£50K-What would you buy 550, 575 or something else?
Discussion
Want something special that won't lose a fortune and be special to drive. Always like the look of the 550/575.
Or do you go more classic as per some of the magazine articles recently 512TR etc?
Decisions, decisions
Are these v12s as ruinous to run as some would have me believe?
Any real world views gratefully received
Or do you go more classic as per some of the magazine articles recently 512TR etc?
Decisions, decisions
Are these v12s as ruinous to run as some would have me believe?
Any real world views gratefully received
Depends on what you want to use the car for 
if it’s a toy I'd go for a 512 as it’s a little more dramatic than a 550, however if it’s going to be used for normal car duties (commuting, shopping etc.) then the 550/575 is the better choice as its more user friendly and costs a little less to run.
Running costs tend to be a tad over exaggerated, as you will only ever tend to hear from people who've had the HUGE bills and not the people paying almost sensible amounts for servicing . . . . . . . . but even so, these cars were the equivalent of £200k new and parts can be expensive and there tends to be a lot more of them with a V12.
You should be able to run one for around £2k a year (excluding insurance, fuel etc.), with any money not spent one year rolled over to the next budget for when a big bill does come along and don’t forget, when it is being serviced, all the little "while it’s in bits" jobs like repainting cam covers and re-plating / coating parts, tend to add up rather quickly
if it’s a toy I'd go for a 512 as it’s a little more dramatic than a 550, however if it’s going to be used for normal car duties (commuting, shopping etc.) then the 550/575 is the better choice as its more user friendly and costs a little less to run.Running costs tend to be a tad over exaggerated, as you will only ever tend to hear from people who've had the HUGE bills and not the people paying almost sensible amounts for servicing . . . . . . . . but even so, these cars were the equivalent of £200k new and parts can be expensive and there tends to be a lot more of them with a V12.
You should be able to run one for around £2k a year (excluding insurance, fuel etc.), with any money not spent one year rolled over to the next budget for when a big bill does come along and don’t forget, when it is being serviced, all the little "while it’s in bits" jobs like repainting cam covers and re-plating / coating parts, tend to add up rather quickly
I went through a similar process last year, I looked at a few cars including the 550/575's, and a few others. I went for a 512 in the end and have been very happy with it.
Don't assume that the 550 will be cheaper to run than something like a 512, some of the more modern cars I saw had a lot bigger bills in their history, and the likes of DK Engineering have fixed price seriving for 512 cambelts that is cheaper than a 550 service.
Make sure you spend the time and money getting a well maintained car and you should avoid servicing horror stories on either.
What it comes down to is what you plan to use it for. My 512 hasn't missed a beat. I use it regularly and it's always a treat on long or short runs, but it's not a daily driver. The more modern cars have that ability so if that what you want then the more modern the better, but if it's a fun car you want to use occasionally I wouldn't rule out an older well maintianed 12.
Don't assume that the 550 will be cheaper to run than something like a 512, some of the more modern cars I saw had a lot bigger bills in their history, and the likes of DK Engineering have fixed price seriving for 512 cambelts that is cheaper than a 550 service.
Make sure you spend the time and money getting a well maintained car and you should avoid servicing horror stories on either.
What it comes down to is what you plan to use it for. My 512 hasn't missed a beat. I use it regularly and it's always a treat on long or short runs, but it's not a daily driver. The more modern cars have that ability so if that what you want then the more modern the better, but if it's a fun car you want to use occasionally I wouldn't rule out an older well maintianed 12.
My view (and I admit it is biased) would be based on your requirements:
"Want something special that won't lose a fortune and be special to drive"
Go for my 348 GTC which is currently for sale at Rardley's:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1768785.htm
It is very special, very rare, shouldn't lose any money and is actually likely to rise and believe me it feels and sounds wonderful when you drive it.
Just a swerve ball to throw into the mix!
"Want something special that won't lose a fortune and be special to drive"
Go for my 348 GTC which is currently for sale at Rardley's:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1768785.htm
It is very special, very rare, shouldn't lose any money and is actually likely to rise and believe me it feels and sounds wonderful when you drive it.
