Classic Trader Reviews: Ferrari F355 buying guide. Berlinetta, Spider or GTS?

18. March 2020 Home / Profiles

The Ferrari F355 Berlinetta arrived on the junior supercar scene in 1994, replacing the rather lacklustre 348 as the entry-level offering from Maranello. It’s now a great classic buy!

The F355 may have been a big step up from its predecessor but it had to be. With rivals like Honda’s NSX showing the world that drivability and reliability could also be part of the package, the F355 had to be far more than just an incremental upgrade. And it was, with a revised flat-plane crank 3.5-litre V8 now developing 375bhp thanks in part to new five-valve cylinder heads: the F355 went and sounded like no mid-engined V8 Ferrari had before!

The Berlinetta and Targa models were first, with the convertible Spider following a year later. Initially equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, the F1-style sequential manual transmission become available from 1997-on.

The first system of its kind to be installed in a road car, it provided quick gearchanges for the time but those used to modern dual-clutch systems will need to readjust their expectations as shifts can be quite brutal while low speed manoeuvring is less than smooth.

Big improvements in drivability and overall reliability mark the 355 out as the first of the modern mid-engined V8 Ferraris and it can be used regularly without fear of being left stranded by the side of the road in a cloud of expensive smoke.

Despite this usability and mechanical integrity, 355s do require regular specialist attention and neglected cars can quickly rack up the bills.

Ferrari F355 engine

The 3.5-litre V8 has proved to be reliable despite its high specific power output. Unfortunately cambelt replacement is still an engine out job (the 360 was the first where the job could be done with the motor in situ) and needs doing every three years or 30,000 miles so factor this into the pricing if a change is imminent. That said, some specialists remove the fuel tank instead of the engine to gain access to the belts, which can greatly reduce labour costs.

Exhaust manifolds will have either already cracked or will at some point in the future. You can either fit an aftermarket (generally Tubi) manifold or have the original repaired. Cars which have had sports exhausts fitted may have had their catalytic converters removed; this is illegal in some parts of the world and as replacements are pricey it is worth confirming whether they are still attached to the car.

Exhaust bypass valves can also wear out over time, showing up as a rattle at idle, and replacements are pricey and as they do not detrimentally affect the performance one option is to just accept it.

Valve guides could wear prematurely, especially on early cars, so check for blue oil exhaust smoke on the overrun or better yet get the car thoroughly inspected by a specialist. A compression test can show up any issues. In 1997 uprated steel valve guides were introduced.

The ECU was updated in 1996/7 from Motronic 2.7 to 5.2 and some specialists claim that the earlier cars produced slightly more power however this should not dissuade you from looking at later cars as the differences are minimal.

A number of preventative fuel leak recalls affected cars built up until the end of the 1999 model year and a small number of engine fires have occurred but these have not necessarily been attributed to faulty fuel lines.

Ferrari F355 gearbox, manual and auto

The six-speed manual transmission was the sole option until 1997 whereupon the F1 automated manual became available. Clutches tend to wear faster on these ‘boxes if the car is often driven around town.

F355 suspension and brakes

Two recalls regarding the steering rack were carried out, the first in late 1995 and the other on cars built up till mid-1998. Check that yours has had the remedial work carried out.

The adaptive shock absorbers can fail, a dashboard warning light will inform you if something is amiss, replacements are relatively easy to source though.

Bodywork on the ferrari F355

The bodywork tends to have a few weak points when it comes to rust and corrosion. On Berlinetta and Targas, the rear buttresses tend to corrode over time and bubbling paint is a sure sign that a repair is on the cards. This issue tends to resurface every so often so do check if and when a repair was last carried out.

Rear subframes can exhibit signs of rot and corrosion and should be inspected prior to purchase. Sill plates are less of a concern and are mostly a cosmetic issue but tend to corrode on all but the most pampered cars. Aftermarket replacements or factory items are readily available.

Ferrari F355 Interior

The dashboard and seat leather can suffer from shrinkage when exposed to the sun for extended periods, and not much other than a full retrim can be done to rectify this.

The centre console has a plastic covering that that tends to get sticky with age. The best solution is to peel off this layer of plastic as replacement parts from Ferrari are prohibitively expensive. Gearknobs on manual cars are covered in a clear lacquer that peels over time. Replacements are available from Ferrari dealers.

The electronic roof on the Spider is a complex unit and can suffer from hydraulic pump failure, which is a costly issue to resolve. A more common issue but less pricey to resolve is faulty seat potentiometers. These usually detect when the seats have moved forward but will stop the roof from going up if they are faulty.

ferrari F355 History

1994: Ferrari F355 released in Berlinetta and Targa body styles to replace the 348

1995: Convertible Spider body style added

1995: F355 challenge introduced for single model Ferrari Challenge racing series, only road legal for the 1995 model year

1996: ECU updated. Airbag now incorporated into steering wheel

1997: F1-style automated manual gearbox offered across the range. F dropped from name with cars simply being called 355

1999: 355 Spider Fiorano limited-edition model built (100 units) with competition-spec steering rack and brakes

1999: 355 production ends with just over 11,000 units built in total

Which ferrari F355 To Buy

To some the F355 still marks a high point in Ferrari’s line of mid-engined V8s; those stunning looks and evocative exhaust note are hard to argue against. Throw in some much-needed reliability and it is not hard to see why they have been popular from day one.

That is why it is best to approach any potential purchase with emotions firmly in check, searching for the cheapest 355 around is asking for trouble, rectifying a badly maintained car will soon have you in the poor house.

While manual Berlinettas in the ever-popular rosso/crema colour combination tend to command elevated prices over the F1 gearbox cars, the most desirable models tend to be the rare Spider Fiorano and F355 Challenge. Left-hand-drive cars tend to be cheaper in the UK.

While the gearbox choice is down to personal tastes, any well-maintained F355 should be a joy to drive, the well-balanced handling and performance combine to offer a uniquely analogue and immersive driving experience that is increasingly rare in today’s power-obsessed supercar offerings. Buy one today while they are still relatively accessible.

ferrari F355 Specifications

Engine: 3.5-litre V8

Power: 375bhp

Top speed: 183mph

0-60mph: 4.6sec

Economy: 20mpg

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