Ferrari 360 or 550 Maranello

[wineman02]

Having recently sold my 911 C2 I will be looking to venture into the alluring world of Ferrari in the next couple of months. I am in two minds about what to purchase though.

I have it down to the 360 Modena or 550 Maranello. Both seem to sell within the £40-£50k range and both excellent cars. From my research it would appear that the 550 is perhaps underpriced at the moment and will hold or move up in value whilst the 360 is probably declining. I am just an ordinary guy so depreciation is a factor for me (I can afford the serving and running costs etc). In my heart I prefer the 360 but only marginally. Do you think it would be better to go for the 550 now and then add or exchange it for a 360 in a couple of years time? Or do you think the 360 is at the bottom of it's depreciation at the moment?

I will not be doing track days but will be using the car for purposeful weekend drives and going into Northern Europe.

Which would you buy and why?

Edited by wineman02 on Saturday 3rd April 10:28

[FerrariV8]

Two very different cars, the 550 is a fantastic car, great for continental hopping and very pleasing to drive but can feel a bit heavy on tight twisty roads, The 360 is very good at spirited driving and is a comfy place to sit in, you need to try them both and then decide, both cars will not hurt in depreciation if you buy well. you'd be welcome to come and try one of our 360's if you like.

T

[wineman02]

Hi T

That is a very kind offer by you - thank you. I had a look at your website and really loved your buying guide - very useful and informative. I was thinking about the 360 F1 but due to your advice that the clutch does not last long will opt for a manual. That is a shame as I have a Alfa 147 with Selespeed and love it!


I won't be in the market for a couple of months yet as I want to buy with cash. When I do though I will be sure to look you up. I am down in Kent so have a wealth of Ferraris showrooms around. I love the passion and honesty on your website and your kind offer though. All too often I have been to a Porsche or Ferrari showroom only to be treated like I am buying a secondhand banger (even though I have pulled up in a 996 C2). I like to buy from people who care and appreciate that it is a lot of money you are parting with so needs consideration.


I have friends who live in Whitchurch (not too far from you?) so could easily pay a visit if you have a suitable car available at the time. I am thinking of May/June time. If I do get one from you, will you give me a tour or a map of the fabled roads in North Wales?

[FerrariV8]

Yes Whitchurch is around 20 - 25 mins from us.

F1 clutch life is not a problem as long as you know where the lifespan is when you buy it, I really must say that most F1 clutch's last between 16 - 20k miles the only problem is when the car is driving around cities all day in stop start traffic, 7k is about as bad as i've heard of, what we're really saying is ' just because a clutch may have been fitted within X amount of miles it still needs to be checked. Personally I love the F1 and manual 360, try both and see which you prefer.

[stephen300o]

FerrariV8 said:

Yes Whitchurch is around 20 - 25 mins from us.

F1 clutch life is not a problem as long as you know where the lifespan is when you buy it, I really must say that most F1 clutch's last between 16 - 20k miles the only problem is when the car is driving around cities all day in stop start traffic, 7k is about as bad as i've heard of, what we're really saying is ' just because a clutch may have been fitted within X amount of miles it still needs to be checked. Personally I love the F1 and manual 360, try both and see which you prefer.

Sorry to jump in, but isn't the clutch on a 360 a fairly easy job anyway?, being at the rear of the gearbox.(or have I misremembered)

[ferrari spider]

stephen300o said:

FerrariV8 said:

Yes Whitchurch is around 20 - 25 mins from us.

F1 clutch life is not a problem as long as you know where the lifespan is when you buy it, I really must say that most F1 clutch's last between 16 - 20k miles the only problem is when the car is driving around cities all day in stop start traffic, 7k is about as bad as i've heard of, what we're really saying is ' just because a clutch may have been fitted within X amount of miles it still needs to be checked. Personally I love the F1 and manual 360, try both and see which you prefer.

Sorry to jump in, but isn't the clutch on a 360 a fairly easy job anyway?, being at the rear of the gearbox.(or have I misremembered)

Mate the clutch on a 360 involves unbolting/splitting the gearbox/transaxel from the engine and pulling it rearwards (there is more than enough room to swap out the clutch without removing the box completely away from the car, just pull it backwards). Though some do remove it completely to change the clutch, both ways are just as effective. Lots of things have to be undone like the top section of the engine sub frame and the drive shafts ect. The clutch does not hang out the rear like the 355s.
Were as the 355 just involves removing the rear bumper and removing the pumpkin.
The 355 is an incredibly easy job and can take me about an hour to change. Were as a 360 can take me up to 3-4 hours because its way more involving, but still relatively easy.

