550 at macari
Author
Discussion

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Friday 1st June 2007
quotequote all
So - does anyone know anything about it? Very interested, but it seems to have been there a while

What am I missing?

neil-f

1,647 posts

233 months

Friday 1st June 2007
quotequote all
550 not quick seller but would not let the time it has been with Joe put you off lots of these sort of cars sit around in showrooms for a while.
You have looked at the car and from what you say seem to like it if in doubt get independant inspection.I am sure if anything turns up Joe will sort it out he is now official Ferrari service.
If you feel the car is right go for it.

666.lam

241 posts

233 months

Friday 1st June 2007
quotequote all
i looked at that car and its realy nice condition...

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Friday 1st June 2007
quotequote all
neil-f said:
550 not quick seller but would not let the time it has been with Joe put you off lots of these sort of cars sit around in showrooms for a while.
You have looked at the car and from what you say seem to like it if in doubt get independant inspection.I am sure if anything turns up Joe will sort it out he is now official Ferrari service.
If you feel the car is right go for it.
But i just feel like im going into it a bit blind. with the porker, theres a lot of information out there about service costs, and of course the porsche extended warranty adds peace of mind

But I really have no idea what are the big things that regularly need doing, how often, and and how much

paul0843

1,994 posts

233 months

Saturday 2nd June 2007
quotequote all
allow £2000 per year approx...even £3000 if cambelts need changing(every 3 years)550 known as being reliable...had no major probs with mine over 3 years and 10k miles..you should also be able to do fully comp insurance for 5000miles for about £1200.00

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
What would you say are the 'must have' options for the 550?

This one has:

2000/W
Metallic Black with Red/Black hide. Just in, Great spec includes: Electric Daytona Seats, Scuderia Shields, Cd Changer, Red Carpets, Climate Control, Black Leather Headlining, Wonderful colour combination. Car is immaculate, a must see. Please Call For Further Details. 19,600 miles.
£59,950

It doesnt sound like a lot, but is that just because it was well specced as standard?

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
And to what extent would people agree with this statement:

"Maintenance on these cars is relatively light and infrequent, and they are neither temperamental nor prone to breaking regularly like older exotics. However, approximately every 30,000 miles or five years Maranellos need a belt service. This is a critical and expensive ($3000 to $5000) service that should only be performed by an authorized dealer or experienced Ferrari shop. It involves taking part of the engine apart in order to remove and replace the rubber cam belts. If these belts fail and break, it means you will ruin your valves and likely need a new, very costly engine.


This is also why you should be leery of Maranellos with extremely low mileage. It is actually better for these belts (as well as radiator hoses, clamps, connectors, fittings, A/C lines, pumps, etc.) if the car is driven regularly, than if it sits, barely accumulating 100 miles a year as a “garage queen.” So my advice is that a Maranello with average or even higher mileage is probably a better car, and will be less expensive and more reliable in the long run, so long as it has been properly maintained by skilled Ferrari mechanics, and has the paperwork to prove it. "

Macaris has 20k on the clock for £59k, but for £42k AK Performance are selling one with 50k on the clock.. Where do you draw the line?!


neil-f

1,647 posts

233 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
BermyAndy said:
What would you say are the 'must have' options for the 550?

This one has:

2000/W
Metallic Black with Red/Black hide. Just in, Great spec includes: Electric Daytona Seats, Scuderia Shields, Cd Changer, Red Carpets, Climate Control, Black Leather Headlining, Wonderful colour combination. Car is immaculate, a must see. Please Call For Further Details. 19,600 miles.
£59,950

It doesnt sound like a lot, but is that just because it was well specced as standard?
Electric Daytona seats good expensive from new option as is leather roof lining, sheilds etc. Does it have the Daytona rear shelf with straps?
Car does seem good spec.
You really are struggling with this decission go for it.

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
neil-f said:
BermyAndy said:
What would you say are the 'must have' options for the 550?

This one has:

2000/W
Metallic Black with Red/Black hide. Just in, Great spec includes: Electric Daytona Seats, Scuderia Shields, Cd Changer, Red Carpets, Climate Control, Black Leather Headlining, Wonderful colour combination. Car is immaculate, a must see. Please Call For Further Details. 19,600 miles.
£59,950

It doesnt sound like a lot, but is that just because it was well specced as standard?
Electric Daytona seats good expensive from new option as is leather roof lining, sheilds etc. Does it have the Daytona rear shelf with straps?
Car does seem good spec.
You really are struggling with this decission go for it.
Not sure if its daytona but yes, it did have 2 big leather straps on the shelf behind the seats

neil-f

1,647 posts

233 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
Austin Owen have a 2001Y with 15500mls for same money as Joe not sure if it is as high spec, the AK car is 1997 so early model.
All these cars need the belts doing at some time on the V8's it is 3yrs or 24k not sure of the V12 but surprised by the article stating 5yrs maybe it is in USA as this article is from.

