Ferrari 355 F1 - How good is the gearbox compared to manual?
Discussion
As some of you will know, I am sniffing around 355's. I want a later date car manual with slightly above average miles, because I feel those will hold their value well.
Thing is that i am finding it difficult to find anything post '98 that isn't a paddleshift.
I had discounted paddleshifts, because I had heard they were awful.
However, due to the sheer number of these cars I have come across, I thought it would be foolish to discount them without some research/advice.
Any inputs appreciated. It would be my nightmare to be stuck in traffic unable to change gears, while the have-nots of the world enjoy seeing someone in a sports car having trouble!
Thing is that i am finding it difficult to find anything post '98 that isn't a paddleshift.
I had discounted paddleshifts, because I had heard they were awful.
However, due to the sheer number of these cars I have come across, I thought it would be foolish to discount them without some research/advice.
Any inputs appreciated. It would be my nightmare to be stuck in traffic unable to change gears, while the have-nots of the world enjoy seeing someone in a sports car having trouble!
How many times do we need to tell you?
GO AND DRIVE ONE 
So far as I know they're reliable enough and unlikely to strand you, but if they go wrong the hydraulic pump etc. are hideously expensive. In terms of the driving experience you'll need to drive one for yourself and make your own mind up. I wan't sure myself initially but went for an F1 and love it. It's not perfect, but it's brilliant fun on nice twisty roads banging it up and down the box listening to that exhaust note
GO AND DRIVE ONE So far as I know they're reliable enough and unlikely to strand you, but if they go wrong the hydraulic pump etc. are hideously expensive. In terms of the driving experience you'll need to drive one for yourself and make your own mind up. I wan't sure myself initially but went for an F1 and love it. It's not perfect, but it's brilliant fun on nice twisty roads banging it up and down the box listening to that exhaust note
BobM said:
How many times do we need to tell you?
GO AND DRIVE ONE
So far as I know they're reliable enough and unlikely to strand you, but if they go wrong the hydraulic pump etc. are hideously expensive. In terms of the driving experience you'll need to drive one for yourself and make your own mind up. I wan't sure myself initially but went for an F1 and love it. It's not perfect, but it's brilliant fun on nice twisty roads banging it up and down the box listening to that exhaust note
GO AND DRIVE ONE So far as I know they're reliable enough and unlikely to strand you, but if they go wrong the hydraulic pump etc. are hideously expensive. In terms of the driving experience you'll need to drive one for yourself and make your own mind up. I wan't sure myself initially but went for an F1 and love it. It's not perfect, but it's brilliant fun on nice twisty roads banging it up and down the box listening to that exhaust note
Bob, thanks for the post. But I think you missed the point. My question isn't about what it feels like. Its about RELIABILITY and other points, as you have kindly mentioned in your post. I have only driven manuals thus far, as I was only looking for that particular model.
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
Bob, thanks for the post. But I think you missed the point. My question isn't about what it feels like. Its about RELIABILITY and other points, as you have kindly mentioned in your post. I have only driven manuals thus far, as I was only looking for that particular model.
No, I thought that was probably what you meant. I've heard no horror stories, but I can see that as these cars get older and the high tech bits start to fail they're going to get expensive. Probably worth asking over on Club Scuderia.
I've seen two cars with busted F1 gearboxes, and talked to the owner of one - his car had left him stranded twice and he was considering moving to the manual.
Now I STRESS that this is fully anecdotal evidence - there are "plenty" of these cars around (as you've found) and I'm not aware of anyone that's ever run a poll of who's had issues with them. But they can go wrong and can be expensive to fix - I believe the gearbox on the F1 has two major additional components to the manual box (actuator and pressure pump?). Both can go wrong and I believe they are multiple thousand pound items if you need new ones.
Your best bet would be to (a) chat to one of the indies about how reliable the system is and get them to confirm what parts could go wrong and how much they cost, and (b) go and have a drive of one (you may hate/love it which will make your decision for you).
