First time post - 348 Buying Tips
Discussion
Hi Guys
This is my first post, although i've been lurking for a few months now
I am looking to be moving from my current MR2 Roadster to a Ferrari 348 (childhood dream car!) as some point in the next few months. Right now i have been trying to find some buyers guides to find out what pitfalls there are for these cars?
Has anyone here owned a 348 previously, what should I be looking for in one?
Many Thanks
This is my first post, although i've been lurking for a few months now
I am looking to be moving from my current MR2 Roadster to a Ferrari 348 (childhood dream car!) as some point in the next few months. Right now i have been trying to find some buyers guides to find out what pitfalls there are for these cars?
Has anyone here owned a 348 previously, what should I be looking for in one?
Many Thanks
Here's one I found within 5 secs!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There are others. Also try Clubscuderia.com ... and ignore the "experts" that simply s
g them off because they read something about them once.
For my second I could have easily gone for a 355, but I prefer the 348, simple as that. Both models are great cars.
and another
and yet another!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There are others. Also try Clubscuderia.com ... and ignore the "experts" that simply s
g them off because they read something about them once.For my second I could have easily gone for a 355, but I prefer the 348, simple as that. Both models are great cars.
and another
and yet another!
Edited by burriana on Monday 4th August 13:02
Make sure that any potential purchase you are interested in you have independantly inspected, and don't be turned by the first car you see, there are many out there. And yes, don't be swayed by all the bullst about them throwing you into hedges etc. Drive one and you will form your own opinion, which I am sure will be positive. Pick of the bunch are the later and more powerful GTB, GTS and Spider variants, which were forerunners for the F355. If you can find one, a GTC would be abit tasty. They look evil in black too, if you can find one and sound really quite tough with a decent sports exhaust on. And do pay particular attention to service history. Large gaps in the service schedule can spell trouble down the road and make sure all works have been done by proper specialists like Verdi and not randomns. In fact speak to Karl at Verdi maybe as he always has something interesting around. Supporting invoices would be good too. Good luck chap.
t about them throwing you into hedges etc. Drive one and you will form your own opinion, which I am sure will be positive. Pick of the bunch are the later and more powerful GTB, GTS and Spider variants, which were forerunners for the F355. If you can find one, a GTC would be abit tasty. They look evil in black too, if you can find one and sound really quite tough with a decent sports exhaust on. And do pay particular attention to service history. Large gaps in the service schedule can spell trouble down the road and make sure all works have been done by proper specialists like Verdi and not randomns. In fact speak to Karl at Verdi maybe as he always has something interesting around. Supporting invoices would be good too. Good luck chap.
http://www.theferrari348.com/forum/index.php has a lot of information.
There's a buyers guide and new website nearing completion as well which will be added to it.
There's a buyers guide and new website nearing completion as well which will be added to it.
Edited by Angelis on Tuesday 5th August 19:12
well instead of making a new thread about the same thing, hope you dont mind me crashing this one
i am looking at getting a 348 in year or so, saving up the pennys as we speak. the question i really have, and to be fair its only the one. buy a decent one with FSH, of course, but i begrudge paying garages to do simple tasks, like oil change etc when i have access to ramps and all the tools. so oil change plug change etc i can do happily by myself, same with replacing the brakes. now from researching, the cambelt, now this is the tricky one, its something i dont like screwing about with.
how much does it cost to get done and how often?
obviously read its an engine out job, however i know a couple of very competant mechanics, and with access to ramps all the tools engine host, can it be done by someone other than a Ferrari specialist, ie is it like most cambelts, or is there any special tools required in doing the job. when special tools come into play, then ill take it to a garage.
sorry it might seem to you guys that if i should ask this question i shouldnt own one. but iam the kinda guy who would rather see like £100 in my mates back pocket, than £100 in a garages, i enjoy working on cars.
cheers
i am looking at getting a 348 in year or so, saving up the pennys as we speak. the question i really have, and to be fair its only the one. buy a decent one with FSH, of course, but i begrudge paying garages to do simple tasks, like oil change etc when i have access to ramps and all the tools. so oil change plug change etc i can do happily by myself, same with replacing the brakes. now from researching, the cambelt, now this is the tricky one, its something i dont like screwing about with.
how much does it cost to get done and how often?
obviously read its an engine out job, however i know a couple of very competant mechanics, and with access to ramps all the tools engine host, can it be done by someone other than a Ferrari specialist, ie is it like most cambelts, or is there any special tools required in doing the job. when special tools come into play, then ill take it to a garage.
sorry it might seem to you guys that if i should ask this question i shouldnt own one. but iam the kinda guy who would rather see like £100 in my mates back pocket, than £100 in a garages, i enjoy working on cars.
cheers
They are by all accounts very simple cars to work on.
