F1 gearchange

[mdrc]

There seems to be a bit of a groundswell of opinion against the F1 gearchange on the 360 - I'd like to redress the balance a bit. I opted for the F1 mainly because I have size 12/13 feet and couldn't find enough space in the footwell with 3 peddles - that said, I understand why those who only try the car for 15 minutes (most journalists)vote against it - it does take some getting used to - but having got used to it I find it superb. The only time it 'clunks' is in low gear and probably no more so than a manual change if people are really honest - in third and above, with practise it is as quick and as smooth as you can get. Mind you, the same also applies to manouvering at low speeds, especially reversing - the trick here is to make sure the engine's warm before tackling - it's brutal otherwise!

[308gt4]

MDRC,

I've heard the same story from all people who have had the F1 change for some time. I've driven one for a short distance and believe I can't live without it (but must due to financial constraints). They never miss a downchange and are the pants AFAIAC!

I envy you and that fantastic gearchange.

The funny thing is I have heard several long-term Fcar owners declare their preference for the manual but I think this is nostalga creeping in (I'm all for history but you need to keep up with the latest technology that fits).

I'm sure if Enzo was alive there would be no F1 option as he was a hard man to convince this would be a good idea for the commoners

Do you think it reduces lap times or not ??

[manu]

Actually mdrc - the last time I went out in an F1-shift equipped Ferrari was Bernards car and it was fantastic - fast, smooth, easy - I really liked it.
I honestly believe that the quality of the shift varies LITERALLY from car to car - some of the Americans on F-chat have their cars reprogrammed to make the shifts faster...
The thing is, I'm still scarred from my cousins F355 - which chewed 2 clutches in under a year and was just unbelievably clunky and jerky to drive and would beep ALL THE TIME (I recognise it was a bad example).

I stil don't think you need it on a 575M (why bother when you've got SUCH a ridiculously torquey engine?) - it suits the V8s - but as Kevin has said before, I am waiting for the time when they release the shift which has an instantaneous up-change - the downshifts are already pretty much perfect....
The Enzo/360 Stradale will tell us a lot about how quick it can be made.

Edited to say - in my humble opinion - in MORTAL hands (i.e not MSRS Schumacher/Benuzzi (sp?)) it WILL reduce lap times.

>> Edited by manu on Monday 9th December 13:32