Every day tips for living with a 599

[cake eater]

Driving through the night has its advantages. Motorway to Grenoble, then route Napoleon to Monaco. Pretty much empty roads, even if it was -7°C at it's coldest through the passes.
Arrived in Monaco and just went straight to bed! But it was worth it! It's 14°C at the coast.




Now off to walk the streets. I don't like Monaco in the 599! Too narrow and busy.

[cake eater]

Thanks WW, it's what this car was meant for. Some of the route today was a little narrow to really enjoy but being Sunday and ski season it was quiet.

Drove around part of the F1 GP circuit in Monaco, then off to Gorge du Cians D28 and D2202 ‘Red Rock Road’ Gorge de Daluis.

Awesome roads and not a long drive to get to them. Learnt that on the downhill sections the car really responds to a trailing brake and sport mode is quite intrusive but didn't want to risk race mode with temperature and walls so close.

[cake eater]

Some screenshots of Monaco F1 circuit

Up the hill to Beau Rivage


Entering Casino


The turn into Mirabeau Haute


Grand Hotel Hairpin


Mirabeau Bas


Entry to Tunnel


In Tunnel


Down to Tabac



Driving this route, thinking of my childhood hero, really felt special.

https://youtu.be/auXfAHHNSFo

[cake eater]

So today was a very different kind of driving. Basically cruising old haunts from when I lived near Genevé.

The lake road with Jet D'eau in the distance

Pont du Mt Blanc with the Jet D'eau in the distance again


Found out a few more things from this slow town driving.
Oil and water temps seem to fluctuate a lot compared to my previous experience but don't get over +/- 95 °C. Fan seems to kick in when water temp is 90+. The water temp drops quickly but oil temp stays constant. Then the fan cuts out quickly again. Oil temp only drops if there's good airflow through the car even though ambient temp is around 10°C

Right hand drive and parking garage / péage tickets are a pain but I'm learning the art of driving up, seat belt off, window down. Handbrake and neutral. Out of drivers seat and out the passenger window to grab ticket / pay. Back in the seat, secure ticket / card, seat belt, handbrake, select first and move off. What previously took what felt like minutes now takes just a few seconds.

Unfortunately the left front rim has become a victim of my increasing confidence. A dark low unsighted curb resulting in some damage. Back to leaning further rather than trying to get closer.


I've also noticed that the red 'crackle' paint on the right intake manifold has started to peel. Probably heat build up or something else from when the steering pump was changed


There's also oil splatter on the front of the left intake manifold. Again, a result of the steering pump change? When I get a chance I'll clean it off and see if more comes or if it was just residue from spilling / overfill.


The gearbox 'attitude' has changed significantly after driving the gorges with some enthusiasm. The gearbox thumping home gear changes despite light throttle input. It's taken quite a bit of gentle driving for the car to change back to lazy.

I'm getting used to hill starts. The handbrake needs to be pulled really hard to hold the car even on a slight incline and Genevé has some surprisingly steep hills. A light application of throttle allows you to feel the car pull against the handbrake and move off smoothly with release of same. Not sure if this causes any more stress to the clutch but is effective. Only problem is I don't like to sit in first so most often select neutral. I forget that the cars not fully automatic and when the lights change, leaves me a little embarrassed with a roar from the engine and no go really messing up the smooth progress.

I still haven't worked out if the air-conditioning is working or I just don't know how to use it despite reading the manual. I'll need to get that checked, maybe it needs gas?

In France the car gets lots of positive attention, much more so that in the UK. Lots of waves and thumbs up, people waiting for you and letting you out. I get great pleasure from the smile of little kids when I give it a good blip of the throttle.

Tomorrow it's back to Blighty. I've packed some Swiss Wine and chocolate.

I'll tot up the miles and fuel bill and see how scary the milage is!

[cake eater]

And why don't we get this fuel in the UK!!

Edited by cake eater on Tuesday 1st March 17:13

[cake eater]

johnnyreggae said:

Lots of new owners struggle with the a/c because its not a/c and the switch is not clear if it is on or off - its climate control and should be left on so that it just decides for you how to get to the specified temperature

Maybe once the cockpit is hot try setting it really cold not recirculate and try the on/off switch both ways til you freeze and if it does then know that is the on button and thereafter just adjust the temp

Also you do not need to go to neutral at lights - that way you are ready for the off - the system decides if its too long at stop

Edited by johnnyreggae on Tuesday 1st March 17:17

Thank you Johnny Reggae! Great tips.
I'll change that now and stop selecting neutral at a stop.

