550 and 575 | FerrariChat

550 and 575

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by RawAutos, Feb 1, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. RawAutos

    RawAutos Karting

    Jan 24, 2008
    92
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Josh Lewis
    Now I know the power and options jumped a bit for the 575 over the 550. But, was the 575 that much better than the 550? Anyone that has/had both able to compare?

    I'm not buying one, I've just always been really curious. I like the subtle differences of the 575 and I think it looks a bit meaner as well. Never really knew if there was a real, noticeable difference though.
     
  2. subirg

    subirg F1 Rookie

    Dec 19, 2003
    4,186
    Cheshire
    I have never owned either, so I cannot speak from experience and will defer to those with first hand experience for a more detailed view. However, in terms of performance a 575 is only 1sec a lap faster round Fiorano. Therefore, in ultimate performance terms it is not a giant leap ahead of the 550. In the UK, the 575 initially received bad press for being too soft - a problem easily fixed by specifying the Fiorano handling pack. Other than that - a lot seems to come down to personal taste. One day, I would like to own either - I think they are both great cars and classics of the future. In discussion with various main dealers in the UK, they felt that both cars are very well built by Ferrari standards - meaning they can do big mileage without falling apart. People seem to differentiate between the cars more in terms of which one they prefer the interior/exterior styling. Oh - and the 575 could be had with a (slow by todays standards) F1 box.

    One final observation - the 550 has done most of its depreciating whereas the 575 still has a way to fall.
     
  3. Qksilver

    Qksilver F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2005
    4,316
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Joe
  4. barcheta

    barcheta F1 Rookie

    Nov 15, 2003
    3,738
    I spoke to gentleman at a Ferrari Dealership recently about the difference in a 550 vs a 575. Apparently, 575s suffered from a condition called porpoising under standing start WOT. The idea is that the front end would raise up much like an old muscle car. 550s apparently never did this. This was due to Ferrari farming out suspension components to Bosch that were handled inhouse with the 550. The resultant fix after several people would not take delivery of their cars was the GTC handling package. Having said that I know people who have both and both camps are pretty passionate about their respective model.
     
  5. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
    Full Name:
    Mark Collins
    I went from a 550 to a 575 F1, important to ensure the 575 has the Fiorano Handling Pack, which dealt with the over-soft setup on the 575 and leaving the two handling and riding much the same. The 575 feels a lot quicker than the 30 BHP upgrade should feel and I must admit to being a fan of the F1 over the heavy clutch and IMHO rather agricultural gear change which made me live on the huge torque of the 550 whereas the 575 it was easy to change down a couple of gears :)

    Ultimately both Cars are fantastic, the 575 in FHP trim was a small step forward :)
     
  6. RawAutos

    RawAutos Karting

    Jan 24, 2008
    92
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Josh Lewis
  7. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,143
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    IMequallyHO I disagree with you - I love my 550's gear change and I feel it adds to the driving experience. I certainly never feel let down by it.

    Other than that F1 gearbox the 575 was indeed a small step forward provided you have the FHP. Personally I think the 550's nose looks a bit better but there are just as many people who feel the other way. Both are very, very similar in all respects. The 575 depreciates a bit more still but is starting to be a great buy.


    Onno
     
  8. bayareaferrari

    bayareaferrari Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2004
    672
    California
    They are really the same car with very minor changes. The performance is really the same-even with the F1 transmission as it adds extra weight. I have owned both cars and it is really a personal preference. I sold my 550 to try the 575 with an F1 gear box so that my wife could drive it. She never drove the car(a good thing) and I really did not like the F1 gear box(again personal preference). So, I went back to a 550. Here are the main items I found..

    550 vs 575:
    1. Suspension is soft on the 575
    2. 19's vs 18's on the 575--the 19's look better but are very soft....
    3. Front of 575 looks less agressive(IMO) than the 550
    4. Seat memory in the 575 is very nice
    5. More electronics in the 575
    6. Rear molding slightly different
    7. Updated motor mounts!
    8. F1 offered in a 575
    9. Side venting slightly different
    10. Updated interior


    Net, net for me...If you want an F1 buy the 575. If not but a 550--there is not enough difference in them IMO.. You can buy 19's if you want the look and change the motor mounts..

