Ferrari Roma 3.9 V8 Mk1

The Roma uses the newer 8-speed DCT (8DCL900) shared with the SF90 Stradale, which is an improvement over the 7-speed unit in earlier models. However, as with all Ferrari DCTs, the clutch packs are subject to wear, particularly with urban driving and frequent low-speed manoeuvring. Internal hydraulic pressure loss and solenoid performance drift have been reported on high-mileage examples. A clutch pack replacement typically costs €8,000-10,000 at a specialist, while a full transmission rebuild can reach €12,000-15,000 at a Ferrari dealer. The transmission must be dropped to access internal components, which accounts for much of the labor cost. Regular DCT fluid changes and avoiding excessive creeping in traffic help extend clutch life.

The Roma uses MagneRide (magnetorheological) dampers that adjust stiffness electronically. These are known across Ferrari models to develop oil leaks as internal seals degrade over time. Symptoms include visible oil misting on the damper body, uneven ride quality, or suspension warning lights. OEM replacement runs approximately €1,500-2,000 per corner. Specialist reconditioning services can rebuild individual dampers for less, but availability varies. Ferrari's extended warranty (New Power) explicitly excludes oil leaks, so this is an out-of-pocket expense. Most MagneRide units last 50,000-80,000 km before showing signs of wear.

This is among the most frequently reported Roma issues. The car's numerous electronic systems maintain a parasitic draw that depletes the 12V battery within a few days of inactivity. Owners who do not use a battery tender report dead batteries, which can then trigger cascading electronic errors on restart, including dashboard warning lights, system reset requirements, and occasional ECU fault codes. Ferrari recommends always using the factory battery conditioner when the car is parked. Some owners have had the battery replaced under warranty with an upgraded unit, but the underlying parasitic draw remains. A replacement battery costs €300-500, while diagnosing and resolving phantom electrical faults triggered by a depleted battery can cost €500-1,500 in specialist diagnostic time.

The Roma introduced haptic (touch-sensitive) controls on the steering wheel in place of physical buttons. These have been widely criticized by owners and reviewers for registering accidental inputs, lacking tactile feedback, and occasionally becoming unresponsive. Ferrari has released software updates adding a 10-second timeout feature and moving Apple CarPlay to the central touchscreen to reduce reliance on the haptic controls. More recently, Ferrari announced a retrofit kit that replaces the haptic pads with physical buttons, expected to cost €4,500-6,000 including dealer installation. While the haptic system does not affect driveability, it is a persistent usability annoyance. Some owners report the controls improve after software updates, reducing the issue to a minor inconvenience.

The F154 engine uses twin IHI water-cooled turbochargers. On the related 488 platform, turbo oil seal weeping has been documented as a known issue at higher mileages. While the Roma's version of the F154 (type 154BH) benefits from continuous refinement, the fundamental turbo architecture is shared. A specialist turbo rebuild runs approximately €5,000-7,000 for both units, while OEM replacement from Ferrari can reach €10,000-12,000 per turbocharger. This remains a low-probability issue on cars under 60,000 km with proper oil change intervals, but is worth monitoring on higher-mileage examples through oil analysis and boost pressure checks.

Multiple owners report the central touchscreen taking up to 30 seconds to fully boot after starting the car. Other reported issues include Apple CarPlay randomly muting audio (requiring manual intervention), the passenger-side display intermittently failing to start, and general laggy touchscreen response. Ferrari has released software updates addressing some of these issues, and dealers can reflash the infotainment system. While not a mechanical concern, persistent software issues can require multiple dealer visits for diagnosis and updates. Most of these glitches are resolved through software updates at no cost during the 7-year maintenance program, but post-program diagnostic sessions run €200-500 per visit.