Ferrari F430 Spider
Discussion
mini1380cc said:
mwstewart said:
I really wanted a manual; that open metal gate is something I always associated with Ferrari....
I think it is a childhood thing. As a kid it was always the metal gate that drew my attention, along with the "click" during changes. Like you say Ferrari = open metal gate.when you are manually changing , not that I have anything against dsg / pdk / dual clutch systems as my Gti is dsg / daily drive.
For that special occasion I would prefer a Manual .
Congrats on your first Ferrari purchase. Lovely colour and condition. As a fellow manual F430 owner (also E46 M3), you have picked the right gearbox in my opinion. I also believe that the manuals will become more sought after in years to come as the last of the proper V8 manual Ferraris.
Just a friendly tip, if the gear change is not silky smooth, don't listen to the old "they all do that" argument from the dealer, they don't. I had some "notchy" 2nd gear issues with mine at 18k and it took me a while to trace the issue to a cracked plastic reverse gear bushing. I swapped it out with a Hill Engineering stainless steel one and the gear change is now sublime. A few other owners have done that same after being told it's a common characteristic of the car.
If you are going to use main dealers, beware big bills, even if the car is perfect just now. These cars chew through wishbones, ball joints, bushings, random underbody nuts and bolts & o2 sensors like SMG M3's through salmon relays. Also loose wing mirrors, sit in the car with the engine running and check there is no visible vibration of the wing mirrors, mine has been tightened 3 times now in 3k miles and they're a pain to strip down. Also worth checking if the exhaust manifolds have been changed already, if not budget another 3-4k for that as they will inevitably leak soon and can cause major problems.
Total cost of service/maintenance of my 'mint' car in 18 months of ownership is around 8k but that's all been work from a main dealer as I like to keep the car pristine and don't have time for tinkering myself.
Anyway I know your handy with a spanner so I wouldn't worry too much. It's all worth it, nothing drives like a Ferrari does. Enjoy :-)
Just a friendly tip, if the gear change is not silky smooth, don't listen to the old "they all do that" argument from the dealer, they don't. I had some "notchy" 2nd gear issues with mine at 18k and it took me a while to trace the issue to a cracked plastic reverse gear bushing. I swapped it out with a Hill Engineering stainless steel one and the gear change is now sublime. A few other owners have done that same after being told it's a common characteristic of the car.
If you are going to use main dealers, beware big bills, even if the car is perfect just now. These cars chew through wishbones, ball joints, bushings, random underbody nuts and bolts & o2 sensors like SMG M3's through salmon relays. Also loose wing mirrors, sit in the car with the engine running and check there is no visible vibration of the wing mirrors, mine has been tightened 3 times now in 3k miles and they're a pain to strip down. Also worth checking if the exhaust manifolds have been changed already, if not budget another 3-4k for that as they will inevitably leak soon and can cause major problems.
Total cost of service/maintenance of my 'mint' car in 18 months of ownership is around 8k but that's all been work from a main dealer as I like to keep the car pristine and don't have time for tinkering myself.
Anyway I know your handy with a spanner so I wouldn't worry too much. It's all worth it, nothing drives like a Ferrari does. Enjoy :-)
Thanks all. No Ferrari jacket and hat, nor mods...yet 
The ball joints have just been replaced, but if they go again within a short period I would look to re-engineer the arms with stronger joints.
Craigwww said:
Congrats on your first Ferrari purchase. Lovely colour and condition. As a fellow manual F430 owner (also E46 M3), you have picked the right gearbox in my opinion. I also believe that the manuals will become more sought after in years to come as the last of the proper V8 manual Ferraris.
Just a friendly tip, if the gear change is not silky smooth, don't listen to the old "they all do that" argument from the dealer, they don't. I had some "notchy" 2nd gear issues with mine at 18k and it took me a while to trace the issue to a cracked plastic reverse gear bushing. I swapped it out with a Hill Engineering stainless steel one and the gear change is now sublime. A few other owners have done that same after being told it's a common characteristic of the car.
If you are going to use main dealers, beware big bills, even if the car is perfect just now. These cars chew through wishbones, ball joints, bushings, random underbody nuts and bolts & o2 sensors like SMG M3's through salmon relays. Also loose wing mirrors, sit in the car with the engine running and check there is no visible vibration of the wing mirrors, mine has been tightened 3 times now in 3k miles and they're a pain to strip down. Also worth checking if the exhaust manifolds have been changed already, if not budget another 3-4k for that as they will inevitably leak soon and can cause major problems.
Total cost of service/maintenance of my 'mint' car in 18 months of ownership is around 8k but that's all been work from a main dealer as I like to keep the car pristine and don't have time for tinkering myself.
Anyway I know your handy with a spanner so I wouldn't worry too much. It's all worth it, nothing drives like a Ferrari does. Enjoy :-)
Thanks Craig. The car comes with a comprehensive one year warranty which includes the manifolds. There was an invoice in the recent history for a manifold leak. Ferrari sorted it. I know the pre-cats degrade and can enter the engine, but I'm not well versed on leaks - what causes them? Just a friendly tip, if the gear change is not silky smooth, don't listen to the old "they all do that" argument from the dealer, they don't. I had some "notchy" 2nd gear issues with mine at 18k and it took me a while to trace the issue to a cracked plastic reverse gear bushing. I swapped it out with a Hill Engineering stainless steel one and the gear change is now sublime. A few other owners have done that same after being told it's a common characteristic of the car.
If you are going to use main dealers, beware big bills, even if the car is perfect just now. These cars chew through wishbones, ball joints, bushings, random underbody nuts and bolts & o2 sensors like SMG M3's through salmon relays. Also loose wing mirrors, sit in the car with the engine running and check there is no visible vibration of the wing mirrors, mine has been tightened 3 times now in 3k miles and they're a pain to strip down. Also worth checking if the exhaust manifolds have been changed already, if not budget another 3-4k for that as they will inevitably leak soon and can cause major problems.
Total cost of service/maintenance of my 'mint' car in 18 months of ownership is around 8k but that's all been work from a main dealer as I like to keep the car pristine and don't have time for tinkering myself.
Anyway I know your handy with a spanner so I wouldn't worry too much. It's all worth it, nothing drives like a Ferrari does. Enjoy :-)
The ball joints have just been replaced, but if they go again within a short period I would look to re-engineer the arms with stronger joints.
iacabu said:
Lovely car OP.
Craigwww, Out of interest how much could you have saved on servicing etc using independents?
I would probably say around 15-20% if I had used independents. Unfortunately the Ferrari world is a fickle one and come resale time, potential buyers really want to see a 'no-compromise' approach to maintenance, even if the work at an independent is just as good, if not better. Craigwww, Out of interest how much could you have saved on servicing etc using independents?
aspirated said:
tbc said:
As much as I like understated cars I don't think I could be content of my Ferrari was anything other than Rosso Corsa
Every single thread, i mean EVERY single thread, you seem to come up with new ways of s
tting on people's parades. I'm astounded, quite impressed actually. Car looks the business OP, dark colours and red leather always seem to work well, and the Manual/Spider combo makes it the last of a sadly dead breed.
OP F430 looks the business and a different colour will not make it go faster or handle better but was just stating my view
tbc said:
I was mainly stating that I would buy a red one and if i bought any other colour and still be hankering after a red one.
OP F430 looks the business and a different colour will not make it go faster or handle better but was just stating my view
I think you will find no one cares any more as you add so little to any thread.OP F430 looks the business and a different colour will not make it go faster or handle better but was just stating my view
Just my opinion of course;)
OP
Superb vehicle along with all you others.
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