550 - 1 year on
Discussion
Hi all.
Thought I might break cover after many months of quiet observation of these forums, with a short essay on my first years ownership of my first fezza.
Wanted a 360 but couldn't afford one, so bought a 1998 550 Maranello. Rosso Corsa with Crema leather (As I said - my first Ferrari!) 39500 miles. All the history. 42k as I know you were wondering. 'Le ballons de chien!'
I bought her last year from of a small add in top marques. As seen, no warranty. Fell in love at first sight. Drove home feeling like a dog with two dicks. Until I tried selecting 3rd gear that is. It had the odd habit of baulking into 3rd, only going up the box though. I can tell you the blood drained from my face quicker than water down the plug. A quick note on here directed me to an article in Evo, and a £10k bill..... F***!
Still, the rest was perfect. Serveral trips to the breakfast club at Goodwood, the FOS etc, and I began to drive around the problem.
3000 miles later, and 1 set of Pirelli Zero's, a pair of cambelts and a light service - total expenditure - £3k. Bargain. Recommend it to anyone. Le Mans this year.
Now the 'box.
Ordered 2nd + 3rd synchro from the dealer, and got my man to strip said box down. Bu**er me if there's nothing much the matter with them. Turns out to be the selector fork worn heavily down the right side - hence grating up the box, but not down. My man says it wasn't centred correctly when built!. So small wait for £170 fork and hey presto - just got back from 20 mile re-aquaintance drive. All fixed and fabulous, although I still double de-clutch into 3rd, force of habit I guess! Total rebuild cost? Under £600 of parts, plus hefty drink for a good mate and a manual....
So to summarise. If you're wondering whether or not to take the plunge into Ferrari ownership - stop dithering and get on with it, you may not be here next year. Best thing I ever did.
I'll try and contribute a bit to the gossip from now on, and probably meet some of you at this years events.
-nioks
Thought I might break cover after many months of quiet observation of these forums, with a short essay on my first years ownership of my first fezza.
Wanted a 360 but couldn't afford one, so bought a 1998 550 Maranello. Rosso Corsa with Crema leather (As I said - my first Ferrari!) 39500 miles. All the history. 42k as I know you were wondering. 'Le ballons de chien!'
I bought her last year from of a small add in top marques. As seen, no warranty. Fell in love at first sight. Drove home feeling like a dog with two dicks. Until I tried selecting 3rd gear that is. It had the odd habit of baulking into 3rd, only going up the box though. I can tell you the blood drained from my face quicker than water down the plug. A quick note on here directed me to an article in Evo, and a £10k bill..... F***!
Still, the rest was perfect. Serveral trips to the breakfast club at Goodwood, the FOS etc, and I began to drive around the problem.
3000 miles later, and 1 set of Pirelli Zero's, a pair of cambelts and a light service - total expenditure - £3k. Bargain. Recommend it to anyone. Le Mans this year.
Now the 'box.
Ordered 2nd + 3rd synchro from the dealer, and got my man to strip said box down. Bu**er me if there's nothing much the matter with them. Turns out to be the selector fork worn heavily down the right side - hence grating up the box, but not down. My man says it wasn't centred correctly when built!. So small wait for £170 fork and hey presto - just got back from 20 mile re-aquaintance drive. All fixed and fabulous, although I still double de-clutch into 3rd, force of habit I guess! Total rebuild cost? Under £600 of parts, plus hefty drink for a good mate and a manual....
So to summarise. If you're wondering whether or not to take the plunge into Ferrari ownership - stop dithering and get on with it, you may not be here next year. Best thing I ever did.
I'll try and contribute a bit to the gossip from now on, and probably meet some of you at this years events.
-nioks
nioks said:
Hi all.
Thought I might break cover after many months of quiet observation of these forums, with a short essay on my first years ownership of my first fezza.
Wanted a 360 but couldn't afford one, so bought a 1998 550 Maranello. Rosso Corsa with Crema leather (As I said - my first Ferrari!) 39500 miles. All the history. 42k as I know you were wondering. 'Le ballons de chien!'
