I've been doing this type of post for years with my 308, so why not for the new 355? The '95 355 spyder joined me in Sept. She and I have spent some time getting aquainted. What a gal! When she drops her top - guys drop their jaws. Yep, she's endowed! Sadly, it's time to close out the 2011 year. I'll ring in the new year with a run to C&C tomorrow, but for this year: I've put on 1600 miles in 2011 and she closes the year at just over 23K miles. I used 133 gallons of gas costing me $495 with an average of price of $3.77/gallon. which gave me an average of 12.3 mpg. Actually, that's a bit low. There was the time she went into the shop with a full tank & came out with new fuel lines & block & empty tank This year she's had new o2 sensors, thermal sensor, timing sensor and she still runs rough. The OEM brakes were tossed with their skin-crawling squeal for Porterfields. She also needs new tires, a mascot (the 308 has Corso rossa the bear) and she needs a name. (308 = Cara Mia)
Fun post! I am trying to get detailed in my tracking of my time with the 355 but it seems my to do list of other things takes up most of my time. I am curious if the new non-oem brake pads solved the squiel? Mine are bad and from the service records it seems it was a problem to be corrected with every service. Where did you get the pads?
Keeping a log - it's in a notepad in the door jacket so everytime I get gas I jot the stuff down. I stick it in a spreadsheet & also put major notes in it like new tires, oil change, sensors, etc. Easy tracking. Squeal - The pads were OEM and minimal wear. They squealed badly from day one. They were in right as well (directionally speaking). I tried swapping sides, greasing the metal sides, piston heads, etc. Although the squeal would go away for a couple of drives, it always came back. Three of the wheels did it. The 4th was kinda quiet. After reading all the threads here, I settled on Porterfield R4S & found them for $178 w shipping for all four from TopBrakes.com. There's only about 400 miles on them so far, but they are still silent. Though I am still getting a bit of brake dust. About the same as the OEM.
I had almost new OEM brakes on my 355 when I bought her. And they squealed loudly. I replaced them with Porterfields and the squeal went away completely. Now, however (and 8,000 miles later), they have started to squeal very softly a tiny bit...(tolerable)....but the brake dust is significantly lower than OEM.
Today, and about 500 miles after installation, I got my first squeal back on the porterfields. It didn't make me happy. Next step is to cut the rotors
Ughh, what part of the design of the brakeing system causes this nagging problem? Does the pad just not want to stay stuck to the caliper? Is it the material of the brake pad and rotor? Seems like a problem that really shouldn't be.
I've worked out that I used about 150 gallons this year, covering about 2100 miles. Of course, most of my driving was on roads without a great deal of lights, so I ended up at the top of the MPG scale, just over 15.
The '95 355 spyder spent her 1st whole year with me She's been christened Tesora It's time to close out the 2012 year. I've put on 3851 miles in 2012 and she closes the year at just over 27.5K miles. I used 266 gallons of gas costing me $273 with an average of price of $3.97/gallon. which gave me an average of 14.4 mpg. She came with the bypass wired open, and when I unwired it, the CELs went away. No more squealing brakes but she's making a tapping noise out of the area of cyl 4, so I think her OEM header cracked. With her mileage, she's about due. Though there's no outward signs of blown insulation. She'll be getting smoke blown through her exhaust shortly to confirm the issue.
Smoke blown through the exhaust? Forgive me for being naive but I haven't heard of that test. How is it done? I only have about 13k on mine but I know they're ticking time bombs. Lol
Todays well equipped service centers will have a smoke generator on premises. This machine will generate a smoke that can be used to find leaks in fuel systems, emissions systems and yes a blown or cracked exhaust manifold. By placing the smoke hose up into the exhaust and then packing the exhaust tips, then turning on the generator the smoke will find the opening to escape from. Using this device will quickly locate any break or opening, saving many hours and difficulties in locating the problem. These are a must today for any shop doing a proper service for the car owner. Howard Musolf 1981 308gtsi 1982 400i Cabriolet 1994 348 Spider 1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo
Bingo! I found out about it reading the web on finding exhaust leaks & my local mechanic has one. I'll let you know how it works out. Normally, I'm not fond of getting smoke blown up my a%%, but this is one instance where it's a good thing
It's time to close out the 2013 year. I've put on 3453 miles in 2013 and she closes the year at just under 30K miles. I used 226 gallons of gas costing me $887 with an average of price of $3.85/gallon. which gave me an average of 15.3 mpg. I found she didn't have cracked headers. I had to have an exhaust flange welded. Very few CELs thrown since her exhaust flange was unwired. I've replaced the Exhaust bypass diaphragm with the (ugh) Porsche part. She got new plugs & wires courtesy Kingsborne. A major is probably on-tap for this winter. She has a few stickies to fix this winter as well as the front undercarriage skirt needs fixing.
I look forward to your thread every year Clyde. Who would have thought that the average price of gas would actually have gone down since last year? Here's to enjoying our cars in 2014! Henry
Time to close out 2015 (I've been working WAY too much and neglecting driving the cars) 1850 miles which puts her at 35.5K on the odo Used 115 gallons of gas costing $320 which averages to $2.77/gal and 16.1 mpg The only thing I have planned for her for 2016 is fluid changes, a nose painting
Time to close out 2016 (again, didn't drive nearly enough ) Drove 1373 miles which has her at just shy of 37K on the odo used 92 gallons of gas costing $243 at $2.52/gal (including NJ gas tax jump) averaging 15mpg I've rebuilt the starter, futzed with the rag top, never did paint the nose, replaced the trickle charger leads and other small stuff like a bad electrical connection on the left fan. Maybe I should book for the Montreal race now, so I at least take her out up to Canada next year
Time to close out 2019 Drove only 720 miles used 34.5 gals averaged 20.87mpg average fuel cost - $3.25/gal Premium
Time to close out 2020 Drove only 792 miles used 57.5 gals of Premium 13.7 mpg average cost/gal = $2.87/gal primarily Exxon She did have her alternator rebuilt, new tires & an alignment
I like the concept behind this thread; I used to log all fuel and mileage on my dd when I first started driving, a habit I picked up from my dad (who's 81, still driving, and still does this). Sadly, I lost the habit...
Keeping a thread going. Closing out 2021 Drove only 654 miles used 57 gallons of premium @ 11.5mpg (usually 14mpg) avg $/gal = $3.57 she's going in for her major early next month with a few "while you are in there" issues.
Closing out 2022 Major done this year with rebuilt headers 2022 miles driven 1157 MPG 16.46 gals 70.30 cost $322.34 avg fill $57.20 av price $4.59/gal
