At these kind of prices... couldn't a machine shop make (CNC) you a set of rotors?

Nah, sold the car.

No.

JR

$130 is a crazy price for a brake rotor?

How much is a 930 brake rotor?

The rotors for my minivan are more than $130...

Testarossa rotors are in the thousands for aftermarket...more from the dealer...

Ferrari parts for cars built prior to 1989 are sourced and sold through Maranello Concessionaires in the UK. MC started remanufacturing parts (MarParts) for older Ferrari models many years ago and later on (I believe) took over parts distribution for early cars. Some parts are made when there enough orders.

Most Ferrari shocks can be rebuilt.

I know all that.

Did you miss the part where I mentioned that all of the red cars had been sold off?

JR

Big red rotors for 993 TT are on the order of $250 for the fronts, less for the rear. Whole brake job with rotors can be done around $1k DIY. The older Turbos are certainly similar and if they aren't you upgrade the brakes ...

edit: I just remembered the earlier turbo brakes - those are nice ... :D

G

Actually, the early 3.3 turbo front brake rotors are closer to $400 each.

How did this turn into a discussion of brake rotors? I just used those as an example to illustrate the difference in parts support between Porsche and Ferrari. I could have used any number of other parts to make the same point.

JR

I guess my point was that it wasn't a very good example, since 328 brake rotors are just as available as 930 rotors, and 1/3 the price, to boot. So as an example, it didn't really make your point.

I haven't had any issue getting 328 parts. It's all been normal maintenance so far, but all that stuff seems available (plugs, filters, all brake parts, suspension parts (shock easily rebuilt), gaskets, 30K mile "major service" kits, etc.). For sure, some of the things that aren't commonly replaced (fog light lenses, for example) are no longer available new. But normal maintenance is there. It is not likely that a 328 or TR will ever have to become lawn art because of the lack of availability of a part, at least not in the near future.

I'd agree, of course, that as a whole Ferrari parts support isn't as deep as Porsche support for the 911/930. But for the more common 80s stuff (328/TR, etc.) getting parts isn't a huge deal, for the most part.

If you followed my posts, you'll note that at one point, the supply of brake rotors did dry up. Then, a new supply came on the market courtesy of someone on the other side of the pond buying out a cache of parts from another company that just happened to have 328 rotors in it. When those are gone, there likely will be no more. My point was that Ferrari had decided to get out of the business of supplying parts for the older cars. The remaining inventory is held by a company in the UK but I don't consider that a long term good thing. I don't see them being in the same position as Ferrari with regards to having new batches of parts made. Sooner or later, the crap will hit the fan.

You mention fog light lenses. Priced one of those, if you can find one? The last price I was quoted was a grand, each. Ever gotten a rock chip in a fog light lens? I can't count the number I've replaced on my cars over the years.

Back to the TR:

(edit) ahh, never mind...

The stock rear tire size was 255/50VR16 (same as a same-vintage Corvette)

For one thing, there are over a dozen choices for a 255/50R16 tire. Today. Best choice is a BFG gForce Sport Comp2 as they also make that in a 225/50R16 that would match the front. They run under $150 each.

But your point about the availability/expense of other small trim pieces, and the expense of doing anything major (gearbox, fuseblock, etc) are all very valid.

I wouldn't advise anyone to buy an old toy without thoroughly researching their choice. If you go in with eyes wide open, you'll be happier.

Still, you can't blame someone for choosing different than you. Some Ferrari owners really do see these expenses and obstacles as part of the fun.

FWIW, Alfa Ricambi still offers both the correct US Spec Goodyear Eagle VR50 "Gatorback" and the euro-only Michelin MXW.....you don't want to know the price, but they are NOS correct for the concours crowd

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335974783.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335974794.jpg

The issue is matching front and rear pairs. Apart from track tires, there is one choice, the BFG tire, and that is a new one that didn't exist a month ago. So, TR owners get a stay of execution. ;)

Buy some now... I've used these tires on other vehicles and they don't stay in the catalog long. A size I bought 3 years ago when it was introduced has already been dropped.


