Ferrari Mondial Costs?

[aruck]

I'm intrigued.. I see Mondials for as little as £10k to £15k.. is this a case that they may be affordable but if something goes wrong it costs £000's? What are the service/part costs like?

[walkersport]

Depends which mondial, Mondial T's suffer from running too hot and yes cost a lot more to run than a Q/V, I personally would aim for a 3.2 model, Cam belt changes are region £500 every two years, just beware that a lot of people buy mondials because they cannot afford a 308/328 hence servicing can be done on the cheap! - she should have good history and under 50k miles to be a good bet. their are a lot of genuine cars owned by people whom need to take the kids along too! just be prepared to walk away and not get swallowed by the 'its a Ferrari! and i can afford it!' thing because too many people buy these cars that way.

[MitchT]

I love Mondials - as Walkersport suggests the 3.2 is a good one to go for. The first (Mondial 8) was renowned for being trouble. The second (Mondial QV (3.0)) was good, the third (Mondial 3.2) was the most robust and reliable, sharing its mechanicals with the 328, and the final (Mondial T) was the fastest and most powerful, but with its 348 mechanicals could be a more costly ownership prospect.

If buying an '8' or 'QV' have a really good look at the stub-axles - they can break! Many 308 owners cured the problem by fitting 328 ones - same goes for the Mondial - fit 3.2 stub-axles to pre-3.2 cars when they need changing. Prices seem to be dictated a lot by mileage with some real bargains to be had with higher mileages. As long as they've been well looked after the mileage shouldn't be an issue, in fact low-milers could be more trouble on account of lack-of-use causing issues.

I'd go for a 3.2 with 30-50k on the odo... in fact, if anyone knows of a metallic black 3.2 with tan leather let me know!

[Bo_apex]

Never had a hot running issue with my T, either on circuits or european trips. Most solid F car I've owned. The 3.2 is also a safe bet and enjoyable drive.

[walkersport]

Not a hot running issue (in the terms of overheating), but the engine runs hotter in a T than in a 348, when we do inspections we often find signs of early fatigue and power loss with the engine (all depends how well they've been looked after). I am glad you love your car - but in my opinion the 3.2 is a safer bet, with lower running costs that was my point.

Edited by walkersport on Tuesday 17th June 10:37

[Bo_apex]

walkersport said:

Not a hot running issue (in the terms of overheating), but the engine runs hotter in a T than in a 348, when we do inspections we often find signs of early fatigue and power loss with the engine (all depends how well they've been looked after). I am glad you love your car - but in my opinion the 3.2 is a safer bet, with lower running costs that was my point.

Edited by walkersport on Tuesday 17th June 10:37

agree that the 3.2 has lower running costs and a safer bet if your first Fcar. However, the handling dynamics between the two are quite different.
Interesting you mention about the 348 cooling - I've found the T radiator position more effective being at the front. I'm sure heavy traffic usage dictates variable heat soak results between the two models.

[Caruso]

aruck said:

I'm intrigued.. I see Mondials for as little as £10k to £15k.. is this a case that they may be affordable but if something goes wrong it costs £000's?

You've pretty much summed it up.

This will give you an idea of service costs.

[Fractiousgit]

Belts and bearings are a simple job for a competant DIY mechanic.

Guess mine must be knackered now at 64,000 miles.

[chrisx666]

Caruso said:

aruck said:

I'm intrigued.. I see Mondials for as little as £10k to £15k.. is this a case that they may be affordable but if something goes wrong it costs £000's?

You've pretty much summed it up.

This will give you an idea of service costs.

Or maybe significantly less up north (£700 less for belt+valves unless I am missing something??):

http://www.aeperformance.co.uk/services.html

Edited by chrisx666 on Tuesday 17th June 19:03

[aruck]

Judging by what i've read then the Mondial and 328 have considerably cheaper running costs than the 348?
The 328 and the 348 and similar purchase costs; are the engines just more simple in the 328?
Would people recommend the 328 over the mondial then?

[Bo_apex]

aruck said:

Judging by what i've read then the Mondial and 328 have considerably cheaper running costs than the 348?
The 328 and the 348 and similar purchase costs; are the engines just more simple in the 328?
Would people recommend the 328 over the mondial then?

The 3.2 Mondial is essentially a 328, albeit on a longer wheelbase.

[walkersport]

Essentially the main difference is that the 3.0 & 3.2 engines most maintainance can be done with the engine in situ including Cam Belts, where as the 3.4T cam belt service is engine out. this adds a fair bit to the bill.

[Caruso]

aruck said:

Judging by what i've read then the Mondial and 328 have considerably cheaper running costs than the 348?
The 328 and the 348 and similar purchase costs; are the engines just more simple in the 328?
Would people recommend the 328 over the mondial then?

In the 348 and Mondial T the engine is mounted longitudinally instead of transversely. This means to change things like clutch/belts mostly means taking the engine out (that's a whole other topic!) With the 328 and Mondial, the jobs simply require removal of one of the wheels, and wheel arch liners.

[aruck]

Learn something new every day! I wouldn't have even thought about the way engine was fitted!

If one was to buy a £25k Ferrari how much should you allow per year as an expenses fund?

Edited by aruck on Wednesday 18th June 12:14

[MitchT]

aruck said:

If one was to buy a £25k Ferrari how much should you allow per year as an expenses fund?

It's down to the condition of the car rather than the price. Higher miles will lower the price, but if it's been well looked after the bills should be refreshingly small. On the other hand an expensive low-miler that's spent long periods sitting in a garage might need more looking after as many components can suffer through lack of use. You really need to be considering condition over everything else when trying to judge the running costs. You'd get a concourse Mondial 3.2 with very low miles for £25k, but personally I'd feel more confident spending about £15k on a regularly exercised car with about 30-40k miles on the clock.

[walkersport]

MitchT said:

aruck said:

If one was to buy a £25k Ferrari how much should you allow per year as an expenses fund?

It's down to the condition of the car rather than the price. Higher miles will lower the price, but if it's been well looked after the bills should be refreshingly small. On the other hand an expensive low-miler that's spent long periods sitting in a garage might need more looking after as many components can suffer through lack of use. You really need to be considering condition over everything else when trying to judge the running costs. You'd get a concourse Mondial 3.2 with very low miles for £25k, but personally I'd feel more confident spending about £15k on a regularly exercised car with about 30-40k miles on the clock.

Spot on advice MitchT I personally prefer to buy 25 - 40k Miles cars, regualar use, which a 3.2 should retail between £14 - 18k. Now go and buy one - there lots out there!

[MalcQV]

Amongst other things the fuse box can be a bit of nightmare. On the whole though I have enjoyed the 3.5 years of ownership.

[Boon1000]

I have not had a Mondial but have owned a 355 for ten years and do 1,000 to 1,500 miles year so costs should be reasonably representative for a V8 Ferrari. I have it serviced at the main dealer. Specialist dealers are obviously cheaper. Costs average out at the following.

Annual service £1,900

• note the car always needs something on top of the usual service

Cambelts (set aside £500 each year for the £1500 3 year change) £500
Tyres £300
Insurance £525
Tax disc £185
Club Membership £100
Tracker £180
Fuel for 1,250 miles per year £350
Total £4,040 (£3.37 per mile) Excluding depreciation.

Hope that helps.

Boon