A new 612 owner

The 612 is a great car, you will really enjoy it. I have a late 06' 612, 6spd manual car. Mine has the 20' 599 Challenge wheels on it. They fit perfect and totally improve the look, fill out the wheel wells better and the rears are wider.

 

Thomas- When you stop in an F1 car, regardless of what gear you are in, the clutch is open, so there is nothing to hold it on a hill except for the brake. Same if you are stopped and it is flat. In neutral or 1st gear, or any gear, the clutch will be disengaged when stopped.

Remember, the F1 612 is a manual transmission and dry plate clutch Ferrari, with an electro-hydraulic system to shift gears and operate the clutch. In fact it is the same transmission and clutch used in the three pedal 612s.

 

Congrats Thomas, photos please and the Challenge wheels are definitely worth it.
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Thomas- There are no fake Challenge wheels out there that I have seen. $4-5K is a good price and 599 Challenge wheels fit perfectly, too.

 

The F1 transmission IS a manual transmission. Its the same box as the stick shift version. The only thing they did was add some electric-hydrolic actuaters to move the clutch and swap the gears in lieu of the clutch pedal and shifter. So, drive it like a manual, but instead of moving your foot and elbow, you simply flick the paddle. I suspect you know all this, but my point is simply "drive it like a manual" and it will make sense. Btw, many of us swear off ever using the Auto mode for reasons both practical (it seems to wear clutches more) and spiritual

Your 612 sounds perfect! Do share some pics...

 

Congratulations.

Some advice when it comes to the F1 gearbox, as others have said, drive it like a manual. Try avoid reversing up steep hills and if you have to, be abrupt with the throttle, decisive movement, rather than riding the clutch.

 

About as legitimate as you can get. OEM Ferrari parts made by BBS for the rear of a 599. Fit a 612 perfectly (dozens running them), too, with 612 or 599 size rear tires. Put on Michelin Pilot Super Sports and she will handle and brake beautifully and ride better, too.

 

Taz - I know this has been answered on here before but what tire size MPSS would I need to get for the rears on these rims? I have them on my car w Pirellis and I want to switch over but the MPSS doesn't come in a 305.

 

hi thomas. congrats on your purchase! what a great time to buy a 612 - it is such a bargain now. i think your colour is grigio silverstone - a great colour for a 612. hgts is perfect spec car for hk - fantastic exhaust note. i had a 612hgtc for a few years and miss that car. it was absolutely trouble free and very useful. like you a 4 seater sports car to me is more practical than a 2 seater while still providing the driving emotion. for me at least, i prefer the split rims on the hgts over the challenge style rims but it is all a matter of personal taste.

 

Congats - I have the same color; but with black HGTS wheels and interior is Cuoio with black Daytona accents.

 

i went the other way. i essentially replaced my 612 with a 997.2 turbo manual. main reason was to go for a manual car. i also find the porsche to be much better suited to hk's tighter roads and car parks - especially with my rather inadequate parking skills. what i most miss on the 612 vs the 911 is the ability to carry golf clubs in the boot. 997 is vastly superior on the wet greasy roads that we have for about 6 months of the year.

 

Lift the hood/bonnet and on the inside front edge you will see a yellow sticker with the paint color.

 

Thomas- The fronts on the 599 and 612 are only 8" wide. Only the HGTE front wheels are 8.5" (GTO has 9.5" fronts).

Paint looks like Grigio Silverstone or Canna di Fucile. There is a paint sticker on her to tell you what color she is.

 

looks a fantastic car-hope you and you family enjoy it(mine certainly do!).

 

Andrew- Missed your post. For the rear of your 612, I would go with MPSS in size 285/35 20 (OEM 612 size) or 295/35 20 if you want a little more rubber on the road. Both fit 11" wide wheels.