12 Cilindri vs. 812 compared by owners | FerrariChat

12 Cilindri vs. 812 compared by owners

Discussion in '12Cilindri' started by Dubaicity, Apr 27, 2025.

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  1. Dubaicity

    Dubaicity Karting

    Nov 21, 2013
    238
    Germany
    I think it makes sense to start a thread with experiences of owners, because it’s pretty hard to judge these cars correctly on a short test drive or test day.

    So here is my experience report.

    I drove from northern Germany to Rome and back in a week and have now covered around 3500 km with my 12 Cilindri.
    I broke it in on the way to Italy, then stepped on the gas on the way back through the winding roads in the mountains as well as on the German highways without any limit to test high speeding.
    There's no need to talk about performance data as the performance of the 12 Cilindri is pretty similar to the 812.
    I can only give you my own impressions of the handling, and even that may be different for everyone.
    Design is a matter of taste, of course I find the 12C more beautiful than the 812, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.
    The 12 Cilindri is definitely more GT than the 812, which is very positive in my case as I always use my 12-cylinder Ferraris for longer journeys.

    Chassis:
    Sportiness/comfort similar to the 812 but it’s much better in the curves.
    Where I had the feeling that the 812 struggled with the weight on the front axle, the 12 Cilindri is much better balanced around the curves of a serpentine, for example.

    Steering:
    Feels more precise and direct, but unfortunately the steering wheel is much thinner than the one in the 812, I would like to have more in my hands again.

    Brake:
    It doesn't get any better than this!
    The brake feels more firm and linear than on the 812, really well done, bravo!
    The chassis, steering and brakes together give you the feeling that the 12 Cilindri is much smaller and more agile than the 812. The whole front end also appears smaller from the inside.
    It's only when you park it that you realize what a lump it is.

    Gearbox:
    The new 8-speed gearbox understands much faster than the old 7-speed gearbox what you want it to do when you use the accelerator pedal and I also like the slightly shorter gear steps.

    Noise:
    I don't find the car significantly quieter in the cabin, outside it probably is, I haven't checked that, but I don't care as I'm not standing next to it when I'm driving it.
    The engine noise inside sounds a bit more like a turbine than the 812 to my ears, sounds really nice when you get towards 9000rpm, I don't remember that exactly from the 812.
    Unfortunately, regarding sound I can no longer make a direct comparison, as I've already given the 812 away.
    But I can't understand the big noise whining in the forums.

    Touch screens:
    The central screen is very useful in everyday life, much better than the small navigation screen in the 812 cockpit.
    Passenger display can now finally do everything the passenger needs - seat adjustment, complete audio control, etc.
    In the 812 you couldn't even change the radio station on the passenger display, I found the passenger display in the 812 really unnecessary, now it finally makes sense.
    Of course, it would be nicer if there was a physical rev counter on the cockpit screen, which would be appropriate given the price.
    The navigation of the menu in the cockpit takes some getting used to and is not really intuitive, but once you have set everything up, the important things are displayed well.
    The touch buttons on the steering wheel are a bit annoying, when I press the blinker on the left, I often reach the voice command button with my thumb at the same time, so that the system wants a voice command, but I don't have any.
    I don't understand why you can't just press the directional pad on the right-hand side of the steering wheel, instead you have to swipe.
    But this is supposed to be changed from the summer with the new buttons on the steering wheel. Unfortunately too late for me, but it's also a luxury problem.

    Conclusion:
    If the 812 is a signature dish from a 1* Michelin restaurant, then the 12 Cilindri is the same dish, but prepared by a 3* chef.
    All the ingredients are even better coordinated, which sums it up.

    For some, the difference is not worth the price premium, some don't really taste the difference, and others are happy with a simple schnitzel.

    In any case, I'm very, very happy that Ferrari built this car and that I swapped my 812 for it, because the 12 Cilindri is simply even more fun on long journeys!
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    thobre812, Gh21631, Lebby and 26 others like this.
  2. SF George

    SF George Rookie

    Jan 3, 2019
    15
    France
    Does CarPlay works cable free?
     
  3. Dubaicity

    Dubaicity Karting

    Nov 21, 2013
    238
    Germany
    Apple CarPlay works cable free, Android Auto only wired
    It‘s hard to find the right position on the charging pad for your phone so you end up with a cable again
     
    Thecadster likes this.
  4. Data

    Data Karting

    Dec 11, 2007
    246
    Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

    Happy driving!
     
    of2worlds, MalibuGuy and Dubaicity like this.
  5. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,865
    Wow! Thank you!
    Wonderful detailed and thoughtful write-up.
    I am looking forward to getting my 12C !
     