From a totally personal perspective I discounted an F1 - was concerned about the additional complexity of the box, and anything Ferrari is usually compromised/iffy in its first incarnation. I think the Ferrari F1 'box only really came properly good on the CS. Plus I really wanted a Ferrari with the open gate
Note that if you do get one, you must bin the metal paddles and buy some carbon fibre ones - beautiful items and won't chip like the metal ones!
PS Being somewhat biased I think the guaranteed future classic will be a rosso/crema manual late model GTB - cars don't get much better
Now I STRESS that this is fully anecdotal evidence - there are "plenty" of these cars around (as you've found) and I'm not aware of anyone that's ever run a poll of who's had issues with them. But they can go wrong and can be expensive to fix - I believe the gearbox on the F1 has two major additional components to the manual box (actuator and pressure pump?). Both can go wrong and I believe they are multiple thousand pound items if you need new ones.
Your best bet would be to (a) chat to one of the indies about how reliable the system is and get them to confirm what parts could go wrong and how much they cost, and (b) go and have a drive of one (you may hate/love it which will make your decision for you).
From a totally personal perspective I discounted an F1 - was concerned about the additional complexity of the box, and anything Ferrari is usually compromised/iffy in its first incarnation. I think the Ferrari F1 'box only really came properly good on the CS. Plus I really wanted a Ferrari with the open gate
Note that if you do get one, you must bin the metal paddles and buy some carbon fibre ones - beautiful items and won't chip like the metal ones!
PS Being somewhat biased I think the guaranteed future classic will be a rosso/crema manual late model GTB - cars don't get much better
For what it's worth (being a huge 355 fan) I'd go with the F1 if you can find the right car.
Having driven several of both, I found the Ferrari paddleshift a good system. Things have moved on a bit since the 355, but I've always admired Maranello for pioneering this technology.
But, as Bob so eloquently puts it, you need to decide for yourself. Paddleshift versus manual is a very personal choice. Like 'Kylie versus Danni"!
Having driven several of both, I found the Ferrari paddleshift a good system. Things have moved on a bit since the 355, but I've always admired Maranello for pioneering this technology.
But, as Bob so eloquently puts it, you need to decide for yourself. Paddleshift versus manual is a very personal choice. Like 'Kylie versus Danni"!
Mine is 7 years old (22k miles)and and from the service histrory and my last 6 months of ownwership it has had no faults with the F1 box. A couple of times it has hesitated when changing from 1st to 2nd when in sport and pedal to the metal. But I do mean a couple out of probably hundreds or thousands of gear changes. Apart from that it has never missed a beat.
The nearest I came to a problem with the box was when the battery was in poor enough condition to not get the pump going enough to get me into neutral ( I has accidentally left it in gear when parked). Net result I had to get a jump start. If the battery is knackered you cant bump start an F1.
But I do mean a couple out of probably hundreds or thousands of gear changes. Apart from that it has never missed a beat. The nearest I came to a problem with the box was when the battery was in poor enough condition to not get the pump going enough to get me into neutral ( I has accidentally left it in gear when parked). Net result I had to get a jump start. If the battery is knackered you cant bump start an F1.
crikeymikey said:
For what it's worth (being a huge 355 fan) I'd go with the F1 if you can find the right car.
Having driven several of both, I found the Ferrari paddleshift a good system. Things have moved on a bit since the 355, but I've always admired Maranello for pioneering this technology.
But, as Bob so eloquently puts it, you need to decide for yourself. Paddleshift versus manual is a very personal choice. Like 'Kylie versus Danni"!
Having driven several of both, I found the Ferrari paddleshift a good system. Things have moved on a bit since the 355, but I've always admired Maranello for pioneering this technology.
But, as Bob so eloquently puts it, you need to decide for yourself. Paddleshift versus manual is a very personal choice. Like 'Kylie versus Danni"!
Dirty Danni please
Is Danni paddle or manual?
Different I know but Ive got a paddle Maserati and its great BUT I wouldnt have one unless its covered by some sort of warranty - thats just my choice.
Steve
Dirty Danni please
Different I know but Ive got a paddle Maserati and its great BUT I wouldnt have one unless its covered by some sort of warranty - thats just my choice.
