Buying Advice - Gallardo - Parked outside - Advice Appre

Buying Advice - Gallardo - Parked outside - Advice Appre

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rossyl

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

167 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
Hi All,

I've been reading up for a few days now on Gallardo's and would be really grateful for some more advice. I've been through lots of threads on here, including re-living 70Proof's buying experience.

I am coming at this having spent ages looking for a F.360, only to be scuppered for the reasons below. I am hoping that a Gallardo is the right car for me, but will base that on owner experiences.

Year 2006+
I've read that 2006 are more reliable and better sorted than those that came out originally. However, the more I delve into old thread, the less actual information I seem to find as the reasoning behind this.

However, lifting gear is an absolute requirement, so maybe that might lead to a later car?


Forums
From what I've found, this is he best of the Lambo UK based forums. It looks like things were really active here a few years back, but that seems to have tailed off a little just looking at the frequency of posts and new threads on here. I can't believe that because Lambo Owners don't like discussing cars and helping each other out, so what forum are most UK folks on? That's not meant to come across rude, it's just based on what i can see from recent threads.

The thing that worries me about that is whether there is a lack within the Lambo world of trying to save unnecessary costs? From briefly reading, I can see that savings can be made through buying some Audi parts. Such info is usually shared through forums...which leads me to...

Independent Servicing
It appears that there are very few specialist independent garages, although I might have missed some info. So far I've only found BHP, Emblem and Autofficina, compared to Ferrari and Maserati that seems far more limited choice. Or am i missing some information?

Whilst i am fine for servicing at a dealer, things in-between services, where possible, use of independent is usually cost effective and sometimes can be better than a dealership. Let's face it, I'd be buying a 13 year old car, I'd rather not pay the same rates as as someone buying a brand new Lambo, nor do i need the dealer stamp as much.

PPI
This knocks on into who does the PPI. Is the only real option to take it to a dealer to do this? I feel like I'm missing something as for other marques there are just a lot more options.

Parking Outside - Corrosion and Battery Life
I was originally on the hunt for a Ferrari 360. But having been told the aluminium will corrode and eventually I'd come outside to find the bodywork vanishing into thin air, I have reconsidered.
Does the Lambo suffer from being parked outside under a cover? Were there corrosions issues, or issues with electrics from being left outside?

Worse, on the 360 was battery life, it had to be plugged into a battery tender.
How does the Gallardo get on with its battery, how long does it tend to last?
Is replacing the battery a DIY job?

Who to buy from - Private vs Dealer
The more i searched for a F.360 the more concerned I got about buying privately. Extensive PPI's and things not being done "right" would it seem impact the value of a Ferrari considerably. Having just sold an Aston privately i found this a surprise.

So any recommended seller, or is it better to save some £££'s and buy privately?

Potential Big Costs
It looks like a clutch is £3k. Other than that there does not seem to be any typical issues with the car that i should expect. Again, that feels a little wrong and like I'm missing information.

2006+ I've read are the more reliable, but surely things still need doing that cost a bit.

Manual car availability
I would ideally like a manual. I had a flappy paddle Maserati. The main issue is parallel parking it. The flappy paddle can be unpredictable and make this pretty difficult, manual's are just so much easier. The same goes for crawling in traffic, in particular crawling up a hill.

However, there barely seem to be any about. From what I've read that's simply becuase bought new there weren't many of them.

Lifting Gear
Did this ever become a standard spec? I unfortunately must have it due to living in London.

Target price - Selling Cost vs Advertised Cost
Looking at the advertised prices seems that these cars haven't depreciated much for 5/6 years ago, even in this market, which i find surprising. Sure they went up and came back down, but they are still at 2011 prices.

However, are actual the selling figures near the advertised costs? Just wondered if anyone had recently bough, or had experience of this?

What would you think a fair/good price is for a 2006 Gallardo, with say 30-40k miles on the clock, in a decent spec and colour?

Meets
Are there any meets coming up, or does anyone in North London/South Herts feel like meeting for a chat and a little show around their Gallardo - beers on me.

Audio
How easy is it to connect a phone to play music to either the standard system or the upgraded system?

Thanks very much in advance...and hoping for some much needed advice

markiii

3,609 posts

194 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
my thoughts below


rossyl said:
Year 2006+
I've read that 2006 are more reliable and better sorted than those that came out originally. However, the more I delve into old thread, the less actual information I seem to find as the reasoning behind this.

