Thinking of switching the cl63 to 06 f430...

[albert12183]

Guys I am thinking of changing the Cl to 06 f430 as I think its better to keep n the long run. Any good advice in looking for a ferrari?

[Pronto]

Here's a couple of things.

Watch for service intervals. They are much more comprehensive and expensive than for a MB. Timing belts/chains in many are replaced every 5,000 miles and usually are good for a $ 5,000 bill.

Ferrari suspension works well but is really not great quality. They are using materials in ball joints and tie rod ends that second line aftermarket manufacturers wouldn't use. (And yes, so I don't get flamed by someone, I have seen them in cutaways and I know what I'm talking about).

Cracked windshields that can't be fixed, for the high end ones are upwards of ten grand.

[sound 8]

I am always amazed that people change to such different cars.
The local paint shop says that Ferrari welding is crap.
I wouldn't say that the Ferrari was an everyday car, where the CL63 is
supreme any day, all occasions. You certainly need to have a decent test drive, and as pronto says, servicing is very expensive and very regular.

[CY]

Ive heard the F430 is a much better built car the previous models.

[jl88]

I had a 2005 F430.

Scheduled maintenance is at 5k miles, 15k, 30k, etc. They recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles.

The major service intervals at 15k are approximately $2,000. Mine was like $1,980 at Ferrari/Maserati of Orange County.

The f430 doesn't use timing belts; it uses chains and the engine doesn't have to be pulled for most services. Overall maintenance is cheaper compared to the 360.

Other random notes:
- The exhaust manifolds are known for cracking/wearing down. Ferrari is aware of this issue and should be able to fix it even if it's out of warranty.
- There is some welding issues on the roof of the car which results in squeaking in the passenger cabin. Not sure if there's a fix for this.
- I would go for steel brakes instead of ceramics.
- Make sure the car has skid plates
- Don't bother with the factory option blue tooth or the "Hi-Fi" stereo.
- Get the F1, your left leg will thank you.

Overall, a great car. Ferrari's and high-end Benzs are in pricing free falls. You should be able to pick up an 06 Coupe for $170-180k. I recommend going for a Convertible over a coupe.

[TheCreditMan]

I've owned three F430s, not including the Scuderia I currently own. My CL63 was just traded for an 09 ML63.

The CL63 is an every day driver. It's fast, quiet, comfortable and relatively practical with room enough for kids, luggage, golf clubs, etc.

430 is not an every day driver. It's loud and some driveways present a challenge in terms of scrapping the front end pulling in and out.

Driving the two cars is a night and day experience. The MB is quiet. The F car is loud and frenetic. The MB is a heavy cruiser and feels not as connected to the road, while the 430 feels nimble and provides constant driver feedback. The braking in a 430, particularly with CCB, is amazing.

In the 430 you have the sensation of going fast even when you're not going fast. The 430 keeps reminding you that you're driving it. The CL63 is subtle, smooth and demands little of the driver.

In short: both great cars, yet quite different.

[jl88]

I saw pictures of your yellow Scud on 6speed, sick sick car. I'm jealous!

I wholeheartedly agree and back up the daily driving bit. On another subforum, people were arguing about the daily drivability of F430's. The car is loud, suspension is stiff (however, if you're used to aftermarket wheels, it's not a big deal), and there are no cup holders. Lastly, you get stared at. A lot.

Odds are if you're getting a F430, you probably have another daily driver.

[absent]

Originally Posted by jl88

Odds are if you're getting a F430, you probably have another daily driver.

Above is the most important observation.
You should not make a decision as which car mentioned above is a better choice since they both are on different planets to begin with and should not even be compared.
One is a daily driver, the other is ADDITIONAL weekend or free time toy ,an occasional track warrior.
Either get both or only the Benz if your financials would not allow the whole package.

[Satan]

Originally Posted by jl88

I had a 2005 F430.

Scheduled maintenance is at 5k miles, 15k, 30k, etc. They recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles.

The major service intervals at 15k are approximately $2,000. Mine was like $1,980 at Ferrari/Maserati of Orange County.

Please don't mislead service prices like that. F430 Spyder '05 with 6k miles so far it's been about 7k in service outside of warranty. This includes one tire $550 and alignment $450, paint of front lip (scrape) $350.

Around 15k miles if you have an F1 you'll probably need clutch work, more maintenance etc....

Also I have notice no one pointed out that if you have a Ferrari and you don't maintain it at Ferrari and hold on to the receipts, you'll have a hell of a time selling the car. Ferrari people are obsessed with Ferrari Service, has to be done there, has to be documented, or they won't touch it.

[jl88]

Sorry, old thread.

Satan, we're talking about scheduled maintenance.

I never count tires, alignment, or bumper repair as part of scheduled maintenance.