I bought her last year from of a small add in top marques. As seen, no warranty. Fell in love at first sight. Drove home feeling like a dog with two dicks. Until I tried selecting 3rd gear that is. It had the odd habit of baulking into 3rd, only going up the box though. I can tell you the blood drained from my face quicker than water down the plug. A quick note on here directed me to an article in Evo, and a £10k bill..... F***!
Still, the rest was perfect. Serveral trips to the breakfast club at Goodwood, the FOS etc, and I began to drive around the problem.
3000 miles later, and 1 set of Pirelli Zero's, a pair of cambelts and a light service - total expenditure - £3k. Bargain. Recommend it to anyone. Le Mans this year.
Now the 'box.
Ordered 2nd + 3rd synchro from the dealer, and got my man to strip said box down. Bu**er me if there's nothing much the matter with them. Turns out to be the selector fork worn heavily down the right side - hence grating up the box, but not down. My man says it wasn't centred correctly when built!. So small wait for £170 fork and hey presto - just got back from 20 mile re-aquaintance drive. All fixed and fabulous, although I still double de-clutch into 3rd, force of habit I guess! Total rebuild cost? Under £600 of parts, plus hefty drink for a good mate and a manual....
So to summarise. If you're wondering whether or not to take the plunge into Ferrari ownership - stop dithering and get on with it, you may not be here next year. Best thing I ever did.
I'll try and contribute a bit to the gossip from now on, and probably meet some of you at this years events.
-nioks
Thought I might break cover after many months of quiet observation of these forums, with a short essay on my first years ownership of my first fezza.
Wanted a 360 but couldn't afford one, so bought a 1998 550 Maranello. Rosso Corsa with Crema leather (As I said - my first Ferrari!) 39500 miles. All the history. 42k as I know you were wondering. 'Le ballons de chien!'
I bought her last year from of a small add in top marques. As seen, no warranty. Fell in love at first sight. Drove home feeling like a dog with two dicks. Until I tried selecting 3rd gear that is. It had the odd habit of baulking into 3rd, only going up the box though. I can tell you the blood drained from my face quicker than water down the plug. A quick note on here directed me to an article in Evo, and a £10k bill..... F***!
Still, the rest was perfect. Serveral trips to the breakfast club at Goodwood, the FOS etc, and I began to drive around the problem.
3000 miles later, and 1 set of Pirelli Zero's, a pair of cambelts and a light service - total expenditure - £3k. Bargain. Recommend it to anyone. Le Mans this year.
Now the 'box.
Ordered 2nd + 3rd synchro from the dealer, and got my man to strip said box down. Bu**er me if there's nothing much the matter with them. Turns out to be the selector fork worn heavily down the right side - hence grating up the box, but not down. My man says it wasn't centred correctly when built!. So small wait for £170 fork and hey presto - just got back from 20 mile re-aquaintance drive. All fixed and fabulous, although I still double de-clutch into 3rd, force of habit I guess! Total rebuild cost? Under £600 of parts, plus hefty drink for a good mate and a manual....
So to summarise. If you're wondering whether or not to take the plunge into Ferrari ownership - stop dithering and get on with it, you may not be here next year. Best thing I ever did.
I'll try and contribute a bit to the gossip from now on, and probably meet some of you at this years events.
-nioks
Great post.
I GOD I want one so bad.
nioks said:
Should I continue to bore you all with tales of door check straps and wiper linkages? I think not, I prefer to dwell on long country drives after work.
Should I try a track day in her?
Should I try a track day in her?
No, just assume she's going to cost you lots and sell her to me for a smidge over £20k ;-)
rubystone said:
nioks said:
Should I continue to bore you all with tales of door check straps and wiper linkages? I think not, I prefer to dwell on long country drives after work.
Should I try a track day in her?
Should I try a track day in her?
No, just assume she's going to cost you lots and sell her to me for a smidge over £20k ;-)
Or me for a smidgen over £21K
Nice work - really pleased to hear you've had a positive experience - in a weak moment, I could so easily justify replacing the 4200 with a 550....
John
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