Considering Gallardo - What to expect?

Do a search. There are many posts discussing the 2004 Gallardo's. My '04 Gallardo E-Gear now has 8,300 miles and has been problem free.

 

Gallardo's are bulletproof..Hands down the most reliable car I've ever owned.
No belts to mess with like on F-Cars. Aside from oil changes the car is basically maintenance free.

Good Luck!

 

Haven't had a lot of experience personally with Gallardos (Have only driven 2 different ones in fact) but I have a neighbor a few houses down from me that has an '04 E-gear with around 18k miles on it that he has owned from 1k miles. Incredibly reliable for an exotic it seems thanks to the infusion from the Audi parts bin. Only major issue he speaks of that the E-gear clutch is good for only about 10-12k miles and costs roughly $6k to replace. According to his preferred Lambo dealer, that's normal though. So if you have 7500 miles on it, that's cool but the clutch will probably go in 2-4k miles and require a new one. Otherwise, service is remarkably cheaper than most comparable F-cars. Hope that helps. Josh

 

Find out what clutch revision it has - the C and above (so mid 04's or later) would be the best for the 04's. Once you get into late 05 and the 06/07 - they have a great revised clutch, that should last much longer than the 04's/05's.

I had an 04 and move to an 07 Spyder. Both were/is very reliable. Much more so than any of the Ferrari's (belt driven/pre 430) that I have ever owned. You will not be disapointed.

Rich

 

I have heard from friends that the E gear and the suspension is better on 06 years on....

 

It might be a tad lower than 6K to replace but around 5K is accurate - however that would be the cost to replace any Gallardo Clutch - egear or manual. However if you get a Gallardo with C revision or better, you should be able to go 30K driving normally. If you do power launches, ride the clutch, burn outs, etc. You clutch wear will significantly increase, as with any car.

There was a manufacturing issue with some of the early 04 "A" revision clutches - not admitted to by a recall. I had an issue with mine - with my 04 coupe. Lambo replaced it under warranty. Others were not so lucky, and had to fork out the 4,800 to replace.

Once you get into mid 04 and 05 - the clutches were very good. Move to the 06 and 07 and they updated the clutch again, and it is outstanding. Some of the replaced clutches were replaced with the 06 clutch - and they are pretty bullet proof.

If you are sticking with an 05 - you should be fine. If you want to go with an 04, just make sure it is mid year, or the clutch has been updated.

Rich

 

I've had my 05 for about a month now and so far so good. Compared to other cars it does a few seconds longer to start and that is normal. Actually sounds kind of cool, like a fighter jet. I would highly suggest the 05+ as they all have the front end lift to avoid scraping on things.

I had a F-360 previously that went into the shop every 3-4 months for something. As everyone has stated it is a pretty bullet proof exotic. Personally I don't think the interior is that exotic but at the same time everything seems very solid and well constructed. The F-360 interior pieces wore out pretty easily.

For me the deciding factors for the Gallardo where:
1. I just wanted to try something different since I had a F-car
2. The reliability

Negatives are:
1. Not much storage space for luggage
2. Not much storage space inside for say cell phone/wallet/etc
3. Seriously WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!

If you are considering a Gallardo, I don't think you will be disappointed as everyone has told me before my purchase.

 

I'm considering the switch myself. See attached post, Probably should have asked over here instead. Thoughts and comments please.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161806
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I had my 06 Gallardo for about 6 months and put about 7000 miles on it. The only problem that I had was a sensor that needed to be replaced. The car ran stronger when I sold it than it did when I got it. I drove it hard and fast and it was amazing how well it handled. And having driven both, a 360 is no comparison whatsoever IMHO. I had E-gear and again never had any problems with the transmission.

 

Bob
What can I say, as you know I got tempted by the dark side and am happy with Darth Vader as my new friend.
By the way how do you keep finding cars in that colour?

Russell

 

It's tempting, and the search is always a long one. Addictions are hard to cure, and this would be my 5th burgandy Spider if it goes through. Still on the fence

 

Why don't you take a look at my 07 Gallardo Spyder for sale... A little different than the Burgandy. But the Grigio Proteous (Metallic Grey) is an outstanding - and somewhat rare color. And my price cannot be beat - lower than any 06 or 07 on the market. Just a thought - and cheap sales plug

Rich

 

Great looking car but I'm kinda hooked on the light interior and E gear. Best of luck with the sale.

 

Rich,

Are you saying that an 06/07 clutch is even stronger than a C rated clutch? Or are you saying that an 06/07 is indeed the C rated clutch and that is the clutch that can be found in some 04/05's?

TIA for the clarification.

 

Ok, so in doing more research, it seems like the 06/07 G's have the E version clutch. There is also a D version sintered clutch that is supposed to be bullet proof (almost) and a step up from the E version. Anybody hear of this? I wonder if i am able to find an 05 G with this clutch in it.

 

That is correct - starting at D was the better clutch that started in the late 05's and early 06's.

However any C or better is much better than any of the early 04 A or B revisions.

 

Rich,

I guess I am a little confused because it seems like from the research I have done, the E clutch is the one that is in the 06/07's and the D clutch is the one that is even a step higher from the E clutch and is supposed to be damn near bullet proof.

Do I have it backwards? Is the E clutch > D clutch or is D clutch > E clutch?

Also, what do you think my chances are of finding a 05 Gallardo with either a D or E clutch in it?

Thanks for all of your help in advance Rich.

 

D revision came in 05 (later models). When they replaced my 04 clutch in 05 - it was with a D revision clutch. I believe the last several 05 and all 06 and 07 came with E revision also called sintered clutch. I actually think they are on revision H or something now (but I haven't keep up in a while on it).

You probably will not find any 05's with the E revision (unless it is a late model). But I won't worry to much about it (nice to have sure) but anything C or above in an 05 should be pretty good - if treated right.

Any 04 that has had a replaced clutch would be with a high revision (they don't use older revision during a replacement) - same with an 05.

Also - egear will / can wear a clutch much faster than manual. From what I understand, just the way it auto shifts, slips, etc.

So if I were shopping - look for an 04 that has had the clutch replaced (that way you can't go wrong) - plus you will save a little dollars on the 04 over the 05. Or go and look at a late model year 05 (something in may, june, july, august of 05). October is typically when you see the newest model year - so any 05 close to october will have a newer revision clutch (or new enough).

Hope that helps. I can talk you through any questions you may have - I have had 2 of these things and seen a lot/worked with techs a lot on them. PM me if you would like to talk and I can shoot you my phone number and we can chat tomorrow if you want. I know it is a big decision, and you want something you are not going to spend 5K on due to a bad clutch... I also know a few that are for sale as well - that well cared for...

Or for for a few K more go with my 07 spyder for sale in Ferrari ads - it has the newest clutch

Best thing to do is take your time, find the exact one, with the best history and comfort - and a good PPI done to give you as much assuance as you can.

Ps. I see you live in Michigan - I work in Ann Arbor, Mi. Several days a week - if you are close by, let me know we can grab lunch (I am not sure how close you are to AA though).
Rich Wallace

 

Rich,

PM sent!