550 maranello advice
Discussion
I've always fancied the 550 but in truth I know very little about them. This looks to be a good example taken at face value.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/400477.htm
What does the fiorano handling pack comprise of, is it worthwhile or does it spoil the ride comfort. I know that the 550 is a very capable car that will hit the double tonne but is there anything I should be wary of. Black with cream does really appeal. Any help, advice and pointers would be very much appreciated.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/400477.htm
What does the fiorano handling pack comprise of, is it worthwhile or does it spoil the ride comfort. I know that the 550 is a very capable car that will hit the double tonne but is there anything I should be wary of. Black with cream does really appeal. Any help, advice and pointers would be very much appreciated.
If memory serves it's adjustable dampers. I have no experience with it however.that looks a real nice colour combo, I was in exactly the same position as you last year, my advise is to tour the country & look @ as many of them as you can before you buy, i looked @ maybe 6 or 7 before I bought mine heres my check points:
donr believe the miles on them I looked @ a 50k car with a better, less worn interior (drivers seat is the give away)than a 25K car
most have had 5+owners !! dont know why
clutches last about 30K & a really heavy pedal means the springs are hard & will need changing
2nd gear a bit 'notchey' when cold they all do that but it shoulnt'd grate or still be a bad when warmed up
dash & steering wheel leather shrinkage arount both airbags, ive seen a few where the leather 'shrinks' back & look awful
rubbers around headlight & rear 1/4 windows perish
electric window alignment sometimes allow water in @ back of window
these are only my views & i'm sure i'll get shot down by a real expert
best car iv'e ever bought, in my eyes still looks 100k+
donr believe the miles on them I looked @ a 50k car with a better, less worn interior (drivers seat is the give away)than a 25K car
most have had 5+owners !! dont know why
clutches last about 30K & a really heavy pedal means the springs are hard & will need changing
2nd gear a bit 'notchey' when cold they all do that but it shoulnt'd grate or still be a bad when warmed up
dash & steering wheel leather shrinkage arount both airbags, ive seen a few where the leather 'shrinks' back & look awful
rubbers around headlight & rear 1/4 windows perish
electric window alignment sometimes allow water in @ back of window
these are only my views & i'm sure i'll get shot down by a real expert
best car iv'e ever bought, in my eyes still looks 100k+
Edited by andy rob on Saturday 7th February 11:23
andy rob said:
that looks a real nice colour combo, I was in exactly the same position as you last year, my advise is to tour the country & look @ as many of them as you can before you buy, i looked @ maybe 6 or 7 before I bought mine heres my check points:
donr believe the miles on them I looked @ a 50k car with a better, less worn interior (drivers seat is the give away)than a 25K car
most have had 5+owners !! dont know why
clutches last about 30K & a really heavy pedal means the springs are hard & will need changing
2nd gear a bit 'notchey' when cold they all do that but it shoulnt'd grate or still be a bad when warmed up
dash & steering wheel leather shrinkage arount both airbags, ive seen a few where the leather 'shrinks' back & look awful
rubbers around headlight & rear 1/4 windows perish
electric window alignment sometimes allow water in @ back of window
these are only my views & i'm sure i'll get shot down by a real expert
best car iv'e ever bought, in my eyes still looks 100k+
Can't fault any of that. Except perhaps the colour preferences donr believe the miles on them I looked @ a 50k car with a better, less worn interior (drivers seat is the give away)than a 25K car
most have had 5+owners !! dont know why
clutches last about 30K & a really heavy pedal means the springs are hard & will need changing
2nd gear a bit 'notchey' when cold they all do that but it shoulnt'd grate or still be a bad when warmed up
dash & steering wheel leather shrinkage arount both airbags, ive seen a few where the leather 'shrinks' back & look awful
rubbers around headlight & rear 1/4 windows perish
electric window alignment sometimes allow water in @ back of window
these are only my views & i'm sure i'll get shot down by a real expert
best car iv'e ever bought, in my eyes still looks 100k+
Edited by andy rob on Saturday 7th February 11:23
. Although I bought the first one I saw! In my experience, the more they are used, the less niggles you are likely to encounter. Cars really don't like sitting around for months on end without being used. I've always been sceptical of cars that purport to have only covered 1-2000 miles per year. A 20000 mile car of this quality should be in 'as new' condition, especially in the areas of steering wheel and driver seat.Had mine over 3 years now. Once I'd got it as I wanted it, it's been perfect. Go for it!
andy rob said:
hi plug, are you gonna come & join us in the LMA with that touring car of yours ? big thing this year trying to get all the touring cars together again (sorry off topic)
I'll see if I can get it painted in time for Silverstone. But I'll be along to a few meetings before then for looksee. These two cars look very similar. Both have three previous owners on the V5, one has the fiorano handling pack, is that a good or a bad thing. Am I right in thinking that the 550 was a better car than the 575. If not should I look for a 575 and should I be wary of the F1 gearbox. Apologies for all the silly questions but I know my lambos and pork but I am rather ignorant with regard to the 550. Mainly because apart from one mate no one else has ever owned one which is where we tend to glean all our usual information from, physical experience etc. thanks once again, Graeme
http://pistonheads.com/sales/400477.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/883531.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/400477.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/883531.htm
Graeme
Worth a search of recent threads on here, there's been a few 550 vs 575, I went from 550 to 575 to get the F1 box which is utterly brilliant. FHP was available for the 550 but it's not needed as the Car was that good, however on the 575 it's regarded as extremely desirable and not having it will impact resale, car is very soft without it
Other bits inc updated interior on 575, performance seems more than the 30 odd HP would suggest, 550 Clutch is quite heavy and Gearchange is deliberate ie best not rushed, it's possible the 575 feels more spritely as it's so easy to drop a couple of gears wheras you tend to stay in gear and rely on the (substantial) torque in the 550.
