Every day tips for living with a 599
Discussion
ANOpax said:
They look lovely.
Will you be running F12 sized tyres or GTO sized tyres on the new rims (or possibly 812 sized tyres even!)?
My intention is to run GTO sizes. Unfortunately the rear size isn't available in my preferred tyre of cup 2 connectWill you be running F12 sized tyres or GTO sized tyres on the new rims (or possibly 812 sized tyres even!)?
Edited by ANOpax on Friday 30th September 16:36
https://www.michelin.co.uk/auto/tyres/michelin-pil...
GTO Tyre.sizes
Front 285/30 ZR20 exact size is available and is listed as GTO
Rear 315/35 ZR20 exact size is not available but will probably go for 325 rather than GTB size of 305
DeejRC said:
Good chap cake 
I was all set to pull the trigger on a 911 this week in advance of a boys driving tour next weekend. Right up until I ran smack bang into Covid.
Now means driving tour cancelled and fun plans parked again
Covid sucks.
Covid really does. It's a bummer when you miss plans like this.I was all set to pull the trigger on a 911 this week in advance of a boys driving tour next weekend. Right up until I ran smack bang into Covid.
Now means driving tour cancelled and fun plans parked again
Covid sucks.
I hope you are fully recovered
Like Cake says, the cars tend to get under the skin and you forgive all sorts of stuff that I just wouldn't on virtually every other car. My f430 has had light use this year so i am not able to track up stories like you have this year. With a sport exhaust the dreams come alive a bit quicker in the rev range and all problems are forgiven !
f1ten said:
Like Cake says, the cars tend to get under the skin and you forgive all sorts of stuff that I just wouldn't on virtually every other car. My f430 has had light use this year so i am not able to track up stories like you have this year. With a sport exhaust the dreams come alive a bit quicker in the rev range and all problems are forgiven !
f1ten I'm missing driving this car. But I'll hopefully be home around December and put some more miles in.I need to make a good tunnel video as the secondary cat delete has made a very nice improvement at the higher rev range.
I think an f430 would go very nicely with the 599
ANOpax said:
cake eater said:
Have to say I think I was getting BS about the battery
Not strictly BS but you’d do well to upgrade the CTEK from the Ferrari issue one to a proper CTEK with better charging algos and current delivery. That way, you will be capable of getting a full charge overnight. You should also get yourself a Sealy BT102 battery condition tester. It’s essential for knowing whether your battery is underperforming or whether there’s a problem with the car. I’ve used it to establish that a 2 year old battery was out of sorts and replacing it eliminated the startup errors I was experiencing with the FF.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-BT102-Digital-Batt...
Finally, install an AGM battery. Their cold cranking amps performance is far superior to that of non-AGM batteries when new and degrades less over time. As result, AGM batteries have less voltage drop on startup which is the reason the car throws error codes at you.
599Kentguy said:
Hi all, interesting thread and a lot of helpful tips and thoughts. I have a 599 and recently brought it home out of third party storage. I’ve bought a Ctek MXS10 - but am wondering if there is an issue with the charging point in the boot as while the ctek shows power (and no error light lit) it doesn’t seem to enter a charging cycle. Do others use the charging point or connect direct to battery? Welcome thoughts.
Hi kentguy,I use the charging point in the boot. Though I have connected directly to the battery but got very quickly fed up of removing the interior panel.
What is telling you that you're not entering the charging cycle?
I note that the car has come out of storage, Is the battery in good condition? If the battery is completely dead a trickle charger may not be able to recover it.
If there is still some life left in the battery a trickle charger may take days to fully recover the battery.
A battery tester may tell you if you should just replace the battery.
Also one thing to check, when you use the charging point, turn the ignition on, see if you get a warning light on the dash to tell you that the charger is connected. Though this may just tell you if the ignition circuit is okay, rather than the charging circuit but I would have thought they're connected.
Also check the terminals on the battery to see if they're properly connected, no loose screws.
Also check the battery earthing lead, GreyPaul told me this is a common problem.
Sorry I can't help much more than this, and you've probably already checked all these things.
All the best and hope you get it sorted.
Robert
cake eater said:
Hi kentguy,
I use the charging point in the boot. Though I have connected directly to the battery but got very quickly fed up of removing the interior panel.
What is telling you that you're not entering the charging cycle?
