V12 guidance needed.

V12 guidance needed.

Author
Discussion

bordseye

Original Poster:

1,975 posts

191 months

Thursday 24th August 2017
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Sold my 430 a month or two back and wondering what to replace it with, I found myself thinking about V12s. But I know almost nothing about them.

My budget would be around £100k rather than £200k but with flexibility. Bottom end of the market in other words. What are the relative merits of the various older models in my price range.

What about servicing and maintenance? I'm retired so what money I have doesnt get replaced by income. Plus I am some distance from a dealer and with no indie any nearer.

MDL111

6,895 posts

176 months

Thursday 24th August 2017
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Sounds like a 550 might be a good fit (LHD easily in budget). Also they are not as complicated to work on as the newer cars, I assume a competent mechanic can do a lot of stuff without having Ferrari specific devices. It of course has a manual transmission, which makes it a winner in my book.

The newer ones (599 onwards) seem to be more computerised/complicated. I love my FF, but it has a lot of electronics, warning lights going haywire etc. Would prefer not to run one without the Ferrari warranty (DCT etc all expensive stuff if it goes wrong). Also cold sweats every time I think about replacing carbon brake discs

550 is still in the top 3-5 cars I want to buy at some point
There is a nice Harry's Garage video about one

Edit: if you need 4 seats
a 612 might be a good option, but only with F1 tranny in budget. I think they have aged quite well looks wise - gentleman GT
a 456 looks great too, but I have read some very juicy sounding parts prices online (am sure somebody can give further insight from an owner's perspective)

Edited by MDL111 on Thursday 24th August 13:14

SL550M

589 posts

109 months

Thursday 24th August 2017
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Yes I'd have to concur with MDL111. I had way more issues on my 599 compared to my 550, which I owned for 4 pretty much trouble-free years. In contrast, the first year of 599 ownership was a litany of warning lights, electrical gremlins, parking sensors going haywire and the radio worked only when it felt like it! SatNav, don't even go there. I'm not saying it spoils the ownership experience, but it's something to consider. And if, as you say, you've got one eye on the costs...well, I bought my 599 from a main dealer so you'd assume that it was fairly ship-shape on handover day. Just 10 months later, and 5k miles, it needed work to the tune of £4000. No big ticket items, either. These are complicated, expensive cars to run...if you use them, which you'll want to because it's a magnificent beast. So, having owned both, I'd say all things considered I preferred the 550.

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Thursday 24th August 2017
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I have a 550, and live 3 hours from my nearest indie. Bit of a faff, but I drop the car off for a service and get the train home. Two weeks later I do the same in reverse.

Worth it to have an epic car

CitySlicker

300 posts

92 months

Thursday 24th August 2017
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I am considering selling my lhd 599. It's 2009 with approximately 15,000 miles originally registered in Italy. High specification with classic Rosso Corsa and beige interior and has a sports exhaust which sounds epic. I've owned it for 30 trouble free months and 10,000miles, only replacing a lightbulb and the battery in that time and it has been serviced twice during my ownership. I am based in London if you'd like to come and have a look and I'll happily take you for a spin.

I haven't driven a 550/575 but I can tell you the 599 is a real gentleman's V12, great ergonomics and modern enough to make life easy but still has loads of character and is always a pleasure to drive. When you consider 599s try and go for a 2008 onwards; there were significant upgrades to the suspension and carbon ceramic brakes became standard.


rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Thursday 24th August 2017
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550 and 575 are very elegant. I'd let my 575 go for around the £85k mark...

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 25th August 2017
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I've had my 612 for coming on two years now, alongside an F430. I've replaced the wiper motor and front lower bal joints but it's been otherwise very reliable. Budget a grand for the annual and £2500 every five years for the cambelt change.

Biggest single advantage is the 2+2 seating. You really can use them and I've had family and friends in the back a few times. Lovely to be able to use the car for social occasions and four of us will be going down to the revival in a couple weeks. Definitely a factor to take into consideration.

Ian Roberts 86

53 posts

194 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
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I've had my 612 for 4 months after selling a 550. The 4 seats are definitely a bonus but only of course if you need them now and then. The 550 had a standard exhaust but the 612 has a sports one and its just an epic soundtrack. Plus the 612 seems to be growing into its skin and definitely getting better with age. The 550 is an absolute classic shape though and will always be that way. I would say just go and drive them both. You will not be disappointed.