F430 - maintainance?

F430 - maintainance?

Author
Discussion

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,289 posts

207 months

Wednesday 24th November 2021
quotequote all
I used to have an F430 around 9 years ago, and really liked the car. I've been thinking about getting another one recently, a convertible, but I'm thinking it's a pretty old car now. Even the late 2008 ones are 13 yrs old....

Do you need to start doing stuff like rust proofing them now? Do they have problems with rust?

What problems do you have as they get to this sort of age? Would they still be reliable enough to do European road trips?

I've got a Defender (2015) and I waxyoyled that from new - so it's perfect - but I've seen some other 10 year+ old cars that are knackered tbh... I'm not so worried about mechanicals as you can replace them, but if the chassis starts rusting you're a bit buggered and it'll get expensive.

So with a 430, how well do they age? Could they be kept as a special occasion car for European holidays and treks up to Gleneagles?

RichardCHXX

112 posts

51 months

Friday 26th November 2021
quotequote all
the F430 is Aluminium

supersport

4,265 posts

234 months

Friday 26th November 2021
quotequote all
It's not made out of chocolate it will be fine.

Mine is off to the continent at the first opportunity.

I am actually surprised how solid it feels, I was expecting chocolate but I don't think it is. It just needs plenty of driving.

Spleen

5,453 posts

128 months

Friday 26th November 2021
quotequote all
Agreed. Mine feels nice and solid although the paint has faded a bit on the windscreen surround but beyond that in top nick. Cannot wait to take it to Italy next year, can't happen soon enough.

rat rod

4,997 posts

72 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
Owned mine for three and a half years , Had a few niggles at first but was sorted under guarantee since hasn't missed

a beat but haven't used it as much as i should due to Covid, garaged away from my home ,couldn't be assed

to drive 12 miles to get it out, with three cars gone it's now at home where it should be.

Could use it as a daily if needed it's such a pussycat, does make the GTB feel antiquated but they do

complement each other, Although years apart from each other the 430 still feels analogue.

Maintenance wise being under a two year Ferrari guarantee Maranello's serviced it who are fine if not

a little expensive but was part of the terms of the warranty, Not needing the glitz and glamour of a main dealership

i use QV in Windsor for servicing who charge £650/£700 for what Maranello'ss charge £ 1,800 .

£125 including vat for a rear ball joint gaiter that Maranellos quoted £650 and was not covered as part of their guarantee.

QV built my track car some years ago which they specialise in and if you live in the area strongly recommend them if and

when you get another 430.


kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,289 posts

207 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
Thank you for the feedback.

I fancy a Ferrari for basically couples weekends, going on holiday every so often to Europe. It wouldn't be driven daily, it's just a toy probably like everyone elses.

I'm debating which one's to consider - I always wanted a 599, but can't workout what good value looks like and why there's 2009 models at £94k from some people and £130k from others. Doesn't make sense and I can't figure out how these are being priced. In terms of the 430, I really liked mine, hence looking at them. Always fancied a Scud too but again not sure what I should be paying as prices are very erratic, looks to be £150k for a LHD and £190k for a RHD.

The alternative is to get an FF / GT4 so the kids could sit in too, which is an option.

Don't really fancy a 458 although I'm sure they're great, as although faster, it won't be as visceral. Ditto 488, F8 etc.

Has anyone driven a 430, Scud, 599, and FF? I should probably go drive some but always packed with work so don't really get time out to look at cars.

Spleen

5,453 posts

128 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
Portofino maybe?

cgt2

7,141 posts

195 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
kbf1981 said:
Has anyone driven a 430, Scud, 599, and FF? I should probably go drive some but always packed with work so don't really get time out to look at cars.
All very different. 599 is epic, good mix of analogue and digital with the Superfast gearbox. I would suggest trying an F12 if you are looking at Scud prices, best of the lot for me.

ANOpax

922 posts

173 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
kbf1981 said:
Thank you for the feedback.

I fancy a Ferrari for basically couples weekends, going on holiday every so often to Europe. It wouldn't be driven daily, it's just a toy probably like everyone elses.

I'm debating which one's to consider - I always wanted a 599. In terms of the 430, I really liked mine, hence looking at them.

Has anyone driven a 430, Scud, 599, and FF? I should probably go drive some but always packed with work so don't really get time out to look at cars.
Based on your use case, it sounds like you need a GT rather than sports car.