Edited by ferrari spider on Saturday 3rd April 16:32

[stephen300o]

ferrari spider said:

stephen300o said:

FerrariV8 said:

Yes Whitchurch is around 20 - 25 mins from us.

F1 clutch life is not a problem as long as you know where the lifespan is when you buy it, I really must say that most F1 clutch's last between 16 - 20k miles the only problem is when the car is driving around cities all day in stop start traffic, 7k is about as bad as i've heard of, what we're really saying is ' just because a clutch may have been fitted within X amount of miles it still needs to be checked. Personally I love the F1 and manual 360, try both and see which you prefer.

Sorry to jump in, but isn't the clutch on a 360 a fairly easy job anyway?, being at the rear of the gearbox.(or have I misremembered)

Mate the clutch on a 360 involves unbolting/splitting the gearbox/transaxel from the engine and pulling it rearwards (there is more than enough room to swap out the clutch without removing the box completely away from the car, just pull it backwards). Though some do remove it completely to change the clutch, both ways are just as effective. Lots of things have to be undone like the top section of the engine sub frame and the drive shafts ect. The clutch does not hang out the rear like the 355s.
Were as the 355 just involves removing the rear bumper and removing the pumpkin.
The 355 is an incredibly easy job and can take me about an hour to change. Were as a 360 can take me up to 3-4 hours because its way more involving, but still relatively easy.

Edited by ferrari spider on Saturday 3rd April 16:32

Oops, did misremember . I'd go with the 360 as you said you like that more, after all you buy a Ferrari with your heart.

[lambo_xx]

wineman02 said:

Having recently sold my 911 C2 I will be looking to venture into the alluring world of Ferrari in the next couple of months. I am in two minds about what to purchase though.

I have it down to the 360 Modena or 550 Maranello. Both seem to sell within the £40-£50k range and both excellent cars. From my research it would appear that the 550 is perhaps underpriced at the moment and will hold or move up in value whilst the 360 is probably declining. I am just an ordinary guy so depreciation is a factor for me (I can afford the serving and running costs etc). In my heart I prefer the 360 but only marginally. Do you think it would be better to go for the 550 now and then add or exchange it for a 360 in a couple of years time? Or do you think the 360 is at the bottom of it's depreciation at the moment?

I will not be doing track days but will be using the car for purposeful weekend drives and going into Northern Europe.

Which would you buy and why?

Edited by wineman02 on Saturday 3rd April 10:28

As already said quite different cars. The 550 is more of a GT car, built for long trips, where as the 360 is a supercar, and is at its element on twisty roads. As for future values of the cars, who knows? The 550 was originally something like £150k so it's lost a lot of money and I can't see it losing a hell of a lot more, saying that though the 575 is still depreciating and as a result could push 550 values down a bit, but as I said who knows.

Are you planning on using these cars every day? If you are the 550 will probably be the better choice. The 550 does cost more to service though. If I were you I would go and test drive both and see which you prefer.

Hope that helps

[Midds]

It totally depends on what you want to do with your Ferrari. On average I have used both of my ferraris every other day. The 550 was AWESOME. A continent crushing comfort machine, BUT it felt heavy, 1700kgs (+fuel and driver) going sideways is nerve-wracking...

I swapped a drop-dead stunning 550 for my 360 and don't regret it (except the odd moment). If you want a race-car for the road, the 360 is sublime... Fast, rorty with amazing handling (but poo brakes until you upgrade them and still not up to the job if you use Milton Keynes as a private race track.

I LOVE my 360, but regret the unbelievable delivery of the 550's power...

If you want a GT - the 550 is amazing. If you want a race-car for the road, get a 360 and don't look back. Or find an additional £100k and buy a 599HGTE which is both cars in one

Me, I'm a 360 man for now, let's see whether that changes in 2012... (430 maybe...)