Steve
garyhun said:
crikeymikey said:
For what it's worth (being a huge 355 fan) I'd go with the F1 if you can find the right car.
Having driven several of both, I found the Ferrari paddleshift a good system. Things have moved on a bit since the 355, but I've always admired Maranello for pioneering this technology.
But, as Bob so eloquently puts it, you need to decide for yourself. Paddleshift versus manual is a very personal choice. Like 'Kylie versus Danni"!
Having driven several of both, I found the Ferrari paddleshift a good system. Things have moved on a bit since the 355, but I've always admired Maranello for pioneering this technology.
But, as Bob so eloquently puts it, you need to decide for yourself. Paddleshift versus manual is a very personal choice. Like 'Kylie versus Danni"!
Dirty Danni please
I dont think that the 355 will hold its value anymore than most things about this price level- all premium cars are dropping- real world trade value- best check that out
As for the man v F1
I had the F1; one of the last 99 cars. Initially its great fun , HOWEVER, the problem with these systems is that they are not consistent- so when the flywheel heats up not that pleasant to drive.
The gearbox itself is a slighly modded manual box so no issues there but you have the actuator ( which leaks when its new) and costs 2.5K and the pump itself which does go ( it went on mine) and thats 8K.
If you intend to keep the car do not buy an F1, the parts for F1 are increasing all the time from Ferrari.
Its a pity the pump cant be sourced anywhere else, its a very cheap and nasty unit that must cost ferrari £500.
One of the problems is that the pump relay is not strong enough, overheats and makes a non continuous pump run continuously- and the results are a very big bill.
As for the man v F1
I had the F1; one of the last 99 cars. Initially its great fun , HOWEVER, the problem with these systems is that they are not consistent- so when the flywheel heats up not that pleasant to drive.
The gearbox itself is a slighly modded manual box so no issues there but you have the actuator ( which leaks when its new) and costs 2.5K and the pump itself which does go ( it went on mine) and thats 8K.
If you intend to keep the car do not buy an F1, the parts for F1 are increasing all the time from Ferrari.
Its a pity the pump cant be sourced anywhere else, its a very cheap and nasty unit that must cost ferrari £500.
One of the problems is that the pump relay is not strong enough, overheats and makes a non continuous pump run continuously- and the results are a very big bill.
octane said:
I dont think that the 355 will hold its value anymore than most things about this price level- all premium cars are dropping- real world trade value- best check that out
As for the man v F1
I had the F1; one of the last 99 cars. Initially its great fun , HOWEVER, the problem with these systems is that they are not consistent- so when the flywheel heats up not that pleasant to drive.
The gearbox itself is a slighly modded manual box so no issues there but you have the actuator ( which leaks when its new) and costs 2.5K and the pump itself which does go ( it went on mine) and thats 8K.
If you intend to keep the car do not buy an F1, the parts for F1 are increasing all the time from Ferrari.
Its a pity the pump cant be sourced anywhere else, its a very cheap and nasty unit that must cost ferrari £500.
One of the problems is that the pump relay is not strong enough, overheats and makes a non continuous pump run continuously- and the results are a very big bill.
As for the man v F1
I had the F1; one of the last 99 cars. Initially its great fun , HOWEVER, the problem with these systems is that they are not consistent- so when the flywheel heats up not that pleasant to drive.
The gearbox itself is a slighly modded manual box so no issues there but you have the actuator ( which leaks when its new) and costs 2.5K and the pump itself which does go ( it went on mine) and thats 8K.
If you intend to keep the car do not buy an F1, the parts for F1 are increasing all the time from Ferrari.
Its a pity the pump cant be sourced anywhere else, its a very cheap and nasty unit that must cost ferrari £500.
One of the problems is that the pump relay is not strong enough, overheats and makes a non continuous pump run continuously- and the results are a very big bill.
Octane, many thanks for this. That is what I was looking for! I will go with my instincts on this one. Lucky you to have a Fiorano though... lovely machine. I think they only made a handleful of manuals... Would love one of them.
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