Hi guys, my boss' new F430 has already been three times back to dealer since taking delivery. Count so far is aircon failing (twice), but the worse is issue with hydraulic system F1. Gearbox is switching back to neutral, warning lights. Apparently not an uncommon issue : dealers ha ve been instructed to change some electrovalves whenever a car shows these issues. after first first did not work they are now replacing the full hydraulic system. On a lighter note apparently 50 per cent of f430 are ordered with ceramic brakes. I think this is crazy given the maintenance cost of such system as discs have apparently to be changed every two - three pad changes... costs about GBP 16000 all round. Any similar experiences ?
That might be true but bear in mind the pads last a LONG time. When the lot has to be changed it is horrid expensive, I do agree. I don't have any idea of the percentage of 430s ordered with carbon brakes, but I bet most are ordered for cosmetic reasons. I went with standard brakes on mine. Gary
Also don't the carbon brakes produce much less brake dust on the wheels? How often do most drive their Ferraris? Having clean wheels might be nice and if you can afford to tick the F1 box, you might be willing to tick the CCB box too. Best regards, Jerry
A great percentage of cars have also had to have airbag systems replaced (maybe for earlier cars) during the PDI. --Dan
Carbon brakes are ordered on 50% of the 430's? I seriously doubt it. Those that are ordering them are doing so for the most part cosmetic reasons(except for the very few tracking their cars on a regular basis). What I found interesting is of all the people that have viewed my 430 with regular brakes(red calipers), ONLY ONE asked me whether the brakes were carbon or steel. BTW carbon brakes have little brake dust but the standard wheels on a 430 are very easy to clean. Brake dust is not a serious issue like it is on my Cayenne.
I have the steel brakes which do create a great deal of dust however I find that I spend more time cleaning the wheels even after a short ride than Quick detailing the body>
After having heard first hand from the higher-ups of 3 Ferrari dealerships (including one of the owners) apparently there are wide-spread issues with the initial batch of 430s. I was shocked to hear that at one dealer the service manager said that more than half of the 430s that they had delivered had been back for some serious F1 hydro issues. Many of the cars just locked up and refused to disengage gear. Unfortunately a few of these cars were in less than ideal locations to access by tow trucks and had to be tied to a winch to be removed. Other issues included...for the few Spiders that had been delivered faulty top motors...in fact one has been sitting at a dealer now for 3 weeks waiting on a replacement motor to arrive...I have heard from more than one person that the ceramic brakes work AMAZINGLY and have been bulletproof so far...but those other issues sure scare me!
sorry to hear, but it looks as if Ferrari still hasn't learned I'm shocked (very, very, very, VERY sarcasticly) Give em a week or two and you guys will be in plenty of company, maybe their next effort will fare better, if not looks like Honda's and Lambo's only for me...too bad
sorry may be my forst post was a bit unclear : there are no fault with the ceramic system per se. Just the discs haven't a very long life span - i have been told about 2 pads replacement - and the cost is from outer space compared to steel. the 50 percent figure was given by Ferrari France for the f430 they had deliverey or taken order for so far. can't really check any further. cheers
How long does it take to go through the carbon ceramic brake pads that Ferrari uses? For myself, I would agree if I ordered the brakes it would be because #1- they look better and #2- Id want to distinguish the car more for my own sense of specialness. Against these factors I will counterbalance the large cost of the CCB system. I won't be tracking the car. Best regards, Jerry
Like any brake pad, it all depends on how you drive. I would bet they will last 2 or 3 times as long as conventional under the same circumstances, but they cost, what, 10 times as much to replace? Gary
I did not order ceramic brakes on my 430 based on advise from two dealers. Both said steel was essentially equivalent to ceramic except for very serious track use but ceramics were extremly sensitive to the need for good cooldown laps. If not properly cooled down, they develop internal cracks which are uninspectable and can lead to the disk exploding. Wow. He said is has happened. ??? They do fill the 19" wheel better.
After having the CCB's there's NO-WAY I would consider getting a 430 without them. I wouldn't get the car if I couldn't get them./I wouldn't consider trading a CS with CCB's for a 430 without.
be like nick, as he indicates above, it's all about profilin': he didnt order ceramics as passersby wouldnt know what they were so why pay the freight, eh nick??? some funny threads on rennteam on the subject.
AHG on this board has done around 3000miles onhis cars. Needs new pads already, which cost as much as a complete Brembo big brake kit! Rotors are outrageously expensive also. Don't know if this is unusual, maybe the extra weight/power of the 430 is causing excessive wear. Any track junkies would be wise to reconsider CCB's on the 430.
Can't remember exactly, but 3 or 4 track days, none at a track hard on brakes. I was at the same days as him, in a much heavier car, driving as fast or faster and I got better life out of my brakes!!