thinking about a Mondial t

[K.K.]

Hi, I am seriously thinking about getting a Mondial as a weekend car (probably the "t"). A few years ago I had a TVR Tamora but whenever I left it alone for a week or two, the battery would go flat. Will that also happen with the Mondial (my parking bay does not have electricity - so there's no possibility to trickle charge)? Also, will the Mondial be "generally" reliable?

[AndrewW-G]

If driven, Mondials are very reliable, yes they have a few quirks, the T's as a whole are comfortable & practical cars that are almost as fast as a 348 in a straight line and a little easier to eek the performance out of round a track (yes the 348 is ultimatley going to be a tad quicker, but you'll need practice to do it)

Electrical issues dog some Mondials, but the T's are best of the breed, with the 3.2's following close behind, only let down by the mickey mouse electrics, with the QV's and 8's enjoyable but rather slow compared to any warmish modern car

Servicing & running costs will be similar if not a little less than a 348, certain parts are now getting a tad scarce so be wary of any car with broken or damaged trim / lights, the wheels are also known to corode.

Oh and there's a battery cut off switch, so when parked a quick turn clockwise of the knob and it'll be ok to leave for a few weeks

Edited by AndrewW-G on Friday 20th November 22:29

[Modificata]

I've had two mondial ts in the past and now have a 456. The t is a very under-rated car imho and I loved it. First off its not as quick as a 355 or 348, but then it is larger and heavier. But it is quick enough and thats what really counts in real life. To drive it feels special, much more special than the 996 targa I also had at the time. Driving any Ferrari is always an occassion, where as the Porsche was just a nice all round car.

Realiability wise they are good, as long as you do your research first. Get the car checked out and do an engine compression and leak down test. Make sure there are no problems or it will get expensive.

As mentioned above the battery has a cut off switch. I always used it on my cars and that way I never had a problem.

On a practical level its great. 4 people can sit in comfort, and you have 2 boots for the luggage. It looks good (not great I admit), but then they are now great value for money. Dont pay top dollar as they dont sell for high money. Its a buyers market.

Good luck!

[K.K.]

That's great advice, thanks. Now I really fancy one! I will probably send a specialist to check it out first.

[Craig]

are you leaving it outside or in a garage?

[K.K.]

It will be in a secure underground parking bay - but not a private garage

[Modificata]

Mine used to be outside with a cover on it. Never had any issues.

[K.K.]

Few points:
1.Are they prone to rusting? Should it be wax-oiled?

2. I think that the later Mondial t had an auto-clutch as an option? But I suspect that the manual clutch version would be a safer option and probably more fun to drive?

3. What are the more usual problems I should look out for?

[Modificata]

1. Mine didnt have any rust on it, but cars of that era did rust. Give it a proper look over.

2. Most of the cars which were fitted with the Valeo clutch were later converted to manual. I think it was expensive to change. I would stick with the manual.

[simonigrale]

You want to be buying the one at the Ferrari Centre - Looks best car / value out there

[AndrewW-G]

K.K. said:

Few points:
1.Are they prone to rusting? Should it be wax-oiled?

2. I think that the later Mondial t had an auto-clutch as an option? But I suspect that the manual clutch version would be a safer option and probably more fun to drive?

3. What are the more usual problems I should look out for?

Yes they can still rust and it's worth getting them treated

The Valeo clutch car's are pretty rare, not bad to drive, but not worth the hassle

Electrics can be an issue, the rest is fairly proven technology (have a look at the 348 buyers guides on the net for drivetrain issues) some parts are gettng a bit scarce, rear screens for example are expensive to replace when cracked or delaminated

[anonymous-user]

the T is a superb real-world V8 package. They even win the odd classic race & hillclimb. Rear seats and 250-style luggage straps on the coupe is a nice bonus for European trips.

[davidspooner]

K.K. said:

Few points:
1.Are they prone to rusting? Should it be wax-oiled?

2. I think that the later Mondial t had an auto-clutch as an option? But I suspect that the manual clutch version would be a safer option and probably more fun to drive?

3. What are the more usual problems I should look out for?

Sorry what does auto-clutch mean? I've honestly no idea - am I being dim-witted?!

[AndrewW-G]

davidspooner said:

K.K. said:

Few points:
1.Are they prone to rusting? Should it be wax-oiled?

2. I think that the later Mondial t had an auto-clutch as an option? But I suspect that the manual clutch version would be a safer option and probably more fun to drive?

3. What are the more usual problems I should look out for?

Sorry what does auto-clutch mean? I've honestly no idea - am I being dim-witted?!

It was an early attempt at the semi auto gearbox, to change gear you would touch and move the gear leaver which would trigger the actuation of the clutch mechanism.

[ferrari spider]

The Semi-auto Mondials are referred to as the Valeo semi autos. A fully automatic clutch were an option during the last few months of mondial T production. They are the most rare of the Mondial range.
The system sported only two pedals. The cars ECU receives data from sensors on the ignition switch, gear lever, throttle and gearshift position mechanism. The ECU then operated an electromechanical clutch actuator mounted on the bell housing which engaged or disengaged the clutch in less than 100ms. The system had numerous safety features to prevent the car being started in gear, or the selection of too low a gear on downshifts relative to road speed. It incorporated a buzzer should this happen or if a gear was engaged with the door open or if you tried to pull away in too high a gear."
A guy in my village has had one for over 5 years now, he also has a 360 spider. He could not bare to sell it because he loves it so much.
Heres a picture that i still have of it that my son took the summer the guy bought it.

Edited by ferrari spider on Saturday 5th December 23:41

[anonymous-user]

by most accounts the Valeo is a fast and reliable system - the Factory should have offered this as an option on the F50. Left foot braking would have increased the fun.