question....about to buy an F355 gtb...

[slick355]

Hi All,
Am new to this forum.. but have been lurking around for a while now. After reading all the info rgd. the 355.. I am pretty close to "pulling the trigger". Ideally the 355 would be red... but however I saw a black one at www.theferraricentre.com. Anyone know about this car ?... (it is on their website)

secondly the salesman rolled the car out of the showroom and started the engine... and then proceeded to blip the thottle to demonstrate how the sport exhaust sounds... While the engine was being revved.. I saw light smoke coming out of the exhaust..(when the revs were high and when the pedal was backed off).. (not plumes of smoke)... But a haze of bluish smoke.. as if a little oil was being burnt... (car is LHD 1997 model with around 25000 miles on it). When I questioned it.. he said.. "Ferrari's have race bred engines .. they all burn a little bit of oil". Now... guys.. please...help me out here.. is this normal..? or is the car "unhealthy" in some way... he says the car is in "perfect condition".

Following from this anyone has a 1996 or later model F355 GTB (red) to sell.. in the region of £35,000 ? ...very much interested if so...

thanks !

[tony h]

i wouldn't be happy with that answer.Make sure you carry out an independent PPI before committing yourself.

[mindgam3]

Indeed, either there's something fishy about the engine... or they've put too much oil in. Either way it can't be too good as it makes you wonder what the rest of the car is like

[Jonny5]

elms has a nice lhd GTS, www.elmscollection.co.uk

[slick355]

Cheers ..
I gave elms collection a call.... Hope fully will get a chance to check out the vehicle next wknd..
will keep everyone posted...

so what you are saying... is all you 355 owners.. If you start your car up from stone cold..and then blip the throttle and maybe rev a little bit..(not that you would do that on a regular basis !) you see absolutely no smoke whatsoever ? is that how they are supposed to be ?

[tony h]

slick355 said:

Cheers ..
I gave elms collection a call.... Hope fully will get a chance to check out the vehicle next wknd..
will keep everyone posted...

so what you are saying... is all you 355 owners.. If you start your car up from stone cold..and then blip the throttle and maybe rev a little bit..(not that you would do that on a regular basis !) you see absolutely no smoke whatsoever ? is that how they are supposed to be ?

yes

[angelis]

Did you check to see when the last service was?

[slick355]

it was done just under a year ago.. the salesman said that if I bought it...it would have an annual service done before it was released to me.

[slick355]

thanks for the advice guys.. checking out the car Jonny5 suggested.. this weekend.. lets see....

will keep everyone posted...

[Bebs]

slick355 said:

he said.. "Ferrari's have race bred engines .. they all burn a little bit of oil".

rubbish!!

Mine hasn't used a single drop in 3 1/2 years !!

[chrisx666]

So there is blue smoke when the throttle is closed from high revs? Purely based on non-Ferrari past experience I would like to see what happens on overrun (say, backing off at speed) as well. Both conditions cause a high inlet vacuum which pulls oil through worn valve guides/stem seals (if the car has them..). No idea if the same applies to a 355.

[F355SPIDER]

More like a bit of condensation from when its been cleaned/sat. My only advice is if you buy one - make sure you get a warranty of some form or other. Great cars, fantastic to drive and once you've had one you will want more.

i think his story with regards to the oil is probably more true to the stradale which does run rich and have a tendency to use a little oil.