Well, I have had the car in service as my daily for 3 weeks and put 550 miles on it. I love it! I am finally starting to get comfortable in the car. Only thing "odd" is a bit of oil consumption. I added 2 quarts today, probably could have taken 3. The car now has 12550 miles and was sitting for a bit prior to my purchase and its major service. I am attributing a bit of excess consumption to being put back in use, but I will monitor it closely. Other than that, its been great. I am gaining confidence driving it and hope to start pushing it a bit more soon. I will keep the reports coming, but the car is very graceful in traffic, even more than I expected. -dsd
How is the 'warm-up' process? I'm a big 550/575M admirer and was curious as to whether you could just drive it like a 'normal' car, or whether the gearbox felt balky when cold, etc. That sounds like a bit much oil consumed, assuming you're measuring the oil level per the manual. In my 328, you always do it when the engine is warm but not hot - 15 min after I stop the engine. Otherwise the dipstick readings are worthless. You're probably already doing it, and I apologize if I'm lecturing someone who knows way more than I do about engines, but be consistent when you check so you don't overfill. Congrats, best-looking post-1990 Ferrari, IMO. Hands-down.
FWIW I drove a 575 as a dailly driver for three years and then a Superamerica, basically the same car, for the next two. I never warmed them up any way other than driving them. They get up to temp pretty quickly, within a couple of city blocks. My driving was urban mostly so the car was never hammered out of the blocks, but 1st and 2nd gear routinely into the 4K rpms with cruising in 5th or 6th at relatively low revs. I never thought of either the 575 or the SA as anything other than a regular car. I simply started them and got on my way. The SA has CCB's and they squeaked a little until they were warmed up with a couple of stops. The 599 I drive now is even less of an issue and I drive that pretty much the same way, almost every day. The SA is now a weekend car down at the beach and it goes for longer more spirited drives. It is my favorite open topped cruiser. I think the 575 was a wonderful car for Ferrari that paved the way for the spectacular 599, especially from a quality of production POV. I never had a material issue with either car.
My 550's gear change is a bit stiff when cold, no doubt about that. Particularly trying to engage 1st while still rolling (say, for a stop sign or traffic light) requires a firm hand. It warms up quickly, though, as 410SA said - it's gone in 5 minutes or so. Onno
I did almost 52.000 km in 18 month with my 2005 575M F1 under all wheather conditions. No matter if I had to cruise here in Switzerland, eating kilometers on the german Autobahns or facing high temperatures in Italy, no problems at all. No oil consumption between the service intervalls and still the first clutch. "Ceasar" is only eating the Pirelli 19 inch tyres on the optional Ferrari rims. I have to change them more or less every 12.000 km. Fiorano package is delight to drive, dont use "normal" brake pads with the Fiorano package, its a loss of break performance and fun. All services were done at Motor Company, the Ferrari dealer at Modena. To service the car is always a great excuse to dive into the world "Menue dei Motori" in the Modanese area. Check www.menudeimotori.com and you will understand.
Shell Helix Ultra has high oil consumption in every application I have seen. I used 1 liter in 500 miles in my 575. After changing to a thinner oil, 0W-20 Mobil 1, I used no more oil in 8,000 miles. See Here: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_haas_articles aehaas
I took delivery of my 575 2 weeks ago, my first Ferrari. I have driven Porsches for over 14 years and thought that I'd like to own and drive a Ferrari at least once in my life. What an elegant car it is! Much easier and a lot less fussy than anything I have driven previously. No, learning to drive this car not like a 911 which needs a couple of thousand miles to get really aquainted. I umm'd and arr'd about a 550 or a 575 - mine doesn't have the Fiorino handling pack but as the dealer said, if you really do feel that this car needs a handling pack then bring it back and we'll talk. Maybe I will find it's limit one day but I doubt it. I am not a track day person anymore preferring to tour the roads of Europe and this long legged runner will do the job very well. Noted also that it used a half litre of Shell Helix during the 1st 500 miles but assumed that would be normal for such a big engine, there is a lot of drag on a V12. I changed the abck boxes for the Tubi units which sound amazing even though you do lose a little driveability. All I need to do now is get the damn supplier to send me abck my original boxes in case the next owner wants them as part of the deal. If anyone is considering a 550 or 575 then I'd say fgo for it.
I have a 2005 575F1 and a 1998 550, these cars don't burn a drop between changes. Seems like 3 quarts is a lot. Maybe a leak?
Putting 550 miles on it may be saying something about which car your should have. 12 cylinders or walk
Steve (vandevanterSH) is a great guy and a true Ferrari driver. You would NEVER know that his car has 67,000 miles on it by looking at it. Steve, we missed you on the day of the Great American Race. Hope all is well. Gene
Gene, All is well. I have been driving around Texas and shredded the LF tire driving on the 610 in Houston at 10 Pm last night. I am sitting in the lounge at FOH, waiting to hear if they can find a set of front tires. Steve
I thought it was rather odd also. The set I have now I had put on at the Wynn, on my way to Ca; no problem. Here, they say they there is a shortage of tires in sizes for the F-car. I just heard they located a pair for the front. It's just another driving adventure. Steve
