Every day tips for living with a 599
Discussion
cake eater said:
DeejRC said:
Cake - bit of an update for you on my downgrading from a 12 to a 6…
I’ve been on the 296GTS config site.
My configuration spec is Verde British over Bordeaux interior and Nero carpets.
Really really really trying hard not to do something stupid!!
I'm willing you on to do something stupid I’ve been on the 296GTS config site.
My configuration spec is Verde British over Bordeaux interior and Nero carpets.
Really really really trying hard not to do something stupid!!
Alexandra said:
cake eater said:
DeejRC said:
Cake - bit of an update for you on my downgrading from a 12 to a 6…
I’ve been on the 296GTS config site.
My configuration spec is Verde British over Bordeaux interior and Nero carpets.
Really really really trying hard not to do something stupid!!
I'm willing you on to do something stupid I’ve been on the 296GTS config site.
My configuration spec is Verde British over Bordeaux interior and Nero carpets.
Really really really trying hard not to do something stupid!!
I'm ready to go dancing to celebrate 
Nope, that’s me this evening.
In the middle of arse end nowhere Somerset. Right rear blew on the Macan between Chard and Honiton. On bank hol Friday. No spare, goop & compressor s
te as normal, so no choice but to wait 90-120mins for someone to turn up. I’m sure the locals are eyeing me up for vulture/wicker man fodder.
In the middle of arse end nowhere Somerset. Right rear blew on the Macan between Chard and Honiton. On bank hol Friday. No spare, goop & compressor s
te as normal, so no choice but to wait 90-120mins for someone to turn up. I’m sure the locals are eyeing me up for vulture/wicker man fodder.DeejRC said:
Nope, that’s me this evening.
In the middle of arse end nowhere Somerset. Right rear blew on the Macan between Chard and Honiton. On bank hol Friday. No spare, goop & compressor ste as normal, so no choice but to wait 90-120mins for someone to turn up. I’m sure the locals are eyeing me up for vulture/wicker man fodder.
This is a always a rubbish feeling In the middle of arse end nowhere Somerset. Right rear blew on the Macan between Chard and Honiton. On bank hol Friday. No spare, goop & compressor s
te as normal, so no choice but to wait 90-120mins for someone to turn up. I’m sure the locals are eyeing me up for vulture/wicker man fodder.
I have learnt that as a single white male in this situation with the AA, there's definitely discrimination. I can understand certain priorities but it almost seems like you never get to the top of the list.
However if you have Ferrari breakdown you are definitely treated with some privilege but it costs.
Hope you are home safe and no villagers asked you to make pig impressions
Just genuinely giggled at that Cake
The “you are treated differently as a Ferrari customer” has actually been one of the themes of conversation for us today. I was making the point that we have Toyotas on Biz lease, the Pork in the middle and then the Ferrari at the top and say £50k delta between each lot. The service levels with the Toyotas and Ferrari are both outstanding. With Porsche it’s a much lower level of service we find, except when they are trying to take money off you.
The “you are treated differently as a Ferrari customer” has actually been one of the themes of conversation for us today. I was making the point that we have Toyotas on Biz lease, the Pork in the middle and then the Ferrari at the top and say £50k delta between each lot. The service levels with the Toyotas and Ferrari are both outstanding. With Porsche it’s a much lower level of service we find, except when they are trying to take money off you.
DeejRC said:
Just genuinely giggled at that Cake
The “you are treated differently as a Ferrari customer” has actually been one of the themes of conversation for us today. I was making the point that we have Toyotas on Biz lease, the Pork in the middle and then the Ferrari at the top and say £50k delta between each lot. The service levels with the Toyotas and Ferrari are both outstanding. With Porsche it’s a much lower level of service we find, except when they are trying to take money off you.
I have a very similar story. Was at an OPC looking to finance a 981 Boxster GTS. A lady came in saying her key didn't work and she'd only just purchased a car. The OPC asked her if it was a new car and she said second hand. He then told her she could just use the key. She said she wanted to use the fob. He told her if the OPC was to replace the battery it would cost a lot and she was better to do it herself.The “you are treated differently as a Ferrari customer” has actually been one of the themes of conversation for us today. I was making the point that we have Toyotas on Biz lease, the Pork in the middle and then the Ferrari at the top and say £50k delta between each lot. The service levels with the Toyotas and Ferrari are both outstanding. With Porsche it’s a much lower level of service we find, except when they are trying to take money off you.
I was shocked. She had probably spent 40k on a car from that OPC and they wouldn't replace the battery in the fob as a 'good will gesture'.
Because of this, decided not to go through with the finance from the OPC and bought a similar car from a specialist.
