Hi guys...
I have been "religiously" reading through all the threads on the
forum over the last couple of months and have been through the buyers guides. What a great resource. I am based in London and circumstances finally allow me to consider purchasing a 355 (GTS or GTB). This will be my first Ferrari. Now I'm not going to ask the usual questions about running costs, etc.. as I've read though all the useful info you guys have posted over the last few months. It would be great if someone were able to give me some specific UK based information if possible....

1) Where is a good place to look for a 355 ? I know of dealers such as Joe Macari, Verdi, etc. Would anyone suggest any that they may have had positive / negative experiences with ? I am looking to spend in the region of 35,000 GBP. (I am willing to buy a Left or Right hand drive car)

2) What about servicing - have you UK based owners have any suggestions ? I am happy to drive out of London to any place that is good on price / quality of work done...

3) I have bought almost all my past cars / sportsbikes privately but am a bit nervous about buying a Ferrari privately. How much of a premium will I be paying buying through a trader & If I buy privately who do you recommend for carrying an independant inspection ? (how much does that cost ?)

If you guys can help me out .... that would be very much appreciated... as I want to feel comfortable "pulling the trigger" as you all say :-)

Hopefully I haven't asked too may questions and put you all off already

Regards,
- H.

Try the Ferrari Owners Club website ads - theres at least one in your price range :-

355 Berlinetta
1997 LHD. Rosso Red with rare tan interior. 355 Challenge full sports exhaust. Tracker. Ferrari and specialist service record. 31,000 miles. Manual gearbox. 2 new front tyres. Recently had new gearbox, clutch, battery and alternator belt. House move forces reluctant sale. Genuine enquiries only. £34,950. Email Steve on [email protected]. (5/2006)

I can recommend two:

Mike Wheeler at http://www.rardleymotors.com/

and

Roger Collingwood at http://www.theferraricentre.com/

Marlin - thanks for that ! there are quite a few of them on the owners club .. didn't know of this..

Thanks boxer.. i'll give them a call...

Do you know where I would take the car for an independent inspection and how much to expect to pay for the inspection.......?

cheers..

At £35,000 you run the risk of not getting a good 355. Have you considered at 348? You'd get a really good one for less than that and your maintenance costs would be lower.

Depending on where you purchase the car from, I can recommend Verdi, QV Engineering (both West London) and Hollingsworth (North) for pre purchase inspection. Get a compression test done as well and check when the last time the cambelt was done. It's around £1,000 plus for an engine out change, assuming there's nothing else wrong with the car.

Here's what Verdi do.

http://www.verdiferrari.biz/inspections.htm

For a pre purchase inspection, I would recommend calling Niel Corns. Niel is one of the most experienced Ferrari mechanics I know and does excellent work. Please send me a PM if you would like his phone number.

thanks guys.. that's useful info. How do I get in touch with QV engineering and Hollingsworth...? I did a google search but couldn't find anything.

Boxer..I'll send you a PM for Niel's details....

Thats an interesting one... 355 vs 348.. I was always under the impression.. that the 355 was the first "sorted" ferrari that had no reliability problems..and could be used fairly regularly.. (I only intend to do around 3000 miles a year on it). And that the 348 was can give problems..../ handling / build quality is not very good... etc.. etc.. Am I wrong ?? hence i never gave it a thought...

. I didn't realise that there would be a significant difference in the servicing costs of a 348 vs. that of a 355.....

cheers...

On #1, you have a PM

On #2, IMHO, you are correct. Go with the F355.

I am looking for a red 355... but looking at some of the other threads.... it seems a black one is really desireable... ?? true ? Are black ones easier to sell ...? (or hold value better ?) ... as www.theferraricenter.com have a black LHD one..... now i am confused...

Red should be the easiest to sell.

Derm

Here you go.

http://www.qvlondon.co.uk/

http://www.midland-ferrari.co.uk/

Agree with Derm, Red should be the easiest to resell but the F355 does look awfully good in black and dark blue.

Suggest you also take a look at Bob Houghton:

http://www.racecar.co.uk/bobhoughton/index.htm

He has a number of F355s for sale now

and

Nick Cartwright:

http://www.racecarnewmedia.co.uk/nic...ight/stock.asp

I'm in almost exactly the same position as HEMANG and will shortly be looking for a LHD F355 in UK, so I'm interested in your experiences. How are you getting on? Do you have any useful do's and dont's up to now.

In addition to the useful links already supplied, has anybody got any experience dealing with Rosso Corsa in London?

regards
Chris

IMO anyone considering a purchase would do well to search for the dealer they are considering on places like:

www.pistonheads.com

and the UK section of:

www.ferrarichat.com

The 355 is the most expensive to keep V8, yes they fixed some of the problems that the 348 had, but added plenty more very expensive ones (valve guides on cars up to 98', exhaust manifolds, shock actuators etc.). It is important you use a well respected dealer that will not leave you high n' dry as the bills for the common issues mentioned can be seriously high...

Hi Chris355.. My neighbour had a Maserati 3200 Coupe.. that Rossa Corsa sold for him over a month ago.. he still hasn't seen the money. (I've heard stories of customers cars being used on a track .. but I don't know this for a fact). Chris355 - send me a PM with your contact number.. and we'll have a chat to discuss... I'm a bit nervous about pulling the trigger.. due the reasons
chrisx348 mentions... don't want to get stuck with the wrong car and face huge bills....

chat soon.
- hemang.

There are a number of well established independent dealers with very solid reputations. In addition to the two I mentioned above, I would also suggest contacting:

Mike Wheeler at www.rardleymotors.com

and

Roger Collingswood at www.theferraricentre.com

Thanks for the info guys.