Hi Rivarama
I would like to shed some light on the 550. I imported it from Germany in late 2014 from a specialist dealer in Dortmund. I did look at quite a few in Germany and France and this one really stood out condition wise. The car was owned in Italy and then sold to the German owner before me. Yes the Italian history was patchy from new but to be honest the German history was fine, it was stored in the guys collection for a few years (gap in history) and effectively came out to be prepared for sale when I bought it. I have worked in Germany for years and to be honest it seems across Europe they dont get caught up in the religious yearly main dealer servicing and stamping as some people do in the UK. Non of the cars I looked at had what we world call a complete 100% history. I bought on condition and recent history. It had the front spoiler / bonnet painted because of a few stone chips, the complete dash had been re-trimmed beautifully and a full service + belts before I bought it and by far it was the best. The dealer specialised mostly in 911's but had other Ferrari's and Bentley's etc. I visited the garage where the work was done and it was a fantastic place with cars much more costly than mine being worked on. The guys were real professionals. In any case I had the car for about 2 and a half years, used it at least one a week. Rob at Grimaldi did the main servicing and I have a local garage friend who did some of the niggly quick fix things, window not working, charged the air con, power steering little leak etc. He has worked on all my Italians so knows their ways.....all Italian car owners will have someone like this. Then I saw a 612 in the flesh at the London Classic car show and really was impressed. It had the bigger wheels, which I think settles the slightly awkward under tyred look styling wise. As usual, got home....autotrader.... and the Kent Ferrari Centre had a Blue/Cream 1994 model.......went to look........test drive.........good offer on the 550 from James........and after 2 and a half years of happy V12 550 ownership was into a V12 612........and a very happy family as we can all go out now.
So thats the history, yes very early in Italy it was patchy, later in life it was properly serviced, fettled and tweaked really properly, used regularly, garaged all the time, anything that needed doing was done, no problems at all when I sold it, thats why it was an easy PX for them. It sold quickly after they had it and now its up again, I must admit seeing it again I felt a pang of regret as it was an epic car.......but so is the 612.
I would say go and look at it & drive it......and be prepared to buy because it will charm you.
Good luck
Cheers Ian