365BB vs 512BB

Prices for 365's have gone crazy, should I expand my search to include 512BB's?? Side by side, how would you describe the difference in driving experience. I need that raw FERRARI feel. has anyone driven both? Thanks

 

I've driven both, though my time behind the wheel in a 365 was limited to casual driving, while owning a 512 has afforded me opportunity in nearly every aspect.

I would also suggest that comparison of the two would be significantly affected by the condition of each. The 365 I drove was essentially unrestored with more than 60,000 miles on it while my 512 has less than a quarter of that in mileage yet has seen every mechanical part of the car restored. Mine also never had the DOT re-work done.

From my perspective, the 512 is tighter, more predictible in handling and "feel" of the road. The throttle response, engine feel and sound is pretty similar though my 512 has twin Tubis and is louder than the stock four pipe 365 I drove.

I don't personally feel that there is a real appreciable difference between the two except for what I consider to be improvements made in the 512.

If the 365's you've looked at are skyrocketing beyond reason, expect the 512 to be no more than a year or two behind at the most.

DMAX

 

Oh, and IMHO the "rawness" is entirely intact when it comes to the 512!

DMAX

 

A carbed 512 would be my first choice actually, the 365 has too many hard to find $$$$ parts, IMO...

So you pick which seat you want, all parts of the airplane arrive at the same time!

Gear ratios are the main difference, as I understand it...you can always play with that in your garage!

Other swear by the final BBi version.....

 

I have owned both a 512 BBi and my current 365 BB. The 365 is definitely more raw in character than the 512 BBi and less refined. The 365 BBs steering feels a lot lighter at low speeds, probably due to its narrower front wheels. I have heard a few people characterize the 365 BB as feeling like a Dino with muscle and I would agree with that assessment, although it is not nearly as tossable. I have not driven a 512 BB so I cannot comment on that; however the carburation is an aspect of the rawness on the 365 that will also be there on the 512 BB.

 

Ive never driven a 365BB but when the word refined comes up when describing the 512's, I would rather say much better than refined. A dual disc clutch in a 512 is better, not refined. Dry sump lubrication isnt a refinement, its a major improvement in more than one way. Wider rear tires and improved suspension might be a refinement as well as the chin spoiler to prevent lift at high speeds. I think the 512 is a better car because of the obvious improvements and why a 365 is worth more makes as much sense as a 246 being worth more than a 512. It sure isnt about speed when it comes to the dino.

 

There is an article on *********** comparing the 365 BB to the 512 BB. It is in the second issue of their magazine. The pdf can be downloaded from their site.

 

Check this post on Ferrari Life:
http://www.***********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5213
Owner has both a 365 and 512BB and gives a really good comparison between the two here:
http://www.***********.com/flq/

 

I think you'll find the 365 motor more cammy vs the 512BB that is very linear in its powerband, the 365s smaller displacement also gives them less power in the low end.

The 512Bb is about as raw driving experience as you can get in a Ferrari, in comparison to my 355 is a Cadillac, i flip the stereo on at times in the 355 on drives in my Bb I bought a top of the line Alpine with a remote I haven't even bothered installing yet as I could never hear it unless at a traffic light idleing, but I never get bored driving it thinking I want to hear the stereo as well as the car demands full concentration.

IMO the 512BB carb cars have the best of both worlds very raw and additional reliablity and strength over the 365, all Boxers are great though those that have each model will have their bias towards them. I initially wanted a BBi as well until I did research on Boxers after I bought it.

 

While I acknowledge that the carb Boxers sound better, I drove a 365GT4/BB, several BB512s and several BB512is prior to buying my current BB512i. I just preferred the i model because I drive mine more than most folks and it just seems to drive better than the carb examples I drove...The low end torque and ease of driving also makes the i car a better choice ...

 

thanks for the great input. that article in F-life mirrored your sentiments exactly. Looks like I'm looking at 512's as well! Does anyone know more about the one that didnt sell on e bay last week, 11,000 mile red car? thanks for all the help.

 

Here is another one from M. Sheehan: http://www.ferraris-online.com/pages/carintro.php?reqcardir=FE-512BB-33625

 

that sheehan car looks interesting, all paerwork and history, tools and books! but I'm no expert....what do you guys think?

 

looks good, check it out, move fast if its a good car

 

I don't know if u saw this, but here is a nice 512 carb car in San Diego. I've seen it, not driven. It is a clean car, maybe not perfect, but nice. Service history is solid. Car was originally blue, repainted by owner black. Interior changed to white from ? Estimates are $4K for retrofit to tan interior. I was looking to buy the car at $74 but only if the owner put the new interior right, so a $70K sale to me. Mileage was scary to me, however, plus it's a carb car (I'm intimidated by 6 of anything that doesn't have bottlecaps).

http://www.bobileff.com/ferrari_frame.html

 

just spoke to sheehan, the car is SOLD. The Bobbileff car is going to someone at F-life. why hasnt the e bay car sold?

 

The way Sheehan has bad mouthed Boxers for years he should have just given it away...after all acording to him they are almost worthless anyway...

 

If this is an Euro car and never "Americanized" what is it doing with front and rear side marker lights?

Did not think these were required in any Euro markets.

Drew Altemara

 

The Sheehan car was still in Europe, too.

Interesting that it sold so quickly-- maybe prices for BBs are on the move!

I wonder where it's going?

 

That's exactly why a huge difference in prices between the 365BBs and 512BBs can't really hold. They are too easily substituted for one another.

 

LOL! Well the Boxer market is certainly heating up, if not going up!

(Which of course it is...)

The eBay boxer was in the hands of a used car lot, no history, vague answers to specific questions and the Accel coil on the fender and the subwoofer cut into the passenger footwell are the kinds of mods made by a "Certain type" of owner........if I was to mount an Accel coil I'd at least spray it flat black!

Sheehan did write a column once, calling them "sale proof" or something like that IIRC...

 

Well, recall the Bobilieff car is in Km, not miles, so slightly lower.

A shame about the color change though...it does look nice.

 

If the value of cars was based on absolute performance , then an F430 should be worth more than a 275 GTB/4 or a 250 GTO. The collector marketplace values certain attributes (character, aesthetics, scarcity, racing provenance, etc.) above absolute performance. Trying to analyze value in any other way is an exercise in futility.

 

Update: the Bobileff car is still available. Deal fell through. I'm looking at it on the 15th.

 

Agreed but I like value for my money or bang for my buck and feel that is a logical course to take in life. An under-powered car such as a dino 206/246 will always be a dino not a ferrari and its powered by a fiat engine, (246) not to mention parts are more costly than say a boxer. So, in my opinion people that pay more for less because of a trend in the market come across as foolish to me. Yes a dino is pretty but its also pretty slow so not worth it. A 250GTO is a ferrari not a dino it also has a 12 cylinder engine not a fiat 6 cyl. As for the 365 vs a 512, the 365 would be a less logical purchase, relative to the logic of buying any ferrari in the first place.