Every day tips for living with a 599
Discussion
Thom said:
Great job.
The pressure in the F1 hydraulic circuit must get pretty high for the fluid to boil... I cannot see any dedicated external radiator on your picture?
Hi Thom,The pressure in the F1 hydraulic circuit must get pretty high for the fluid to boil... I cannot see any dedicated external radiator on your picture?
My understanding is that the F1 system doesn't have an oil cooler. The gearbox does.
I have come to realise that because of the rear under tray there's probably little or no airflow around the gearbox so actually spending time driving around was maybe of little help.
I think with the changes to the preload, the tyres and geometry that the LSD is working a lot harder, particularly at the Nurburgring with all its bumps and funny cambers. So it's getting a lot hotter even though I did no more that 3 lap stints.
DeejRC said:
Speeds reached Cake?
195mph on the clock as I went under the bridge and I had a passenger to corroborate (purple M2 driver)To that passenger I again apologise for scaring both of us as we had moment at 195 mph. I was off line, on the inside passing another car. There's a little crest as I touched the brakes to slow us for the left and she got very very squirrelly
One thing about the setup with the 285 section front tyres and GTO geometry the 599 now tram lines a lot.
It's quite disconcerting how the steering will tug at your hands and the car will pull trying to climb a camber and it was particularly scary in the heavy rain on the drive back last night. Even at 60mph the cup 2 tyres made me nervous when the road took a glassy look.
Ben (Circuit Days instructor at Nurburgring) thinks it's due to the toe out on the front. The 1.6° camber didn't seem excessive to him. His recommendation was to run more camber and less toe for the Nurburgring.
The geometry will need checking anyway as it's taken a hammering and there's a slight knock / grumble when cornering with a higher load
It's quite disconcerting how the steering will tug at your hands and the car will pull trying to climb a camber and it was particularly scary in the heavy rain on the drive back last night. Even at 60mph the cup 2 tyres made me nervous when the road took a glassy look.
Ben (Circuit Days instructor at Nurburgring) thinks it's due to the toe out on the front. The 1.6° camber didn't seem excessive to him. His recommendation was to run more camber and less toe for the Nurburgring.
The geometry will need checking anyway as it's taken a hammering and there's a slight knock / grumble when cornering with a higher load
akadk said:
I’ve been going to the ring and spa for 11 years and have NEVER. Seen a 599 being thrashed around there
Absolute legend !
Hi akadk,Absolute legend !
Thanks, it's a unique car that suits me.
I like to think that if 007 was Italian and in a bad mood he'd take the 599
For an expensive donkey it does subtle, gentlemanly and looney as the mood takes you
(plagiarising DeejRC again)
aundre-3000 said:
cake eater said:
On a slight side note where did you get them refurbed I’ve got a set of callipers needing some TLC.Cracking work at the ring. It’s awesome just seeing a 599 being used/hammered properly.
Lee at MDL arranged everything for the caliper. You can contact him directly, details here http://mdlferrari.co.uk/
When I was calling around looking for a pre purchase inspection other Ferrari specialists said that when it came to v12 they recommend Mark at MDL over themselves. MDL have been damn good at looking after my 599 in general.
The Ring is a wonderful place to push but I have a lot to learn for the lines till I'm consistent enough to really push hard. Most of the really fast stretches I was holding back in part to give the car a rest but also give myself 'thinking room'.
Over the bumpy bits the 599 doesn't cope well at all with far too much vertical movement which means it's very easy to unload the tyres, so again I'm giving myself soon room for error, especially under braking.
So the 599 has been tucked away for another couple of months as I'm back to work.
When I get back it will be a quick trip to MDL for an initial diagnosis of the electrical system failure and other warning messages on the dash as well as a top up of the F1 hydraulic system.
I'll then take the car back to Viezu to address the Engine Control Unit failure warning message on the dash.
Long term I need to do some overtime so I can get replacement discs.
Clutch and gearbox will need adjustment. I'd like to get the HGTE gearbox map installed.
Will also need to look at an expansion tank for the F1 hydraulic system.
There's a long list of cosmetic items I also want to sort.....
When I get back it will be a quick trip to MDL for an initial diagnosis of the electrical system failure and other warning messages on the dash as well as a top up of the F1 hydraulic system.
I'll then take the car back to Viezu to address the Engine Control Unit failure warning message on the dash.
Long term I need to do some overtime so I can get replacement discs.
Clutch and gearbox will need adjustment. I'd like to get the HGTE gearbox map installed.
Will also need to look at an expansion tank for the F1 hydraulic system.
There's a long list of cosmetic items I also want to sort.....
DeejRC said:
I need to learn your work life balance I think - as currently I don't have one.
I think it is safe to say old boy that you are now in Bridget Jones territory: already a legend.
I think it is safe to say old boy that you are now in Bridget Jones territory: already a legend.
I had a few things happen in my life, a little bit complicated but the simple result is that I want to enjoy what I have an I am very privileged to have that.
My Mum is always complaining that I don't save enough but shrouds don't have pockets (then Mum says I can leave it to someone).
I won't always be able to work but nor will I always be able to enjoy 'racing'.
So in the meantime....
Family and Friends First. But sometimes work is what we give to put family and friends first. The balance is impossible and there's no wrong way.
I only just noticed this thread. It was a great read. Good to see someone making the most of their Ferrari.
My first donkey was a 360 CS (bought when I was living in CH). It was ten years old but had only done 700 km. I had a great time but it did let me down badly by breaking down whilst I was taking a friend visiting from the UK for a drive. I drove it as hard as I dared (in Switzerland) and it was bound to happen after it having sat around for 10 years.
