F Type R or S?

Author
Discussion

W12GT

Original Poster:

3,502 posts

220 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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I test drove a F Type R today and it's left me with mixed feelings. Firstly I hate that faux carbon plastic weave effect centre console - it looks terrible but I've been told it can be replaced for a few hundred.

On start up it sounded amazing and the pops and crackles when easing of the accelerator made me laugh - in a really schoolboy way! The thing is I found it a little quiet; almost false sounding and when the car is ticking over at standstill it is very muted - the exhaust was quiet and it didn't sound like a V8 at all - it sounded like a regular ordinary engine.

The steering was a little numb too - not a lot of feedback and to be honest I feel a little underwhelmed!

Have I tried a bad car?

I really wanted to like the car as I think they are stunning to look at. Maybe all the great reviews I have read meant I was expecting too much.

Tell me I'm wrong as I want to love the car!

Phil.

4,755 posts

249 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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Try a V8S with the roof down and Sport/Dynamic selected. Then breathe and smile. The smile lasts a while.



EK993

1,925 posts

250 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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Did you have the active exhaust enabled as well as having sport / dynamic mode enabled during the test drive? The exhaust rumbles at idle and all the way through the rev range and the steering / throttle etc all sharpen up.

If you were driving in standard mode yes it would feel / sound muted.

Phil.

4,755 posts

249 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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The active exhaust automatically selects when in Dynamic mode.

akadk

1,478 posts

178 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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The fake carbon trim can be swapped for OEM rear matte carbon fibre....it simply clips in. 5 mind job.

The exhaust loudness has 3 stages of loudness

1. Normal mode/exhaust closed
2. Normal mode/ exhaust open - this opens valves
3. Engine in dynamic mode / exhaust open - this programmes MORE pops and bangs.

The V8 R is far from quiet, but I had similar feelings to you on my first drive as I was to scared to put it in dynamic mode and rag it.

A V8 convertible with roof down in full loud mode is laughable loud!!!

akadk

1,478 posts

178 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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Not the best pic but I have the OEM carbon fibre optional trim


W12GT

Original Poster:

3,502 posts

220 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks all - I had the exhaust on but TBH I don't know about dynamic mode so I assume it was running as normal. I have had a think about it overnight and I am wondering if the problem is it an auto so doesn't feel involving unless giving it the beans.

I love the convenience of autos and love the Bentley box and the one in the panamera - for lazy driving yet fast performance. Thing is I'm not so sure I want to feel so removed from a car when it's for having fun. Hmmm.....

Phil.

4,755 posts

249 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
quotequote all
Stick it in Sport/Dynamic and then use the paddles. I experienced being driven round a track with a Pro driver using this method and it was sideways for much of the time. Total control if you are sufficiently capable smile

akadk

1,478 posts

178 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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+1

Use paddles

Gnits

915 posts

200 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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I had a test drive a couple of weeks back and felt a little confused by the steering and ride until I thought of it as a GT car and then it instantly fits perfectly. I have to remind myself that is it is not a 'sports car' but a fantastic place to be to do long trips and once I did that I noticed that all the ones I had my eye on seemed to disappear from the ads, annoyingly!

unrepentant

21,212 posts

255 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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I put mine into Dynamic when I start it in the morning and it stays that way all day as long as I drive it at lunch time. It also turns the dials red and turns off the auto stop start. It is NOT quiet. Drive using the paddles, take it to about 4000 rpm in 2nd and lift off. It will sound like WW2 just started behind you.

Richard330s

63 posts

161 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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I have just recently taken delivery of a F-Type V6S coupe, with a manual gearbox.
It is a great car, and for interaction on UK roads fantastic fun. It has just been to North Wales and around the NC500 in Scotland in its first fortnight.

So V6 S for me, more than quick enough, sounds superb.

Still a piece of art work. Which is why I fell in love. Long term keeper.


GarethR

41 posts

136 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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I too have a V6S, Auto. As said earlier, think of it as a sporty grand tourer. We have just done a 2100 mile roadtrip around Spain, and not only did it comfortably handle the long motorway hauls in normal exhaust valves closed mode, at a flick of the switch to dynamic and open the exhaust valve it was tearing up the Sierra Nevada mountains like a true sports car. The sound is epic, when you learn how to play it. It took me a while to find the sweet spots in the rev range.

The F Type not only makes a good weekend toy, my coupe is a reasonably practical every driver too.



Edited by GarethR on Thursday 21st July 18:24

Richard330s

63 posts

161 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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I agree that it makes a great long distance sports car / GT.

In general i have left the exhaust in loud mode. So far I also use the suspension in normal mode on Scottish/UK roads, the dynamic mode is to hard, tracks or the route Napoleon will be good for this. The car so far in first 1800 miles is also getting 27-30mpg on longer mixed driving. 23-24mpg on more enthusiastic blasts.

Loving the manual for entertainment on fun roads.