New 599 owner, have I been unlucky?

[msdes123]

3 months into 599 ownership, 58 plate car ~ 17000 miles when bought, full service history and bought from a main dealer with 2 years Ferrari approved warranty.

Firstly slow oil leak noted under car in garage, back to dealer (280 miles away). Cant fault service and fixed without issue under warranty with a new oil cooler radiator being required, however had to give up 2 Saturdays to drive car down and pick up again, over 2 full tanks of fuel, return train ticket and 560 miles onto car in the process.



Secondly a few weeks later an engine fault warning on dashboard which didn't go away with a quick turn off and restart. This time thought I'd try dealer closer to home, took car to my nearest main dealer, sorted without any problem and again cant fault customer service, just needed a "computer reset" no new part needed under warranty but had to pay 1 hrs labour at £180; ouch!



And don't get me started on the becker head unit/sat nav and what's manual all about saying you cant charge phone/run a decent sat nav unit from cig lighter power socket??

I was telling friends and family that modern Ferrari's don't have a reliability issue but on evidence so far all I keep hearing is "told you so" and "why on earth did you buy it"

Please tell me I've been unlucky. Im not looking for sympathy, still feel very fortunate to own such a car, being positive and cant believe I've got a V12 Ferrari sitting in my garage but I'd cope easier with being skint now if these problems hadn't have happened, slightly nervous every time I start car up and take her out thinking what's going to crop up next.

On a more positive note Ive only had W##K#R mouthed at me once so far, generally response to car seems really good

[msdes123]

F355GTS said:

You have been unlucky with the oil leak and you could have had it recovered to the nearest dealer for free. As for the error and reset you'll get used to the error, that and electrical system failure plus others, just switch off and on again after a couple of seconds.

Wait for the check OK then start. If the dealer charged you to correct that i'd be on the phone to them now reminding them of something called goodwill let alone the sale of goods act

Ive had several error messages which cleared on a switch off and restart but this one would not go away, it was coming up every time just after the picture of the engine appears but rather than then showing the "check OK" it would go to this engine control system error icon. Checked some other international forums for this error message, most seemed to advise just disconnecting the battery would clear it but I bottled out of doing this.

On a completely separate issue what's the general feeling on putting a pistonhead smiley sticker on a Ferrari, presume its a no no but have always had one on my previous cars, somehow don't think a red 599 is suited to one and if so what colour and where would I put it. Any thoughts?

[msdes123]

willy wombat said:

Re your initial post; I think you have been unlucky and wonder whether the car had been sitting around for a while before you bought it.

I did have some contact with the previous owner and he did indicate that it was over 6 months since he had seen the car at the point I bought it so sounds like it was sitting around in dealers compound for some time.

Anyway as I said in OP i'm still trying to look on the positive side, feel very privileged to own such a car, pictures below tend to cheer me up

[msdes123]

aspirated said:

Are you a Cardiologist?

any private practice referrals greatly received. my monthly petrol expenses seem to have increased lately!

[msdes123]

Delboylee said:

I saw you in Angel on Saturday, looking very nice! I was in a silver grey M3 but don't think you saw me

Cool, my first pistonhead spot! Dont think I saw you, was approaching my destination on unfamiliar roads so was concentrating like hell and the speed bumps on the residential streets around Angel/Islington were a nightmare.

[msdes123]

Thanks for all the advice and comments, she seems to be behaving herself now, just cant stop taking her out, putting some serious miles on the car unfortunately, 2400 miles in just over 3 months!