Total cost of ownership is of course going to be higher than the scheduled maintenance intervals, but people go through tires, brake pads, clutch, and all other wear items at different rates.

However, per the scheduled maintenance book, oil change is approximately about a grand (I can't remember this price) and the 15k interval ran me a little shy of $2k.

[AMG_Black]

i have an 06' 430 and a CL65 as part of my collection and can tell you that they are 2 very different cars. If you can, I would honestly recommend having both because as much as the Ferrari is a pleasure to drive, it's not nearly as comfortable as a CL. I use my ferrari a lot, but I use the CL almost everyday. I also have a gallardo which just sits in my garage because it needs to be serviced, but I'm planning to trade it for an LP560 soon because I would like to start driving a lambo more often. 1 problem which gets quite annoying which someone has already mentioned is the trouble of getting into some driveways or going over dips because the car is so low. The bottom of my front bumper is completely scratched from scraping it on my driveway, but it's not noticeable until you bend down and look under. My gallardo is even worse since it is even lower, which is another reason I try not to use it too much and want to upgrade it to the LP, because it has a button to raise the nose.

[W210 Guy]

Originally Posted by jl88

I had a 2005 F430.

From an F430 to a Corolla.

Quite a step down!

[FloridaE55]

Originally Posted by W210 Guy

From an F430 to a Corolla.

Quite a step down!

No, that's "going green"..

[jl88]

My signature is not even close to updated. But I enjoy all the reactions I get from it; People make the greatest assumptions. For the folks that I have met from MBworld, they know I go through too many cars.

Even though i've owned a few Mercedes, AMG's and a F430, the car that's always been in my garage since 2002 has been my Corolla. It's my daily driver. 82k miles and going strong.

[Bo CL500]

Originally Posted by jl88

My signature is not even close to updated. But I enjoy all the reactions I get from it; People make the greatest assumptions. For the folks that I have met from MBworld, they know I go through too many cars.

Even though i've owned a few Mercedes, AMG's and a F430, the car that's always been in my garage since 2002 has been my Corolla. It's my daily driver. 82k miles and going strong.

And out of all those cars the Corolla is the most reliable with the cheapest maintanence that costs the least. I could never understand why a 100K - 200K car will never outlast a 15K - 20K car lol. But yet we still drop 100K for a car can someone explain that?

[Tri-State MB]

I say it depends on what you plan to use the car for. If you plan to use it for pure enjoyment on the weekends I'd say the F430. If you need a everyday car that you can enjoy on the way home from work or just chill and set the cruise control the 63 all the way. You have alot more to think about when driving a Ferrari, where am I going, is there special parking, how many miles did I put this month, ect...

If I could swing the S550 and a F-car I would love to.

[Broker]

I noticed that While F430 prices are still high and haven't depreciated much, the Gallardo has taken a huge hit, I see many for sale that are from 95-120k, where as the F430, some of the cheapest ones are at least 150k still.

Does anyone know why there is such a big difference in depreciation between the two cars?

[AMG_Black]

Originally Posted by Broker

I noticed that While F430 prices are still high and haven't depreciated much, the Gallardo has taken a huge hit, I see many for sale that are from 95-120k, where as the F430, some of the cheapest ones are at least 150k still.

Does anyone know why there is such a big difference in depreciation between the two cars?

The only type of gallardo your going to find in that range is definitely a preowned with some good miles on it and probably even salvaged. And I'm talking about the older models, because your not going to find an '08 gallardo for that much. Mine is an '04 with less than 12,000 miles and I've already had some problems with it, which is why I don't drive it as much as the 430. The 430 in my opinion is a much better car, in almost every aspect. The handling is amazing, it's pretty quick, it's more reliable, and it honestly just feels much better overall. Now if your talking about the LP560, then that's a totally different story.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Bo CL500

And out of all those cars the Corolla is the most reliable with the cheapest maintanence that costs the least. I could never understand why a 100K - 200K car will never outlast a 15K - 20K car lol. But yet we still drop 100K for a car can someone explain that?

Less things to go wrong. The only problem I ever had with my CL was an ABC dampener hose got plugged. Took weeks (and Guntner flown in from who knows where) to solve it.

The Corolla doesn't have an ABC system :-)

It's like how guys from the generation before me always complain about how you open the hood of a modern car and you can't work on it. But you don't HAVE to work on it... setting points, dwell angle, mixture screws is fun and easy, but I'd rather not have to do it at all.

It'd be like switching from laced shoes to velcro straps and complaining its harder to retie your shoes when they come undone... but they don't come undone.

[BlownV8]

Originally Posted by davepl

Less things to go wrong. The only problem I ever had with my CL was an ABC dampener hose got plugged. Took weeks (and Guntner flown in from who knows where) to solve it.

How many miles on your CL?