Worse part was as we were waiting for the recovery truck a guy drove last in a GT3 and gave me a “well if you must drive a Ferrari” look/smirk!
My second (and probably last) was a 355. Also in Switzerland. Broke down whilst I was driving in France with some friends who were part of a classic 911 club. Even before they had finished winching the 355 onto the low loader my friend was posting photos of it on social media. They were amused that my 355 was 25 to 35 years younger than the other cars but was the one to break down.
On the flip side, before it broke down, when we stopped for petrol it was as if the 911s were invisible to the French as they only had eyes for the 355.
I came very close to buying a Ferrari V12 whilst in Switzerland. But one I went to buy had been sold the day before and another one I found I couldn’t persuade the seller to sell it. Change in circumstances (and increased prices) mean that that ship has sailed. I do wish I had had the experience though.
My first donkey was a 360 CS (bought when I was living in CH). It was ten years old but had only done 700 km. I had a great time but it did let me down badly by breaking down whilst I was taking a friend visiting from the UK for a drive. I drove it as hard as I dared (in Switzerland) and it was bound to happen after it having sat around for 10 years.
Worse part was as we were waiting for the recovery truck a guy drove last in a GT3 and gave me a “well if you must drive a Ferrari” look/smirk!
My second (and probably last) was a 355. Also in Switzerland. Broke down whilst I was driving in France with some friends who were part of a classic 911 club. Even before they had finished winching the 355 onto the low loader my friend was posting photos of it on social media. They were amused that my 355 was 25 to 35 years younger than the other cars but was the one to break down.
On the flip side, before it broke down, when we stopped for petrol it was as if the 911s were invisible to the French as they only had eyes for the 355.
I came very close to buying a Ferrari V12 whilst in Switzerland. But one I went to buy had been sold the day before and another one I found I couldn’t persuade the seller to sell it. Change in circumstances (and increased prices) mean that that ship has sailed. I do wish I had had the experience though.
Skeptisk said:
I only just noticed this thread. It was a great read. Good to see someone making the most of their Ferrari.
My first donkey was a 360 CS (bought when I was living in CH). It was ten years old but had only done 700 km. I had a great time but it did let me down badly by breaking down whilst I was taking a friend visiting from the UK for a drive. I drove it as hard as I dared (in Switzerland) and it was bound to happen after it having sat around for 10 years.
Worse part was as we were waiting for the recovery truck a guy drove last in a GT3 and gave me a “well if you must drive a Ferrari” look/smirk!
My second (and probably last) was a 355. Also in Switzerland. Broke down whilst I was driving in France with some friends who were part of a classic 911 club. Even before they had finished winching the 355 onto the low loader my friend was posting photos of it on social media. They were amused that my 355 was 25 to 35 years younger than the other cars but was the one to break down.
On the flip side, before it broke down, when we stopped for petrol it was as if the 911s were invisible to the French as they only had eyes for the 355.
I came very close to buying a Ferrari V12 whilst in Switzerland. But one I went to buy had been sold the day before and another one I found I couldn’t persuade the seller to sell it. Change in circumstances (and increased prices) mean that that ship has sailed. I do wish I had had the experience though.
Hi Skeptisk,My first donkey was a 360 CS (bought when I was living in CH). It was ten years old but had only done 700 km. I had a great time but it did let me down badly by breaking down whilst I was taking a friend visiting from the UK for a drive. I drove it as hard as I dared (in Switzerland) and it was bound to happen after it having sat around for 10 years.
Worse part was as we were waiting for the recovery truck a guy drove last in a GT3 and gave me a “well if you must drive a Ferrari” look/smirk!
My second (and probably last) was a 355. Also in Switzerland. Broke down whilst I was driving in France with some friends who were part of a classic 911 club. Even before they had finished winching the 355 onto the low loader my friend was posting photos of it on social media. They were amused that my 355 was 25 to 35 years younger than the other cars but was the one to break down.
On the flip side, before it broke down, when we stopped for petrol it was as if the 911s were invisible to the French as they only had eyes for the 355.
I came very close to buying a Ferrari V12 whilst in Switzerland. But one I went to buy had been sold the day before and another one I found I couldn’t persuade the seller to sell it. Change in circumstances (and increased prices) mean that that ship has sailed. I do wish I had had the experience though.
I'm glad you enjoyed the thread. The 599 is certainly a monumental car with the same level of bills to keep it in tip top condition. I have done 20k miles in almost 16 months and I think I've done 7 or 8 oil changes. I've not followed a milage or time schedule, I've done it based on type of usage.
But the financial pain all goes away when you get to enjoy it! I have also noticed that the 599 gets a lot more attention in Europe than at home in the UK. Although this has changed a little with the F12 rims.
As the donkey is a herd animal I want to add a V8 to the stable, probably a 430 as it's the same generation. I'd like a scuderia, RHD is out of my price range but a LHD is achievable but only once all the big long term maintenance items are out of the way on the 599. I'll also have to sell the caterham and GT86. Problem is I'll need a new garage as I don't have the room, no way the donkeys are staying outside.
Switzerland is certainly a wonderful place to own and drive a 360 / 355. As you mention it is a huge risk to drive them hard due to the penalties if you're caught speeding. I believe the highest ever speeding fine was given to a German businessman travelling through CH in a Merc SLS.
Enjoy and all the best
DeejRC said:
Cake - bit of an update for you on my downgrading from a 12 to a 6…
I’ve been on the 296GTS config site.
My configuration spec is Verde British over Bordeaux interior and Nero carpets.
Really really really trying hard not to do something stupid!!
I'm willing you on to do something stupid I’ve been on the 296GTS config site.
My configuration spec is Verde British over Bordeaux interior and Nero carpets.
Really really really trying hard not to do something stupid!!
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