Discussion
Drove my new ( for me ) 575 in the rain today , first time !!!! Impressions are very good so far, there is no rattle or no issues so far, need a lit paint job at the front bumper and some minor restoration at interior plastic and leather. Apart from the Fiorano pack which is a magnificent upgrade and something i am considering but not for now, i need to ask for some advice for exhausts and other possible upgrades ( apart from stereo which was adequately covered in another thead. There are no Ferrari specialists in greece and nothing as the specialist/parts network in the UK . Anyways , i would appreciat esome feedback opinions on a repalcement exhaust and if any that worth it, been thinking about tubi, heard a lot about capristo , tipped from a friend to look at larini. what are the key differences between there and the standard exhaust ??? The V12 does have a howl but is a bit quiter i think from the 550.... any information / links etc will be greatly appreciated.
cheers
cheers
Edited by Giorginetto on Monday 27th September 07:54
@Giorginetto: the 575 is not (or should not be) quieter than a stock 550. It's just that there are not that many stock 550's left. The Tubi exhaust is by far the most popular on 550's because for quite a while it was the only one available. The first generations have a drone between 1,000 and 2,000 rpm. It makes the car quite loud at stationary or slow-moving situations. This irritates quite a few people. Personally, I have been very happy with the Tubi but I must say that sometimes I do get a bit embarrassed - sometimes you just want to humdrum quietly through a village and with this exhaust you just can't. The only way to quiet it down is to speed up.... I don't have personal experience with the other exhaust systems, but the Capristo has great reviews in general. The straight pipe option is very loud, it doesn't sound like it fits with the sporty GT the Maranello is. But you can decide for yourself whether you want straight pipes or only new mufflers. The Larini also has some followers. It is difficult to recommend any system without hearing them all, and I don't know many people that have heard them all.
@gazzat: I have 22,000 miles and 3 1/2 experience with my, very precious to me, 550 Maranello. It has been bomb proof reliable until two weeks ago when a clutch bearing failed. She always starts first time, BUT you do need to put her on a trickle charger if left for more than 2 - 3 weeks. Cost? One major service in 3 years, that was 3k EUR. 4 new tyres in 15,000 miles, 2k EUR. A new set of rears is coming up soon. MPG - about 15 - 17 when on highway. When on the track - don't ask. Oh, the clutch issue: 3k EUR. Other than that, costs have been in touching up. I hate it when my gorgeous shark doesn't look 10 out of 10. She's too special for that. The nose gets a lot of stone chips so I spend quite a bit of money on that each year. For me - and please don't burn me for this - a 993 Turbo is no comparison. The reason I say this has nothing to do with the, undoubtedly awesome, ability of the 993 Turbo. But it is just something special to own a Ferrari. I see 10 Porsches a day and it's hard to keep them apart. Seeing a 550 on the road, or another Ferrari, is always a special occasion. Combined with the truly epic concept the 550 is (I've driven about 12 models of Ferrari now and the 550 still feels special), it just goes to show what a bargain it is in these days. You won't regret buying one. But be realistic - you can have big bills with them. 90% of Maranellos I would not buy if my life depended on it. Only buy the best - a lot of them have been neglected now and they do not compare to a good one which will only be a little bit more expensive.
Hope this helps.
Onno
@gazzat: I have 22,000 miles and 3 1/2 experience with my, very precious to me, 550 Maranello. It has been bomb proof reliable until two weeks ago when a clutch bearing failed. She always starts first time, BUT you do need to put her on a trickle charger if left for more than 2 - 3 weeks. Cost? One major service in 3 years, that was 3k EUR. 4 new tyres in 15,000 miles, 2k EUR. A new set of rears is coming up soon. MPG - about 15 - 17 when on highway. When on the track - don't ask. Oh, the clutch issue: 3k EUR. Other than that, costs have been in touching up. I hate it when my gorgeous shark doesn't look 10 out of 10. She's too special for that. The nose gets a lot of stone chips so I spend quite a bit of money on that each year. For me - and please don't burn me for this - a 993 Turbo is no comparison. The reason I say this has nothing to do with the, undoubtedly awesome, ability of the 993 Turbo. But it is just something special to own a Ferrari. I see 10 Porsches a day and it's hard to keep them apart. Seeing a 550 on the road, or another Ferrari, is always a special occasion. Combined with the truly epic concept the 550 is (I've driven about 12 models of Ferrari now and the 550 still feels special), it just goes to show what a bargain it is in these days. You won't regret buying one. But be realistic - you can have big bills with them. 90% of Maranellos I would not buy if my life depended on it. Only buy the best - a lot of them have been neglected now and they do not compare to a good one which will only be a little bit more expensive.
