| Author |
Message |
wm hart (Whart)
Junior Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 134
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 10:36 am: | |
Can't comment on reliability, but i had a '99 355 GTS with an f1 transmission and frankly found it uninvolving for street driving. I did not track the car, but could definitely see the value of the device there. As to speed of shifting, i think the f1 is pretty hard to beat, but upshifts were a little rugged; the downshifts, with the blip were heaven. Left foot braking also becomes an option; visually, found the bare console, emasculated of stick, to look a bit unsettling, and the little reverse T-bar didn't always engage. |
Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
New member
Username: Manu
Post Number: 37
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 9:10 am: | |
I forgot to add, that 2 clutches in 9 months is EXTREME - but he was a terrible driver and also the clutch was on the verge of replacement when he first bought the car.
In the circumstances, I think the car held up quite well....... |
Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
New member
Username: Manu
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 8:58 am: | |
My cousin had to sell his F355 F1 because F1 related histrionics were killing him.
He loved the tranny but it kept screwing up.
Now I must concede that the guy is an ***hole and can't drive from my (our) grandmother.... I'm assuming that you guys CAN REALLY DRIVE.
Either way, his 355 went through 2 clutches in the 9 months he had the car. He wouldn't let the oil warm before thrashing the car... He'd stomp on the gas when moving around slowly (he sounded like a rookie driver with the car always over-revving) and did loads of full-throttle starts. I was instructed by a Ferrari technician that, especially with the F355 F1, it is always a good idea to feather the throttle slightly when shifting... And yes it is true, the system always shifts better than a human so theoretically your clutch should last longer.
If it doesn't your in trouble: the worldwide shortage of F355 clutches continues.....
To be honest, if you've got any mechanical sympathy (worthy of driving a Ferrari) I don't think you'll have any problems. |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
Junior Member
Username: T88power
Post Number: 243
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 7:40 am: | |
Bernard, I agree that most people who critisize the F1 tranny are those who have either never tried or or base it on supposed "second-hand" experience. I completely LOVE the F1 system, or anything else that makes my Ferrari a faster car.
On a note on reliability, we had an Italian mechanic from Maranello visit out dealer here in Puerto Rico and he said that clutch life on the F1's is much much longer than on the manuals. He explained how people sometimes miss shift, ride the clutch when shifting, etc etc, while the F1 always does a perfect shift.
Ernesto |
Bernard Rowe (Gtsturbo)
New member
Username: Gtsturbo
Post Number: 46
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 5:40 am: | |
I've just moved up from a 328 to 355 F1. Prior to buying the F1 I tried both types of transmission as I was concerned about all the "issues" relating to F1.
I live in London,UK so to reach an empty road means driving in traffic at the start and end of each journey.
Most of the comments made about F1 are I believe by people that don't own or even drive the cars. Just my opinion but after trying F1, you've got to have the car just once in your life at least! Its so much fun.
In traffic its easy, just remember its manual transmission, so if you are going to sit for any time, put the car in neutral! Don't let it ride the clutch!
Slow speed maneuvering is easy to too, I would say after 5 mins of practice you'll be 100% confident at parking, & generally moving the car about.
Changing gear at speed is just the business!! Again after a few hours practice the changes are fast, smooth and consistent. People say they can change faster with a 6 speed. Maybe once or twice in the course of a journey, but not on every single shift!
I've driven manual cars all my life (never owned an auto) and this is the future!
Clutch life is less than a 6 speed, I was quoted 12K miles using the car as I expect to. But the cost of changing the clutch is not that expensive.
If the boring issues of maintenance, deprecation, cost of ownership, blah, blah, blah, that seem to get flogged to death are a major issue, don't buy it, get an E55 or similar, its only money and you only live once.
If you want to get out of the car with the biggest smile you have ever had, after every journey buy a F355 F1!!
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Cmparrf40 (Cmparrf40)
New member
Username: Cmparrf40
Post Number: 49
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 12:45 am: | |
I have heard from techs at some Ferrari dealerships that they love them, keeps them very busy fixing them! You might want to talk with the mechanics at your dealer and get their opinion. I have never heard from an owner with any complaints regrading reliability. Hopefully some F1 owners can give some advice on this issue...
The guys I know that have 'em love it, although they say it can be a little awkward in traffic. I think the system on the 360 is significantly refined. I'm a do it yourself 'er I like rowing the gears! |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Junior Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 85
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 7:43 pm: | |
Curious to hear from folks who have/had a 355 with the F1 transmission - specifically regarding robustness, reliability, maintenance, etc.
Aside from the fact that it's yet another complex system to maintain on a not-free-to-maintain car, I've heard no tales told re: how these trannies hold up.
I've generally focused on 6 speeds by default, and have avoided the F1 cars. However, as my search has focused down to 1998 and (primarily) 1999 MY cars, I'm stuck with the fact that a huge percentage of those MYs were with the F1 tranny.
Since I don't intend to track the car (Spider), and the pricing difference isn't a huge factor, I don't know that I will remain wedded to the 6 speed.
BUT if it's a maintenance mess waiting to happen, I'll be happy to avoid it!
Anybody have commentary on this?
Thanks!
Doody. |
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