expert view

Tom Keys, ferrari- servicing. com

‘ Mechanically these are very strong. Engine and gearbox issues are rare but the operating systems linked to the E- diff and the F1 system can occasionally give trouble, although it’s usually easily rectified. Exhaust manifolds are known to crack and in extreme circumstances could cause engine damage. Numerous solutions exist, such as fitting aftermarket manifolds or having them “rebuilt” with thicker- gauge steel to prevent future issues.

‘ Servicing is relatively cheap. The 430 is chain- driven so no cambelts. An annual service costs £600 and a major is £ 1320 here at Keys Motorsport.

‘ Ball- joints are a common failing point. Signs of this are rattling from the suspension over bumpy and uneven ground. We fit upgraded, Hill Engineering ball- joints and shields as they are superior quality and actually cheaper than the Ferrari part. Budget approximately £ 300 to supply and fit each individual ball joint – there are eight on the car in total.

‘ F430s came with either carbonceramic or steel brakes. Steel- equipped cars are friendlier on the wallet; budget £ 14,400 to replace ceramic discs and pads, if fitting genuine parts.’

Alastair gill , foskers. com

‘ The thing is to make sure you get the right example in the first place. From there, maintenance is key: stick to the service schedule, as this will pay dividends in the long run. These cars must always be kept on battery conditioners – the electronics will kill a battery within two weeks. Jump- starting is a major no as this can lead to serious electrical issues with blowing ECUS.

‘ Clutch replacement is a grey area. It all depends on how the car has been used and if it’s an F1 or a manual. The cost to replace a clutch assembly on either works out at approximately £ 3600. F1 pumps are sometimes an issue, but sadly on the 430 there is no cheaper alternative – unlike on the 360 – as it has a different pump that also supplies the E- diff.

‘ The suspension ball- joints, front track rod ends and also the rear suspension tie bars are weak points. The other key issue is the exhaust manifolds. These were prone to breaking up and blowing, which if left and continually driven could result in serious engine issues. Most of them have been replaced now, but if they need renewing this can be very costly as the manifolds alone are around £ 2400 per side.’