ok jean,
here we go:
The utterly fantastic 512TR flat-V12 is quite possible the most charismatic and tuneful road car engine ever made.
Despite the compexity and sheer size of that engine reliabilty is very good as long as the service schedule is STRICTLY adhered to.
Insist in that!
The TR will always smoke on start-up (hot or could) because the flat-12 layout allows oil to collect in the bottom of the valves. This is nothing to worry about. More important is to check for uneven tickover and "hunting" which means the TR's unreliable fuel-metering unit needs replacing. A new one costs 1.000 pounds + VAT fitted.
Make sure to check all electronics as this is the area where you're most likely to find problems.
In this car you'll kill a set of pads - on hard use - in as little as 3000 miles though it is possible to eke out 8000 miles with less enthusiastic driving.
Neither the car is typically used as an everyday drive so the discs can corrode; expect to replace themat around the 10,000 mile mark.
The TR can be very hard on its clutch and, although the parts and labour are relatively cheap for a Ferrari, you are still lokking at close to 1000 pounds (or 1800 USD) tp replace it.
The 512 was available with ABS at extra cost and only a few were fitted with this desirable option. Performing an emergency stop on the test drive will tell you if the car has it!
The 512 TR can corrode quite quickly. The bottom edges of the doors and sills should be checked, as should the trademark side fins. Corrosion of these is a costly problem as the have to be stripped to be repaired - a timeconsuming process.
The TR has quite conventional dampers and they're less likely to give trouble. Bute the money you might save on them will be blown on the TR's habit of eating rear tyres. Don't count on getting more than 6000 miles from a set even if you dont attend trackdays - and 295/35 ZR 18s won't come cheap.
O.K. Hope i could help him a little. Whish him haapy driving once he owns the TR!
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That's what Liam wrote. He lives near London, so he has no advice on a good broker in the US. But he would never buy from an unofficial dealer.
hope we could help.
best, floren
