Traded 430 for 612 | FerrariChat

Traded 430 for 612

Discussion in '612/599' started by DonC, Jun 10, 2010.

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  1. DonC

    DonC Rookie

    Feb 11, 2005
    45
    I loved the 430, but the 612 is amazing. Sounds even better than the V8, F1 shifts much smoother, handles beautifully, and while it attracts attention it's a different kind of attention. The 430 was red, and the 612 is nero daytona so maybe that's part of the reason. Here's the best part, I was putting about 1400 miles on the 430 a year; I put 650 miles on the 612 in one week.

    Both great cars; different personalities; I wouldn't go back (except maybe for a Scud).
     
  2. DonC

    DonC Rookie

    Feb 11, 2005
    45
    #2 DonC, Jun 10, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. champagne612

    champagne612 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Mar 28, 2009
    5,725
    Nice Scag!

    Can you tell me your take on the steering feel? IMO it seems light but I am curious to hear your thoughts.
     
  4. DonC

    DonC Rookie

    Feb 11, 2005
    45
    It is light, and when I first started driving it, I didn't think it handled all that well (at least after the 430). But I took it to the track and really pushed it, and it all works great. It's comfortable around town, but when you really go after it, it responds beautifully.

    I also have an SL65, and while I'm addicted to that engine, the 612 has a subtle and tactile feel that the Benz lacks.
     
  5. champagne612

    champagne612 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Mar 28, 2009
    5,725
    Interesting as I had a CL65 then the 612. The CL65 was the fastest car 0-100 I have ever driven but I don't miss it. Mine has the GTC package and I switched to the 599 polished wheels set up. Enjoy it and keep me posted if you start looking for upgrades.
     
  6. johns930

    johns930 Formula 3

    May 9, 2005
    1,465
    haha and i thought i was the only one pushing the 612 hard!

     
  7. Bronzage

    Bronzage Formula 3

    Sep 18, 2007
    1,129
    West Africa
    Full Name:
    MJ
    612 is amazing! Keep the pictures coming and enjoy.
     
  8. mr928

    mr928 Karting

    May 21, 2008
    60
    Anaheim CA
    Full Name:
    mark anderson
    I took my 612 on the track and found the brakes to be very inadequate. Has anyone else experienced this?
     
  9. Bronzage

    Bronzage Formula 3

    Sep 18, 2007
    1,129
    West Africa
    Full Name:
    MJ
    I wnet on a track with a 2005 612, and it stood up excellently. No issues with the brakes, fade or pedal.
     
  10. DonC

    DonC Rookie

    Feb 11, 2005
    45
    No problem with fade, but I only ran 20 minutes at a time.
     
  11. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,180
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Don- Agree with your comment on the F1 shifting with the V12s. I think the torque characteristics of the big V12s match up with F1 even better than it does with the V8s. A larger flywheel probably helps too. The F1 shifts on the 575/612 are very smooth whether going slowly or in a hurry. Makes the cars a real pleasure to drive.

    Scud brakes for sale in FAds if anybody is brave enough to adapt them. Bargain price at $6K or BP4K for yellow caliper set-up with used rotors.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  12. champagne612

    champagne612 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Mar 28, 2009
    5,725
    Terry you opened the door - will they fit on my 612?
     
  13. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,180
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #13 tazandjan, Jun 11, 2010
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2010
    Doug- Yes, but may require some adapters for the calipers to match the hubs. Not sure. Your mechanics should be able to tell you. Your car may already be set up for CCMs since I thought they were an option. Might require some fiddling with software, too, to activate the CCM wear program. I did not find any CCM brake parts in the early 612 parts calalog, however.

    This is by far the best price I have seen on the CCM brakes, as long as the rotors are in reasonable shape.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  14. champagne612

    champagne612 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Mar 28, 2009
    5,725
    I called the service center - they are letting me know, as that is a steal

    Keep you posted
     
  15. VisualHomage

    VisualHomage F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2006
    5,611
    San Antonio
    Nice.

    I saw a Nero 612 the other day on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks and it took me by surprise, a real looker. Great choice, enjoy ;)
     
  16. forgeahead

    forgeahead F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Sep 16, 2008
    4,408
    Rocky Mount, NC
    Full Name:
    Ray
    Nice to see you running that stallion!
     
  17. 612scag

    612scag Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2010
    557
    Doug, interestingly our track records are very similar. I also went from the CL65 to the 612 (had a M6 in between though). I feel the same way, the CL65 is a brute and definitely fater, the 612 is sublime and much more pleasurable to drive. The steering feel is indeed very light in the 612, the Cali i have now feels like a heavier car to drive but I find the steering feel and handling to feel a bit more accurate in the Cali than I did in the 612.
     
  18. champagne612

    champagne612 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Mar 28, 2009
    5,725
    The light steering really makes it hard to get feedback on handling. I had a M6 on hold til the raised the price 2000.00 above list - I was pissed and saw the CL65 bought it. The BMW dealer sat on the car for 6 months - I will never step in that dealer again.

    Not sure how to fix the light steering - but the Cali is a lot like the 612 as a dd that can do it all. Not may cars on the market can say that - and the best part is we get to actually use our cars.
     
  19. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,180
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Doug, Don- For the 456/550/575M, there was a choice of two Hydraulic Steering ECUs, one of which considerably tightened up steering. For early 599s and 612s, there is only one common steering ECU. If there was an updated steering ECU for the later 612s and 599 HGTE, it will fit your cars. Might be worth a call to your local dealer, who will have updated parts catalogs. Here is the one your 612s and early 599s have:

    http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=278649

    The ECU architecture for the 612/599 is different from the earlier V12s, so I do not think the old ECUs would work at all.

    Tazz
    Terry Phillips
     
  20. DonC

    DonC Rookie

    Feb 11, 2005
    45
    Just came back from a long drive. Man, do I love the 612!

    It is the best sounding Ferrari in a long time.
     
  21. 612scag

    612scag Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2010
    557
    Exactly right! That's the beauty of both the 612 and the California. Cool as hell, fast as hell but still comfortable to drive daily with the family. How can anyone beat that?
     
  22. champagne612

    champagne612 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Mar 28, 2009
    5,725
    Scag's can run with the best of em - enjoy
     
  23. champagne612

    champagne612 F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Mar 28, 2009
    5,725
    I don't think anyone can but let them try :)
     
  24. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 5, 2002
    26,129
    Portland, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Don
    Do you have CC brakes? I had my 612 on the brake and was quite surprised by how good (no, phenomenal!) the brakes were. I was driving with my brother (highly experienced racing driver), and he couldn't get over how good the brakes were.

     
  25. I Love 599's

    I Love 599's Rookie

    Aug 15, 2009
    13
    FL
    Full Name:
    Tom Howard
    Great looking car. I have always liked the 612. Nice touring car that isn't, excuse the expression, ostentatious like a 430 in Rosso Corsa or Giallo Modena. It is a very classy car that reminds me of an old 250 GTE or a 330. I like them a lot. I also love the fact that they are order-only cars, which makes them very rare. They are future classics for sure. Congratulations.
     

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