355/360 manual or F1?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm looking to buy a 355 or a 360 and I'm sure this question may have been asked before but the search facility isn't working at the moment!
I've been told by many, if I go for the 360 get the F1 box as it's a far better change and driving experience over the manual. Where as with the 355 I've been told the exact opposite and to steer well clear of the F1 change as it's coarse and bangs into gear very harshly!
Any advice, help and opinions greatly received.
Gilbo
I'm looking to buy a 355 or a 360 and I'm sure this question may have been asked before but the search facility isn't working at the moment!
I've been told by many, if I go for the 360 get the F1 box as it's a far better change and driving experience over the manual. Where as with the 355 I've been told the exact opposite and to steer well clear of the F1 change as it's coarse and bangs into gear very harshly!
Any advice, help and opinions greatly received.
Gilbo
I would say the advice you've been given already is pretty much spot on! I did originally want a manual 360, but after driving the F1 I would say it adds a lot more to the driving experience than the lack of third pedal and gear-stick take away.
But as with all these things, you're best to go and try a few and see what you prefer.
But as with all these things, you're best to go and try a few and see what you prefer.
With 355 F1s the results seem to vary - some people say they are harsh & a bit clunky , others report no problems & say when set up right they work pretty well. Early 360 F1s also had issues but there were software updates.
You can also put the Stradale transmission ECU in a 360 to really sharpen it up by all accounts. Not sure about the 355 but on the 360 F1 you can get a readout of how much the clutch is worn & suggest you do that on any car you are serious about buying.
You can also put the Stradale transmission ECU in a 360 to really sharpen it up by all accounts. Not sure about the 355 but on the 360 F1 you can get a readout of how much the clutch is worn & suggest you do that on any car you are serious about buying.
gilbo said:
Hi guys,
I'm looking to buy a 355 or a 360 and I'm sure this question may have been asked before but the search facility isn't working at the moment!
I've been told by many, if I go for the 360 get the F1 box as it's a far better change and driving experience over the manual. Where as with the 355 I've been told the exact opposite and to steer well clear of the F1 change as it's coarse and bangs into gear very harshly!
Any advice, help and opinions greatly received.
Gilbo
I've got a 355 manual and a 430 F1 so maybe I'll be able to help. When I bought the 355 I was 100% sure I wanted a manual and I haven't regretted it for a minute. When I bought the 430 at first I was looking for a manual but in the end bought an F1 and again haven't regretted it. In my opinion the 430 suits the F1 box whereas the 355 suits the manual.I'm looking to buy a 355 or a 360 and I'm sure this question may have been asked before but the search facility isn't working at the moment!
I've been told by many, if I go for the 360 get the F1 box as it's a far better change and driving experience over the manual. Where as with the 355 I've been told the exact opposite and to steer well clear of the F1 change as it's coarse and bangs into gear very harshly!
Any advice, help and opinions greatly received.
Gilbo
I've never driven a 355 F1 but I think someone told me they don't blip the throttle on a down change (I might be wrong). It's also worth noting that the software is now 13/14 years old now so if you've every driven a modern flappy paddle box then the 355 will probably feel a lot slower and jerkier. Also due to the older software the clutch in an F1 probably won't last as long as a manual one.
As for the 360, as far as I know the software was updated in 2003 so if you were to go for an F1 I would try and get a 2003 onwards car or get the software updated. You'll hear horror stories regarding clutch wear on F1 cars but to be honest they aren't all justified. City cars will eat clutches and so will driving the car in auto mode all the time as well as reversing up steep inclines, but as long as you don't do that they should be fine.
If I were you I would go and drive both the F1 and manual cars and make your own mind up. Hope that helps.
As has been said above, it's purely personal so drive both and see what suits you. I found the F1 too slow to change and was difficult to use going through slow traffic or parking. Each time the salesman said it takes time with the F1 to learn how to use it, but after driving a couple of manuals I decided that this was my preference. It may take me a few nanoseconds to change gear than the F1, but I preferred the involvement and the lovely clack-clack of the metal gate. The metal gate was also symbolic of some of the posters I had on my wall as a boy, and I would always associate this with Ferrari. for me, the whole point of owning a Ferrari was to absorb myself in the experience when the sun was shining and I needed to get away from the stresses of the world. I love the fact that I have to learn how to toe-and-heel to match the revs when I change down, and to balance the clutch anmd throttle to get that perfect gear change. The F1 took all this away from me personally, but it suits other people so try both. I also like the fact that if I want to move away slowly, I can release the clutch with no throttle and move away but the F1 needs you to press the accelerator in order to engage the clutch.
