512 - Smoke check / service intervals?

512 - Smoke check / service intervals?

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Discussion

jakesmith

Original Poster:

9,461 posts

170 months

Thursday 8th February 2018
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Hi sorry maybe I am being a bit thick but was having a look at this car for sale and under 'provenance' it sees to have only had 3 services in 25 years. Low mileage or not is this right & what are thoughts on it? I am not interested in buying it, just interested per se so to speak

http://www.car-iconics.com/our-cars/ferrari-testar...


silber

72 posts

159 months

Sunday 11th February 2018
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I think 'smoke test' is an incorrect translation of the emissions test cars needed every couple of years for the MOT in Switzerland (it's a Swiss car). These were done by a garage beforehand, not at the MOT centre. There can be longer periods between MOTs if the car is the equivalent of SWORN, which you do by handing your number plates in (it's very easy to pick them up again as it just needs the insurer to notify the DVLA equivalent that the car has cover, and this is the press of a button).

The lack of services is not great, but these are tough cars and each service was done by one of the two top garages for Ferraris of this period. Would def want it fully worked over as part of buying it and at least a few hundred km of driving before accepting it.

Incidentally, my 512M is at one of those two garages for a big service at the moment. A few of pics for the pleasure of it.








jakesmith

Original Poster:

9,461 posts

170 months

Wednesday 14th February 2018
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Very informative thanks for that
Great that you have one of these legendary cars you see so few these days
And finally, in the middle pic, don't you think it looks like what a pick-up truck would look like if Ferrari made one(!)

silber

72 posts

159 months

Friday 23rd February 2018
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I quite like the ute look - perhaps time to drop a small engine in the front and put a load space and some mountain bikes in the back...!

Ok, maybe not! It's a fabulous car, so full of feel and engagement; plus the engine is a masterpiece of power delivery and orchestra. Looking forward to collecting her again next week.