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Ferrari 360: Engine and gearbox mounts collapse from heat — a vibration owners learn to live with

Engine and gearbox mounts collapse from heat — a vibration owners learn to live with is a common engine fault on the Ferrari 360 on the 1999–2005 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,500 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 7 documented faults on the Ferrari 360.

Vehicle
Ferrari 360
Years
1999–2005
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Ferrari 360 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Ferrari 360 faults7 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The rubber engine and gearbox mounts on the 360 sit in a very hot engine bay and slowly cook, so they crack, sag and let the whole drivetrain move about. The first sign is a vibration through the seat and floor at idle, then a clunk from behind you on take-off or when the gearbox shifts under load, and eventually the exhaust and driveshafts start being asked to take up movement they were never meant to. It is a wear item on every 360 rather than a defect, and the usual fix is to fit the F430's stronger mounts, which last much longer.

What you would notice

  • Vibration through the seat and floor at idle
  • Clunk or thump from behind you on take-off or on a firm gear change
  • The engine visibly rocking in the bay when revved with the cover up
  • Exhaust rattling against the bodywork

How to check it

Where to look. Engine mounts either side of the engine block and gearbox mounts at the rear of the transaxle

With the engine idling and the rear engine cover up, look at the engine while somebody blips the throttle and watch how far it rocks — a small shiver is normal, a lurch is worn mounts. Sit in the car at idle and feel for a vibration through the seat that changes when you rev it gently. On the test drive pull away firmly and change gear under load, listening for a clunk from behind you. Ask whether the engine and gearbox mounts have been replaced and whether the F430 mounts were used.

What it costs to put right

$1,500 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the engine and gearbox mounts been replaced, and were F430 mounts fitted?”
  • “Is there any vibration at idle or clunking from the back on take-off?”

Now check the Ferrari 360 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

  • Collecting Cars — Ferrari 360 Buyer's Guide: Problems and What To Look For
  • Response Motors — 'Ferrari 360 Modena Service and Maintenance Guide'
  • Exotic Car Hacks — Ferrari 360 Modena and 360 Challenge Stradale Buyers Guide

Ferrari 360 buyer questions

Is engine and gearbox mounts collapse from heat — a vibration owners learn to live with serious on a Ferrari 360?

We rate it major and common on the Ferrari 360. The rubber engine and gearbox mounts on the 360 sit in a very hot engine bay and slowly cook, so they crack, sag and let the whole drivetrain move about. The first sign is a vibration through the seat and floor at idle, then a clunk from behind you on take-off or when the gearbox shifts under load, and eventually the exhaust and driveshafts start being asked to take up movement they were never meant to. It is a wear item on every 360 rather than a defect, and the usual fix is to fit the F430's stronger mounts, which last much longer.

How much does it cost to fix on a Ferrari 360?

$1,500 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Ferrari 360 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1999–2005 Ferrari 360. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

With the engine idling and the rear engine cover up, look at the engine while somebody blips the throttle and watch how far it rocks — a small shiver is normal, a lurch is worn mounts. Sit in the car at idle and feel for a vibration through the seat that changes when you rev it gently. On the test drive pull away firmly and change gear under load, listening for a clunk from behind you. Ask whether the engine and gearbox mounts have been replaced and whether the F430 mounts were used. Look here: Engine mounts either side of the engine block and gearbox mounts at the rear of the transaxle