F430 - Post 2008 With Updates

[jezzaaa]

Hi All - I know there are a lot of these discussions on the web, particularly on US forums, and it's also very subjective. But is there anyone here in the UK who has driven or ideally owned both a pre and post 2008 MY F430 F1 and can vouch for the improvements (if any) for the later car?

There's much mention of TCU updates. And the revised manifolds (which still crack I gather)! Most of the differences seem to be the accumulated updates which were applied by the factory over the years since launch! Plus the loss of the passenger side lock...and of course CCM becoming standard. Etc.

What I'm most interested in is the F1 system...is it noticeably better on the 2008 cars? Will I rue not buying the later car if I subsequently try and newer one? Or is it not much different?

Thanks all,

J.

[RJ5560]

I am currently looking for a Rosso F430 Spider and have driven a 2006 and 2008 car in the last two weeks. There is definitely a difference in the change quality - I found the 2006 car to be slightly more ponderous when changing up or down when the Manetino was in Low Grip or Sport and there was little accelerator depressed. The 2008 car was quicker shifting at these low speeds/ low acceleration. When giving it more power or in Race, I couldn’t notice any difference.

Someone with more technical bias will be able to give the hard facts.

Both cars were lovely to drive though - and on the 2006 car I think it would only take a short while to learn how to get the best changes.
With my car search I have concluded for me that the year makes little difference - the usual condition / maintenance history and deferred maintenance are the criteria I am using.

Hope this helps

[mwstewart]

Yes, it is noticeably better, both in terms of clutch control and change speed.

[jezzaaa]

Ok thanks guys.