Ferrari 348

[Edin430]

Need all the info you folks can supply...

Rough servicing costs?

Easy to run on a day-to-day basis?

Reliable?

How are they to drive?

Will they go on classic car insurance? (93 model on...)

etc etc.

Dad's looking into one so thought I'd get some info...

[Modena Scotland]

Service at every 6k miles or year, allow for £1,000 a service on average. If anything goes wrong, allow for a lot more.

Does not handle as well as the 355 nor even 328. Needs some work done to the car before tracking (if your dad intends to do this).

On the plus side they can sound good and are cheap to buy. I quite like the way they look too.

Should be able to get a classic car insurance.

[renmure]

There is a 348 website at http://www.the348.com but is still warming up.
Also tons of info on http://www.clubscuderia.com, the uk Ferrari site, with lots of 348 owners there.
Similarly http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ is full of info but has a mainly US bias although the technical resources are fab.
A search of the Ferrari / Lamborghini / Bugatti forum on PH also will answer most questions too.
Servicing is fairly reasonable along the lines of the prices here: http://www.verdi-ferrari.com/servicing.htm

I looked into getting one before I got the F355. Johnathan Neal just sold his recently so should be able to offer 1st hand info / real world running costs. As for insurance, my F355 is on a Classic Policy and costs round 350 quid per year so the 348 will definitely fit into the same bracket.

Jim

[Modena Scotland]

Servicing is fairly reasonable along the lines of the prices here: http://www.verdi-ferrari.com/servicing.htm

This is the English price by Ferrari specialist rather than Scottish official dealer price which is a lot more.

Also, I have never got away with the standard service everytime my car goes into the garage

When buying a Ferrari, go for the one with a full history and best condition you can afford. Cheaper ones will cost you more in the long run.

My 2p.

[Edin430]

Not looking to track it..

We would probably both be driving it and therefore would do around 10k a year - if kept that long.

Its more running costs that I'm worried about!! Up to 1k a year is fine - but I'd be worried if something big came along and I had to go halfers on a big big bill......!

[renmure]

This is the English price by Ferrari specialist rather than Scottish official dealer price which is a lot more.

I had my engine out, 18k service, & belts changed plus MOT last Sept by Carlo at TopGear Cars and the price was actually less than Verdi prices. I am heading back there for my annual service and MOT this Sept too. I did get a fixed quote from Greypaul Ferrari in Edinburgh for the same work and it was very much in the same ballpark price-wise but I got steered away from there by a couple of other folk. Dont imagine a 1993 348 would be staying in the official dealership network for servicing anyhow.

[Modena Scotland]

This is the English price by Ferrari specialist rather than Scottish official dealer price which is a lot more.

I had my engine out, 18k service, & belts changed plus MOT last Sept by Carlo at TopGear Cars and the price was actually less than Verdi prices. I am heading back there for my annual service and MOT this Sept too. I did get a fixed quote from Greypaul Ferrari in Edinburgh for the same work and it was very much in the same ballpark price-wise but I got steered away from there by a couple of other folk. Dont imagine a 1993 348 would be staying in the official dealership network for servicing anyhow.

Jim, that's good to know. I may take my car to him the next time. Has he got a Ferrari trained mechanic there? Surprised the Greypaul could match the price of Verdi as they are usually a lot more expensive (for a 360 anyway).

[Edin430]

If you're doing 10k miles it would be alot more than £1k!

Consumables that bad??

How's the Porker treating you Paul??

[meatball]

Check his sig!

[Edin430]

I knew it was coming

AM profile pic gave it away couple of weeks ago

[renmure]

Jim, that's good to know. I may take my car to him the next time. Has he got a Ferrari trained mechanic there? Surprised the Greypaul could match the price of Verdi as they are usually a lot more expensive (for a 360 anyway).

Hi Mass.
The mechanic is an older guy called Dougie. Carlo told me he was an ex Formula 1 mechanic. He obviously does all the work on Carlos cars as well. I know of another 3 or 4 folk who take their Ferraris and Lamborghinis there for the servicing. http://www.topgear-cars.co.uk/pages/service.htm

Always good to have options I guess

Jim

[Edin430]

Long as the car is in good order then it looks like it could be a go-er as we think the service's are affordable (we'd buy one that has just had its cam belt service etc)...

Going to see what the prices are like come winter though - I have been keeping an eye on them for 6 months now and they have done the usual summer jump up as soon as the sun comes out.

[DJ]

My next door neighbour/friend had a 348 (K plate) for a couple of years before upgrading to a 355 (S plate). Didn't seem to have too many problems however remember him not being very happy with Graypaul (are they the bunch out Fort Kinnaird way now part of the Sytner group ?) I had a shot of his 355 F1 berlinetta and the difference between it and the 348 was quite a leap ahead in in almost all areas. Are prices of a 355 hugely higher than a 348 now ? (haven't looked but guessing may not be too bad seeing as the 360 prices seem to be falling quite a bit) and I would think worth a look before plunging for the earlier model. Better looking car too. I do remember him getting a bill for £3.5k though for a service + new heat exchangers, although can't remember which car that was for.

If you want me to ask him anything in particular, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll pass it on.

[Edin430]

Nice one DJ thanks...

Can you just ask general running costs? And reliability?

Oh and agree with the 355 being better looking etc.. But too expensive unfortunately.

[StiflerMR2]

Having never driven one myself i cant really comment, but a guy at work had one and he said it was very, very prone to snap oversteer, no warning, just bang and you're in a tree. Could just be a lack of talent on his behalf tho

He did once have the rear wheel come off it and go past him on the motorway as well

Pics up if you get one please