599 HGTE Upgrade Package

I do like the HGTE wheels and the black grill, definately adds to the look of the car. As for the exhaust, wonder how it compares to the Tubi?

 

I ordered the first black grille they did in 06, delivered in 07. Huge difference, I hate chrome teeth. The screen grille looks cheap. You can change ride height easily with stock car, just crank on threaded collar. Exhaust is nice. Handling embroidery on seats looks ricey. ECU programming/shock programming should be easy. Bar and springs not worth it IMHO. Wheels can take it or leave it, I like Challenge better too.
I've not seen pitch/dive in my driving, and I use it hard. Nose drops a bit, but no more than the 8's. I expect alignment has a lot to do with it, as toe and camber off can make it hunt under hard braking. Time on a rack at delivery and a couple pounds of air pressure f/r can make huge differences. Pyrometer on tread helps set up suspension too. Not that I'm a fanatic or anything. Tire temps can hit 140-150 here on 90-100 degree day, perhaps more. Big effect when driving hard, in ways you wouldn't expect.
Having gone through a set of rears at about 3800 (no burnouts/drifting, just "vigorous use" ), but the fronts are fine at a few k more makes me think it is pretty dialled in. My maranello was the same, but it did have pitch/dive. Superamerica with HGTC was unsatisfactory. YMMV.
Hey Jim, Andrew.
PS, you can perhaps see alignment diff in the pic. Subtle, but it's there. Rears wore perfectly evenly too.
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Stick with the Challenge Wheels. Also order a mesh grill, as I did, instead of the egg crate. I ordered mine at end of '07 and they charged me a ridiculous amount but now it's an option so it should add little to the total. Visually, the car looks a lot more aggressive and "appropriate" to my eyes.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVQs33b1Q50 - Autocar Review of the HGTE

 

Ferrari did a horrible job on those wheels. Challenge wheels will always look the best on a 599

 

I rather spend 24000EURO on Novitec suspensions~
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I agree!

 

Watch nexy epissode of fifth gear from next monday!Tiff drives the 599hgte with sir Stirling Moss as a passager.Looks pretty pleased with the car
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Disagree completely on the wheels. I like them alot. The Challenge wheels look great but have been around for a while.

The Novitec comparison is interesting. They both look like worthwhile upgrades if the standard 599 wasn't enough.

 

What channel is this on here in the USA and at what time?


Jim

 

I don’t think Fifth Gear is on here in the states, but you can download it. It’s better to do that anyway, no commercials and no editing for Americans. www.finalgear.com

 

What is with the white tachometer? I had a Nissan Maxima in the 1980s with white gauges before I swore off riceburners after the first Gulf War. Red and yellow tachometers are a late Ferrari benchmark, starting with the Challenge Stradale and 575 Superamerica. Everybody (and his mother) has white gauges.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Seems like there left over's from the MC 12's, remember times are hard and its the greener thing to do.
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+1!!

IMVHO the HGTE wheels look like they came from some tuner.

 

Actually, I like the wheels. All this stuff is just a matter of taste. Moot point for me, anyway. Can barely afford my 575M.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I hear ya Taz!

I can't tell you how refreshing it was read your post! Your honesty and lack of ego is really cool.

 

People praise modulars but dislike these wheels?

Weird.

 

Just for all your information~
The wheel on HGTE package is from OZ.
http://www.ozracing.com/at-team/wheels/tuner-system/mito-rosso/en
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I got the call from my dealer that the car is about to go into production. He asked if I wanted to make any last minute changes.
I may go for the HGTE after all. The only consideration is that I want the Challenge wheels and normal seats that dont have "HGTE"
stitched on the them.

If the car can be produced that way I will probably go for it.

 

Excellent! I guess that's the equivalent of being told your wife is going into labor. Except that this baby takes a few months. Get ready to bust out the cigars at delivery!

I too like the new wheels as an alternative but I would probably do the challenge wheels myself as well given the choice. Is the HGTE stitching just an eyesore?

 

It's really exciting but it feels like a LONG wait.......I don't think that the HGTE stitching looks good on the seats. I think the 599 is a the UBER GT
of all times and I want mine to look as classic as possible.

 

I can imagine! I'll have a look at the stitching for a point of reference because now I'm curious to see what it looks like.

 

Ape- Good choices. I am not overly fond of Alcantara, but have not seen how it looks in person, so difficult to judge. Looking forward to photos of your car. Understand you are having withdrawal symptoms from not having your f430. My car has been down for six weeks while the dash is being recovered and the yellow tach instrument panel from a Superamerica was rebuilt. I feel for you.

But you will get even soon. Ask the dealer for a loaner.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Wow, getting the message that your 599 will be built in the upcomming months must be a very very special phonecall I hope to receive that call in a few years time *wakes up from dreaming*

The choises you made regarding opting for the Challenge wheels other than the HTGE wheels is a good one. I just don't like the tuning-feeling those wheels have. Looking at the interior pictures of the 599 the white dialplate is also a bit strange. Yellow is just much much nicer for that place.

Best of luck while waiting for your 599! As others I hope to see a very satisfied owner when the keys are handed over to you at the dealership!