However, lifting gear is an absolute requirement, so maybe that might lead to a later car?
not so sure about reliable but slightly more power and much better gear ratios (wiki is pretty accurate if you want all the details that were updated). Egear wasn't updated until the LP came along

rossyl said:
Forums
From what I've found, this is he best of the Lambo UK based forums. It looks like things were really active here a few years back, but that seems to have tailed off a little just looking at the frequency of posts and new threads on here. I can't believe that because Lambo Owners don't like discussing cars and helping each other out, so what forum are most UK folks on? That's not meant to come across rude, it's just based on what i can see from recent threads.

The thing that worries me about that is whether there is a lack within the Lambo world of trying to save unnecessary costs? From briefly reading, I can see that savings can be made through buying some Audi parts. Such info is usually shared through forums...which leads me to...
I tend to agree, for my money Lamborghini talk is the best. You will find there many DIYs and a list of audi cross referenced parts

rossyl said:
Independent Servicing
It appears that there are very few specialist independent garages, although I might have missed some info. So far I've only found BHP, Emblem and Autofficina, compared to Ferrari and Maserati that seems far more limited choice. Or am i missing some information?

Whilst i am fine for servicing at a dealer, things in-between services, where possible, use of independent is usually cost effective and sometimes can be better than a dealership. Let's face it, I'd be buying a 13 year old car, I'd rather not pay the same rates as as someone buying a brand new Lambo, nor do i need the dealer stamp as much.
last main dealer quote for a major on my 2006 was £2400 suffice to say I agree with your reasoning and it goes nowhere near a main dealer.

My last 2 services have been done at Christian Lewis (Northampton), they have now gone bump which is a shame but I only went there because of Ed Blasi. Hes now at a Ferrari specialist in Kent so may choose them next time.

I've heard good things about the Supercar Rooms but never used them personally

RE Performance at Swindon is another likely candidate for my next service

Anything Suspension wise you won't beat going to Chris Franklin at Center Gravity, very big in Porsche circles and I've used him for Geo setup on the G as well.

rossyl said:
PPI
This knocks on into who does the PPI. Is the only real option to take it to a dealer to do this? I feel like I'm missing something as for other marques there are just a lot more options.
Hard one, I bought from Pangbourne Main dealer so didn't feel the need.

rossyl said:
Parking Outside - Corrosion and Battery Life
I was originally on the hunt for a Ferrari 360. But having been told the aluminium will corrode and eventually I'd come outside to find the bodywork vanishing into thin air, I have reconsidered.
Does the Lambo suffer from being parked outside under a cover? Were there corrosions issues, or issues with electrics from being left outside?
How outside is outside? Kerbside or do you have room for a carcoon or similar? Is it an every day car?


rossyl said:
Worse, on the 360 was battery life, it had to be plugged into a battery tender.
How does the Gallardo get on with its battery, how long does it tend to last?
Is replacing the battery a DIY job?
Mine now lives on a tender because it gets moved in and out of the garage so often it drains the battery. But if not doing so a month or more was never a problem for me.

Battery can be DIY swapped in 15 mins with a coin and a 10mm socket

rossyl said:
Who to buy from - Private vs Dealer
The more i searched for a F.360 the more concerned I got about buying privately. Extensive PPI's and things not being done "right" would it seem impact the value of a Ferrari considerably. Having just sold an Aston privately i found this a surprise.

So any recommended seller, or is it better to save some £££'s and buy privately?
Pangbourne would get my business any day, however they very rarely have cars this old any more. That said ask Craig and I'm sure he'll look for you. Mine was an exception due to the condition and full dealer history.

VVS tend to get all the best stuff main dealers don't want to retail themselves. But I've never used them.

Redline at Knaresborough would be a good bet as I've bought from them in the past and they are very professional

rossyl said:
Potential Big Costs
It looks like a clutch is £3k. Other than that there does not seem to be any typical issues with the car that i should expect. Again, that feels a little wrong and like I'm missing information.

2006+ I've read are the more reliable, but surely things still need doing that cost a bit.
Clutch definitely is that kind of figure. EGear get a clutch snap reading before purchase. Manual you can't get a reading but generally they wear better. Later LP cars have much better E-Gear and much better clutch wear. There are several clutch revisions. Early cars when they need it can get the newer revision.