I note that the car has come out of storage, Is the battery in good condition? If the battery is completely dead a trickle charger may not be able to recover it.
If there is still some life left in the battery a trickle charger may take days to fully recover the battery.
A battery tester may tell you if you should just replace the battery.
Also one thing to check, when you use the charging point, turn the ignition on, see if you get a warning light on the dash to tell you that the charger is connected. Though this may just tell you if the ignition circuit is okay, rather than the charging circuit but I would have thought they're connected.
Also check the terminals on the battery to see if they're properly connected, no loose screws.
Also check the battery earthing lead, GreyPaul told me this is a common problem.
Sorry I can't help much more than this, and you've probably already checked all these things.
All the best and hope you get it sorted.
Robert
Thanks Robert, really appreciate the input. The battery is in good condition I believe - have been driving it fairly regularly for the last few months, even though storing elsewhere. I will check the other suggestions you make and revert, thanks!I use the charging point in the boot. Though I have connected directly to the battery but got very quickly fed up of removing the interior panel.
What is telling you that you're not entering the charging cycle?
I note that the car has come out of storage, Is the battery in good condition? If the battery is completely dead a trickle charger may not be able to recover it.
If there is still some life left in the battery a trickle charger may take days to fully recover the battery.
A battery tester may tell you if you should just replace the battery.
Also one thing to check, when you use the charging point, turn the ignition on, see if you get a warning light on the dash to tell you that the charger is connected. Though this may just tell you if the ignition circuit is okay, rather than the charging circuit but I would have thought they're connected.
Also check the terminals on the battery to see if they're properly connected, no loose screws.
Also check the battery earthing lead, GreyPaul told me this is a common problem.
Sorry I can't help much more than this, and you've probably already checked all these things.
All the best and hope you get it sorted.
Robert
599Kentguy said:
cake eater said:
Hi kentguy,
I use the charging point in the boot. Though I have connected directly to the battery but got very quickly fed up of removing the interior panel.
What is telling you that you're not entering the charging cycle?
I note that the car has come out of storage, Is the battery in good condition? If the battery is completely dead a trickle charger may not be able to recover it.
If there is still some life left in the battery a trickle charger may take days to fully recover the battery.
A battery tester may tell you if you should just replace the battery.
Also one thing to check, when you use the charging point, turn the ignition on, see if you get a warning light on the dash to tell you that the charger is connected. Though this may just tell you if the ignition circuit is okay, rather than the charging circuit but I would have thought they're connected.
Also check the terminals on the battery to see if they're properly connected, no loose screws.
Also check the battery earthing lead, GreyPaul told me this is a common problem.
Sorry I can't help much more than this, and you've probably already checked all these things.
All the best and hope you get it sorted.
Robert
Thanks Robert, really appreciate the input. The battery is in good condition I believe - have been driving it fairly regularly for the last few months, even though storing elsewhere. I will check the other suggestions you make and revert, thanks!I use the charging point in the boot. Though I have connected directly to the battery but got very quickly fed up of removing the interior panel.
What is telling you that you're not entering the charging cycle?
I note that the car has come out of storage, Is the battery in good condition? If the battery is completely dead a trickle charger may not be able to recover it.
If there is still some life left in the battery a trickle charger may take days to fully recover the battery.
A battery tester may tell you if you should just replace the battery.
Also one thing to check, when you use the charging point, turn the ignition on, see if you get a warning light on the dash to tell you that the charger is connected. Though this may just tell you if the ignition circuit is okay, rather than the charging circuit but I would have thought they're connected.
Also check the terminals on the battery to see if they're properly connected, no loose screws.
Also check the battery earthing lead, GreyPaul told me this is a common problem.
Sorry I can't help much more than this, and you've probably already checked all these things.
All the best and hope you get it sorted.
Robert
599Kentguy said:
599Kentguy said:
cake eater said:
Hi kentguy,
I use the charging point in the boot. Though I have connected directly to the battery but got very quickly fed up of removing the interior panel.
What is telling you that you're not entering the charging cycle?
I note that the car has come out of storage, Is the battery in good condition? If the battery is completely dead a trickle charger may not be able to recover it.
If there is still some life left in the battery a trickle charger may take days to fully recover the battery.
A battery tester may tell you if you should just replace the battery.