My friend used to own a Lexus dealership. He had a female client buy her dream car, an IS200 (this was some time ago). She spun it on a snowy day on the way to work.
She called to complain, said the car was impossible to drive in the snow. He agreed it was a difficult car to drive in the snow. Never tried to up sell, sell her snow tyres, or any BS about being rwd and a woman.
Instead he said that any time there was a snow day to call him and he would arrange to have her taken to and from work.
What was the cost of this good will? This lady has only ever bought a Lexus from that dealership.
My First experience with a Ferrari dealer was not so positive and I'll never go back there. However Maranallo in Egham and GreyPaul in Nottingham have been brilliant. I have always been concerned I'll be treated as 'poor' customer in an old car. But that has never been the case with these dealers and I've always been made to feel a part of the Ferrari family
Saw this video from JayEmm. I'd like a 430 scuderia as the very expensive donkey should have a stable mate.
https://youtu.be/D4CYobN_m74
Thought it quite appropriate to my experience and the costs of wanting to enjoy the car.
I want the 599 to be as good as I can afford so can so I can enjoy it to the full. Handling and braking are my next priorities.
https://youtu.be/D4CYobN_m74
Thought it quite appropriate to my experience and the costs of wanting to enjoy the car.
I want the 599 to be as good as I can afford so can so I can enjoy it to the full. Handling and braking are my next priorities.
So today has been a sad day for the 599.
First it was all smiles when I saw her in the garage.
I did feel a little guilty that she hadn't even been washed after her last trip.
Time for a trip to MDL to troubleshoot the electrical faults, top up the F1 system, some general TLC and just enjoy driving the 599 again.
Back at MDL
First thing was a scan of the ECU. This threw up a very large list of faults. One we'd seen before and historically linked to oil in the intake.
Opened up the air filter housings and the filters were showing traces of oil. Took off the MAF sensor and again traces of oil.
Intake and sensors were cleaned, these will be replaced later. Scanned again and ECU failure was gone.
I'm very strict about the oil level after previous experience but despite this and setting just 10mm above the minimum, it's still a problem and one that I think will have to become a service item.
I think this is related to type of usage, heat and revs.
Up on the ramp
F1 system topped up and another fault cleared.
A random loose hose was found. Turned out to be the overflow for the power steering reservoir, which had come loose from a clip.
A little more TLC from MDL and the dash is no longer lit up like a Christmas tree. Still a couple lights, replacement parts are on order and they'll clear then.
Off home, it's a beautiful evening for a drive.
Stop off to eat a BMT. Since the last time it's now a notorious B.M.T
Turn on the ignition and the dash is lit up
Most of the faults are back as well as a new one for alternator failure
A quick charging test shows the dash is not lying
It's after hours but MDL are always there to help and agree to open the work shop and allow me to leave the car with them, a week earlier than planned and no trip to Scotland in the Ferrari.
I managed to drive to MDL on the battery so no need to hang around for hours waiting for the AA.
Then the next bit of bad news as I get an email from carbobrake saying it's a 4-5 month lead time for their Gen2 CCB discs.
Frustrating day but at least my Caterham past it's MOT.
Not sure my back and arse are going to be happy though
First it was all smiles when I saw her in the garage.
I did feel a little guilty that she hadn't even been washed after her last trip.
Time for a trip to MDL to troubleshoot the electrical faults, top up the F1 system, some general TLC and just enjoy driving the 599 again.
Back at MDL
First thing was a scan of the ECU. This threw up a very large list of faults. One we'd seen before and historically linked to oil in the intake.
Opened up the air filter housings and the filters were showing traces of oil. Took off the MAF sensor and again traces of oil.
Intake and sensors were cleaned, these will be replaced later. Scanned again and ECU failure was gone.
I'm very strict about the oil level after previous experience but despite this and setting just 10mm above the minimum, it's still a problem and one that I think will have to become a service item.
I think this is related to type of usage, heat and revs.
Up on the ramp
F1 system topped up and another fault cleared.
A random loose hose was found. Turned out to be the overflow for the power steering reservoir, which had come loose from a clip.
A little more TLC from MDL and the dash is no longer lit up like a Christmas tree. Still a couple lights, replacement parts are on order and they'll clear then.
Off home, it's a beautiful evening for a drive.
Stop off to eat a BMT. Since the last time it's now a notorious B.M.T Turn on the ignition and the dash is lit up
Most of the faults are back as well as a new one for alternator failureA quick charging test shows the dash is not lying
It's after hours but MDL are always there to help and agree to open the work shop and allow me to leave the car with them, a week earlier than planned and no trip to Scotland in the Ferrari.