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
Yeah i think 3 years sounds a bit more realistic

Apparently Ferrari have pulled the power warranty for the time being but will be available soon. He will 'stand behind the car' until the warranty is available.

Has anyone here dealt with JM before? As genuine as they sound?

paul0843

1,994 posts

233 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
belts definately every 3 years/36000 miles

Freewheeler

1,416 posts

234 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
BermyAndy said:
Has anyone here dealt with JM before? As genuine as they sound?
Definitely!! yes

tbops

1,332 posts

236 months

Wednesday 6th June 2007
quotequote all
Yee me 55 is from them. good chaps...parking is a bit shit round there tho.

neil-f

1,647 posts

233 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
BermyAndy said:
Has anyone here dealt with JM before? As genuine as they sound?
Yes my 360 Spider came from them and they have been great to deal with for purchase and for service.

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
neil-f said:
BermyAndy said:
Has anyone here dealt with JM before? As genuine as they sound?
Yes my 360 Spider came from them and they have been great to deal with for purchase and for service.
Are you using their new approved service department then?

neil-f

1,647 posts

233 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
BermyAndy said:
neil-f said:
BermyAndy said:
Has anyone here dealt with JM before? As genuine as they sound?
Yes my 360 Spider came from them and they have been great to deal with for purchase and for service.
Are you using their new approved service department then?
The car on delivery was serviced by JM and Russell the main service man worked for JM then ready for the new workshop to be open and I have also been back for them to sort out a couple of small items (no hassle)and in March used the new workshop and again in May for them to organise an MOT for my car. The new workshop is very impressive go have a look round. By the way it is a 220mile round trip for me to use them but they look after me well so I go back(I pass another main agent only 15 miles away to get there!) .

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
neil-f said:
BermyAndy said:
neil-f said:
BermyAndy said:
Has anyone here dealt with JM before? As genuine as they sound?
Yes my 360 Spider came from them and they have been great to deal with for purchase and for service.
Are you using their new approved service department then?
The car on delivery was serviced by JM and Russell the main service man worked for JM then ready for the new workshop to be open and I have also been back for them to sort out a couple of small items (no hassle)and in March used the new workshop and again in May for them to organise an MOT for my car. The new workshop is very impressive go have a look round. By the way it is a 220mile round trip for me to use them but they look after me well so I go back(I pass another main agent only 15 miles away to get there!) .
I have to say, I do always finish speaking with them feeling very positive, but then get worried that thats just the salesmen in them! Its nice to hear positive stories about them to back it all up. To be fair, ive driven past the showroom for years so they must be doing something right.

I have a test drive in it on saturday - what are the sort of things I should look out for? And where on the bonnet is it susceptible to rust?

BermyAndy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

244 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
Ok, just had the test drive (yet to actually drive it myself though)

Oh my god is it fast. Like stupid fast. Things I liked was finding out about the sport setting which also firms up the suspension. It has the fiorini (spelling?) handling package and just generally a nice smooth quiet ride when cruising. Could easily see this being a semi every day car.

Problems (well, more questions). Under acceleration you could hear what I can only describe as wind noise coming from the drivers footwell. Explained as essentially the exhaust pushing the air out and because of the pedals etc you get this noise - I assume this is common?

Quite a bit of bubbling along the underside of the bonnet - none of it has actually broken the paint. Again, I know this is a common one but is this something that can be treated to minimise any issues in the future?

Also some bubbling a small amount by the drivers window - explained as just a poor poaint job originally round this area. Not rust?

Sat in the car stationary and went through the gears. After the long ish drive, it still felt tricky to get it into 2nd gear

Slightly squeaky brakes - blamed on the fiorini handling pack

Too quiet. They were putting away a lovely red 550 which had the exhaust improved. Gave me an idea of what it could be like so happy it can be done and put right!

So what am I waiting for? Currently agreed £15k deposit and monthly payments of £580 ish. Happy with that but I just have this fear of being hit with a big bill and not being able to cope. Mark has said they will stand behind it for a year as they are so confident in the car, and so that certainly ads peace of mind.

But i cant help but think if im worrying about service costs, I should wait another year when theres more money in the bank, and so less to worry about. Bit of a grown up answer which worries. I can buy this car, make the payments, and afford £2-3k on it the first year. But what if it became £5-6k. I could do it, but id be kicking myself

Decisions decisions!




Edited by BermyAndy on Thursday 7th June 21:03


Edited by BermyAndy on Thursday 7th June 21:10

Troesma

432 posts

240 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
The bubbling paint seems suspicious; have you checked it had no incident which required some respray? (done poorly, BTW) I've seen late 90s cars with paint in mint condition.

Wind noise not uncommon, but guess not an issue the engine sound will not take care of...

BTW, it's called Fiorano handling pack. Only worth for the suspension and carbon-fibre bucket seats; the rest kinda impractical/unnecessary.

In the end, if the numbers add-up and you feel happy with its condition, go for it. BUT you will need to sort the paintwork (which will add some $$ if you want a proper job done).

And most importantly, if you buy it, enjoy it!