[Paracetamol]

[quote=ferrari spider]
Were as the 355 just involves removing the rear bumper and removing the pumpkin.
The 355 is an incredibly easy job and can take me about an hour to change. Were as a 360 can take me up to 3-4 hours because its way more involving, but still relatively easy. [quote]

Wow QV charged me for 11 hours and said they were doing me a favour as it takes longer..are you sure you can do it in under 4 hours!

[ferrari spider]

Paracetamol said:

ferrari spider said:

Were as the 355 just involves removing the rear bumper and removing the pumpkin.
The 355 is an incredibly easy job and can take me about an hour to change. Were as a 360 can take me up to 3-4 hours because its way more involving, but still relatively easy. [quote]

Wow QV charged me for 11 hours and said they were doing me a favour as it takes longer..are you sure you can do it in under 4 hours!

How do you mean am i sure? Of course i am sure. I never had a stop watch because i was not timing myself, The car was up with wheels of and the airboxes/bumper removed the day before. So from that point the next day it took me and Gary approx 4 hours to do.
Forget all these times dealers/specialists give you, it perpetuates the myth of Ferrari BS. They also list the time to change a 355s clutch at 2-3 hours, i can do it in a little over one.
I can also have my 355 engine out of the car and on the deck in less than 3 1/2 hours. Dealers say 8-9 hours approx. These dealer times are what the factory recomend (as a revenue raiser) I know my cars and can do things with my eyes closed.
Remember they give them selves greater times to A/ make money and B/ room for variables/problems.
I know that Karl Verdi has done it in the same time in emergency custumer jobs. Please feel free to contact him to verify this, also he knows what i did him self. He can also confirm my capabilities to you.


Anyone who saw how fast the Risi Lemans team changed the F430 clutch last year befor the race would be amazed.

Edited by ferrari spider on Sunday 4th April 14:26

[Anjum]

No brainer - if you intend to do trips to Europe - go 550M.

I've put on over 35K miles in 3 of them - they just work.

Feel free to PM

Anjum

[Paracetamol]

ferrari spider said:

Paracetamol said:

ferrari spider said:

Were as the 355 just involves removing the rear bumper and removing the pumpkin.
The 355 is an incredibly easy job and can take me about an hour to change. Were as a 360 can take me up to 3-4 hours because its way more involving, but still relatively easy. [quote]

Wow QV charged me for 11 hours and said they were doing me a favour as it takes longer..are you sure you can do it in under 4 hours!

How do you mean am i sure? Of course i am sure. I never had a stop watch because i was not timing myself, The car was up with wheels of and the airboxes/bumper removed the day before. So from that point the next day it took me and Gary approx 4 hours to do.
Forget all these times dealers/specialists give you, it perpetuates the myth of Ferrari BS. They also list the time to change a 355s clutch at 2-3 hours, i can do it in a little over one.
I can also have my 355 engine out of the car and on the deck in less than 3 1/2 hours. Dealers say 8-9 hours approx. These dealer times are what the factory recomend (as a revenue raiser) I know my cars and can do things with my eyes closed.
Remember they give them selves greater times to A/ make money and B/ room for variables/problems.
I know that Karl Verdi has done it in the same time in emergency custumer jobs. Please feel free to contact him to verify this, also he knows what i did him self. He can also confirm my capabilities to you.


Anyone who saw how fast the Risi Lemans team changed the F430 clutch last year befor the race would be amazed.

Edited by ferrari spider on Sunday 4th April 14:26

Did seem alot of hours at the time...

[ferrari spider]

Some of the times/hours quoted by some dealers/specialist really baffle me. I dont know what the hell would take 6 hours on a 360 clutch removal let alone 11 hours.
If you want a laugh you should see how much time they allocate to removing a water pump from a 355. There are some who will either remove the engine or fuel tank ect. But the efficient guys who will replace the pump in situ, my self included. Its amazing because its only held in with 6 10mm nuts Its fiddly yes but it can be done with the correctly modified 10mm spanner

[LamboBrum]

ferrari spider said:

Paracetamol said:

ferrari spider said:

Were as the 355 just involves removing the rear bumper and removing the pumpkin.
The 355 is an incredibly easy job and can take me about an hour to change. Were as a 360 can take me up to 3-4 hours because its way more involving, but still relatively easy. [quote]

Wow QV charged me for 11 hours and said they were doing me a favour as it takes longer..are you sure you can do it in under 4 hours!

