| Author | Message | ||
| Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Junior Member Username: Manu Post Number: 227 Registered: 2-2002 |
I too have never been a big fan of the F1 - I can understand why people might like it but I love the feel of the open gated gearshift - changing gear yourself, for me at least, is simply more satisfying. My cousin (I conceed a fairly poor driver) went through 2 clutches in 9 months on his F355 F1! Yes that is NOT a mistake - 2 in 9 months! When in traffic it would stutter and wobble when pulling away whilst the revs went crazy - from the outside it sounded like some idiot was dialing in 3000rpm just to pull away. Reversing out of the driveway - Beep beep beep until reverse is FINALLY found (or was it long silence and then beep...).... brush the throttle and the car launches itself into the wall behind you while your passenger gives you a look of what the *^%! ????? Moreover why would you need it on a V12 with ~430lbs of torque anyway? P.S. Got your email Kevin - Stay way from Maranello Sales in the next few months - happy Marriage or 575MM? - the choice is yours  - BTW : They told me 2 year wait for normal tranny 575 but longer for F1. | ||
| Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
New member Username: Jammy Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2002 |
Fair enough, the car I drove had the wrong piss settings! You guys own them and you should know; tell the journalists :o) K | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 690 Registered: 8-2001 |
It's true. You need to keep the throttle down and not lift. Otherwise, you're just fighting the computer. | ||
| Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
New member Username: Jammy Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2002 |
Jason, What you say is surprising for two reasons: 1) The cars belonged to Club Fiorano, supplied and maintained by Ferrari UK. If they weren't set up properly then well... 2) Everything, and I mean everything, I've read, and everyone I've spoken to says feather lightly before pulling for the next gear unless you want your forehead embedded in the airbag. I'm not saying I don't believe you, only that you're the first person I've heard say this. However I am no expert, and related my only F1 gearbox experience to date. Regards Kevin | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Junior Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 104 Registered: 3-2001 |
Kevin The 360 F1 you drove, clearly wasn�t set correctly (P.I.S settings)....You are NOT supposed to lift off during the gear change, as the engine management system controls the fly by wire throttle for you.....My understanding is that the lift off throttle procedure relates to the 355 F1 that doesn't have a fly by wire throttle. You should also bear in mind that the F1 system takes some getting used to... | ||
| Red Lindell (Redhead)
New member Username: Redhead Post Number: 40 Registered: 12-2001 |
Talking with someone who has driven the 575M at the Ferrari dealer training in Italy, he says the complete opposite of that. His opinon is that is huge improvement over the 360 F1 system. His time car was fairly limited, but still every shift was described as butter smooth. He also drove a Maseriti spider and said that the 575 felt better than that F1 system as well. Being that he works at a dealership, he has alot of experince driving these cars....Just another thought to be thorwn into the equation.... | ||
| Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
New member Username: Jammy Post Number: 11 Registered: 3-2002 |
Picked up the June edition of EVO magazine this evening. It's a Ferrari special. There is a feature on the 575M (they don't like the gearbox though for downshifts not upshifts); buyers guide for 456GT & 512TR; first drives, inc. 355 spider. | ||
| Joseph Caretti (Pino)
New member Username: Pino Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ross, where have you been able to read reviews of the 575M? | ||
| Kevin Johnson (Jammy)
New member Username: Jammy Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2002 |
About a year ago I tried, back to back, a 360 Modena with an F1 gearbox and one with manual. This was with Club Fiorano at Brands Hatch when I was deciding whether to go F1 or manual. Downshifts on the F1 were nice but the upshifts were awful if you keep your foot down while changing gear; there was this horrible pause where I was thrown forward with no drive, then it would engage and my body would be thrown back in the seat. Really wasn't impressed with this. Apparently you have to lift off slightly until the next gear is engaged to make the changes smooth ie. you have to 'learn' it. I found this out later (the instructor didn't mention it), but by then it was too late. The manual version was sweet as a nut and I was very impressed. I've been heeling and toeing for years anyway, so while the blip on the downshift may amuse the punters, it's easy enough to do yourself. If the manual gearbox is a bit crap (eg Maserati 3200) then I'd go F1 or Cambriocorsa but I think the technology has some way to go yet. I ended up buying the manual and have not regretted it. I've still got the same clutch too, which is the other difference. As a footnote, I do have an offer to try the 575M demonstrator. However, they don't have a demonstrator for nothing, and as my wife says, I'm 'a salesman's dream'.... So don't expect a post on this anytime soon. | ||
| Andrew (Mrrou)
Member Username: Mrrou Post Number: 253 Registered: 3-2002 |
well lets remember that this is the first time an F1 has ever been on a V12 in a ferrari..this is a big GT front engined car...personally..i am not a big fan of the 575..i dont like the interior at all and the styling is soso..but I am sure the engineering and the sound is incredable..that is what makes a ferrari a ferrari..but i am sure in the 575's 2nd year that the f1 issue will be resolved andrew | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 68 Registered: 3-2002 |
i have just read the 3rd review of the new 575m with the f1 gearbox, (that seems to be the only one offered to the journalists to drive), where the guy says that it is balky, not smoothe up or down, can't park or turn around on a hill, etc....and these are comments by people who own or have driven plenty of 355 and 360 f1's. every one of them said he would rather have the traditional manual, and sees no need for the f1 in the 575m. i have never driven an f1 shifter, and so have no basis to decide whether these guys are right or wrong. can anybody comment? |