The Ferrari 550 Maranello and Barchetta Buying Guide

The 550 Maranello arrived in 1996 to replace the long-running mid-engined Testarossa/512TR range. With a return to a front-engine layout, handling predictability was improved although at the expense of outright grip levels and perhaps a bit of visual drama. Still it was a compromise that better suited its role as a long-distance tourer, albeit one that was one of the fastest production cars in its day.

A number of chassis components were shared with the 2+2 456 but the 550 offered more power from its 5.5-litre V12 and it possessed a far more sporting character too. A six-speed manual was the sole transmission option throughout. The majority of the cars were coupés, with a smaller batch of Barchettas being built near the end of the six-year production run.

The overall design and handling balance were spot on from the very beginning and very few changes were carried out until the updated 575 arrived in 2002. Build-quality too was decent throughout, so values are generally influenced more by which side the steering wheel is on and the overall condition of the vehicle.

Ferrari 550 V12 Engine and transmission

Engines are robust and many 550s have covered big distances with no major issues. The key to a happy ownership experience is ensuring that a regular maintenance schedule is kept to. Cambelts and lambda sensors every 45,000 miles or three years should be carried out. As with the 456 which shares the same basic engine, cam seals tend to weep oil, and if left unchecked this can end up on the timing belt.

Radiator hoses require periodic replacement; the set under the intake manifold are especially prone to cracking due to the excessive heat generated.

The 478bhp V12 provides strong performance with a sonorous if slightly muted exhaust note. This has been remedied by some owners with the fitment of a Tubi exhaust system, which improves sound while weighing a bit less than the standard item. The six-speed manual is pleasant to use and few cars have had any major issues in this area. It is worth noting that a batch of early cars could exhibit some notchiness when changing into 1st, 3rd and 5th gears. Rebuilds are expensive so make sure yours changes gears smoothly.

Clutches tend to get heaby as they wear and if excessive pedal pressure is required it may indicate that a replacement is on the cards.

Ferrari 550 Suspension and brakes

Steering racks tend to last approximately 30,000 miles and excessive play around the mid-point may indicate that a rebuild is on the horizon. Some owners tend not to notice or might ignore the issue so check the service history if the car does exhibits any signs of a worn rack.

With so much power and a heavy kerb weight, the 550 goes through tyres with alarming regularity. Check for excessive wear on the inside edges as the negative camber can affect this section first.

Vehicles produced from 1997 to 1999 were fitted with magnesium wheels, which had a tendency to crack at the wheel bolt inserts. These were all replaced by Ferrari with aluminium wheels. How will you know if they’ve been changed? Magnesium items had solid spokes while the aluminium replacements were hollow.

The suspension bushes will require periodic checking too, especially the upper A-arm units as these can sometimes fail prematurely. A metallic rattling sound over rough surfaces is what you should listen out for.

Ferrari 550 Bodywork

Decent corrosion protection and a generally pampered life mean that rust is not a big concern on the 550. Aluminium panels can sometimes exhibit corrosion though so it is worth giving the bodywork a once-over to ensure that everything is in order.

The rare Barchettas came supplied with a basic soft top cover which was intended for occasional use but few owners bothered with them. Check around the footwells and behind the seats for any evidence of water having settled there from an unexpected shower.

Interior of the Ferrari 550

Barchettas may exhibit more discolouration on the headrests and dashboard than their coupé counterparts although the interior tends to be pretty hard-wearing overall. Buttons and switchgear can show signs of wear though and the dashboard leather has been known to bubble and lose its tight shape on some cars.

Ferrari 550 History

1996: Ferrari 550 launched as successor to mid-engined 512TR. 5.5-litre V12 produced 478bhp and a six-speed manual transmission was standard

2000: Limited edition 550 Barchetta introduced. Ferrari Rossa concept car based on 550 shown at Turin Motor Show to celebrate 70 years of Pininfarina

2001: Last 550 Maranello rolls off the production line with 3083 coupes (457 RHD) and 448 Barchettas built.

2002: Ferrari 575M introduced, more of an upgraded 550 than an entirely new model

2009 (post-production): In a collaboration with Zagato, five units of the special edition Ferrari roadster GTZ were made available. These cars were based on the Barchetta Roadster.

How To Buy a Ferrari 550

It may not have had the more exotic mid-engined layout of its forebear but the 550 Maranello is a more modern and comfortable car with the kind of performance that still impresses today. The well-resolved handling and manual-only layout makes them the preferred choice for many enthusiasts over the updated 575.

The majority of 550s tend to have led pampered lives but the earliest cars are now well into their second decade, so avoid patchy service histories as remedying mechanical issues can get very expensive.

Don’t dismiss high-mileage cars with good service histories though as the robust mechanicals can make this the most cost-effective way into 550 ownership. The red exterior/cream interior combination typically tends to be the most common although the curvy lines look stunning in rare Tour De France Blu as well. Ferrari Classiche certification can add some peace of mind and RHD models usually command a premium over the more common LHD cars.

Barchettas are the rarer and more collectible option but the added practicality and arguably better-resolved lines of the coupes make them very desirable too, especially for owners intending to put some mileage on their cars. And this is definitely what the 550 was intended to do.

Ferrari 550 Specifications

5.5-litre V12

Power: 478bhp

Top speed: 199mph

0-60mph: 4.3sec

Economy: 17mpg