I have just been running the AC in auto with it set at low but only seem to feel warm air pumping out. I'm assuming when the off button is light then it's off otherwise it's on.

[cake eater]

DeejRC said:

Yeah don’t worry cake, F12 also does it to me sometimes. She changes to neutral if too long at the lights. Cue a right dick revving his Ferrari as they go green and going absolutely nowhere.

Thanks DeejRC

I was speaking to one of my sister's colleagues and she asked what car I had and why I would choose to drive 18 hours when I could fly. I blatantly plagerised you and said it was just an expensive donkey! She was horrified that I called a Ferrari a donkey

[cake eater]

F355GTS said:

cake eater said:

johnnyreggae said:

Lots of new owners struggle with the a/c because its not a/c and the switch is not clear if it is on or off - its climate control and should be left on so that it just decides for you how to get to the specified temperature

Maybe once the cockpit is hot try setting it really cold not recirculate and try the on/off switch both ways til you freeze and if it does then know that is the on button and thereafter just adjust the temp

Also you do not need to go to neutral at lights - that way you are ready for the off - the system decides if its too long at stop

Edited by johnnyreggae on Tuesday 1st March 17:17

Thank you Johnny Reggae! Great tips.
I'll change that now and stop selecting neutral at a stop.

I have just been running the AC in auto with it set at low but only seem to feel warm air pumping out. I'm assuming when the off button is light then it's off otherwise it's on.

IIRC it was always felt that going into neutral was best for the single plate F1 clutches as it meant the clutch system was not under tension, if you don't do it I'm pretty sure if you keep your foot on the brake it'll not drop into neutral

Thank you for the clarification JR. Leaves options.

[cake eater]

DeejRC said:

The “we aren’t really expensive, honest!” donkey…



The definitely expensive Donkey!

Very nice donkeys .
Great colour choices on the expensive one

[cake eater]

So finally arrived at the tunnel.


You know you're nearly back in Blighty because the sky is grey and it's drizzling.

So I have a 'bip & go' but unfortunately it didn't work for the first 4 days. You can see it to the right of the mirror in the picture above. Just a comedy of circumstances really. My bank doesn't do DD from foreign banks (I didn't know until just before the trip). So I had to do a prepayment. By the time it had cleared and the transponder had activated there was only a day left. I choose Ulys as my provider, just thought their terms were a little better.

And of course, once it worked it was a revelation of ease and simplicity. Now I just have to make sure I pay the bill on return!.

The drive back was supposed to be a last blast but traffic conspired to make it a gentle cruise with just a few opportunities to run to the red line. And please note, I'm parked in a parking, off the road, I know it looks like I've just dumped it on the wrong side of the road for a picture.


My favourite road out of Genevé, linking up with the N5


I cleaned off the cam cover before the drive. Checked each time I made a pit stop and before boarding the train - nothing, so it was probably a spill when they filled the steering pump reservoir. I'm going back to Maranello tomorrow so they can have a quick look. I'm hoping they can find time and space to plug in a computer to read the ECU as I had a few faults. They have already said it's unlikely as they have a lot of cars on overnight diagnostic and updates.

It's been a great 5 days made all the more awesome by the car and meeting old friends, taking them for a drive in the 599 and sharing in their pleasure at the environment. Their first time in a Ferrari just like me! And the the screaming when you launch it

This is my friend David, he didn't scream as much as his wife! Coolest guy I know!

[cake eater]

johnnyreggae said:

Lots of new owners struggle with the a/c because its not a/c and the switch is not clear if it is on or off - its climate control and should be left on so that it just decides for you how to get to the specified temperature

Maybe once the cockpit is hot try setting it really cold not recirculate and try the on/off switch both ways til you freeze and if it does then know that is the on button and thereafter just adjust the temp

Also you do not need to go to neutral at lights - that way you are ready for the off - the system decides if its too long at stop

Edited by johnnyreggae on Tuesday 1st March 17:17

On the way back I did as you suggested. Car warms up nicely but when I switch to cold (LO) luke warm air comes out and it never gets any colder. And this with ambient temperature of 9°C. On/off button makes no difference.

Edited by cake eater on Wednesday 2nd March 18:00

[cake eater]

F355GTS said:

Sounds like the zircon may not be working, perhaps get somebody to listen to see if the compressor kicks in or not. The 599 has a pretty big windscreen and I always found the air con/ climate pretty poor on hot days

I was reading a thread on clubscuderia.co.uk and this was mentioned by another 599 owner. Apparently they don't make the original part but a newer model is available which just bolts straight in, is more efficient and capable of dealing with the heat generated by the glass area.

