The aluminium monocoque shell of the 599 GTB has double wishbone suspension attached at the front and rear. There are coilover springs and shock absorbers, plus an anti-roll bar at the back.
So far, so normal,So but where the 599 departs from the norm is its use of Ferrari's SCM Magnetorheological Suspension system. The 599 was the first Ferrari to use the system and it's semi-active. This means it can react to the road surface in a quarter of the time of a standard set-up as the viscosity of the oil in the shock absorbers can be altered by the magnetic field around the damper. Compared to the 575 Maranello's system, the 599 reduces suspension movement by 30 per cent while cutting noise and vibration from the road.
The magnetic suspension system makes the 599 a great handling and comfortable car, but the flipside is they can leak and a new pair is £3,000. You also need to listen out for creaking and worn ball joints, which are £500 for each corner.
Ferrari introduced the HGTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) pack as a £14,000 option to improve body control. It includes firmer springs and rear anti-roll bar, retuned software for the SCM Magnetorheological Suspension in sport setting and softer compound tyres. There are also quicker changes for the F1 gearbox.
As standard, the 599 GTB comes with steel brakes, but almost every 599 GTB buyer paid the extra £11,500 for Brembo carbon ceramic brake discs. The fronts are 398mm items, while the rears are 360mm and they offer superb stopping power and much better feel than earlier ceramic brakes on other cars. Brake wear is measured using SD3 diagnostics at a dealer's and a complete new set of discs, pads and calipers is £11,595 from Eurospares plus fitting.
Front wheels on the 599 GTB are 19-inch and 20-inch on the rear, with 245/40 19-inch and 305/35 20-inch tyres respectively. Rear tyres wear out quickly and 10,000 miles from a set is good going. Replacement Pirelli P Zero or Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres are around £600 a pair for the rear and £400 for the front.
PHer's view:
"The HGTE pack is an essential upgrade, in my view. It makes the 599 the car it should have been from the start thanks to the faster gear changes."
Tom Lyons
Buying Guide Contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling chassis
Body
Interior