Not much else between them really
Worth a search of recent threads on here, there's been a few 550 vs 575, I went from 550 to 575 to get the F1 box which is utterly brilliant. FHP was available for the 550 but it's not needed as the Car was that good, however on the 575 it's regarded as extremely desirable and not having it will impact resale, car is very soft without it
Other bits inc updated interior on 575, performance seems more than the 30 odd HP would suggest, 550 Clutch is quite heavy and Gearchange is deliberate ie best not rushed, it's possible the 575 feels more spritely as it's so easy to drop a couple of gears wheras you tend to stay in gear and rely on the (substantial) torque in the 550.
Not much else between them really
Totally agree with F355 above about the gear change on the 550. When I bought my old one, I was advised by Ferrari to not rush the gear changes but rather use the sheer brute force once it is in the required gear.
If I was going to get a V12 F-car at the mo, I'd probably go for a late 575 F1 with the handling pack, possibly even a superamerica
If I was going to get a V12 F-car at the mo, I'd probably go for a late 575 F1 with the handling pack, possibly even a superamerica
Hi
I have a 550 WSR - with the FHP and roll cage etc. - and have owned two other non-WSR models.
The FHP on a 550 does indeed firm up the suspension and damping (and I think it's great) - however - the question you need to ask yourself is - will you be tracking the car and on what basis? If the answer is lots and as hard as I dare - then absolutley make sure you have it. If you will not be tracking the car - then frankly you wont need it (on the 550).
With the FHP - the ride is extremely firm - so much so that the my 997 GT3RS has a more forgiving ride than the 550, with FHP and in sports mode.
If you need more information, drop me a PM.
Regards
Anjum
I have a 550 WSR - with the FHP and roll cage etc. - and have owned two other non-WSR models.
The FHP on a 550 does indeed firm up the suspension and damping (and I think it's great) - however - the question you need to ask yourself is - will you be tracking the car and on what basis? If the answer is lots and as hard as I dare - then absolutley make sure you have it. If you will not be tracking the car - then frankly you wont need it (on the 550).
With the FHP - the ride is extremely firm - so much so that the my 997 GT3RS has a more forgiving ride than the 550, with FHP and in sports mode.
If you need more information, drop me a PM.
Regards
Anjum
Edited by Anjum on Sunday 8th February 09:28
Personally I was very keen on the whole manual ferrari box thing and there are a lot more manual 550's (all of them) compared to 575's - saying that DK eng have got a lovely manual 575 which they have just dropped the price on....it is a lovely car
Verdi have got a well priced 550 on at £38k and both of these dealers have got a great reputation. You do have to buy these cars with you eyes open as getting even things like the air con or suspension actuator (?) sorted can absorb quite a few quid.
Adding to the list above I would add
1.check the air con works - if you are told it just needs re-gassing get the vendor to sort it
2. check clutch wear - it can be measured
3. Check no suspension lights come on - turn on and off sports suspension button
4. bubbling on the inner lip of the bonnet -
They are epic cars and so long as you buy a good one and factor in a few thousand a year to run it then I am sure you will enjoy it.
I would add that the standard exhaust really robs the car of any aural drama and it needs a different rear box to give it that proper V12 sound
If you have not bought one by easter I would be happy to take you for a spin in mine - based Weybridge
Verdi have got a well priced 550 on at £38k and both of these dealers have got a great reputation. You do have to buy these cars with you eyes open as getting even things like the air con or suspension actuator (?) sorted can absorb quite a few quid.
Adding to the list above I would add
1.check the air con works - if you are told it just needs re-gassing get the vendor to sort it
2. check clutch wear - it can be measured
3. Check no suspension lights come on - turn on and off sports suspension button
4. bubbling on the inner lip of the bonnet -
They are epic cars and so long as you buy a good one and factor in a few thousand a year to run it then I am sure you will enjoy it.
I would add that the standard exhaust really robs the car of any aural drama and it needs a different rear box to give it that proper V12 sound
If you have not bought one by easter I would be happy to take you for a spin in mine - based Weybridge
Thank you all for the time out taken to give me some advice. There's nohing worse IMO than going out to buy what could be a very expensive mistake blinfold. Much better to have a clue of what to be looking out for. That's a kind offer kickstart, may well take you up on that
p.s. What is and does the HGTC pack comprise of ?
p.s. What is and does the HGTC pack comprise of ?
Edited by graeme36s on Sunday 8th February 17:31
a_911_man said:
Anything known on here about the 575 at Maranello Egham? Any horror stories about it? Anyone gone from a 575 to a DB9 or vice versa? Are they as different as chalk and cheese?
Had a quick loom at it next week, seemed a tidy car.BTW, the Salesmen all looked very bored and I got asked about 8 times if i wanted any help, which is unusual in there
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