[cake eater]

Akajak said:

Enjoyed your road trip diary cake; good luck with the car

Thank you

[cake eater]

So to tie off the trip I took the 599 to Maranello Service, obviously where I had picked it up from at the start. Round trip of 2,200 miles. Total fuel cost of a little over £1000.
I was expecting it to be high but almost 50p a mile Though it did manage around 15mpg, I guess as a lot of the trip was motorway.

Again Maranello Service were excellent at fitting me in. I had had a few electrical faults related to the Manetino and I had noted that I saw more when the car was hot and being pushed.

The diagnostic showed 3 faults
1. Low voltage
2. Start up checks ended before completion
3. Air temperature sensor failure

Maranello Service told that they get a lot of calls from customers when they're in the mountains, particularly Pyrenees. Along with the air temp sensor failure this was probably the cause of the Manetino failure warning lights.

Secondly they said that I need to give the car more time to complete the start up checks. The low voltage probably related to the car the car being shuffled around the workshop.

Once home I plugged the car into the cteck and a diagnostic showed showed the battery at 'half'. Whatever that means. And I can definitely recommend the Ferrari adapter because I did attempt to drive off once with the charger still plugged in! Luckily the car would not start and gave me a warning light.

Today will be a day of cleaning and washing the 599. There's an annoying vent that pools with water and the only way I have worked out to empty it is to suck it out!

Edited by cake eater on Friday 4th March 13:00

[cake eater]

So she's all clean.
I need to find a good leather cleaner and restorer that an amateur can use easily.


There are a couple of frustrating things.
First is that when you go to raise the driver's windscreen wiper it touches the bonnet so cleaning the blade is difficult. Don't know how I'm going to change it when the time comes


The drain hole is plugged on the drivers side rear wheel arch air intake. I managed to clear the passenger side with the pressure washer but the drivers side is properly plugged. I need something like a wire coat hanger but I'm afraid of damaging the grill.

[cake eater]

xcentric said:

what about using a plastic zip tie to poke the drain hole clear? shouldn't damage anything..... Good road trip story, thanks.

Why didn't I think of that!
Thanks

[cake eater]

xcentric said:

what about using a plastic zip tie to poke the drain hole clear? shouldn't damage anything..... Good road trip story, thanks.

So after a Homer "D'oh!" moment I got the zip tie out.


And after much poking around this is what was removed from the drain!


Can't believe how much gravel was in there or the size of some of the stones, I'm sure bigger that grill!

[cake eater]

So today I passed 4000 miles since taking ownership of my 599. I've had to go to the insurance company and ask to increase the milage limit.

What an awesome car! I love spending time in it doing mundane things. I took my tools from Peterborough to Havant. Went to visit my Aunt's family and let her son drive. On the way home played follow the leader with an RS3 and Cayman. This car switches from relaxed cruiser to monstrous as the mood takes you.

I really wanted an F12 but couldn't get the man maths to work. I have to say I don't regret buying the 599 one bit. I went to see a friend who's just bought an F12. The 599 next to it looks older but it's also a lot more subtle. If you squint unkindly it could be a previous gen Toyota Supra! As a result it doesn't really attract too much attention and when it does, it's so far always been positive. I didn't come away from the visit wishing I was in an F12, I came away appreciating it more.

It's not perfect. The radio doesn't work if it's cold and you are using the rear demist. I can't find a place to mount my phone to use Google maps easily. There's no cup holders. Etc etc. But there's a work around for everything except the massive fuel cost! My eyes water everytime I fill the tank.

My problem is I now don't want to drive anything else. I feel genuinely privileged to have the 599 in my garage.

[cake eater]

DeejRC said:

Awesome cake.
I’m exactly the same in the F12. I cry at the pumps though and that was before Vlad went mad!

Yeah, Vald is making some poor choices unlike our donkeys which were definitely good choices

So funny thing happened a couple days ago. I hadn't told my Mum that I'd bought a 599, only that I was making an investment. I came home late and messed up the alarm, my phone was on silent so missed the security call. The security company called my 'second' and asked them to verify the photos of the "intruder". She confirmed it was me.

Que call from my Mum asking me to explain why I had a Ferrari?! Expensive donkey comments were not appreciated. Luckily Mum thinks Dad would have liked it

[cake eater]

DeejRC said:

Ah Cake, we may be brothers!
My mother is also unaware of the latest donkey. It’s become an in joke in the family that nobody is telling her and she keeps asking what car I have.
My answer at the weekend was just a Fiat hatchback…

Fiat hatchback