hi anyone willing to spare a few minutes ....

hi anyone willing to spare a few minutes ....

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Ropps

Original Poster:

715 posts

153 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
I have booked my flights to Southern ITaly to go and see a Ferrari 360 spider 2004

My friend in Italy is trying to organise a mechanic to come and view the car with me.but August seems to be shutdown period and no one seems to work..

If i am unable to get a ferrari mechanic, I'm kinda on my own!!

Private sale. So no returns!!

It's the F1 box so can someone tell the the obvious signs of a clutch need replacing, and Nything else that I should keep an eye out for,,, it's done circa 32,000km (18,000 miles) I believe on the original F1 clutch.

History - 2 owners. Serviced 2/3 times by ferrari from 2004.


Does anyone have any contacts in the Deep South of Italy that is willing to take a look?


johnnyreggae

2,990 posts

166 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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There's a 360 buying guide here and at Voicey's Ferrari blog - google to find

red_duke

800 posts

187 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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You need to consider the car should have been serviced 12 times by now. A more comprehensive (expensive) service is due at 18000 miles.

Edited by red_duke on Sunday 26th July 20:23

Ropps

Original Poster:

715 posts

153 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
quotequote all
Your right it should have been serviced every year.... But Italians have another theory! HahahhahH...

I will take a look at the buyers guide. Thanks

mike01606

531 posts

155 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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If the money for the car is material or matters to you I would wait for a proper inspection.......

It needs plugging into an SD or similar for a clutch wear reading. It should be on the latest gearbox software but it depends on where and how it has been driven.

TBH clutch is only the start......with loads of deferred maintenance you could need to spend a packet to get it back to standard.
What about potential accident damage/repairs?

My advice would be to leave alone unless you can get it inspected. How about flying someone from the UK with you?

M

Durzel

12,431 posts

174 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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As said above if you're buying it because it's disproportionately cheap you could end up with some expensive bills. It was a very expensive car new and will have commensurate repair costs.

I mean no insult by saying that, but it's a false economy buying a cheap supercsr thinking it'll be cheap to run. It could be fine, it could be ruinous.

At the very least I'd say an inspection is essential.

Slickhillsy

1,772 posts

149 months

Sunday 26th July 2015
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Can't you just book it in for an inspection with a main dealer? I went to see a CS in Belgium without a mechanic to hand but arranged for an inspection via the main dealer in Antwerp. August is quiet but they should have some staff if booked in advance...

voicey

2,457 posts

193 months

Monday 27th July 2015
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If you don't know what you're doing then you should get an inspection.

As it happens, I'm waiting for a 360 F1 to come in - it was bought from Italy in a private sale by someone who didn't really know the tipo. The F1 box broke down twice on the trip back! The first time was just outside Milan so there was a Ferrari dealer close by - it turned out to be the clutch position sensor (€1,100 bill - a rip off but the guy had no choice). The second time I was able to talk him round the problem over the phone.

I'm totally expecting the car to be full of deferred maintenance when it shows up. It would have been cheaper for the guy to have flown someone out to take a look at the car....

Ropps

Original Poster:

715 posts

153 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
Thank you Gentlemen.

Lots of great advise.

So things have progressed, My dear friend in Italy knows the head of mechanics at Fiat who also knows his Ferrari's well - So it looks like the very typical way of doing business out there, I scratch your back if you scratch mine.. So it looks like we have a mechanic. And it looks like I owe my good friend a drink or 2..

My family are from that area so I sent out a few messages and it ends up the owner is a very well respected Doctor who has a terrible habit of buying supercars!! I was told he has over 30+ exotic cars, but is looking to sell a few due to his age and lack of use.

Car was serviced in April, so anything that needed doing was done by Ferrari main dealer. (again, until I see it , I will take it with a pinch of salt..)

Vey excited, I will keep you posted if anyone is interested.

The car is not cheap its actually on the higher end of the spectrum, (80,000 euro+) but I agree it needs a mechanic that's knows his stuff.. but I'm sure we have all bought things where maybe you/I should have been patient....

Durzel

12,431 posts

174 months

Monday 27th July 2015
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Ropps said:
Car was serviced in April, so anything that needed doing was done by Ferrari main dealer. (again, until I see it , I will take it with a pinch of salt..)
I'd take that with a giant pinch of salt to be honest. If this "well respected doctor" couldn't be arsed to service it on schedule more than 2-3 times in it's 11 year life, why would he bother doing anything but the bare minimum on this latest one?

I know it's not necessarily indicative of any failure imminent or otherwise but I'd have strong reservations about the mindset of someone owning one of these cars who just can't be bothered to service it.

Ropps

Original Poster:

715 posts

153 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
Yep, I guess until I have seen it, we just don't know.

Let's see what the mechanic says! And of course that last bill from Ferrari!