Clocked F355
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Discussion

seeing_fezza

Original Poster:

22 posts

213 months

Wednesday 15th July 2009
quotequote all
I've recently viewed a F355 Berlinetta with 12k on the clock, the car looks in ok condition, but I'm just a bit wary about it being clocked (I know many of them have been) I'm going to get an inspection done, but how exactly do they find out if it's been clocked? I know that Gallardos fro example record the mileage in the gearbox as well, does the F355 do that?

andrew.

10,363 posts

222 months

Wednesday 15th July 2009
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fsh ?

vxdave

158 posts

274 months

Wednesday 15th July 2009
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yeah history, old MOT's, receipts etc should give you an idea...

F355GTS

3,873 posts

285 months

Wednesday 15th July 2009
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THe F1 cars do log mileage in the Gearbox TCU but this could have been amended too to match the Speedo. I'm not sure you'll ever prove it either way so best to buy on condition

DIW35

4,205 posts

230 months

Wednesday 15th July 2009
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I'd be looking through the service history or old MOT certificates. If the current owner can't supply these, or is reluctant to, you would have to ask yourself why!

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
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Old MOT's, Service history, overall condition of all the bits and peices that arent easy to replace (the paint on the brake calipers being a good one) and variances from delivered spec. At 12k it's unlikely to have had dozens of owners wink

A car thats only done 12,000 miles is most likely to have been kept standard (yes I know a sweeping generalisation) so an abundance of carbon / shiny bits glued to the interior would also raise quesions.

If the cars been serviced at a Ferrari dealers give them a call and ask what they know about the car smile

phib

4,520 posts

289 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
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I would look at the seats etc etc the condition should be pretty perfect (better than mine) here is mine with 38K (gunuine miles !!!) which will probably be up for sale soon ish


F355gtb2009

1,725 posts

210 months

Thursday 16th July 2009
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so what makes u think most alot of 355's are clocked? care to divulge all the cars that u think are clocked? because imo thats a very precise comment which needs backing up ,especially when people on here are selling there cars.

jshell

12,106 posts

235 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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F355gtb2009 said:
so what makes u think most alot of 355's are clocked? care to divulge all the cars that u think are clocked? because imo thats a very precise comment which needs backing up ,especially when people on here are selling there cars.
It's not just 355's, it's been an issue talked about across discussion boards for many years, here, Clubscuderia, etc, etc. Given the number of Ferraris on the road, the number of owners and the lack of real higher mileage cars for sale, something just doesn't quite add up. Or else they're all Sunday-driven 'garage queens' and no-one actually uses them!

There's a huge financial advantage in clocking high-value exotica like these.

That's why much of the accepted advice is always to buy on condition rather than mileage - it's a better indication of actual use, rather than a simple number on a clock.

F355gtb2009

1,725 posts

210 months

Friday 17th July 2009
quotequote all
most ive seen are backed up with MOT's and the like to prove the milage,and to be honest if it ahsnt got the hisory to prove the milage is it a car you want to buy anyway? without history the cars worth jack st!

vincenz

694 posts

262 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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F355gtb2009 said:
so what makes u think most alot of 355's are clocked? care to divulge all the cars that u think are clocked? because imo thats a very precise comment which needs backing up ,especially when people on here are selling there cars.
It common knowledge alot of F-cars are clocked by subsequent owners, maybe not those who buy new, but those who buy and stretch themselves and then want to recoup their value come sale time.

Not everyone falls into that bracket, but unless old MOT's, service history etc cannot be provided then it is a cause for concern.

jshell

12,106 posts

235 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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...and if I clock the car just before MOT time? It's relatively simple, and could be done for minimal cost each year. Then the FSH & MOT's are worth how much....?

Always buy an exotic car on condition.

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

247 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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jshell said:
...and if I clock the car just before MOT time? It's relatively simple, and could be done for minimal cost each year. Then the FSH & MOT's are worth how much....?Always buy an exotic car on condition.
yes on older Ferrari's it's incredibly simple, people have also been known to put a switch into the wiring. "adjusting" the mileage before MOT's or services has always been an issue with high value cars.

I know a barrister who at one point had two speedo's for his car one for general use and another for mot & service use, car always kept immaculate and whenever the interior got a bit gruby it would be packed off to leather care in warrington for conolisation

MJK 24

5,679 posts

266 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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I think speedometers are more likely to be disconnected whilst in use as opposed to cars having their mileages adjusted downwards.

F355gtb2009

1,725 posts

210 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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im not saying its not done but its not as widespread as is commented on here,just because its simple to do doesnt mean its done!

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

247 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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It's not something that many people would ever admit to in public wink

jshell

12,106 posts

235 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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F355gtb2009 said:
im not saying its not done but its not as widespread as is commented on here,just because its simple to do doesnt mean its done!
wishful thinking, or you know for absolutely sure? Sources?

F355gtb2009

1,725 posts

210 months

Friday 17th July 2009
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simply because alot of people who buy ferrari's are not tech minded when it comes to cars,like me! i know frig all about cars,and i know alot of other people are the same.
me personally i just wudnt do it,as if your worried about re sale value then surely these cars are not for you,i bought mine and at 23 it had been a dream since school,and i doubt i will ever sell it,im getting a 599 or a gtc to go along side it,but this car truely puts a smile on my face when i pick up the keys!,and to clock it wud in my opinion take away the purity of the car to me,u have to maintain these cars ,as i said mine had a full engine out servicing before i bought it 2-3 months ago,and now its in for another annual service purely because of the milage ive put on it in that time,if i had it clocked sure i wudnt have to do the service this early but wud i want to risk knackering the car for the sake of a few thousand miles on a clock!no thanks!

Edited by F355gtb2009 on Friday 17th July 19:27

jackal

11,251 posts

312 months

Saturday 18th July 2009
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MJK 24 said:
I think speedometers are more likely to be disconnected whilst in use as opposed to cars having their mileages adjusted downwards.
thats the way its done by owners I believe

was chatting to a porsche indie the other day.... he was saying he's seen speedos that have been swapped whilst in use


so its not really 'clocking' but 'stopping the clock'

rubystone

11,254 posts

289 months

Saturday 18th July 2009
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jackal said:
MJK 24 said:
was chatting to a porsche indie the other day.... he was saying he's seen speedos that have been swapped whilst in use
In the "old days" it was possible to ensure that the speedo in a 911 matched the year of the car - the manufacture date was stamped in purple inside a purple triangle on the back of the speedo. I always checked that before I spent too much tme looking over a car - they hide the miles well.

On a 355 can't one in theory simply connect to the ECU and interrogate it, or is miles covered not a parameter?