    Hope that helps
     
  9. ApeGen

    ApeGen Formula 3
    Owner

    Jun 3, 2004
    1,360
    Hong Kong
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    A bit off topic, but since this is a 550 and 575 thread...

    Can 550 be fitted with 575 19' modular rims?

    If yes, any pics? Thanks
     
  10. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    I had 19" HRE's on my 550 and they transformed the car. I also had Fiorano handling package and Brembo big brakes
     
  11. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,143
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    For better or worse?


    Onno
     
  12. ApeGen

    ApeGen Formula 3
    Owner

    Jun 3, 2004
    1,360
    Hong Kong
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    I notice that your ex-550 has been on sale for quite awhile by one of the local dealers :)

    I want to see what a 550 looks like with the 575 modular rims
     
  13. zim32

    zim32 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2007
    31
    Pacific Palisades
    Have owned a 550 and an 03' 575 with a 6 speed manual and FHP. Even with the FHP I found the 575 to still have too soft a suspension set up when compared to the 550.
     
  14. RawAutos

    RawAutos Karting

    Jan 24, 2008
    92
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Josh Lewis
    It seems that the 550 is the better driver among you guys, but, the 575 to me just looks a little cleaner in its profile. What would you guys say?
     
  15. Qksilver

    Qksilver F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2005
    4,316
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Joe
    In it's profile? The only difference is the wheels!
     
  16. ddemuro

    ddemuro Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2006
    2,129
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Doug
    The only change I can imagine you might be able to notice in profile - aside from the wheels - is that the 575M's hood scoop is slightly larger than the 550's.
     
  17. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,143
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    #17 JazzyO, Feb 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. bbshriver

    bbshriver Karting

    Feb 11, 2008
    121
    Well, the angle of those photos is a little different... but other than the wheels I can't tell!
     
  19. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,143
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    #19 JazzyO, Feb 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    You're not the only one. I was crossing the English channel using the Eurotunnel last September. When I looked in my rear view mirror, imagine my surprise when a Swatters Blue 575M was in the same train compartment behind me! The first thing the owner said to me (and he owned a 550 himself before his 575): "Is yours newer than mine? It looks great!". I said, "Well since yours is a 575 and mine a 550, obviously it's not!". He replied "You know, I can hardly tell the difference. They're both great cars and I drove my 550 a full 160,000 kms before swapping it for this 575."

    We had a great drive together coming off the train through France and Belgium.


    Onno
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  20. fou

    fou Formula 3

    Feb 1, 2007
    2,232
    Central Virginia
    Full Name:
    Call me the breeze
    From the side, you can always spot the difference in the shape of the head rest of standard seats. Obviously the sport seats are an exception in the above photos.
     
  21. bbshriver

    bbshriver Karting

    Feb 11, 2008
    121
    That would be pretty amazing to end up in the same train car together. I have yet to see another 550/575 on the road. Really the only F cars I see on the road are 3x8's.
    Of course when we go to the Monterey Historics it's a whole different matter. Porsche 911's are as common as hondas, Ferrari 360/430 are pretty common, and I've seen both an original Muira on the road as well as a McLaren F1 (getting a parking ticket no less). Around here though, Ferraris are very rare indeed, though the shop I go to has 3 of them in at the moment...
     
  22. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    I look forward to the day when I can gaze upon a McLaren F1 live and in person! What a car!! I live in Austin and don't see hardly any F-cars. 3X8's are indeed the most common, but I just don't see ANY of them often.
     
  23. bbshriver

    bbshriver Karting

    Feb 11, 2008
    121
    Speaking of 550/575 one question I had recently... I've heard the hood scoop in the 550 gives about 20HP due to "ram air". Hearing the 575 has a bigger scoop does that increase the effect, or was it just for styling?

    Also, what 575 parts can be easily put on a 550 to "update" it? Of course the biggest thing I like about the 575 is the gauage cluster which I imagine is one of the hardest things to do...
     
  24. Qksilver

    Qksilver F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2005
    4,316
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Headlights.
     
  25. Qksilver

    Qksilver F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2005
    4,316
    Philadelphia
    Full Name:
    Joe
    #25 Qksilver, Feb 13, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

Share This Page