I'm sure it's been done to death, but I'd love to read current views on what owners/drivers think of manual vs auto in the 360's. I've always been a manual fan myself, but technology has advanced. But the 360 was the "first" Ferrari with flappy pedals? So in honesty, were they any good?
coming from owner of both. I didn't regret that I had an F1. I actually think the f1 is more fun. but thats just me.
Actually the 355 was the first model to feature the paddles and the F1 system. Regarding your question, the F1 system is fantastic especially if fitted with CS TCU.
Do not drive the f1 in auto mode. It wears the clutch very quickly. I owned a 6 speed 355 spider and now have an f1 360 and I actually prefer the paddles. Yes more fun to drive IMO
lol ok ok. Forgive my use of the term "auto". I'm referring to the F1 (paddle shift) vs Manual (3 pedal)
Internet urban legend, auto mode does not wear the clutch faster. Now you could call it the no fun button and be right. I never drive in auto myself but I have tried it and it works fine.
It's essentially the same gearbox. It depends on how you prefer to change gears. Do you prefer to use a clutch pedal ? The tactile feel of a gated shifter ? Do you like to heal/toe, double clutch yourself ? Or Do you prefer to press a paddle and have it done for you in 150ms, perfectly executed everytime ? There isn't a right or wrong and this question usually ends in tears. Some may suggest you take an F1 for a drive and see whether you like it. The issue is, its hard to formulate an opinion after 1 drive. The F1 system takes some learning and getting use to. Once you understand its operation and its quirks it can be an absolute blast, especially on the twisties. I can see why some would not like it after a single drive or feel confused, it does need some getting used to.
On point. It took me a couple of drives to know exactly how to treat the F1 BUT after learning how it wants to be treated ITS A BLAST! I drive the F1 if I wanna have the time-machine feel when changing gears and if I itch for novelty (stick shift) then I drive my other car. Opinion for people who regularly drive F1 cars would be a better feedback. Opinion from test driving it once or twice doesn't give justice to the exhilirating feeling with the fast F1 shifting when it's driven the way it should be.
i know 98% of fchat members with an f1 would not ever dream of driving in Auto mode. However all of the ferrari mechanics I have talked to told me specifically that the clutch wears alot faster in Auto mode. I think this mode was created for when you take your wife / SO out ti dinner and you have had too much to drink you can pop it in Auto and she can drive home lol!
We clearly have talked to different people. All of the mechanics I talked to said 'no difference'. The same TCU shifts the gears, the same algorithms. The only difference is that it shifts up the gears very quickly when you wouldn't. For the record: I have had my car for over 10 years so I have a lot of hands on experience and have used several different mechanics. I am also fortunate enough to live in an area with a number of very good mechanics. What are you talking about?
Some cars, like the 360 just drive / feel better with stick. jmho. I feel the same way about the base 430. I think stick flatters the "slower" 1st gen f1 gearboxes.
Flappy paddles can be great fun... on the track or very fast paced driving. On the street for general driving enjoyment, MT all the way. On the street, manual rev matching and heel/toeing can make a legal speed paced exercise all the more involving and enjoyable... I doubt it changes much between exotics but that has been my own personal experience (I currently have both).
Always drive my Ferrari F1 like I stole it. Meant to be driven hard and fast not to coast around. I think that counts as very fast paced driving. My Porsche 911 stick shift is what I drive if I want the novelty feel.
my limited experience? i wanted to buy a 360 i drove 3 F1 cars i drove 1 3 pedal car i bought the 3 pedal car even though it was the "least good" of the four when considering overall condition / miles / service. it is unlikely i would ever buy a F1 trans 360. cheers
