[UPDATED 2-11-10] Barrister's Ferrari 360 Modena Buyer's Guide
#122
11-07-2011, 10:53 AM
Ocd
I took my 360 in to my mechanic for the annual service about 2 weeks ago.
My mechanic charges $995 for the annual service on my 360. That includes a laundry list of stuff and he usually has it in and out in two days.
Everything was fine and went as expected. He felt I could easily go another year without getting the cam belt major service and that my brakes will last another year as well.
This was good because between those two services I would be looking at about $6,000 - $4,000 for the cam belt major and $2,000 for new breaks. This would have been more money in one shot than I have spent in total on the car during the prior two years.
Then things took a turn for the worse.
During the months prior to the annual service, I noticed a light whining sound coming from the engine. I could not hear it while the engine was cold. But once the engine warmed up, it sounded like a belt was slightly loose. It was very annoying and just didn't sound right.
I had my mechanic check it out. He informed me that it was a loose cam bearing. You never want to hear the words "loose" and "cam" in the same sentence when talking about a 360.
He told me that the bearing would not likely fail entirely for quite some time but that I should keep my eye on it. Then he added that - if it did break - I should have the car towed in because running it would destroy the engine. I was like, WHAAAAAAT?!
I am OCD to the maximum and could never deal with that. So I asked him how much it would cost to replace the bearing. Then I got the bad news - there is no way to replace the bearing without basically completing the major belt service at the same time.
So I had a choice - wait and see if the loose bearing got any worse or just have my cam belt service a year early.
My mechanic didn't want to pressure me into the belt service and told me to wait. But I just can't do it. I scheduled the belt service for next week. He just got the last of the parts in on Friday.
I will let you all know how it goes. But suffice it to say, I am $4,000 lighter in the wallet.
These red-headed ladies are expensive!
Ugh.
My mechanic charges $995 for the annual service on my 360. That includes a laundry list of stuff and he usually has it in and out in two days.
Everything was fine and went as expected. He felt I could easily go another year without getting the cam belt major service and that my brakes will last another year as well.
This was good because between those two services I would be looking at about $6,000 - $4,000 for the cam belt major and $2,000 for new breaks. This would have been more money in one shot than I have spent in total on the car during the prior two years.
Then things took a turn for the worse.
During the months prior to the annual service, I noticed a light whining sound coming from the engine. I could not hear it while the engine was cold. But once the engine warmed up, it sounded like a belt was slightly loose. It was very annoying and just didn't sound right.
I had my mechanic check it out. He informed me that it was a loose cam bearing. You never want to hear the words "loose" and "cam" in the same sentence when talking about a 360.
He told me that the bearing would not likely fail entirely for quite some time but that I should keep my eye on it. Then he added that - if it did break - I should have the car towed in because running it would destroy the engine. I was like, WHAAAAAAT?!
I am OCD to the maximum and could never deal with that. So I asked him how much it would cost to replace the bearing. Then I got the bad news - there is no way to replace the bearing without basically completing the major belt service at the same time.
So I had a choice - wait and see if the loose bearing got any worse or just have my cam belt service a year early.
My mechanic didn't want to pressure me into the belt service and told me to wait. But I just can't do it. I scheduled the belt service for next week. He just got the last of the parts in on Friday.
I will let you all know how it goes. But suffice it to say, I am $4,000 lighter in the wallet.
These red-headed ladies are expensive!
Ugh.
#123
11-23-2011, 12:35 AM
Just a quick update.
I got the 360 back last Friday. The work ran $3,600.
My mechanic always saves me wherever he can. I am positive that it cannot be done competently for any less.
This included the major cam and drive-belt service plus the bearing replacement.
This was a PITA but necessary.
The car drives great again with no untoward sounds. It really is a great car.
I cannot think of a better buy for the money right now.
I got the 360 back last Friday. The work ran $3,600.
My mechanic always saves me wherever he can. I am positive that it cannot be done competently for any less.
This included the major cam and drive-belt service plus the bearing replacement.
This was a PITA but necessary.
The car drives great again with no untoward sounds. It really is a great car.
I cannot think of a better buy for the money right now.
#126
11-23-2011, 12:45 AM
Eventually, it could have turned into a real problem.
Some deals are deceptive - story cars and salvage titles. You should still be paying in the high $80 to low $90K for a clean, well-cared-for 2004 model.
The car picks up like a dream and handles as well as any car I have ever owned - even better than my Turbo.
#128
11-15-2013, 11:58 PM
Does the "different mechanic than the one held by the dealer" rule still apply if the place is an actual Ferrari dealer? There's a 360 Spider I am considering at Ferrari of Denver
#129
11-28-2013, 10:35 AM
Just a quick update.
I got the 360 back last Friday. The work ran $3,600.
My mechanic always saves me wherever he can. I am positive that it cannot be done competently for any less.
This included the major cam and drive-belt service plus the bearing replacement.
This was a PITA but necessary.
The car drives great again with no untoward sounds. It really is a great car.
I cannot think of a better buy for the money right now.
I got the 360 back last Friday. The work ran $3,600.
My mechanic always saves me wherever he can. I am positive that it cannot be done competently for any less.
This included the major cam and drive-belt service plus the bearing replacement.
This was a PITA but necessary.
The car drives great again with no untoward sounds. It really is a great car.
I cannot think of a better buy for the money right now.
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