I’ve owned F355, FF and Cali and driven F430 and Portofino.
The F430 and Cali were competitors to replace my wife’s V8 Vantage. The Cali won on account of its practicality.

My wife fancied a change and has always liked the look of the 599 so I spoke to my indy about replacing the Cali with a 599. He pointed out that we would always be wondering why we were driving the 599 instead of the FF because the FF is the better car…

I’m biased because I have an FF but I believe that it is one of the best value Ferraris out there and really underrated due to the perception that 4 seat Ferraris are a depreciation magnet (already done), the polarising looks (although the design is ageing well and gaining acceptance from people I know who originally loathed it) and the fear of expensive PTU failures (now solved with the SS Autotech and Furlonger rebuild options). The U.K. is probably the best place in the world to buy and run an FF.

Spleen

5,453 posts

128 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
What about an F12?

rat rod

4,997 posts

72 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
F12 for me,don't need the rear seats , only need two ,one for me and the other for my doggies,

Just reminds me of a modern 275 GTB with that long bonnet and sitting almost on the rear axle.

Can't think there's much else i would replace the 430 for.scratchchin

Been holding back on a stage 3 Capristo box with sports cats and headers but now the warranty has run out

there's no excuses , Not a cheap exercise but then she would be a keeper ,

Really my only complaint on the 430 is the rubbish exhaust note ,

Never going to beat the 355 but might get closer to a 360 ,




ANOpax

922 posts

173 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
rat rod said:
Really my only complaint on the 430 is the rubbish exhaust note ,

Never going to beat the 355 but might get closer to a 360
It’s fixable.

http://youtu.be/-Ah8BezzWOg




Edited by ANOpax on Saturday 27th November 17:58

m4tti

5,466 posts

162 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
ANOpax said:
rat rod said:
Really my only complaint on the 430 is the rubbish exhaust note ,

Never going to beat the 355 but might get closer to a 360
It’s fixable.

http://youtu.be/-Ah8BezzWOg




Edited by ANOpax on Saturday 27th November 17:58
Or this

https://youtu.be/PZXrkQ2s7i8


ANOpax

922 posts

173 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
m4tti said:
Good shout. What they both have in common is the X pipe in the exhaust. The S-line is more readily available in the US, the Kline in Europe.

m4tti

5,466 posts

162 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
ANOpax said:
Good shout. What they both have in common is the X pipe in the exhaust. The S-line is more readily available in the US, the Kline in Europe.
Good point. I’ve been looking for a 430 or 360. The kline on the 360 is also awesome. https://youtu.be/7vBff1Cu5D4

Frustrating it’s all import. After brexit you seem to have to call hmrc if you want something over £135 to get an expected duty cost rolleyes

Edited by m4tti on Saturday 27th November 20:36

rat rod

4,997 posts

72 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
ANOpax said:
rat rod said:
Really my only complaint on the 430 is the rubbish exhaust note ,

Never going to beat the 355 but might get closer to a 360
It’s fixable.

http://youtu.be/-Ah8BezzWOg




Edited by ANOpax on Saturday 27th November 17:58
That's more like it , Why couldn't Ferrari do that ,thumbup

Spleen

5,453 posts

128 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
ANOpax said:
It’s fixable.

http://youtu.be/-Ah8BezzWOg




Edited by ANOpax on Saturday 27th November 17:58
I've seen that vid before my first thought was along the lines of, 'I'll bet that's a pain in the arse on a long journey.'

I'll admit it does sound good though.

Tuscan Wil

421 posts

193 months

Wednesday 15th December 2021
quotequote all
kbf1981 said:
I used to have an F430 around 9 years ago, and really liked the car. I've been thinking about getting another one recently, a convertible, but I'm thinking it's a pretty old car now. Even the late 2008 ones are 13 yrs old....

Do you need to start doing stuff like rust proofing them now? Do they have problems with rust?

What problems do you have as they get to this sort of age? Would they still be reliable enough to do European road trips?

I've got a Defender (2015) and I waxyoyled that from new - so it's perfect - but I've seen some other 10 year+ old cars that are knackered tbh... I'm not so worried about mechanicals as you can replace them, but if the chassis starts rusting you're a bit buggered and it'll get expensive.

So with a 430, how well do they age? Could they be kept as a special occasion car for European holidays and treks up to Gleneagles?
I would like to think that most owners whom cherish their cars won't drive the cars out when the road are gritted and they will wash/ keep the cars clean properly during their ownerships. As said above,the chassis is actually aluminium so it is likely to be suffering corrosion rather than rust.