Thinking of getting a 348 and have lots of questions

Hi Bill

having had both cars I think the power will feel fairly similar until the turbo kicks in.......the 930 has the knock your head into the seat factor.
The 15k/30k services are mostly labour, so if your turning your own wrenches you should be fine.
Best place for parts is Ricambi.......they are a major sponsor of Ferrari Chat and Daniel and David are the best.
You should be able to pick up an excellent 348 for a decent price nowadays.......

I sure others will chime in.

Good luck with the search

Chas

 

The factory workshop manual for the 348 is very, very crumby in most regards. It does OK on engine and transmission overhaul procedures, but it gets an F- when you compare it to something like the Bentley manual.

 

The 348 Primer (link below) is a good place to begin.

 

Backing my man No Doubt on this one.
The 348 Primer is the best, I used it to do all of my pre-purchase work for when I bought my 348.
Jeff

 

A few comments:

348 values are very low. They are probably fully depreciated, but obviously the economy isn't great right now and a lot of the guys who were looking for ways to blow their real estate "winnings" a couple years back are worried about other things now. I'd say it would be a bad idea to buy one of these cars as an investment, but if you have the cash and plan to keep the car for a while, I can't see how prices could sink much more. Frankly it's getting hard to say no to 348s as decent ones pop up below $50K. (I like the 308 for similar money, personally, but if you're an acceleration junkie, or like a spacious cockpit, there are reasons to go for the 348 instead.)

With regard to parts prices, I second the recommendation to check Ricambi (sponsors link) for major service kits and various other parts. I've also used T Rutlands with good results and would recommend them.

There are a lot of obscenely expensive parts on Ferraris, and the 348 seems to have its share of them -- I think there was a thread a while back about $700 (?) latches for the targa top. Having owned Porsche/BMW/Merc in the past, I would point out that the 348 is an exotic car, which makes parts availability and pricing a different game. Mercedes and Porsche, in particular, have vast dealer networks and seem to have every part ever made for their cars. Ferrari doesn't. A lot of us have or had Porsches as daily drivers, but most of us don't use our Ferraris that way.

The timing belt service is supposed to be done every 3 years/36K miles per Ferrari's TSB (opinions vary on this interval). The engine needs to be removed to do this, so there's some labor involved. Here's an informative site, with prices from a very reputable LA-area Ferrari tech:

http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html

$5000 is about the starting point for a good major service by an independent, and $100 is probably about the normal shop rate for Ferrari techs. If you're mechanically savvy and have the equipment, you can do most or all of this -- just remember it's an interference engine, with a single serpentine belt that has to be adjusted precisely, or things get very ugly very fast.

Good luck. Every gearhead should own an exotic at least once. There's just no mistaking the Ferrari sound and drama for anything else on the road.

 

Regarding performance. The 348 is no slouch, but it is no turbo Porsche either. It's forte is balance and nimbleness, something Porsche has forgotten. After the 930, you are going to have to learn how to drive a car smoothly, to maintain your speed thru corners (and you will be able to carry a heck of a lot more), and accelerate through and out of them. The twisties is where these cars shine. IF you expect to be blasted back into your seat on a freeway on ramp, well there's a bit of that. But, taking that curved off ramp at super human speeds is amazing.

As for maintenance, well, it's a Ferrari. The only gotcha on parts is from the 348-only pieces. Most of the stuff is from something else. Latches, yech. Driver's lamps - ouch. Most everything else comes from somewhere else. The 348 is not as commonly sourced as the 308/328 series, but close. Go with the annual fluid changes yourself. Take on the belt service every 5 years if you like (I won't). Tinker around on everything else. Short of messing with the A/C, I'm game for anything and I am no mechanic. Ask ernie.

 

Okay I like my 348 but, if you have an original 930............DO NOT SELL IT!

 

Hi Bill,

I was suprised that you had a booked appointment (guessing over the phone) to test the car. I've had one turn thier nose on me as well. Kinda funny they hit the brakes when you want to take this 50 k ide for a spin but no questions asked when they have a 65k SUV? My outlet to getting in these cars is getting familiar with local F-groups in your area and talking to people at shows. I've often been able to arragne coffee (or beer), conversation and a ride out of the connection. Yet, not driving one I still am set on the 348, I've been behind the wheel of my uncles TR so I have a couple miles in.

In the primer you'll also read about troublesome issues with certain years. I'm leaning toward the later model years to reduce any electrical craziness (notice, I didn't say eleiminate). This was also a tip I received from a local highly appraised mechanic (Carlo). This could be anouther contact as I mentioned above.

Regards,
Brian

 

The 348 is bullet proof. Get one, get a solid 30K service done, jump in it, and drive it.

 

Having owned both I can tell you that the cars are very, very different behind the wheel. Drive the 348 and you will insatntly understand. As far as maintenance goes, the Porsche cost me more. I was very surprised to find out how inexpensive the 348 was to maintain. (not from a dealer though) Buy a car with the Major service recently completed (documented) and you'll be fine. Also, I would probably recommend buying a car from someone on this or a like forum. In other words buy from an enthusiast and you should wind up with a better car. I paid 41k for my 348 and sold it for 54K. Now is a great time to buy a 348 (Testarossa too). Set aside a few grand for emergency repairs for any exotic. I spent 5k right of the bat on my 930. FYI, my 745 has been the most expensive car to maintain, The least was my Jalpa and a close second was the 348. This forum can save you a lot of money as well with the knowledge and expetise of it's members.

 

Did you say 348 sound on youtube???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaVqYjWcbxo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM9KBDFoC9g

..................sorry couldn't resist........

 

GET A TESTAROSSA , AND YOU WOULD NOT MISS 930.

 

Had a 1999 911 C2 at the same time as my 355, and there was no comparison. A Ferrari gets you in the heart and ears, whereas a Porsche gets you in the gut. Every car fan should have a Ferrari before they die. It's just the way it is.

Before you buy a 348, try a 355. Don't be scared of the "issues." They are all overblown. Plus, the a$$ looks better.

 

What he said. Although if I had the garage space I would have a Porsche parked next to the Ferrari.

 

That's the best thing you can do. See when the guys in your area are gonna get together. I would imagine that one of them would be more than happy to give you a ride.

 

I really need to get on the ball with my tank so I can get mine fitted.

 

Its getting close ernie ................................

 

Porsche = German Wife - Reliability A+. You can push in the track and drive home.
Ferrari= Italian Mistress - Fun factor A+.Great for long weekend gateway and hates traffic.

 

I apologize for my friend's unforgiveable efforts at self-aggrandisement.

 

It cannot be ignored ...................... that nero 348 SS sounds awesome ......

 

[ Also, of all my motorcycles I had I would start the Ducati most and just listen to it. . I never heard a Ferrari run except on youtube, I've never ridden in one, I've never even sat in one, so it goes without saying never driven one. I think I really just need to get in one sometime and see for myself.

got a duc as well, sil moto carbon fiber pipes, no match to my tubi'd 348 at 7000 rpm.......just my .02