Ferrari 348 - Does anyone know these cars

[fangio246]

Hi all

First post, so be gentle....

I know this topic has been covered many times, i've started reading the threads and advice.

Call it mid life crisis... been a car nut all my life and want a classic Ferrari before its too late or they are way out of my price league. Originally thought about 328, but a good one seems north of 40K now. So have started to think about 348. I know the condition of the car is the main thing, but would really like a late GTS (or poss GTB)

So any help on provenance would be really appreciated as I know service history isn't everything and like all old motors they are fairly easy to clock!

So does anyone out there know of these cars, previous owners, seen at shows, gatherings etc??

http://www.bellevuemotors.com/display_classic.php?... same car at http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C248554#

http://www.atobvehicles.co.uk/ferrari-348-ts-targa...

Thanks in advance

[BobTurner]

fangio246 said:

Hi all

First post, so be gentle....

I know this topic has been covered many times, i've started reading the threads and advice.

Call it mid life crisis... been a car nut all my life and want a classic Ferrari before its too late or they are way out of my price league. Originally thought about 328, but a good one seems north of 40K now. So have started to think about 348. I know the condition of the car is the main thing, but would really like a late GTS (or poss GTB)

So any help on provenance would be really appreciated as I know service history isn't everything and like all old motors they are fairly easy to clock!

So does anyone out there know of these cars, previous owners, seen at shows, gatherings etc??

http://www.bellevuemotors.com/display_classic.php?... same car at http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C248554#

http://www.atobvehicles.co.uk/ferrari-348-ts-targa...

Thanks in advance

I have had a good look around the blue car and related paperwork, good car for the right person, not for me, happy to discuss via PM if you like.

[JaseB]

I asked the same about the same cars when I started looking in September.

For info, look here:
http://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php...

Luckily I ended up with a peach of a GTS and feeling pretty smug about it :-)

Not seen any other rhd GTB/S for sale before or since bizarrely, happy hunting and let us know how you get on.

Edited by JaseB on Wednesday 18th December 07:17

[fangio246]

Thanks guys

Good to know there are people out there happy to help and steer you in the right direction....

Anyone else able to shed light on either of these cars, all opinions gratefully received.

[Behemoth]

I've liked the 348 since it came out and I was given a 1:18 scale one as part of a leaving do gift. If I didn't have my 308, I'd be heading that way. Best of luck in your search. The engine out for belts is the only worry, but as long as you've seen proof it's been done regularly I guess you're good to go.

Keep us updated - the stradale thread on this classics page is annoying, so I'm happy to read anything that boots it down the order. Pre-Montezemolo rules! And of course we know (and don't care) what Montezemolo thought of the 348.

Edited by Behemoth on Wednesday 18th December 18:44

[fangio246]

Hi again

How about this car, anyone know of it? - Ferrari Centre appear to have good reputation. As this is an early car would it still have battery in the engine compartment, or perhaps have been modded to front!

http://www.theferraricentre.com/used-cars/402/ferr...

[JaseB]

Depends where in the country you are of course but this is a later one with half the miles for the same money?!

http://www.grahamwalkerltd.co.uk/ferrari-348-ts-4k...

Depends on your taste, the FC car obviously has a few non original bits which might make resale more interesting - not that are bad mods. I had a good chat with the chaps at FC when looking for mine, well worth having those conversations.

Nick Cartwright has a great rep too, give him a call either way IMO:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

I don't think early models are bad either, maybe a very few percent here or there, depends how they have been set up but at the end of the day it's a Ferrari, it's going to be good compared to most other cars!

I found that after a DB9 I had to remind myself what driving is all about, they are such very good fun, quite Caterham like in the steering department, gearchange needs a little practice too, a proper giggle though. I haven't been anywhere near the edge yet though...

Have a look here too:

http://www.my348.com/

For lots of info including this:

Here are the improvements that were made during Ferrari 348 production:
http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferra...


1. 05/30/91 differential side seal—production improvement
2. 05/30/91 Bosch starter motor changed to Nippon—production improvement
3. 10/10/91 cam seal housing modification—reduced oil leakage
4. 10/10/91 double plate-clutch changed in favor of single-plate clutch—production improvement
5. 10/10/91 new alignment specs—improved handling
6. 10/10/91 improved mounting of front bonnet grill to address warpage
7. 10/10/91 front suspension shocks and springs—production improvement
8. 06/01/92 rear A-arm fix point height reduction—production improvement
9. 06/01/92 Delco Alternator changed to Nippon—production improvement
10. 08/18/92 door grills—improved strength
11. 08/24/92 oil sump tank ground strap—improved gauge operation
12. 11/03/92 front timing bearing—reduced noise
13. 08/18/93 harmonic balancer replacement—reduced weight - added 2hp

14. 08/20/93 clutch thrust bearing/slave—production improvement

I believe the battery move was post 1990 models so by 1992 should be in the front.

Edited by JaseB on Thursday 19th December 13:19

[fangio246]

Any idea how long Walker's have had that car and what their reputation is like?

[JaseB]

I don't know Walkers but have been keeping an eye on cars for sale and it's only recently popped up.

That blue one in your first post has been for sale for years!

[fangio246]

Any views out there on the difference between a good 1993 TS and a mint 1991 TS, re potential handling improvements on later car etc?

Think i've narrowed it down to one of two cars, just need as much advice as poss

Thanks in advance

[johnnyreggae]

Are you a driving god who will drive everywhere at 11/10 ?

If so maybe the later car - if not condition trumps everything else

[fangio246]

I'd like to think I was a driving god, but realistically in a 20 year old car I don't think so. Just paranoid about some of the end swapping reviews of early 348's!

[R36vw]

If your torn between the two.....for a bit of expert advice call Tim at walkersport.......an extremely knowledge person on these. A great resource of information on them. A lot of people have got their cars PPi'd by him too, which is well worth every penny.
There are a lot of very good cars out there....but also some horrors(not say either you are looking fit this).
From what I have seen, viewed a mix, not much in it. Most of the older cars have had geometry set ups...spacers/after market exhaust lightening the weight to the rear to help...I think it's going to take something daft to lose it....and likely would lose it in other cars if you pushed the same.......steering is sublime.

[TISPKJ]

You won't go far wrong with TFC or Tim at walkersport, both get a very good shout on here and clubscuderia

[JaseB]

Echo the above, I spoke to both last year.

Handling wise you could talk to the chap at Damax in Brackley, he has set up a fair few, would be able to talk you through the differences I would imagine and what you might expect after a wheel alignment.

He did mine and it made a noticeable difference.

They are interesting cars to test drive if you're used to modern stuff, the steering is quite Caterham like which is great but if you're used to power steered cars feels alien.

Makes trying to decide between 2 cars even more tricky!

[fangio246]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

I've made a few phone calls and as far as i've been told the upgrades to improve handing on later cars involved springs & dampers, no major suspension changes, pick up points, wishbones etc. Geometry set up is important and varies wildly on production cars.

However, all the advice from the 'experts' suggests buy a 328 - cheaper & simpler to maintain and more reliable, or a 355.

I know some 348 owners are evangelical about their cars, but how many have owned 328's or 355's and prefer the 348?

I'm more confused than ever......

[Mario149]

fangio246 said:

Thanks for all the advice so far.

I've made a few phone calls and as far as i've been told the upgrades to improve handing on later cars involved springs & dampers, no major suspension changes, pick up points, wishbones etc. Geometry set up is important and varies wildly on production cars.

However, all the advice from the 'experts' suggests buy a 328 - cheaper & simpler to maintain and more reliable, or a 355.

I know some 348 owners are evangelical about their cars, but how many have owned 328's or 355's and prefer the 348?

I'm more confused than ever......

I'll go out on a limb and say that if you have a properly set up car with the suspension in good nick, a 348 will drive better than a 328, and 355 will drive better than a 348.

I don't think it's so much about which one drives better, objectively or subjectively, rather where your particular balance of beauty/handling/pace/purchase cost/practicality comes in

As an example...

328 - very pretty, cheap to run, expensive to buy and probably the least practical
348 - arguably the 'ugliest' (it's all relative!), but drives well and is 'cheap' to buy
355 - best driving, very pretty (prettiest?), but expensive to buy and expensive to maintain, most practical though

[TISPKJ]

I doubt anyone would take a 348 over the 355, even if they are fairly similar.
if you can stretch to the 355 then that would probably be your best option.

[Behemoth]

Mario149 said:

I don't think it's so much about which one drives better, objectively or subjectively, rather where your particular balance of beauty/handling/pace/purchase cost/practicality comes in

As an example...

328 - very pretty, cheap to run, expensive to buy and probably the least practical
348 - arguably the 'ugliest' (it's all relative!), but drives well and is 'cheap' to buy
355 - best driving, very pretty (prettiest?), but expensive to buy and expensive to maintain, most practical though

My prettiness order would be 328 followed by 348 followed by 355. I really don't see how the 328 is the least practical.

Whilst the previous point is well put, you have to end up going with your heart. Buy what you fancy. It's an Italian exotic, not an Aldi. It's not a sensible decision you can do on a spreadsheet. And quite difficult in front of a computer. Go drive. They are all fun

[R36vw]

[quote=TISPKJ]I doubt anyone would take a 348 over the 355, even if they are fairly similar.






I did. :-)