Hope this helps.
Onno
Thanks Jazzy for the valuable feedback. I love the 550 and thast why i got a 575 in fact i think the 550 is more classic ferrari looks than the 575 and in some ways i prefer it , but its difficult for me to drive a manual due to an accident with an M3 i had some years ago etc etc. The 550/575 are exceptionbally reliable . I dont drive the 575 often and do have her hooked to a trickle charger as i also have my 996 .
Comparing the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari 550 is not easy. ( of the same era models ) . The 996 offers lots of creature comforts and mine has the Porsche sports exhaust , porsche sports suspension , spacers and many extras and these make the car an excpetionall good daily runner and also great performance . The Porsche sports exhaust with the deactivation switch is very underestimated and its very very good in my opinion, for the 996 Carrera they now sell for about 4000euros and I am not surpised.
The 550/575 is something else. These cars look like sharks and i think they are some of the most beatiful Ferraris ever made. The 458 Italia looks aweful compared to the 550 in my opinion and doesnt have that classic sports look . ( personal opinion ) . I think these ferraris like other italian cars, maseratis foe example are so stylish , too stylish for most people. MAny can drive a 996 and they are plenty on the road in Greece and I am sure in the UK but when a 550/575 is on the road is a rare site and they do sound amazing .
I am very confused about the exhaust situation. I have a number of reasons i dont want to join a greek ferrari forum which relate to organised crime in Greece etc and I will say no more on this . I have been suggested to avoid these by lets say some people who know. I thin i will join a UK forum etc .
Comparing the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari 550 is not easy. ( of the same era models ) . The 996 offers lots of creature comforts and mine has the Porsche sports exhaust , porsche sports suspension , spacers and many extras and these make the car an excpetionall good daily runner and also great performance . The Porsche sports exhaust with the deactivation switch is very underestimated and its very very good in my opinion, for the 996 Carrera they now sell for about 4000euros and I am not surpised.
The 550/575 is something else. These cars look like sharks and i think they are some of the most beatiful Ferraris ever made. The 458 Italia looks aweful compared to the 550 in my opinion and doesnt have that classic sports look . ( personal opinion ) . I think these ferraris like other italian cars, maseratis foe example are so stylish , too stylish for most people. MAny can drive a 996 and they are plenty on the road in Greece and I am sure in the UK but when a 550/575 is on the road is a rare site and they do sound amazing .
I am very confused about the exhaust situation. I have a number of reasons i dont want to join a greek ferrari forum which relate to organised crime in Greece etc and I will say no more on this . I have been suggested to avoid these by lets say some people who know. I thin i will join a UK forum etc .
Hi Giorginetto - as mentioned, I suggest you join FerrariChat.com, it's American but has a huge global following with lots of people from Europe. Lots of knowledge there. FerrariLife.com is also great, more of a gathering of friends, much smaller than F-chat.
BTW - I love the styling of the 550/575 like you but I disagree with you on the 458. I think it's beautiful and I almost ordered one. Still thinking about putting my name on the list for the Scuderia version coming up in 2013 or so.
@gazzat - my 550 is an original Dutch car and so was bought in Holland, where it still is. I've got limited but very good experience with Carrs in Exeter. Give Nigel a call and tell him you're looking for a 550, he'll probably know of one if he doesn't have one for sale himself. I recommend you go and look at a couple of cars at a couple of dealers, you will see the differences between the levels of quality in both cars and dealers quickly.
Onno
BTW - I love the styling of the 550/575 like you but I disagree with you on the 458. I think it's beautiful and I almost ordered one. Still thinking about putting my name on the list for the Scuderia version coming up in 2013 or so.
@gazzat - my 550 is an original Dutch car and so was bought in Holland, where it still is. I've got limited but very good experience with Carrs in Exeter. Give Nigel a call and tell him you're looking for a 550, he'll probably know of one if he doesn't have one for sale himself. I recommend you go and look at a couple of cars at a couple of dealers, you will see the differences between the levels of quality in both cars and dealers quickly.
Onno
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