The issue with those is less the price and more the production date of the tires. The Gatorbacks are going to be old and I wouldn't bet on the Michelins, if they are from the Michelin classic/Coker Tire range. I had to run similar tires on my Lamborghini and those were hockey pucks. Absolute junk...

I've said my piece. If he wants to buy a TR, at least his eyes will be open.

Caveat emptor, and all that.

JR

Agreed. NOS tires should really be used for the show circuit, driving 20mph on the greens. Originality doesn't matter as much for a driver.

Best tire these days in this application is Kumho's Ecsta XS in 265/45/16. I'm using them on 10x16 CanAm wheels on my 73.

There is some debate on whether Kumho will continue to make this size, but they are still available.

I had an old Herkules bike in Germany about 20 yrs. ago that couldn't pass the stringent German TUV inspection. One of the problems was the headlight reflector wasn't bright enough. No one made them anymore and eBay didn't exist back then. I took it to a shop that had Bosch custom make a new one. I don't remember the price, but I was in college and it was no problem for me, so it couldn't have been that much. Surely, some manufacturers do custom orders for the NLA car owners.

Last I saw, a factory foglight lens was $1600, if you could find it.

But, these cars are made in big enough numbers, and are wanted enough, that the market tends to solve a lot of these problems. The lenses, for example, are now being reproduced by an enthusiast, for a fraction of the factory cost.

(with 3M clear headlight protectors, though, this shouldn't be an issue).

Things like rotors, there just isn't a big demand for new. 95% of these cars aren't driven enough to wear out rotors. If they were, someone would produce them. But since there are so many used ones available (pretty much every parted out 328 will have useable rotors), it hasn't been done yet.

Like most 25-30 year old cars, there are going to possibly be parts issues in the future. I wouldn't worry about that too much for things as common and popular as the 328 or TR. Yes, they aren't like a 3 series BMW, and you have to do some searching, or find good used, and often pay a lot. But I've yet to see a 328 or a TR taken off the road permanently b/c a part is unavailable, and I don't think that will happen any time soon.

Both are actually my cars!
 

I felt compelled to join/reply on seeing this on the web.

Both cars in the pics are actually my vehicles. I'm a collector in Perth Australia and have dealt with Pelican for the 22 years I have owned the 930. Similarly Ricambi America feeds the TR. If I could choose either I wouldn't have both. Each carries its own "experience" and collectibility. The engine note of the Tr is as awesome as the 930's off line traction/accelleration. Chalk and cheese. Each compelling. You really couldn't form a view without driving each.

Admittedly this is the 930's best angle and that partic pic of the TR isn't its best angle. Take a 3/4 ass-end shot and you'll get its visual impact.


To be honest I have never had a major mech failure with either car other than a clutch in the 930 and an exhaust for the TR. The tr has 18,500 and the 930 has 106,000 Km on the clock.

Cambelt change in the TR Jan this year was $2.5k parts and $3k labour and fluids. No big deal every 5-6 years and a chance for an engine out check-over and detail. Wasn't a particularly difficult job either. As someone said; not rocket science. I agree you wouldn't want a large mech failure in the TR. Solution; use sparingly and sympathetically.

On tyres/brakes, I have stored the concours originals. Each uses 3 piece rims for each with original style centres to preserve the "look' of each and I can use any rubber I want. 17 in on the 930 and 18in on the TR in my case. The TR has 355mm brembo (ala F40) brakes and again the concours originals are stored.

As someone observed the TR was about twice the price of the 930. Difference in Australia is that it still is about twice the value of the 930. There are no cheap F cars. Cheap entry usually means exp maintenance issues. Thank god for ebay; a new spare fuse panel for $2k not $6-8k. And thank god for sites like this for knowing what to look for and how to avoid/sort things.

The 930 is modified with 3.2L intake plenum and is Haltech ps2000 controlled driving sequential fuel inj and direct coil on plug ignition from the 996TT along with the usual custom turbo/exhaust/intercooler ala Bruce Anderson's book. - Another thread sometime if anyone's interested.



Cheers :cool: