Ferrari 308 or 348 pitfalls

[garymorgan]

Hi I'm possibly looking to purchase either a 348 or 308 in the near future.

This would be my first forage into Ferrari territory and was wondering if there is any advice on the weak points of these cars.


Any advice would be most welcome.

[ferrari spider]

Yea the nasty sts and sly comments from the general public and other so called petrol heads Thats what you have to look out for LOL!
Besides that, have you also considered the car in the middle of the 308 and the 348, the 328. Some say that this is the car to have out of the 3, and i agree.
You should really get ya self over to the specialist forums like this one http://fcars.co.uk/forum/index.php (UK based)or if you can stomach the at times narcissistic Yanks www.ferrarichat.com There's every ting you need there in terms of pros and cons.

Edited by ferrari spider on Monday 1st November 13:55

[garymorgan]

I did consider the 328 however the prices in the last 6 to 12 months have started to climb quite considerably and as a result they are just out of my reach.


I have a little research on the 308. But I'm finding it difficult to find much on the 348.

I will try those forums thanks

[burriana]

F348 ... quite unloved amongst a lot that are supposedly in the know. Absolutely adored by those that ACTUALLY know.

I've had two, a '93 RHD Spider and a '93 LHD Berlinetta. Bloody brilliant cars and I have driven them all over Europe.

There is a very nice 348 TB on PH classifieds at the moment belonging to "Simonigrale". He is known well on both here and Club Scuderia.

Very well built and quite simple mechanically. Just find one that has been looked after and serviced when it should, and don't let mileage put you off if the price reflects it.

[ferrari spider]

Here ya go brother, digest and enjoy http://www.my348.com/

[Angelis]

A lot of 348 information here:


Ferrari 348 info thread I posted a few years ago
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


My 348 running report on Pistonheads
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


My 348 running report on fgear
http://www.fgear.tv/forum/showthread.php/3-Ferrari...


The 348 technical resource
http://www.my348.com


Great cars and very under rated.

[Roony]

Agree with all the advice... From another angle...

The 308 is a very different car to the 348........

Buy the 308 for for its classic looks not the speed, especially the 81/82 308 (not fast)... But very cheap for regular maintainance!

Buy the 348 for its more modern appearance and its still a fast car to drive! However be prepared to pay approx double for servicing.

Do you want classical or modern looks?
Do you want pace or outright speed?
Do you have a tight budget or lose budget?

In the end I chose a 328 for its looks and increased power over the 308, but I would happily swap for a 348 spider tomorrow!

[footsoldier]

What is the 'in the know' opinion on a 348GTC?

[burriana]

footsoldier said:

What is the 'in the know' opinion on a 348GTC?

Even better than the standard 348, very rare, quite high kudos, but are they worth £20k more than a good 348 TB? Not in my humble opinion.

[F1GTRUeno]

I'd love a GTC, and there's a fair few of them for sale at the minute, both in the UK and Europe.

Website here with a dedicated registry of the cars.

http://www.348gtc.com/

[garymorgan]

Thanks guys, that's a real help.

With regards to classic looks or fast car, I'm not that concerned. I do like the looks of a 308 over a 348, (that's not to say the 348 is an ugly car). It's probably more down to what I can afford and crucially run.

I have been keeping my eye on simonigrale's car and it is one I would definitely be interested in, but as ever I have to wait until my car is sold before I can purchase a Ferrari.

I wouldn't like to call him up and ask all the questions Etc and not have the cash to actually buy it. I experienced enough of those types in the last few weeks myself. It does tick all my boxes though.

Either car would be a most welcome lodger in my garage

[ChrisJ.]

garymorgan said:

With regards to classic looks or fast car, I'm not that concerned. I do like the looks of a 308 over a 348, (that's not to say the 348 is an ugly car). It's probably more down to what I can afford and crucially run.

Do you do your own servicing?
Is this car for limited mileage use, or every/most days?

[M001]

I recall reading that alot of 348 spares are no longer available or very hard to source, which may make maintenance expensive.

I considered buying one before i settled on the 308 as the latter was always my dream car.

I thought i chose carefully and purchased one that had just had +5k spent on an engine overhaul. Less than 2000miles later i had to have a new crankshaft fitted as mine cracked in two!

It goes to show that you have to plan for potentially expensive problems, beyond a regular service. Having said that i think i was just unlucky as it is rare for this to happen.

[garymorgan]

No I would take it to a specialist for the service work. The car would be used as a summer/weekend car.

What would a typical belt change cost from a specialist for either car? And what is involved. I.E. What is replaced during this.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm very much a novice with regards to this marque.

[burriana]

For the belt change it is an engine out job on the 348 but, you obviously also have a major service done at the same time. An independent should charge around the £1500 mark give or take. You might also take the opportunity to replace the water pump, tensioner bearings, crank shaft seals and have the rocker covers re-painted, as the engine is out anyway. These are not necessarily essentials though and they may all be absolutely fine. My default setting ers towards prevention over cure

Anyone who offers to do the cam belt change with the engine still in is doing it on the cheap, no ifs, no buts... if they say the job can be done just as well with the engine in-situ they are talking bks and, ask yourself where else they would cut corners.

I believe the 308 belt change can be done properly with the engine in but I am not certain not having owned one.

[ChrisJ.]

burriana said:

I believe the 308 belt change can be done properly with the engine in but I am not certain not having owned one.

I had a 308 and changed the belts and tensioner bearings myself. I got the parts from Superformance.
It's not a difficult job, just time consuming, and it's the time that a specialist will charge you for.

I don't know anything much about the 348. 'Just had a look at asking prices, and it looks like the pecking order between 308 and 348 values will soon be the reverse of what it has been up to now?

I'd go for a really good 308, given the choice.

[burriana]

Before I got my second 348 I was tempted by the looks and character of a 308 but, to be honest, I knew that I wouldn't be able to live with the lack of pace from the 308.

[evil len]

http://www.fugazi.co.uk/308/buyersguide.htm

[Caruso]

I've got a 308 GT4 and have considered a 348 myself. The thing that really appeals about the 348 is the sound they can make with the right exhaust. Take a look on youtube to see what I mean. The 308s sound good, but not in the same league.

The 308 is going to be cheaper to maintain - take a look at the servicing prices on the Verdi site for instance. Also the classic Ferrari looks appeal to me more.

A left field choice is a Mondial 3.4T which is basically a Mondial with the 348 engine and cheaper to buy than a 348.

[garymorgan]

Thanks for the replies. As I have said previously this is all dependent on the sale of my car.

Which I'm hopeful of selling this month.

Although I'm still undecided in which model to purchase. The school boy in me says 308. However the adolescent boyracer says 348