I'm ready!!

[VinnieP]

People, this has probably been done loads of times before so apologies! Story so far. My current car is an 2005 E46 M3 Convertible with SMG gearbox, which is a very good all rounder. Previous car was a new TVR Tuscan 'S' Convertible which I loved but sadly it is now in car heaven due to the fact that it was a TVR, if you know what I mean! I don't care what most TVR drivers say about lack of traction, stability control, ABS etc., a car that powerful with not a lot of weight is more dangerous than a modern car should be! That was why I bought the M3.

I now feel it's time to finally get into a Ferrari. My dilemma is this: The 360 fits the bill on price, looks and features but I am truly stumped as to whether I should be looking for an F1 or manual (you knew that's where I was heading!!) I would rather have a Spider but will look at coupes. I don't drive like a nutter nor do I do track days. I like the M3 SMG when moving but do not like hills or parking, it annoys me because it seems they haven't quite finished the job! How does the F1 do in this respect? I have a feeling I would prefer the manual but do not want, for want of a better term, older technology plus, for resale, what is more sought after?

Thanking you in anticipation.

[baguaman]

f1 on the 360 is not brilliant...

think los of money spent on new clutches...

430 f1 is much much better.,...

Manual is a drivers choice..

but ferraris are not about commmon sense ..so get the paddle shift enjoy and understand the faults

[Polarbert]

Having never driven an F1 I'd have to say manual. Changing gears is SO much fun it would be a crime for a computer to do it.

[stimmers]

baguaman said:

f1 on the 360 is not brilliant...

think los of money spent on new clutches...

in 7 years and 25,000 miles in my 360 F1, i have only had the clutch changed once. It will be changed again in a couple of months. So two clutch's in say 26,000 miles and just over 7 years on a car like this is not exactly 'think lots of money spent on new clutches'

[stimmers]

Polarbert said:

Having never driven an F1 I'd have to say manual. Changing gears is SO much fun it would be a crime for a computer to do it.

Try blipping down the gears on a fast, empty road above Monaco or on the Italian Country roads and then tell me you want a manual !!!!

F1 is fantastic and seriously good fun on the track too. The 430 F1 system is much better, much more responsive, but i still find the F1 on my 2000 360 to be good.

[tony h]

f1's great fun - flat out in race mode is epic

[Polarbert]

stimmers said:

baguaman said:

f1 on the 360 is not brilliant...

think los of money spent on new clutches...

in 7 years and 25,000 miles in my 360 F1, i have only had the clutch changed once. It will be changed again in a couple of months. So two clutch's in say 26,000 miles and just over 7 years on a car like this is not exactly 'think lots of money spent on new clutches'

How much are clutches though? And aren't they supposed to last around 40k give or take usually?

[tony h]

Polarbert said:

stimmers said:

baguaman said:

f1 on the 360 is not brilliant...

think los of money spent on new clutches...

in 7 years and 25,000 miles in my 360 F1, i have only had the clutch changed once. It will be changed again in a couple of months. So two clutch's in say 26,000 miles and just over 7 years on a car like this is not exactly 'think lots of money spent on new clutches'

How much are clutches though? And aren't they supposed to last around 40k give or take usually?

about 2k, give or take. clutch life will vary a fair bit, most of it down to driver input

[GreigM]

I looked into this extensively before buying - F1 has added cost, risk and is considered by many to be a "work in progress" especially when compared to the finished item in 430. Manuals were selling quicker and at better price when I was buying - I chose manual, don't regret it at all. As for the blip on the downshift - learn to heel/toe and it does the same

[tony h]

GreigM said:

I looked into this extensively before buying - F1 has added cost, risk and is considered by many to be a "work in progress" especially when compared to the finished item in 430. Manuals were selling quicker and at better price when I was buying - I chose manual, don't regret it at all. As for the blip on the downshift - learn to heel/toe and it does the same

bet my cs has the measure of your downshift - blip that throttle, baby

[northo]

Clutch should be a lot less than £2k from a good independant with an OE clutch. You should get at least 20k out of the clutch.

[Harsh]

stimmers said:

Polarbert said:

Having never driven an F1 I'd have to say manual. Changing gears is SO much fun it would be a crime for a computer to do it.

Try blipping down the gears on a fast, empty road above Monaco or on the Italian Country roads and then tell me you want a manual !!!!

