Common Problems with the
1994 Ferrari 348 tb / ts / GTB / GTS / Spider

The 348's cam belts must be renewed at the factory interval regardless of mileage, and the engine must be removed to carry out the work properly, so the service is often skipped by cost-conscious owners. A snapped belt on this interference engine causes severe internal damage. Prioritise cars with documented belt changes and invoices showing the engine was removed; a cheap 348 with no service history can become very expensive.

Although the 348's galvanised steel body is not badly prone to rust, cars stored outside can corrode around the wheelarches, door bottoms and sills. Seam areas trap moisture and once paint blisters the corrosion can spread quickly. Check the lower door edges, sills, wheelarch lips and under the carpets for dampness. A paint-depth gauge and torch help reveal filler or repaired panels.

The rubberised polyurethane coating on the 348's interior buttons, switches and vents degrades with age into a sticky, tacky residue that marks fingers and attracts dust. It is one of the most common complaints on 348s and affects cars regardless of mileage. Switches for the windows, lights and climate controls can all be affected. The coating can be professionally stripped and refinished or the switches replaced, but left untreated the residue spreads to surrounding trim.