[Andrew]

I was watching Rainman just now and of course Tom Cruise is importing a bunch of Lambo's but then has the right sense to leave in a Ferrari 412 not the Lambo.

To be honest I don't know much about this 2+2 V12. Anyone here own one or has driven one? How does this car drive?

 

[simonc]

They drive great. I've got a 400 - same shape, earlier car, carbs instead of injection, a rawer car, not as sophistacted - and love it. Great fun and excellent value.

 

[modificata]

Ive been considering either a mondial or a 400i/412i but decide which I like better. I need the 4 seats so either would do. But im always worried about the running costs of the v12 engine.

Most people dont like the shape of the 400 series, but I think its a masterpiece design.

 

[Bazil]

Actually, I rather like the 400 - I think they're quite elegant.

Very stealthy too, which is always a good thing

I understand they can be ferociously expensive to maintain though

 

['75 308 GT4 (Peter)]

Last year, or maybe two years ago, the local dealer had a 400i 5-spd for sale. Beautiful dark metallic grey over Bordeaux interior. Had an awesome-sounding Tubi system on it. Just lovely. I thought about trading in the GT4, but I quickly dropped that idea when the car sold...

Yes, very expensive to maintain, but the F.I. cars are more reliable and don't need as much fettling...

 

[Daily412]

Hi. I plan to purchase a 412i Aut because I think they're pretty and cheap. I've restored american V8 cars for years, so I know most things to be able to service a 412. Can anyone help me understand why the 12 cyl is supposed to be so expensive to maintain? It's mentioned often when talking about the 412.
Is it because:
1. Parts are expensive/impossible to find?
2. The engine is weak, breaks often?
3. Simply the 12 cylinders are 50% more than 8?
4. Packaging, is it necessary to take the motor out for many repairs?
5. Requires a lot of special expensive tools
Changing oil, plugs, cam-chain doesn't sound very complex, butmaybe it is? What I fear most is the injection, I've had no experience of that.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Boxer]

Daily412, I have put a few commetns together in CAPS after the questions.

1. Parts are expensive/impossible to find? YES, AT THIS POINT SOME PARTS ARE HARD AND EXPENSIVE TO SOURCE
2. The engine is weak, breaks often? NO, THE ENGINE IS VERY SOLID
3. Simply the 12 cylinders are 50% more than 8? TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, YES.
4. Packaging, is it necessary to take the motor out for many repairs? NOT REALLY.
5. Requires a lot of special expensive tools NO MORE SO THAN ANY OTHER FERRARI
Changing oil, plugs, cam-chain doesn't sound very complex, butmaybe it is? What I fear most is the injection, I've had no experience of that. THE INJECTION SYSTEM IS LESS HASSLE THAN THE EARLIER WEBER CARBS

THE BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THE 365/400/412'S IS RUST. THEY SEEM VERY EXPENSIVE TO RUN BECAUSE OF THE LOW PURCHASE PRICE BUT REALLY ARE NO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER 12 CYLINDER 2+2 LIKE A 365 GTC/4 OR A 456 GT.

 

[jungathart]

...REALLY ARE NO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER 12 CYLINDER 2+2 LIKE A 365 GTC/4 OR A 456 GT.

Hi Boxer,
If I may jump in and ask a similar question: is maintenace on a 512 Testarossa or Boxer in the same league? I am interested in adding to my humble collection but is more concerned about longterm running costs than cost of acquisition.
Thanks

 

[Boxer]

jungathart, To the best of my knowledge, the only real difference in running/maintenance costs between a Boxer, TR, and 400/412 is the fact that the cambelts are an engine out job on the Boxers and TR. Otherwise they should all be in the same league.

Moving to different generations of cars, from personal experience I found the running costs on a 456 GT over several years to be higher than the Boxer.

 

[jungathart]

Thank you!