Also one thing to check, when you use the charging point, turn the ignition on, see if you get a warning light on the dash to tell you that the charger is connected. Though this may just tell you if the ignition circuit is okay, rather than the charging circuit but I would have thought they're connected.
Also check the terminals on the battery to see if they're properly connected, no loose screws.
Also check the battery earthing lead, GreyPaul told me this is a common problem.
Sorry I can't help much more than this, and you've probably already checked all these things.
All the best and hope you get it sorted.
Robert
Thanks Robert, really appreciate the input. The battery is in good condition I believe - have been driving it fairly regularly for the last few months, even though storing elsewhere. I will check the other suggestions you make and revert, thanks!I use the charging point in the boot. Though I have connected directly to the battery but got very quickly fed up of removing the interior panel.
What is telling you that you're not entering the charging cycle?
I note that the car has come out of storage, Is the battery in good condition? If the battery is completely dead a trickle charger may not be able to recover it.
If there is still some life left in the battery a trickle charger may take days to fully recover the battery.
A battery tester may tell you if you should just replace the battery.
Also one thing to check, when you use the charging point, turn the ignition on, see if you get a warning light on the dash to tell you that the charger is connected. Though this may just tell you if the ignition circuit is okay, rather than the charging circuit but I would have thought they're connected.
Also check the terminals on the battery to see if they're properly connected, no loose screws.
Also check the battery earthing lead, GreyPaul told me this is a common problem.
Sorry I can't help much more than this, and you've probably already checked all these things.
All the best and hope you get it sorted.
Robert
Gald you found the problem and a solution.
I had arranged a service at MDL Specialist Cars. Got the new AC pump installed. Found that the clutch on the AC pump was worn out and that was why the car wasn't putting out properly cold air.
MDL also gave the car a once over and found that three drop links were worn and will need replacing.
Two lower front ball joints are worn and will need replacing
And the left rear wheel rim is dented on the inside and hence the very slow leak
On the test drive after MDL also reported a clunking from the rear at low speed when on off the brake and on off the throttle going up the gear particularly 2nd to 3rd
MDL also gave the car a once over and found that three drop links were worn and will need replacing.
Two lower front ball joints are worn and will need replacing
And the left rear wheel rim is dented on the inside and hence the very slow leak
On the test drive after MDL also reported a clunking from the rear at low speed when on off the brake and on off the throttle going up the gear particularly 2nd to 3rd
A quick call to GreyPaul in Nottingham and they agreed to test drive the car and give their second opinion
Matt at GreyPaul was excellent. Test drove the 599 and immediately noticed the clunking.
He did a throttle body relearn.
Basically ignition on. Throttle smoothly down 2 secs, up 2 secs then engine on.
It seemed to make a big difference. Matt advised to to this the next few times I started the car.
The clunking at low speed on the brake Matt reported as the pads moving in the caliper, a known issue that MDL had also said.
Matt also noted better brake feel despite the cold and lack of squeal. I told him that I ran different pads.
Otherwise he stated that the 599 was in excellent condition. No need to do another gearbox relearn or reset the gearbox parameters, a big job as all the tolerances need to be measured and input into the TCU
Matt at GreyPaul was excellent. Test drove the 599 and immediately noticed the clunking.
He did a throttle body relearn.
Basically ignition on. Throttle smoothly down 2 secs, up 2 secs then engine on.
It seemed to make a big difference. Matt advised to to this the next few times I started the car.
The clunking at low speed on the brake Matt reported as the pads moving in the caliper, a known issue that MDL had also said.
Matt also noted better brake feel despite the cold and lack of squeal. I told him that I ran different pads.
Otherwise he stated that the 599 was in excellent condition. No need to do another gearbox relearn or reset the gearbox parameters, a big job as all the tolerances need to be measured and input into the TCU
So off to Paris, car packed
Not such a big boot really for touring.
Car gets well dirty in these conditions
I also added some festive cheer, posh version of fluffy dice
I was initially very nervous diving in the cold wet conditions. Ice mode is not so nice so kept in wet.
But as the miles have gone on I've grown more confident and willing to drive at pace.
My one moment of madness, CST off on an empty wet roundabout told me that I'm not skillful enough and she bites really fast and hard!!
Not such a big boot really for touring.