The cambelt is officially changed every three years or 30,000 miles, whichever the sooner. Most people may change it a little earlier on the mileage front but this is purely for peace of mind.
At a good recognised indie the job is around £1500, but that will include the major service and, if you're lucky, get the cam covers re-painted too.
I believe there is a special tool required but I will leave that to someone who knows better than I to confirm.
There are several guys over on Clubscuderia.com and ferrarichat.com who have done the job themselves so, worth asking the question over there.
The only downside with doing your own servicing versus using a recognised indie is when it comes to re-sale. I probably would not buy a car that had been privately serviced unless I knew the person and their standard of work ... but even then, the next guy after me wouldn't know them so then it would be my problem.
If it's a keeper, then no problem.
The cambelt is officially changed every three years or 30,000 miles, whichever the sooner. Most people may change it a little earlier on the mileage front but this is purely for peace of mind.
At a good recognised indie the job is around £1500, but that will include the major service and, if you're lucky, get the cam covers re-painted too.
I believe there is a special tool required but I will leave that to someone who knows better than I to confirm.
There are several guys over on Clubscuderia.com and ferrarichat.com who have done the job themselves so, worth asking the question over there.
The only downside with doing your own servicing versus using a recognised indie is when it comes to re-sale. I probably would not buy a car that had been privately serviced unless I knew the person and their standard of work ... but even then, the next guy after me wouldn't know them so then it would be my problem.
If it's a keeper, then no problem.
Edited by burriana on Wednesday 6th August 07:44
burriana said:
They are by all accounts very simple cars to work on.
I think I'd miss out the word 'very' but yes, theyre certainly manageable by a decent mechanic.There are several special tools required for various tasks but I've always just made the tool when required and kept it for future use!
What you do need is care, attention to detail and empathy with the engineering. Working on a Ferrari, particularly of 348 vintage isn't like working on a Ford Focus. Everything you do has to be right and every little adjustment makes a difference. Obviously you could just whip it apart, bang it together and fill it up.... but I guarantee the sparkle will be missing - that special something that makes it a Ferrari. It really is a case of "the sum of the parts being greater" etc etc. An absolute joy to work on and very satisfying to get right - but not, perhaps, suited to a run of the mill mechanic who does the job simply because its a job.
Edited by Talkwrench on Wednesday 6th August 11:24
Edited by Talkwrench on Wednesday 6th August 11:24
gave it a thorough going over it seemed to go even better. Nothing that you could really put your finger on, just more zip, more sparkle.Open an account with photobucket.com (it's free and easy).
Then you can just click the "download from your computer" button and choose any picture from your PC.
Once this is tucked up nice and comfy in your Photobucket album, you will see by each pic is a set of about 4 links.
Copy the bottom one labelled "image code" and simply paste into your pistonheads reply ... like this:
Now click the quote button on my post and you will see what the image code looks like, it has [IMG] AND [/IMG] at each end.
Dead easy, even I can do it
If you load massive images onto Photobucket it takes a while, but ones around 1 Meg fly in.
Then you can just click the "download from your computer" button and choose any picture from your PC.
Once this is tucked up nice and comfy in your Photobucket album, you will see by each pic is a set of about 4 links.
Copy the bottom one labelled "image code" and simply paste into your pistonheads reply ... like this:
Now click the quote button on my post and you will see what the image code looks like, it has [IMG] AND [/IMG] at each end.
Dead easy, even I can do it
If you load massive images onto Photobucket it takes a while, but ones around 1 Meg fly in.
pdavison said:
Not very relevant to the thread but I'm picking my GTC up this afternoon after it's cambelt service and having new brakes fitted all round ... I am so excited!
These cars really can make you feel like that even after 2 years of ownership!
Oh yes my friend, it is very, very, relevant These cars really can make you feel like that even after 2 years of ownership!
Pictures. Please. Now.burriana said:
Here's a question then ... if you had around £45-50k to spend, would you buy a 550 or a 348 GTC 
Be a bloody close call and would take some serious head scratching I reckon.
550 for me, but I love the V12 Ferraris. Not that it's necessarily a barometer of correctness, but I reckon that in 30 years time it will be as lauded as the Daytona is now.Be a bloody close call and would take some serious head scratching I reckon.
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