I managed to drive to MDL on the battery so no need to hang around for hours waiting for the AA.
Then the next bit of bad news as I get an email from carbobrake saying it's a 4-5 month lead time for their Gen2 CCB discs.
Frustrating day but at least my Caterham past it's MOT.
Not sure my back and arse are going to be happy though
ANOpax said:
That’s a properly bad bit of luck. Good that you managed to get to MDL on the remaining charge in the battery though.
I spoke with one of the clubscuderia members and it's apparently a common issue on Ferraris that are tracked which was the same comment from MDL. He also told me that the original part has been superceded and is more reliable.Hopefully this will also solve the Electrical System Fault. May also be the cause of other warning
messages and faults in the ECU.
A remote update this time as Mark and Lee of MDL carryout further repairs and troubleshooting of the electrical system failure.
Alternator had definitely failed and is now replaced.
It looks like it was partially failed before it finally gave up the ghost. I know from work the ETs always say electrical systems either work or not however it looks like an intermittent fault as a result of long-term degradation. MDL have said that when the alternator is 'cold' they work and after it heats up then stops. Plus the additional heat of track work exacerbates / accelerates the failure.
It's also looks like the electrical system issues has burnt out the auxiliary ECU that runs the right door.
This is going to be replaced. These auxiliary ECUs are becoming quite rare but luckily MDL were able to source new from the OEM.
Alternator had definitely failed and is now replaced.
It looks like it was partially failed before it finally gave up the ghost. I know from work the ETs always say electrical systems either work or not however it looks like an intermittent fault as a result of long-term degradation. MDL have said that when the alternator is 'cold' they work and after it heats up then stops. Plus the additional heat of track work exacerbates / accelerates the failure.
It's also looks like the electrical system issues has burnt out the auxiliary ECU that runs the right door.
This is going to be replaced. These auxiliary ECUs are becoming quite rare but luckily MDL were able to source new from the OEM.
MDL have also been looking at cleaning up the intake system as well as repainting the intake covers.
Turns out there is another air filter inside each bank of intake system. You can see it in this picture below (black plastic item)
Unfortunately one filter was soaked in oil and the other cracked and the foam starting to break up so these will also be replaced.
The standard Ferrari paper air filter will probably be replaced with a BMC cloth filter.
The final finish on the intake covers looks excellent
Turns out there is another air filter inside each bank of intake system. You can see it in this picture below (black plastic item)
Unfortunately one filter was soaked in oil and the other cracked and the foam starting to break up so these will also be replaced.
The standard Ferrari paper air filter will probably be replaced with a BMC cloth filter.
The final finish on the intake covers looks excellent
So I've been doing a little reading about the F1 system and looking for a solution for the overheating.
Came across this article https://www.scuding.com/Shop/fr/content/16-smart-e...
It's has lots of good information and a recommendation for the oil, particularly relating to reducing friction in the system. This could help reduce operating temps.
I asked SSautotech https://www.ssautotech.co.uk/ about their recommendation for the oil. Simon at SSautotech recommend Shell Spirax HDX S4 ATF.
Turns out that MDL and SSautotech know eachother and Simon gave MDL some things to check. One of these was system pressure and this was measured at 42 Bar. This is the top of the recommended range so everything is looking good here.
Unfortunately Simon also pointed out that the excessive heat can cause damage to the bearings in the actuator. Unfortunately this cannot be tested on the car. Something else to add to the list.
For the overheating issues and losing F1 hydraulic fluid, Simon said that the GTO runs an oil cooler for the F1 system. So looks like Ferrari had already identified that this is an issue dependant on use.
I'll look to make this upgrade at another service as I need to work overtime to cover the costs of the last one already
Came across this article https://www.scuding.com/Shop/fr/content/16-smart-e...
It's has lots of good information and a recommendation for the oil, particularly relating to reducing friction in the system. This could help reduce operating temps.
I asked SSautotech https://www.ssautotech.co.uk/ about their recommendation for the oil. Simon at SSautotech recommend Shell Spirax HDX S4 ATF.
Turns out that MDL and SSautotech know eachother and Simon gave MDL some things to check. One of these was system pressure and this was measured at 42 Bar. This is the top of the recommended range so everything is looking good here.
Unfortunately Simon also pointed out that the excessive heat can cause damage to the bearings in the actuator. Unfortunately this cannot be tested on the car. Something else to add to the list.
For the overheating issues and losing F1 hydraulic fluid, Simon said that the GTO runs an oil cooler for the F1 system. So looks like Ferrari had already identified that this is an issue dependant on use.
I'll look to make this upgrade at another service as I need to work overtime to cover the costs of the last one already
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