How do you mean am i sure? Of course i am sure. I never had a stop watch because i was not timing myself, The car was up with wheels of and the airboxes/bumper removed the day before. So from that point the next day it took me and Gary approx 4 hours to do.

Forgive my ignorance - is 2 men x 4 hours not 8 hours? Plus wheels, airboxes and bumper the day before, 1 1 hours may be about right? And no I'm not from the service dept!

[ferrari spider]

I have even done the job on the 360 on my own in half the allocated time by dealers.
All the other jobs i described like dropping the 355s engine and/or clutch was also done on my own.

Edited by ferrari spider on Sunday 4th April 20:07

[ditomaso]

the 360 is an underated car. True the 550 is amazing value for money, but if you want that V8 rasp & high pitched scream with great handling the 360 is the car to go for. I've had 2 360's, they are extremely reliable and represent a smart buy at £40K. I'd suggest going for yellow or grigio titanium, at least something different to Red. Also F1 is a must on the car. Forget Clarkson's 'flappy paddle' rubbish, in sport mode, these cars change gear at speed with no jerkyness.

As for a 550, awesome machines, but they really are GT's for cross continent cruising. We took 4 360's & one 550 across Route Napoleon 4 years ago, and if you know that road, it's France's 200 mile twisty A road from Grenoble to Cannes. Suffice to say the guy driving the 550 just gave up, he couldn't keep up with the nimble 360's. Beautiful as the 550 was, its best for stretching its legs on long motorway stints and the occasional twisty jaunt

[Dino550]

I went from 911 C2 to 550 and have no regrets.

Despite what some posts say on here they do handle, and they are v quick. Monster torque - I've managed to spin the wheels at 100 in the dry

i think that Evo got it right when they awarded it drivers car of the decade (1994 to 2004 i think) a few years ago - that was in the company of a zonda and 3 911's.

It's of course personal, but the 360 does nothing for me. The people who service them tell me they can be fragile too.

550 likely to be a better investment too - the last manual only Ferrari and seems to be in demand.

[ferrari spider]

ditomaso said:

We took 4 360's & one 550 across Route Napoleon 4 years ago, and if you know that road, it's France's 200 mile twisty A road from Grenoble to Cannes. Suffice to say the guy driving the 550 just gave up, he couldn't keep up with the nimble 360's. Beautiful as the 550 was, its best for stretching its legs on long motorway stints and the occasional twisty jaunt

Yes a great road that, Jules you know from 187 i did that road last year after Adams recomendation. By the way its no wonder the 550 could not keep up on them twisty, you fail to mention the 4 360s were CS's!!
A point of interest about the 550s handling. Clarkson made a handling video back in 99-2000. The 550 did very well in the best handling car of the pack. In fact it came first out of all the cars including the F355, Porsche 993,Skyline and NSX. So things are not that bad. Enjoy this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK-hprvTNf8

Edited by ferrari spider on Monday 5th April 22:30

Edited by ferrari spider on Monday 5th April 22:32

[ditomaso]

ferrari spider said:

ditomaso said:

We took 4 360's & one 550 across Route Napoleon 4 years ago, and if you know that road, it's France's 200 mile twisty A road from Grenoble to Cannes. Suffice to say the guy driving the 550 just gave up, he couldn't keep up with the nimble 360's. Beautiful as the 550 was, its best for stretching its legs on long motorway stints and the occasional twisty jaunt

Yes a great road that, Jules you know from 187 i did that road last year after Adams recomendation. By the way its no wonder the 550 could not keep up on them twisty, you fail to mention the 4 360s were CS's!!
A point of interest about the 550s handling. Clarkson made a handling video back in 99-2000. The 550 did very well in the best handling car of the pack. In fact it came first out of all the cars including the F355, Porsche 993,Skyline and NSX. So things are not that bad. Enjoy this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK-hprvTNf8

Edited by ferrari spider on Monday 5th April 22:30

Edited by ferrari spider on Monday 5th April 22:32

Chas - it was me, Ian and Adam in the 3 360's & Rob in his CS. Mine was manual and even then I managed to leave Roger standing. But I'd agree a 550 still packs a punch. Glad you like Route Napoleon - what a road!!