Parts generally aren't cheap no matter what, but one thing that springs to mind is the suspension arms. Pre LP cars came with flamblock joints which are expensive. Early cars used a captive bearing on the arms. That means a new arm. 2K each and there are 8 of them. There are a couple of individualsrebuilding arms at a much lower costs but I have no personal experience as to quality.

rossyl said:
Manual car availability
I would ideally like a manual. I had a flappy paddle Maserati. The main issue is parallel parking it. The flappy paddle can be unpredictable and make this pretty difficult, manual's are just so much easier. The same goes for crawling in traffic, in particular crawling up a hill.

However, there barely seem to be any about. From what I've read that's simply becuase bought new there weren't many of them.
less than 2% of Gallardos were specced with a manual box. Hard to find, more in the early cars very few in the LPs

I have one and they are very good

rossyl said:
Lifting Gear
Did this ever become a standard spec? I unfortunately must have it due to living in London.
Personal opinion I don;t have it and don;t miss it. Gallardo nose is very stubby so copes with all the speed bumps I've encountered bar 1

rossyl said:
Target price - Selling Cost vs Advertised Cost
Looking at the advertised prices seems that these cars haven't depreciated much for 5/6 years ago, even in this market, which i find surprising. Sure they went up and came back down, but they are still at 2011 prices.

However, are actual the selling figures near the advertised costs? Just wondered if anyone had recently bough, or had experience of this?

What would you think a fair/good price is for a 2006 Gallardo, with say 30-40k miles on the clock, in a decent spec and colour?
Hard to say i bought mine 5 years ago, but I reckon i could get what I paid for it more or less.

rossyl said:
Meets
Are there any meets coming up, or does anyone in North London/South Herts feel like meeting for a chat and a little show around their Gallardo - beers on me.
I'm in Welwyn/Herts. Been trying to find any local owners for years without much success.

rossyl said:
Audio
How easy is it to connect a phone to play music to either the standard system or the upgraded system?
Very, Headunit is an Audi RNSE and it can be coded for OEM accessories using VCDS/VAGCOM. cheapest way is a Dension box in place of the changer for £150 or so

Generally speaking mechanicals are pretty bullet proof, electrics can occasionally play silly beggars (they let the italians do those) but nothing to worry about.

Early interiors don't seem to wear so well, particularly saggy seat leather, depends on how well they have been looked after but nothing that can't be fixed


rossyl

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

167 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
Hi Mark

Thanks very much for such a detailed and extensive response, it is very much appreciated.

markiii said:
My last 2 services have been done at Christian Lewis (Northampton), they have now gone bump which is a shame but I only went there because of Ed Blasi. Hes now at a Ferrari specialist in Kent so may choose them next time.
Would it be wrong to assume that recognised Ferrari independents, are capable of Lambo work?

markiii said:
How outside is outside? Kerbside or do you have room for a carcoon or similar? Is it an every day car?
Kerbside, in London. My Maserati, and Aston were parked in the same spot. It is what it is, and is my only proper option.

It's not an everyday car, but will be probably driven every couple of weeks.

So is corrosion a big issue?

markiii said:
Battery can be DIY swapped in 15 mins with a coin and a 10mm socket
That's great to know. Is it easy enough to get the in the car when the battery is dead?

markiii

3,609 posts

194 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
I've spannered on mine when needed, handbrake, exhaust, brakes e.t.c its not a hard car to work on. However nav aside it does need Lambo Diagnostic tools for anything engine/box related (basic odbii aside)

Today cost me $198 to have an airbag light turned off for example (my own fault for forgetting to reconnect when having the seat out)

I would say If you can work on a Ferrari you can work on a Lambo. But how well depends on the individual/garage and there will always be stuff that depends on the experience they have had on them.

One thing to consider is effect on resale there are pros and cons

Battery access is a piece of piss, open door with the key, use the manual release to pop the frunk (be careful they are made of cheese and are easy to snap)

Once in the frunk remove the liner (apologies its not a coin you need but a torx head driver) and the battery is starring right at you

corrosion, I've never tried keeping outside but its all plastic or aluminium so it doesn't rust. I've not heard of any aluminium corrosion issues but its possible.

