F12 or 812 Dilemma

The Pirellis generate higher maximum grip, but they need more heat in them. They also tend to have stiffer sidewalls, which is great fot steering feel, but not comfort.

 

The Pirelli’s make the steering sharper on an already hyper responsive 812 due to the stiffer sidewalls. This demands very smooth economic steering inputs which suit some drivers but are a nightmare for others.
The Pirellis are terrible when cold especially when driving on uneven heavily cambered roads. In warmer climates and driving enthusiastically the Pirellis are better and more sporty than the Michelins

 

I often read here, that the P Zeros are crap, but i cannot agree.

The most important thing for the P Zeros, they have to be warm, minimum about 40°C.
The Michelin also works from a lower temperature.

I only have the Pilot Super Sport on my 550 and had the 599 GTO spec Pilot Super Sport on GTO rims on my 599 GTB.
The PSS is an excellent tire.
Perhaps the PS4S is better again.

On my 812 SF i have the P Zero Ferrari spec on Monza SP 21 inch rims.
When warm, it's an excellent tire, too.

Daniel

 

I have heard many say the 812 is not a road trip car. I have 5k miles on mine now and have settled into driving modes:
On perfect, smooth roads the way to drive is in sport mode. On the track maybe race mode. But for every day, around town and any leisurely highway driving it is best to drive in WET mode. It really makes a difference. Smoother, quieter, it shifts a little earlier and behaves nicely. Better fuel economy. I'll bet very few people think to use WET mode as if it is bad somehow but for general use it is the way to travel.

Ali

 

Dr. Haas! Great to see you.

 

Much was said about the driving performance, so I’ll pass on that.

What makes a big difference for me from an aesthetic perspective is the view from behind the wheel over the bonnet/hood.

Here I like the F12 flowing curves much more, everything is smooth and continuous, with no conflicting lines.

On the 812, the left and right bulks in the hood with horizontal cuts/airflow outlets disturb and distract me every time I drive it.

It is as if I am driving a G-wagen.

You may say it is a strange perspective, but I still can not get used to these bulks straight in my line of sight despite owning the car for a few years.

Here they are in this POV video (in the Highway Pulls part)



And here is an F12 POV for a comparison:

 

Having owned both cars, F12 for about 3 years, 812SF for about 1 year, I prefer the 812. The above poster, IMO, is correct about the view over the hood, but that's it. 812 SF is better in every other way. The looks of the rear end on the 812SF is much better than the F12, which has those single tail lights and that dumb looking "calculator pad" in the bottom center. Leave that for the Formula 1 race cars! In addition, the front lip spoiler on the F12 is almost always black, when it should be color coordinated with the body color. I was so insistent on this that the Orlando, Florida Ferrari dealer agreed to this paint change before I bought the car, and then we had a deal. Here's a picture....

https://x.com/a52weekhigh

 

does the 812 have they same tranny seal issue?

 

Hello, I'd like to discuss this topic and get some ideas. Not for myself, but a relative of mine wants to buy a nice V12 GT Ferrari and is a bit torn between the two. I think both cars are quite nice, and I'm sure they have a great driving experience. The 812 is noticeably more expensive than the F12, but is this price difference worth paying? I was wondering if there's a significant difference in technology and performance between the two cars. Does the 812 feel much more modern or faster than the F12, or are they closer to each other? For example, is there a difference as radical as the transition between the 599 and F12 or the 430 and 458?

 

In short, 812 is a supercar disguised as GT, and F12 is a GT with certain supercar traits. I prefer F12.

 

It comes down to Pininfarina or Manzoni. The choice is easy.

 

yes, Manzonis 488, F8, SF90, Monzas and SP3 Daytona DEFINTELY are nicer than the Pinanfarina abominations like the 360, the 458, the 348, 456 and 550 for sure. Even the LaFerrari and F12, while 'designed by' Pinanfarina, were under Manzonis direction at that time... and they were nicer than any other PF design.

 

Absolutly wrong !

 

I made this purchase decision a few weeks ago and went with F12. I think it offers a lot of bang for the buck, and is a little softer edged and street focused compared to 812 which is a little harder edged and track focused. Subjectively I prefer F12 design as well.

 

The 812 gets the rear wheels steering that was introduced on the F12 TdF - on the track it makes a huge difference, but maybe not that important on the road. So it depends on the priorities in the car selection process.

 

These cars are not track focused!

 

Certainly not - no Ferrari road car is actually track focused.
But most of them could be used occasionally on track, and they will provide different levels of experience / feedback / performance.
I tested both F12 and 812 at Spa, and my feeling is that the 812 is better in this exercice. Still, both are heavy cars, so definitely not ultimate track weapons.

 

I agree with you, Ferrari models have never had the best track records in their category, nor do they aspire to them.(Porsche is more successful in this regard) From what I've heard, the 812 SF is a more aggressive car than the new Dodici Cilindiri, but I don't know how it compares to the F12.

 

Can anyone confirm this? The shifts are much sharper in my 812 GTS in race than in sport, but ive never turned off traction or stability control. Do shifts get even more aggressive?

 

I had the same dilemma. Tested both and agonised over the decision.

I went F12.

The 812 is a better car. Drives better, better tech, better interior, still under warranty, not that much more money.

But the F12 connected more emotionally. It felt more special. IMO looks better from the front and 3/4 view. My brain was struggling to decide, but my heart went to the F12.

 

F12 is awesome front engine V12. 812 just does everything better. It is built on F12 TDF.

 

The rear of the 812 is much better looking than the F12. I have owned both. That "calculator pad" rear light on the bottom middle of the rear of the F12 looks stupid. It's not an F1 car.

The front end of the F12 looks better, but only if you have the front lip spoiler painted to match the body color. I had that done. Much better looking, in my opinion and every one who has seen it, instead of black. Dealer only charged $1,000 to paint it when I bought the car

 

painted front lip spoiler.

 

Dark Vador inspiration...

 

I disagree, IMHO painting the F12 lip spoiler makes it look like it has two "mouths". I also think the F12 rear end looks better than the 812, particularly from the rear 3/4 angle. So it seems we have different tastes, haha. The 812's best angle is front 3/4. You see the aggressive front end and the sculpting of the door panel.