[Boxer]

I have gotten a few questions about what to look for when buying an F50 recent. Hence the inspiration for this thread.

Other than the usual PPI, leak down, compression test etc, the major items that need to be checked are:

- clutch, check condition and when it was last replaced, they are fragile and can be ruined easily if the car is not driven properly

- the gearbox seals dry out and fail if the car is not used regularily, if they do, oil will spray onto the clutch plate and ruin it.

- fuel cells, they need to be replaced every fifteen years, find out when they were last done

- tires, check the condition and date codes, ideally they should not be more than a few years old

- check the adjustable suspension, make sure it is working properly, if the car is stored with the suspension up, it can fail.

- the electronic digital dashboards are known to fail. Repair can be a six month job and cost $$$$$$$$$. Make sure it is working properly. Go through the entire start up proceedure.

- it is possible to "clock" F50, and many have had the dashboards changed from KM to MPH, When this is done mileage can get "lost". Make sure the cars condition and history all matches.

- the fabric on the seats fades over time and is difficult to clean. Check condition. Likewise for the exposed carbonfiber on the doors.

- if the air-conditioner is not regularly used and serviced, it will likely need replacement

- the water temp sensors & expansion bottle seals will eventually fail and need replacement, check if this has been done.

- make sure the following items are with the car:
- hard top in box
- emergency soft top (should be in a long thin bag attached behind the seats
- build picture book
- 2 piece luggage set
- rechargable flashlight
- tool kit, tire repair bottle, tow eye, wheel removal nut
- if the hard top is currently on the car, make sure all the items for the Barchetta set up are present: 2 roll hoops, rear deck lid, bolts, etc.
- owners manual & service book

- a few of the early cars were delivered without any sound deadening between the rear firewall and drivers compartment. These transmit significantly more noise into the cockpit and can be grinding to drive long distances.

[212Export]

Many thanks for that very specific list, Boxer. Great help to be kept in mind.

[yellowf50]

Originally Posted by Boxer

I have gotten a few questions about what to look for when buying an F50 recent. Hence the inspiration for this thread.

Other than the usual PPI, leak down, compression test etc, the major items that need to be checked are :

- the electronic digital dashboards are known to fail. Repair can be a six month job and cost $$$$$$$$$. Make sure it is working properly. Go through the entire start up proceedure.

As mentioned in the other thread the f50 my dad had 10 yrs ago which he bought from joe macari, and when he got it back to Barcelona he found out it had a fault with the digital dashboard and IIRC it was valued at about $18k and had to be shipped back to Italy to a small factory unit around maranello, and he could only get insurance on package upto $7k so he sent an employee with clocks on a overnight trip to Italy, ( it must of been an easy fix as it was fixed within 6 hours, but they were only 4 yrs old at the time so parts were probably off the shelf) he also had the display changed from mph to kph here whilst they were fixing them, I believe this factory unit in question was the actual manufacturers sub contracted by Ferrari to make the display unit.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by yellowf50

As mentioned in the other thread the f50 my dad had 10 yrs ago which he bought from joe macari, and when he got it back to Barcelona he found out it had a fault with the digital dashboard and IIRC it was valued at about $18k and had to be shipped back to Italy to a small factory unit around maranello, and he could only get insurance on package upto $7k so he sent an employee with clocks on a overnight trip to Italy, ( it must of been an easy fix as it was fixed within 6 hours, but they were only 4 yrs old at the time so parts were probably off the shelf) he also had the display changed from mph to kph here whilst they were fixing them, I believe this factory unit in question was the actual manufacturers sub contracted by Ferrari to make the display unit.

I think you are right regarding the subcontractor. There is also a shop in the US that can now do the repair.

[Boxer]

One more item for the list, all F50s are now at least 15 years old. Make sure the fuel cell has been changed (they are rated by Ferrari for 15 years). This is a $$$$$k plus job and it may take several months just to source the new bag tank. Make sure that new foam was inserted as part of the change and suggest you take a look at the thread on the fuel shut off valve . F50 Part FOUND ! Shut off roll valve