Just a swerve ball to throw into the mix!
Edited by pdavison on Friday 4th June 17:13
Why would you want a 348 GTC, O.K only 50 were made but you can get a brilliant 355 for that price, personally out of the 550 and 575 i would buy the 550, slightly better looking and it has a manual gearbox not a silly F1, 575 were available with a manual but most are F1. I also read in Evo magazine that the 550 is becoming rarer as some are now being exported. Price wise, they are set to remain at about 45-50K and up to 60K for the best, Harry Metcalfe from Evo mag' also quoted that they may even go up slightly in value due to some being exported, he also quoted that the engine is pretty Bombproof. I would get a Rosso/Creama 550 with a Manual shift.
ack0 said:
Want something special that won't lose a fortune and be special to drive. Always like the look of the 550/575.
Or do you go more classic as per some of the magazine articles recently 512TR etc?
Decisions, decisions
Are these v12s as ruinous to run as some would have me believe?
Any real world views gratefully received
As already said it depends what you want it for. The 550 and 575 could be used every day, where as a 512tr probably couldn't. If it's just a toy I would be very tempted by the 512 tr because I just love them! Go drive them all and see what you think.Or do you go more classic as per some of the magazine articles recently 512TR etc?
Decisions, decisions
Are these v12s as ruinous to run as some would have me believe?
Any real world views gratefully received
Edited by lambo_xx on Saturday 5th June 17:43
The only other car that I would think about is a 996 GT3 - all that I would say about a 550 is that it really is worth paying the difference for a 100% car (eg DK eng or Nick Cartwright)as I know from experience that buying a 550 that needs some improvement is an expensive process.
On 550s I would have a look at the following plus the obvious full service history:
1. Leather on dash (it shrinks)
2. Corrosion on front underlip of bonnet
3. Condition of switchgear (goes sticky)
4. underbonnet felt (it drops)
5. Leak from oil cooler
6. Air conditioner
7. Brake life
Please also bear in mind that lots of these cars have been clocked and if the car does not drive like a 30k miler should then the chances are it isn't.
On running costs mine have cost almost exactly £1 per mile plus fuel etc
On 550s I would have a look at the following plus the obvious full service history:
1. Leather on dash (it shrinks)
2. Corrosion on front underlip of bonnet
3. Condition of switchgear (goes sticky)
4. underbonnet felt (it drops)
5. Leak from oil cooler
6. Air conditioner
7. Brake life
Please also bear in mind that lots of these cars have been clocked and if the car does not drive like a 30k miler should then the chances are it isn't.
On running costs mine have cost almost exactly £1 per mile plus fuel etc
I had the same thoughts some 3 Months ago. Next to my Chimaera I was looking for a GT that's reliable and shows some lugage space. I went for a 550 and am very pleased with it. I have been driving it almost every day and seriously I am thinking of selling my Golf GTI. in the past 3 Months I drove about 6'000 km (3'700 Miles) with absolutely no problems.
The only thing that's not absolutely fantastic is it's turning circle and the fact that my dog can't go in.... ah yea... and that it tells me the bonnet is open over 160 mph...
You will love it!
The only thing that's not absolutely fantastic is it's turning circle and the fact that my dog can't go in.... ah yea... and that it tells me the bonnet is open over 160 mph...
You will love it!
Lefty 200 Drams said:
andysv said:
i have a lambo already, but if 50k was hidden under my carpet i'd be out monday looking for a gallardo to put in the garage. values are steady and audi build quality.
You get a decent one for £50k now? 
doppioexpresso said:
ah yea... and that it tells me the bonnet is open over 160 mph...
I've suffered most of the issues listed above, nothing that particularly upsetting or costly to sort other an a suspension fault which required a new actuator - £700 all done, and slow 2nd & 3rd synchros - about the same.
On 47000 miles now, owned 4.5 years, and would only consider swapping for a Barchetta or Superamerica, (Do the SA's come in manual?), as I only seem to use it these days when the sun is out!
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