A couple of F12 Questions

Congratulations on your F12! Such a beautiful car!

1. I don't think your dealer should give you any trouble for your choice of battery.

2. Hard to say but I recommend you switch to a CTEK 7002- it is jus more robust against brown outs and does a better job in terms of maintaining than the included CTEK tender. If you go on to Amazon or eBay you can find it, just search Ferrari Ctek 7002. You will want one with the correct connector.

 

no affiliation but found this, and I might buy one now as well for my 488 since I'm using the OEM tender and I'm paranoid about battery issues

https://www.ebay.com/itm/192366328004

 

Thats the unit, the F12 uses the older style connector. I don't even bother using the factory tender anymore, I just use these.

 

My dealer (US) actually recommends Interstate battery.

 

I had the same problem with the charger for my '15 Speciale. I opened it up and one component was burned. Bought a new OEM charger (70002821) from Scuderia Parts ($215). This is the Ctek charger model 1065 with desulphation.
Bad OEM batteries is the cause for many of the electric problems on Ferraris.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

I don't think our cars generally need the 7amp ability, but I find the larger 7002 just holds up better over time. Its probably overkill, and I don't have a scientific explanation aside from my observations over more than a decade, but I like it.

 

For the small price differential between the two identified, the 7A unit would be my pick. I have the OEM and a new MXS 5.0 and its a great unit but would do the 7002 to reduce the interval battery replacement after having done it myself. Also interesting that Interstate brand battery is being pitched when the same or better choices are readily available at much lower cost.

 

can you please clarify what you mean about not using the mxs 5.0 to reduce interval battery replacement? are you thinking this charger causes a battery life problem?

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I would go with the 7A over the 5A because the higher capacity charges the battery faster and more fully allowing the battery to last longer and lessen the interval of replacement.

I like the Varta and its available in the US under private label at your local parts stores for less money, no waiting, no shipping and get a core rebate. Some have internet coupons and specials pretty regularly but it seems Interstate noticed the popular demand of its version and keep prices stout. If it went under $200 it would be a no brainer. Just compare batteries spec by spec and you will make a wise choice. I don't recommend putting it in yourself unless you can lift those stones in the strongest man competitions and hold at arms length. Best.

 

If you can get to the battery it should be fine to connect directly.

 

Not sure I follow you here. You have an F12 and want it to be reliable when it comes to batteries. Then you want cheaper than interstate? Does not add up.

I'd personally step it up a notch and go with this. https://braillebattery.com/products/b7548-1?_pos=5&_sid=092db5b18&_ss=r

Not sure what's the point of saving 150 bucks on a 200+k sportscar to get maximum enjoyment from it.

Cheap
Reliable
Powerful

Pick two...

 

Let me be clear. The Interstate battery is a great battery compared to many others including the OEM brand. Unfortunately, it was not available in my area and even in the region because of being sold out. Plus, you had to drive to a store that sells it once they were back in stock which was not local to me. They were also not offering any price below full retail. A battery you cannot actually buy when you need it is not a solution so I did my homework. I compared the specs of all batteries I could research in the same group size with same or better specs and found that the exact highly recommended branded units were being sold locally as off brands and were on the shelf. For me, it was about the specs and availability.

One of the specs was also physical dimensions. There is zero tolerance in the battery box/blanket setup in the F12. Just a millimeter or too too high, wide or long and it isn't fitting. The unit I found was a Varta unit (available and recommended in Europe mostly) with a generic name which was on the shelf, fully charged and in a store ten minutes away. At the time it was also less expensive which was a bonus but that was not a driver for purchasing it.

I mentioned cheaper and better here because it is and if you do the job yourself the cost might matter otherwise just pay the dealer (which is my recommendation). There is nothing special about the Interstate battery compared to other high performing quality units. I feel Interstate has seen an increase in the demand and Ferrari and other high end owners are anxious to fix the dreaded check engine and dead electrical systems in their beloved sports cars so Interstate is even being recommended by the dealers but other solutions exist for those that wanted to know.

 

FYI: My dealer replaced the original battery in my 2015 F12 a couple weeks ago and charged just over $500

 

that is in line with what it cost me to switch from OEM to Odyssey at my local dealer as well

 

I thought Odyssey, which is red-top, is oem battery. Odyssey is what I swapped out of my car for an Interstate.

Yes, prepare to have sore arms and upper body muscle ache for a few days with a diy install, unless you are seriously muscular.