The only issue I ever found was parking on a hill in the rain, where if you park the wrong way it can be hard to start. However mines a spyder so has different engine vents. The coupe may be different

If you leave it outside in the frost be very careful how you clear the screen. You don't want to know how much the glass costs. Frankly I'd be more worried about Joe Public when leaving a lambo parked at the kerb. If thats not a factor for you I probably wouldn't worry.

rossyl

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

167 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
Thanks Mark.

Out of interest, which way should you park on a hill?

Also, is spray de-icer fine for frost, or were you talking about pouring hot/warm water on clod glass?

Thanks again

markiii

3,609 posts

194 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
spray deicer fine but I definately wouldn't risk water of any temperature

from memory facing uphill fine downhill allows water through the vents

actually looks much the same in terms of the problem now I look at it. That said moot point with a cover

Spindoctor

783 posts

200 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
Very little to add to markiii’s answers.

Indy garages - I’d recommend Barr Tech. Just had mine serviced there again. Also Backdraft are highly rated, though haven’t used them myself.

Lifting gear - got it, nice to know I have, never found it necessary. But sellers attach a premium to it, and to the reversing camera.

Private vs trade sellers - I wouldn’t rule out private, can always get a car independently inspected if you want. Seller shouldn’t object. Not all trade sellers are saints...

markiii - you’re not alone in Herts, as it happens I’m about 10 mins from Welwyn.

markiii

3,609 posts

194 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
Yours orange perchance?

Spindoctor

783 posts

200 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
Not me. Nero in my case, so I go unnoticed. Almost.

yzr500

204 posts

103 months

Monday 7th October 2019
quotequote all
My 360 has been parked outside for 5 years uncovered it's still ok but needs the battery charged weekly.

biondi

107 posts

104 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
rossyl said:
Meets
Are there any meets coming up, or does anyone in North London/South Herts feel like meeting for a chat and a little show around their Gallardo - beers on me.
Hi Rossy, I'm based near Bishops Stortford (SG11) - my 2013 lp560-4 is maybe a little newer than what you're looking for but will happily meet up if you're around one day.

rossyl

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

167 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
biondi said:
Hi Rossy, I'm based near Bishops Stortford (SG11) - my 2013 lp560-4 is maybe a little newer than what you're looking for but will happily meet up if you're around one day.
Hi that would be great. Would Sunday 27th work?

rossyl

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

167 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
Anyone have any thoughts on a realistic buying price.

I was hoping for £60k

markiii

3,609 posts

194 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
what spec?

2006 onward egear coupe?

rossyl

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

167 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
2006
Coupe
Dark colour
Manual preferably

Lifting Gear...
Mark, you say you didn't need lifting gear, but just wondering where you live? I'm in London and think its probably a must for me

markiii

3,609 posts

194 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
ref lifting gear hard to say how bad speed bumps in London are but I have mate in Croydon which is speed bump central and it coped fine there with out.

I think your spec is going to struggle at £60K

this is the closest I could find

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


egear might be possible at your budget but manuals seem to be holding their value due to rarity

markiii

3,609 posts

194 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
your price is doable but egear and what many would consider high mileage

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lamborghini-Gallardo-SE...

davek_964

8,813 posts

175 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
Regarding your battery concerns :

Just because the car will (might) start after a couple of weeks sitting idle, it still has an effect on the battery when it's happening regularly. I use my Cayenne pretty rarely - every few weeks is probably a good estimate, especially in summer - and it tends to cost me about a battery a year. Initially, with a new battery it's fine - but it soon starts to have an effect on how long it can be left without use.

Having said that - don't rule out solar chargers. I started using one in the Cayenne this summer, and on a battery that was knackered (would go flat within 5 days), it was lasting several weeks. Everything I'd read before buying one said they were a waste of money - but I've been very happy with the results (and once you've bought one and said it works, suddenly lots of people say : Oh yeah, I've been using one for years - they're great).

biondi

107 posts

104 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
rossyl said:
biondi said:
Hi Rossy, I'm based near Bishops Stortford (SG11) - my 2013 lp560-4 is maybe a little newer than what you're looking for but will happily meet up if you're around one day.
Hi that would be great. Would Sunday 27th work?
Nothing planned so should be fine (assuming weather isn't totally crap) - where are you based?

rossyl

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

167 months

Tuesday 8th October 2019
quotequote all
My sister is actually not too far from you, so I am happy to meet nearby you...plus the road are better! I'm in North London.