F1 is fantastic and seriously good fun on the track too. The 430 F1 system is much better, much more responsive, but i still find the F1 on my 2000 360 to be good.

how about heel and toeing on the empty italian passes then?

the bottom line is, that it comes down to personal preference.
drive them both then decide

[bromers2]

INHO the 360F1 is slightly worse than SMG II (don't know about SMG one). The clutch wear is excessive if you continue to use it in standing/crawling traffic (needs to go into neutral everytime you stop - bit of a pain in traffic) - on the open roads it's fine, I know of ones that have lasted over 50k.

If you're not doing track days /fast road I'd go for a Spider with a Tubi

The 360 is a great car to start your Ferrari romance - they are generally very reliable.

Rick

[tony h]

bromers2 said:

INHO the 360F1 is slightly worse than SMG II (don't know about SMG one). The clutch wear is excessive if you continue to use it in standing/crawling traffic (needs to go into neutral everytime you stop - bit of a pain in traffic) - on the open roads it's fine, I know of ones that have lasted over 50k.

If you're not doing track days /fast road I'd go for a Spider with a Tubi

The 360 is a great car to start your Ferrari romance - they are generally very reliable.

Rick

rick
the advice i have from verdi is that f1 IS NOT engaged at standstill if you have foot on brake. Same principle as clutch down in a manual car waiting to move off.

[VinnieP]

Thanks for the replies so far, please keep 'em coming. I would say at the moment I am leaning towards a manual Spider + Tubi but I will give the F1 a try, it would be stupid not to. Hope to start my search in a week or two.

[mhedleyrob]

tony h said:

GreigM said:

I looked into this extensively before buying - F1 has added cost, risk and is considered by many to be a "work in progress" especially when compared to the finished item in 430. Manuals were selling quicker and at better price when I was buying - I chose manual, don't regret it at all. As for the blip on the downshift - learn to heel/toe and it does the same

bet my cs has the measure of your downshift - blip that throttle, baby

I agree - had both manual and F1 Ferraris in the past. The cs is a joy with F1 - Race button on and downshifting at speed - joy!

Porsche make a far better manual - it makes the Ferrari seem a bit 'clonky'. Maybe something to do with the metal gate around the gearstick. But this is entirely a personal view as I know many owners love manual ferraris.

Good luck with your hunting and hope you make the right choice.

[stimmers]

Polarbert said:

stimmers said:

baguaman said:

f1 on the 360 is not brilliant...

think los of money spent on new clutches...

in 7 years and 25,000 miles in my 360 F1, i have only had the clutch changed once. It will be changed again in a couple of months. So two clutch's in say 26,000 miles and just over 7 years on a car like this is not exactly 'think lots of money spent on new clutches'

How much are clutches though? And aren't they supposed to last around 40k give or take usually?

New Clutch and Clutch Bearing is fitted for around £1200 where i get mine done

Edited by stimmers on Sunday 20th January 13:03

[bromers2]

tony h said:

bromers2 said:

INHO the 360F1 is slightly worse than SMG II (don't know about SMG one). The clutch wear is excessive if you continue to use it in standing/crawling traffic (needs to go into neutral everytime you stop - bit of a pain in traffic) - on the open roads it's fine, I know of ones that have lasted over 50k.

If you're not doing track days /fast road I'd go for a Spider with a Tubi

The 360 is a great car to start your Ferrari romance - they are generally very reliable.

Rick

rick
the advice i have from verdi is that f1 IS NOT engaged at standstill if you have foot on brake. Same principle as clutch down in a manual car waiting to move off.

Never knew that, makes sense though. Various people and sources had always said go into neutral.

Rick

[AlSharpton]

Harsh said:

stimmers said:

Polarbert said:

Having never driven an F1 I'd have to say manual. Changing gears is SO much fun it would be a crime for a computer to do it.

Try blipping down the gears on a fast, empty road above Monaco or on the Italian Country roads and then tell me you want a manual !!!!

F1 is fantastic and seriously good fun on the track too. The 430 F1 system is much better, much more responsive, but i still find the F1 on my 2000 360 to be good.

how about heel and toeing on the empty italian passes then?

It is a whole like nicer when you do the "blipping down the gears" yourself rather than having a computer do it for you.

[Polarbert]

stimmers said:

Polarbert said:

Having never driven an F1 I'd have to say manual. Changing gears is SO much fun it would be a crime for a computer to do it.

Try blipping down the gears on a fast, empty road above Monaco or on the Italian Country roads and then tell me you want a manual !!!!

F1 is fantastic and seriously good fun on the track too. The 430 F1 system is much better, much more responsive, but i still find the F1 on my 2000 360 to be good.

I could do that, but I'd still want a manual. I've been in an F1 360 and it just didn't seem right to me.

If I ever get a Ferrari, its not going to have any paddles behind the steering wheel. It just isn't right in my mind.