Is a manual to be prefered?

Now that many cars are being converted to manual transmissions, I'm actually very curious to know if you would choose a manual 599 if money is no object.

Before I bought my 599 F1 I thought a conversion was desirable, now that I've driven the car for 7.000km's (since March) I'm not so sure anymore.

A 599 revs so quickly (and thus its speed) between 6,000 and 8,400 rpm, at least in the first three gears, that shifting manually requires a great deal of effort from the driver. Timing the shift lever can be challenging, especially when you're completely speechless under the unleashed force.

The raw character of the single-clutch transmission also contributes significantly to the car's experience. Shifting in the first gears with the pedal stuck to the metal produces a thumping sound from the drivetrain that makes you worry about the integrity of the system, but it seems to be intentional. Downshifting is also a joy.

Although I used to think a conversion would be preferable, I now find the only major drawbacks of the F1 gearbox to be city traffic and traffic jams.

What do you think? Any owners that have converted their car that (slightly) miss the F1-tranny from time to time?

 

Personally I would not convert a 599 to manual - having one of the latest iterations of the F1 system, the 599 is a consistent package.
To get the specific feelings of a pure manual transmission, it's better to go for a car that was designed with it - converting a 355 makes sense, because the F1 system was then still lacking development, but on later cars it becomes less and less relevant as the system was refined (and the cars were designed around it).

 

I have a 612, so it's not a direct comparison. But I really like the F1 gearbox in my car and I wouldn't think of converting it to manual. Privately, I suspect that the F1-to-manual conversion will end-up hurting the value of the car. It will no longer be original. But every situation is different, so do what your heart tells you!

 

You say 599 and single clutch. I believe the 599 has a dual plate dry clutch.

 

I am complete agreement with @LVP488. The F1 on the 599 is fantastic. Best of both worlds, still feels raw like a manual but much faster gear changes. Especially with the HGTE. I recently read in Cavallino that the downshifting was intended to mimic F1 cars, i.e., pulling the left paddle toward you without releasing shifts gears down progressively in the fastest manner as if you were entering a hairpin on a track.

 

John, you are correct.

599 has 2 discs and is a classy "single" clutch system.
348holland meant the classy single clutch system, not the dual clutch system from later models like F12.


Daniel

 

It’s an absolutely great time in manual form. Epic machine.

 

The problem with this thread is that I doubt you’ll have any problem finding owners who genuinely don’t wish for a manual conversion, which I can genuinely understand. Such owners will have plenty of good reasons why they legitimately prefer the F1.

What you’re looking for is someone who’s done the conversion, but secretly regrets it. The self selection that goes along with buying a manual car or paying for a conversion means that it’s unlikely people are going to regret such a decision. If the conversion was done well (and evidence on here would suggest that not all are), then owners are very likely to be happy with their decision.

In terms of value, the number of cars being converted compared with the total number produced is still tiny, so anyone in the market for an unmolested F1 car will never be struggling for choice. Long term then, I can’t see a well executed conversion hurting the value of the car.