LHD 550 advice request

LHD 550 advice request

Author
Discussion

jonesg1002

Original Poster:

64 posts

282 months

Tuesday 14th May 2002
quotequote all
I've spotted a LHD 550 for equivalent of 60,000ukp.
Its done 17,500Km, was registered Jun 1997, and is for
sale at a local non ferrari dealership so it must have
been a trade in.

Has anyone here any advice on european prices for
these cars as this seems good to me, I believe a
new one was about 112,000ukp when I went to the dealer
here last year. I haven't done much in the way of
research on this car yet but have always seen the 550
as an ultimate fast road sports car.

Anyone any ideas of the sort of things I should look
out for on the car. What kind of trouble can be
expected from a 5 year old car.

what sort of regular running costs would I be looking
at, ie. service intervals and prices ? I suspect
insurance and tyres would be similar to my current
tuscan S.

Is non ferrari servicing in-advisable? I would
be hoping to keep the car long term unless I can't
afford the up keep?

Its unlikely I would drive it daily but when I do it
would be given a hard time, would it put up with this?

cheers
Graham

456mgt

2,504 posts

266 months

Tuesday 14th May 2002
quotequote all
Graham,
Don't own a 550 so can't give you any specific advice. Note that the 456 has the same engine,gearbox and other bits and as far as I can tell, they are a similar deal. Bennno researched it pretty well,so if you take a look here, it may help:
www.pistonheads.net/gassing/topic.asp?t=9632&f=63&h=0

It seems like a reasonable price since RHD '97 Maranello would be 78-90K GBP. I would get it checked out professionally and take a long hard look at the warranty; you may find it will only cover repairs up to 2K GBP for instance. If there is nothing to hide you should be able to check with the previous owner(s) and the garages that serviced it. You don't say who the dealer is but it is important that they have a reputation to lose.

Bottom line is that 550s have a good reputation as far as I am aware.

Regards

Kevin

jonesg1002

Original Poster:

64 posts

282 months

Wednesday 15th May 2002
quotequote all
cheers for the link, bloody hell the parts
are expensive. 60k engine christ.

A good warranty is definitly an absolute must.
Definitly makes it sound like something fun
to have for a while but not to keep hold of.

the car is at a mercedes dealership.

serious research required me thinks,
certainly not buying one of these on a
emotional whim.

mr_tony

6,328 posts

269 months

Wednesday 15th May 2002
quotequote all
Get a full report done by a reputable independent no matter who is selling.

I've heard stories of reports on cars (even from franchised ferrari dealers) turning up hideous problems. This relates specifically to 550's in several cases. The stories may or may not be true but the cost of an inspection is a small price for peace of mind!