If you are near Northampton you can have a go in mine to see if it suits you.
If you are near Northampton you can have a go in mine to see if it suits you.
Iain328 said:
With 355 F1s the results seem to vary - some people say they are harsh & a bit clunky , others report no problems & say when set up right they work pretty well. Early 360 F1s also had issues but there were software updates.
You can also put the Stradale transmission ECU in a 360 to really sharpen it up by all accounts. Not sure about the 355 but on the 360 F1 you can get a readout of how much the clutch is worn & suggest you do that on any car you are serious about buying.
Spot on Iain, my 355 F1 is super smooth yet others have reported harshness. You can read the clutch wear on a 355 with an SD1/2/3 You can also put the Stradale transmission ECU in a 360 to really sharpen it up by all accounts. Not sure about the 355 but on the 360 F1 you can get a readout of how much the clutch is worn & suggest you do that on any car you are serious about buying.
The late, great, Richard Burns reaction at 1m29s in the following video sums up the manual Ferrari box for me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0QtSdx-6g
4m18s for the F355 gear change.
It's the only manual box I've ever used where a gear change makes me smile. It certainly adds to the overall Ferrari experience, I didn't even consider an F1 because of it.
The F1 box was a new technology when introduced on the F355 so I could see the appeal back then but today the novelty is gone.
The answer is to drive both and then decide, you certainly don't want to make the wrong decision!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0QtSdx-6g
4m18s for the F355 gear change.
It's the only manual box I've ever used where a gear change makes me smile. It certainly adds to the overall Ferrari experience, I didn't even consider an F1 because of it.
The F1 box was a new technology when introduced on the F355 so I could see the appeal back then but today the novelty is gone.
The answer is to drive both and then decide, you certainly don't want to make the wrong decision!
I owned a 355 F1 and now a manual 360M. The 355 F1 was good but clunky by todays standards, the 360 manual sublime. If I was buying an F430, I'd go F1, anything before that, manual everytime.
There's also too many reported failures/problems with the F1 pump/gubbins on 355/360s and pretty much none with the manual 'box.
There's also too many reported failures/problems with the F1 pump/gubbins on 355/360s and pretty much none with the manual 'box.
Hi, I have had three 355s, the first two were manual cars and the last one which I still drive is F1. I have personally done 40,000 miles in my current 355 F1 and can say it is amazing. Get Karl Verdi to set it up; the change is smooth and fast. My last clutch lasted 19,000 miles. If you are ever in North Essex drop me a PM and pop by and have a go.
I bought an F1...needing several days to come round to the fact that i hadn't bought a manual!
Had the 2003 upgraded TCU (Transmission Control Unit) fitted and which means you get to tweak a bit with the gear changes. I absolutely love it...esp the double blipping. Puts the tubi to work nicely.
Some of my mates have manual 360s and call me bum boy for having F1...i just get them to follow me to some twisties and then leave them behind so i can't hear the laughter anymore!
Had the 2003 upgraded TCU (Transmission Control Unit) fitted and which means you get to tweak a bit with the gear changes. I absolutely love it...esp the double blipping. Puts the tubi to work nicely.
Some of my mates have manual 360s and call me bum boy for having F1...i just get them to follow me to some twisties and then leave them behind so i can't hear the laughter anymore!
Mroad said:
The late, great, Richard Burns reaction at 1m29s in the following video sums up the manual Ferrari box for me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0QtSdx-6g
4m18s for the F355 gear change.
It's the only manual box I've ever used where a gear change makes me smile. It certainly adds to the overall Ferrari experience, I didn't even consider an F1 because of it.
The F1 box was a new technology when introduced on the F355 so I could see the appeal back then but today the novelty is gone.
The answer is to drive both and then decide, you certainly don't want to make the wrong decision!
Agreed mine is manual the only way to go on the 355http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0QtSdx-6g
4m18s for the F355 gear change.
It's the only manual box I've ever used where a gear change makes me smile. It certainly adds to the overall Ferrari experience, I didn't even consider an F1 because of it.
The F1 box was a new technology when introduced on the F355 so I could see the appeal back then but today the novelty is gone.
The answer is to drive both and then decide, you certainly don't want to make the wrong decision!
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