Car gets well dirty in these conditions
I also added some festive cheer, posh version of fluffy dice
I was initially very nervous diving in the cold wet conditions. Ice mode is not so nice so kept in wet.
But as the miles have gone on I've grown more confident and willing to drive at pace.
My one moment of madness, CST off on an empty wet roundabout told me that I'm not skillful enough and she bites really fast and hard!!
One other thing about driving in these conditions are the lights, particularly the headlight washers.
They just don't clean the headlights and after driving behind other cars for a while the light output is very poor
It is possibly due to the washer jet angle that they don't effectively clean the lense surface
They just don't clean the headlights and after driving behind other cars for a while the light output is very poor
It is possibly due to the washer jet angle that they don't effectively clean the lense surface
cake eater said:
So off to Paris, car packed
I was initially very nervous diving in the cold wet conditions. Ice mode is not so nice so kept in wet.
But as the miles have gone on I've grown more confident and willing to drive at pace.
My one moment of madness, CST off on an empty wet roundabout told me that I'm not skillful enough and she bites really fast and hard!!
Did you put winter tyres on the challenge rims? It looks like you’re still running the summer rubber in which case you’re a braver man than I am. It’s not so much the glorious conditions in your photo which are the problem, it’ll be the wet/icy conditions en route which do you in. I was initially very nervous diving in the cold wet conditions. Ice mode is not so nice so kept in wet.
But as the miles have gone on I've grown more confident and willing to drive at pace.
My one moment of madness, CST off on an empty wet roundabout told me that I'm not skillful enough and she bites really fast and hard!!
Given that you have the set of F12 rims for summer use, I’d have thought it would be a no-brainer to put winter rubber on the Challenge rims.
ANOpax said:
cake eater said:
So off to Paris, car packed
I was initially very nervous diving in the cold wet conditions. Ice mode is not so nice so kept in wet.
But as the miles have gone on I've grown more confident and willing to drive at pace.
My one moment of madness, CST off on an empty wet roundabout told me that I'm not skillful enough and she bites really fast and hard!!
Did you put winter tyres on the challenge rims? It looks like you’re still running the summer rubber in which case you’re a braver man than I am. It’s not so much the glorious conditions in your photo which are the problem, it’ll be the wet/icy conditions en route which do you in. I was initially very nervous diving in the cold wet conditions. Ice mode is not so nice so kept in wet.
But as the miles have gone on I've grown more confident and willing to drive at pace.
My one moment of madness, CST off on an empty wet roundabout told me that I'm not skillful enough and she bites really fast and hard!!
Given that you have the set of F12 rims for summer use, I’d have thought it would be a no-brainer to put winter rubber on the Challenge rims.
Which is basically an excuse for my poor planning and lack of foresight.
I thought global warming had done for icy conditions till January. Stupid really
The MPS4s have so far proven to be capable, even with a little snow on the ground. However it does require very progressive throttle, steering and braking input.
Aggressive throttle input will spin the wheels at low revs and even with a progressive throttle it will spin the wheels when the revs hit 5-6k
So I'm taking a risk, have my fingers crossed, arse twitching and going carefully.
Though Google maps seems to have murderous desire and keeps shortcutting me though un gritted back roads
Weather has been very changeable on route.
Leaving Calais
Half way
Arrival at CDG airport has been interesting. Didn't realise you drove under a taxi way for the aircraft.
And Concorde
And snowy now, just little flurries but it's magical.
This hasn't been a drive fun roads trip, just munching motorway miles and the 599 is in her element, makes me feel very privileged.
And especially naughty when I overtake an SUV that's driving far too slowly
And the look of shock when you pull up at a petrol station or car park and your Ferrari looks like this
I'll be booking in a proper clean, including wheels off and underbody for when I get back
Leaving Calais
Half way
Arrival at CDG airport has been interesting. Didn't realise you drove under a taxi way for the aircraft.
And Concorde
And snowy now, just little flurries but it's magical.
This hasn't been a drive fun roads trip, just munching motorway miles and the 599 is in her element, makes me feel very privileged.
And especially naughty when I overtake an SUV that's driving far too slowly
And the look of shock when you pull up at a petrol station or car park and your Ferrari looks like this
I'll be booking in a proper clean, including wheels off and underbody for when I get back
Gassing Station | Ferrari V12 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff