 550 running costs? Annual, major services, service frequency etc.

Cheers,
Neil

[F355GTS]

LL

F355
Annual or (depending on Year then post '96 is) 6k then 18k then every 12k after that, Cambelts every 3 years/36k miles engine out job.
Not sure of the pre '96 Cars, every 6k I think?

IIRC Annual and 6k is about £800, 12k £1,200, Cambelts will add around £1k to the service cost

550M
Annual or 6k, then 18k, then every 12k miles, Cambelts 3 years/36k miles.

Annual and 6k around £800 to £1100, 12k/18k £1,800 Cam belts add around £500

[rumplestiltskin]

Servicing costs sound reasonable, but I hear other running costs can be big, ie the 550 likes tyres....a lot ! I remember EVO's long term test car eating tyres every 6k miles or something ?

I have pretty much decided to get a Ferrari next year when the winter is over, keeping my 996TT through winter - but am undecided on a 550 or a 360. I am using the winter to do my homework on both & had nearly discounted the 550...until I saw a black one at the weekend & it looked & sounded lovely !

Comments from anyone with 1-2 years experience of owning either would be really helpful, running costs included (so I dont hijack the thread!)
Unless I got a cheap runaround, the 550/360 would be left in public carparks a fair amount (though the car park is in Richmond where every other car is a Porsche/Merc etc.) and used pretty much everyday so reliability is very important.

Thanks.

[stuh]

I can only comment on my 355 spider. Had it 18 months now (prev Noble M12) and found running costs surprisingly reasonable bearing in mind my car needed an immediate cambelt service on purchase. If i take out optional expenses (Capristo and carbon trim) then including tyres it's been about £2900 so far.

Looks like i'm about to go the other way, getting a 996TT, as the 355 doesn't cut it for running my 11 month daughter about ;(

[rogerb]

I think it depends on warranties - the power warranty on a 550 is worth its weight in gold if you ask me and keep the costs down to the numbers given below on the thread - they even did my brake discs and pads on warranty on mine recently......try and buy one with a new clutch/belts/brakes and you should be ok for a couple of years. Only big problem seems to be the transmission where there have been a few comments of them going caput once you get much over 20k (quite a high profile one as it was in the middle of last year's Supercar Run), and Harry from Evo lost his at about 34k miles. Mine is at 21k and is ok at the moment, but needs to be fully warmed up to be nice and smooth (as you'd expect).

Happy to answer specific queries if you have any.

[rumplestiltskin]

Thanks Roger. I am leaning towards a 360, mainly because of a lot of stuff I read about the high running costs of a 550 (compared to a 360)
As i will be using the car everyday I need reliability & a car thats not going to suffer if i put 12k miles on it a year.
The 996TT has been faultless (touch wood) for 18months needing nothing except servicing and you kinda get used to that!

R.

[Lagerlout]

Does Ferrari offer after market warranties? If so, up to what age and how much approx? If not, is there a third party I could turn to?

Many thanks,
Neil

[rogerb]

Sorry for the delay in replying guys. A couple of points - firstly, and this is a massive generalisation, the V12 cars are more expensive to run, but I do believe that 360s can be a little more delicate in everyday use - particularly if you do a lot of town driving. On that view you could argue that the running costs might even out if you happen to be a little unlucky with your 360. Having said that, if the 550 goes badly wrong, it will be very messy!

Secondly, Ferrari warranties are available for up to 8 year old cars. If they are not dealer supplied you will have to pay for them to inspect it before they sell you a warranty. Power 1 is available up to 6 years old, and then Powertrain for years 7 and 8. Cost varies but is approximately £2300 for the latter for example, dependant on the model.
Definitely worth the outlay in my view. If you want more comprehensive cover, then go aftermarket to Warrantyworks or someone similar.

Roger