Ferrari 575M Service
Prepared Properly
Some cars arrive needing restoration. Others arrive needing reassurance.This 2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello, finished in the elegant and understated Ingrid, came into Wistar Motors for a comprehensive service with a clear purpose: prepare it properly for its next owner. When a car is destined for sale, especially one as mechanically significant as the 575M, surface-level prep isn’t enough. Confidence matters — and confidence comes from knowing exactly what’s happening beneath the bodywork.
Establishing a Baseline
Before turning a wrench, the first priority was understanding the health of the engine. A compression test was performed to establish a clear mechanical baseline for Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12. With results confirming a strong foundation, we moved forward with a full, preventative service designed to address known wear items and age-related concerns.
A Necessary Tear-Down
To properly service a 575M at this level, there are no shortcuts.
The engine bay was stripped down extensively, beginning with removal of the intake assemblies, followed by the cam covers, coolant lines, and accessory belts. This level of access is required not only to replace critical components, but to ensure everything surrounding them is inspected and addressed along the way.
With access opened up, the following services were performed:
Timing belt replacement
Cam cover gasket replacement
Water pump replacement
Oil change
Power steering belt replacement
Alternator / A/C belt replacement
While the engine was apart, the cam covers were refinished, restoring their appearance and bringing a fresh, cohesive look to the top of the V12 — an important detail on a car where presentation matters just as much as performance.
Resolving A “Slow Down” Warning
One of the most important aspects of this service was addressing a “Slow Down” warning light, a common but critical issue on Ferrari V12’s of this era.
After diagnosis, the fault was traced to the exhaust temperature monitoring system, specifically a failing thermocouple and the catalyst protection ECU. Both components were replaced, resolving the warning and ensuring the engine management system can properly monitor exhaust temperatures and protect the catalytic converters under load.
Prepared for Its Next Chapter
Once reassembled, the engine bay reflected the work beneath it — clean, organized, and mechanically sound. Coolant systems were restored, belts properly tensioned, and all components verified before final checks.
This 575M is now exactly what it should be: fully serviced, properly sorted, and ready for its next caretaker.
Ferrari’s front-engine V12 grand tourers represent a special era — understated, analog, and deeply rewarding to drive. Preparing one correctly means respecting that balance, addressing the known weak points, and leaving nothing to chance.