Ferrari V8 galore! Does the 348GTB deserve the bad press it gets? Let's find out!

Continuing with our love for the Ferrari V8 lineage, today we review a 1994 Ferrari 348 GTB, GTB being the facelift version where only 252 were ever made. As a bonus, we were able to gather the entire classic Ferrari V8 line for our shoot, including the 308GTB, 328GTS, 348GTB and 355 Berlinetta!

It is no secret that the Ferrari 348 always had a subpar reputation, allegedly slow with unpredictable handling on the limit. I have always wanted to find out for myself whether its bad reputation is justified - today I find out!

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Thanks to the team for making this video happen:

Alex C.: (IG: @nofishshark)
Berton: (IG: @bertonchangphoto)
Martin: (IG: @visualspassport)
Cord: (IG: @cord_k)

[duncantempleton]

Nice video. The 348 was a step change leap for Ferrari, and you can still see the DNA in the current v8 line up. Allegedly a lot of the bad rumours were started by Montezemolo who wanted to stamp his mark when he took on the leadership of Ferrari when Enzo passed away - which was a bit ironic because apparently he owned a 348!? Anyway, it’s a great car and I think it’s starting to look better with age - proper 80’s/90’s! 🏎👍👍

[kev-the-windsurfer.]

A lot of changes and imporvements were done starting in 1991-1992, Suspension geometry, Nippon Denso electrical system, moved the battery to the front, single plate clutch instead of the twin plate the earlier cars had, and a number of small changes. The increase in power on the GTS/GTB and Spiders is not just due to the Motoronic 2.7 ECU, the engine is different, its designated F119H and it is higher compression than the F119D/G, different cam profile, higher fuel pressure, and I am guessing as a result a different ignition/fuel map. The bad reputation about the handling is an urban myth, fueled by journalists who do not know how to drive such a car at speed, self professed "experts". However, Ferrari would have improved it likely to satisfy the rumours, purely speculation on my part, however, having driven both late and early 348's, you cant tell under normal driving conditions which one is
I have a 1994GTB, I love it, its a true Ferrari driving experience!!
Oh, and they are not expensive to maintain, that is also a myth, yes the engine comes out for the belts, but the car is designed that way, its a very simple procedure, I do my own maintenance, and I can tell you from experience it takes 2.5-3hrs to get the engine out, and thats taking my time.
The 348 is a very reliable car on the most part. Thanks for doing the video, maybe do a follow up?

[Neilgenge]

I’m lucky to own a 348 . The retro look stands out in the crowd of modern supercars
Also in Hongkong there is a 348 competizione, would be nice if you could do a feature on it🙂

[petei]

Great vid, really enjoyed seeing your impressions of the car.

Very minor correction is that most of the changes to the early cars such as suspension changes and weight distribution which helped the handling so much were in fact made on the factory line in November 1991, so later 1992 and all 1993 TBs and TSs have these upgrades. You can tell which cars have the updated suspension by looking on the top of the suspension towers - early TBs and TSs have 4 bolts while later TBs and TSs as well as all GTB/GTS/Spider and GTCs have 6 bolts. Later TBs and TSs also have the updated Motronic which has the extra fuel maps. There were some upgrades when the GTB, GTS and Spider came in such as taller plenums but the vast majority of the upgrades are actually on later TBs and TSs.

[lorenzobrugnone]

Congratulations for the video, always done well. On the 348 GTB, compared to the tb, Ferrari made many corrections to improve it, as you described (set-up, engine, battery position, etc.). A small Testarossa signed by the master Leonardo Fioravanti. Thanks and greetings from Sicily.

[canto_v]

Seeing the 348 and F355 roll through HK is all of my childhood dreams revived.

[realdata]

Its now or never for the 348. There are only 5 for sale at any given time. The 348 is the purest of the breed in Ferrari sports cars as it doesn't have the brass valve, electronic suspension or automatic roof issues the 355 has. the 348 will trade above the 355 just as the 458 trades above the 488 because of a purer analog build.

[geoffclarke]

Great video. I've never driven a 348 but have driven both a 328 and a 355 which I hired for a weekend trip away here in the UK. The 355 was great with performance a step up from the 348, a lovely gear change and the handling felt sharp and predictable. The only think I didn't like about the 355 was the steering which was too light and lacking in feel, one area where the 348 is better from what I understand.

[moiluck]

Thanks to that not deserved bad reputation I got mine some years ago for a fraction of the price the 348 is really worth. The 348 is a proper Ferrari in between the 328 and the F355, just what anybody can expect, with it’s good and bad points

[mrbigolnuts]

Wow, dude made that car sing! Great video!

[unsignedfactor]

It doesn't deserve the bad reputation. Nor does the late Mondial-T which uses same drivetrain/motor, and drives smoother due to longer carrosserie/wheelbase.

[michaelmeredith]

The 288 GTO was also longitudinal but the 348 GTB was the first regular production model. Awesome video 👍🏼👍🏼

[alvene]

Great video as always!! And I’m always happy to know the story of the owner. Getting a classic car is always an emotional decision, it’s good to know the owner is happy about their cars.

[Thankful-ltrx]

Great video, thank you very much for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻looking forward your next video

[ohroonoko]

Don’t forget the Mondial V8 2+2. Actually, yes, forget Mondial.

[garethjones]

Hi guys these cars are great cars. got one myself . why do they keep knocking them. journalist are talking through there back sides most of the time yes there are improvements here and there . and you dont need to take the engine out to do belts. done mine loads. servicing is oil filters air filters etc so if you are thinking of buying one go for it and dont listen th scarmongers on here

[patrickrenaut]

Great video with a nice, clever and realistic driver 👍😎

[alexanderwilson]

I love this car!! Great ride and sound.

[GSXSF-]

This guy is going to use all the adjectives. 😂😂😂😂

[mrporsche]

Yes its terrible so is the 355. But the 360 is an absolute gem. One the best ferraris ever. Only in manual offcoarse