What is the Ferrari today with the legendary V12 front end, the sensations provided by the famous H-shaped grille of its manual gearbox, and modern enough to take you on long journeys with complete peace of mind? All while remaining relatively accessible. The Ferrari 550 Maranello received much praise in the 2000s.
What do you need to know before buying one? How do you choose the right one? What should you look out for? What are the running costs? @loli has the benefit of his experience as a Ferrari 550 Maranello owner to tell you about all the aspects of the experience behind the wheel of this highly desirable Ferrari.
Specifications
Model years: 1996-2002 Engine: V12 48s Transmission : Manual with 6 gears
Maximum power: 485 ch at 7 000 rpm Maximum torque: 570 Nm at 5 000 rpm
Kerb weight: 1 825 kg Top speed: 312 km/h Acceleration : 4.4 s from 0 to 100 km/h
@Franck: Briefly, what is your automotive background and why did you choose the Ferrari 550 Maranello?
@loli: I've always driven rather large Mercedes cars.
I still own several to this day (500E, SL500, AMG GTS, S63).
My first "sports" car was a Porsche 993 (which I still own, by the way), bought 13 or 14 years ago.
I've always dreamed of a Ferrari 512 TR, but six years ago it wasn't within my reach.
My criteria was to have a V12 with the famous H-shaped grille.
All this within a relatively modest budget (a different era...).
To be honest, I'm not a great expert on the brand, but the further I progressed with my project, the more the beauty of the Ferrari 550 Maranello became apparent to me.
His media appearances (the film Bad Boys or the fact that my idol Schumacher owned one) may also have contributed to this.
@Franck: What were your criteria for purchasing a Ferrari 550 Maranello and how did you manage to find your copy?
@loli: Like most first-time buyers, owning a Ferrari worried me a little about the running costs such a car could generate.
My main criteria were a clear history, quality follow-up, and, if possible, a major service performed close to the sale.
I found my car on Ferrarista.club!
I had signed up to get some information, and a dealer in my area contacted me.
After the test drive, I was hooked.
@Franck: What advice would you give to someone looking to buy one today?
@loli: To go for it because it's truly a very endearing car.
It's very subjective, but I find it beautiful like a classic and drivable like the modern car it is.
There's a real gap between the 512 and the 550 in terms of practicality and driving pleasure.
The V12 is a true marvel, even if the stock exhaust makes it a bit sluggish.
I would also advise not to focus on the mileage.
The engine is very robust, and it's better to have a car that's driven regularly than a garage queen.
But that's a very personal opinion; I buy my cars to drive them, not to speculate on them.
@Franck: What struck you most about your Ferrari 550 Maranello during your time in use?
@loli: This car's presence on the road and its poise in traffic.
For me, it's the perfect embodiment of the GT.
A long-distance tourer that allows you to travel quickly and for long periods with a certain style.
I mainly take long trips in it.
Several trips to Italy (Tuscany, Umbria, Como, Liguria, etc.) and France.
And each time, it's a real pleasure to travel in a Maranello.
@Franck: Compared to your previous cars?
@loli: The engine's character, its length, the pleasantness of the 6-speed gearbox.
In short, everything that makes a Ferrari a truly unique car.
And of course, people's opinions, even if they've always been kind.
It's a little-known car, which raises questions.
And its color makes it more "all-purpose."
@Franck: Can you tell us about the costs involved in normal use of a Ferrari 550 Maranello (insurance, annual maintenance, major overhaul, unforeseen events, etc.)?
@loli: To be honest, I'm anything but an accountant.
When it's necessary, I do it and don't necessarily keep track of the detailed prices for servicing.
Except for the last one, because I just received the invoice.
€4,800 for the major service (all belts, filters, spark plugs, etc.), obviously done by an independent dealer, but that seems very reasonable to me.
Especially since it costs €2,000 worth of original parts.
In any case, I don't get the impression it's costing me more over time than the 993.
I think the insurance is around €1,000.
The 18-inch tires are quite affordable compared to modern ones, and that's a nice surprise.
What surprised me most was the fuel consumption—a real pitfall!
At first, I calculated to get an idea, and I think it's rarely less than 20 liters per 100 km.
Fortunately, the huge tank allows for a comfortable range.
In the unlikely event of an accident, I had the air conditioning compressor (covered under warranty) and the shock absorbers replaced.
I was able to have them reconditioned, as well as the associated electronics box.
Because replacing everything with a new one was really expensive (I remember a quote of over €15,000).
@Franck: What do you think are the points to watch out for on a Ferrari 550 Maranello over time?
@loli: A bit like what I mentioned earlier.
The suspension is, I think, a point of vigilance.
Perhaps the clutch?
But overall, it's a very reliable car, if properly maintained.
@Franck: What if you had to do it again?
@loli: I would definitely do it again.
It's a car I bought somewhat by choice, and it ended up being a revelation.
It's currently for sale on our forum, but the more I see it, the more I realize I might miss it.
Link to the sale announcement:
@Franck: How do you use Ferrarista.club to enhance your Ferrari experience? What does the Ferrarista community bring to you?
@loli: At first, it was to research the models that interest me.
But since the outings with the club, it's been for the pleasure of reading with my friends.
To be honest, I was a little skeptical about joining a Ferrari club.
Afraid of finding myself among the ultra-rich, disdainful of young guys like me, passionate about who has the biggest car.
But actually, not at all.
It's all just a shared passion, and it's really great.
I've made friends there, and that's ultimately what matters most.
@Franck: A huge THANK YOU to @loli for all these very interesting details about your experience with your Ferrari 550 Maranello. A great help for anyone considering purchasing one.
What other information would you like to know about the Ferrari 550 Maranello after reading this article?
If you own, or have owned, a Ferrari 550 Maranello, what other information do you find interesting to provide to a potential buyer?
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