    Dubaicity likes this.
  6. SF George

    SF George Rookie

    Jan 3, 2019
    15
    France
    Thanks for your reply,

    bit stupid the charging pad. Even in a 15k car it works well!!!
     
    MalibuGuy likes this.
  7. SF George

    SF George Rookie

    Jan 3, 2019
    15
    France
    Anyway, enjoy your car 200%
     
    Dubaicity likes this.
  8. vaderinc

    vaderinc Formula Junior

    Jul 6, 2010
    683
    Cyprus
    Full Name:
    Mario
    Thank you for the review and pics. You car looks great. Enjoy brother!
     
    Dubaicity likes this.
  9. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2013
    11,538
    Excellent review, thank you. Its always the best to hear from real owners.
     
    Gh21631, MalibuGuy and Dubaicity like this.
  10. vaderinc

    vaderinc Formula Junior

    Jul 6, 2010
    683
    Cyprus
    Full Name:
    Mario
    By the way: your observation about Android Auto has been quietly pissing me off for the past 2 days ... Why is this so hard for them to get right? :mad:
     
    ForeverNA and Dubaicity like this.
  11. Dubaicity

    Dubaicity Karting

    Nov 21, 2013
    238
    Germany
    I don't get that, too!
    My wife has an iPhone and my phone is a Samsung because I love the foldable size.
    So I connected both with the 12 Cilindri and even I set my phone on priority in the car's menu it's preferring the iPhone when both are connected (iPhone wireless and Samsung wired).
     
  12. vaderinc

    vaderinc Formula Junior

    Jul 6, 2010
    683
    Cyprus
    Full Name:
    Mario
    I am even more pissed off now because I also have a Samsung Fold :D
     
    Dubaicity likes this.
  13. ForeverNA

    ForeverNA F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 14, 2014
    2,558
    Has to be intentional. Honda can connect both of them wirelessly and effortlessly.
     
    rmmcdaniel likes this.
  14. JStone414

    JStone414 Formula 3

    Sep 23, 2004
    1,161
    Gotham
    Full Name:
    Roman Sionis
    Thank you for the write up. I’m considering both and eager to hear more opinions from those who have driven both.
     
    Dubaicity likes this.
  15. uniqueMR

    uniqueMR Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2018
    385
    USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. O
    Thank you. Cannot wait for my 12Ci
     
    of2worlds likes this.
  16. 430jm

    430jm Formula Junior

    Jun 11, 2017
    447
    Atlanta
    I’ve only driven the 12c briefly. Have had my 812 five years. It’s outstanding. I’m not interested in switching, mainly due to noise, looks and cost. I’m sure the new car will be great too though.
     
    x z8 likes this.
  17. Newjoint

    Newjoint Formula 3

    Jan 17, 2016
    1,453
    Never understood charging pads in cars especially sports cars- hit a bumpy road and the phone gets jostled out of charging position. Not to mention most pad chargers place the phone such that you cannot see the screen well especially if CarPlay etc has not connected up well or you need to see an app which will not load onto the cars screen
     
    technom3, Dubaicity and Caeruleus11 like this.
  18. DavidJames1

    DavidJames1 Formula 3

    Mar 6, 2010
    1,787
    Bangkok, Thailand
    Having driven the C12 for a couple of days, it doesn’t have enough of a difference for me to justify the high price of the new car. I found the C12 ok and was neutral about the design. I prefer the controls on the 812 and don’t have a use for all the screens. The C12 feels a much bigger car than the 812 to me which, was surprising. I also found the rear view of the C12 quite limited especially with the darkened year window but I guess that’s part of the design language. Visiting the UK, I was surprised to see a C12 on the forecourt of Maranello Concessionaires - not a good look for Ferrari and I understand they’re not selling well which, probably doesn’t bode well for depreciation. So I’m canning my C12 coupe and GTS allocations and sticking with my 812 Superfast and GTS.
     
    mdrums and of2worlds like this.
  19. Gh21631

    Gh21631 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2011
    9,049
    East
    Beautiful spec. For the Android auto, Motorola sells an adapter that you can plug into a USB port that provides for wireless connectivity. It works in most cars.
     
    Dubaicity likes this.
  20. VladimirB

    VladimirB Rookie

    May 16, 2016
    30
    Moscow, Russia
    Not to start a flame, but the side view on this particular photo looks extremely ugly. These rear-axle hunches look like a humpback camel kneeling to take his owner off his back.

    But this is a just a wrong focal length on the phone camera, of course.

    And let me not get to comment the lower rear back extension, this will break the forum rules…
     
  21. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 29, 2007
    18,383
    Phoenix AZ
    Full Name:
    Justin
    I can't believe no one has mentioned it but I find the view out of the car so much better than the 813. There is much better forward and side visibility than the 812.

    It changes the overall feel of the cockpit. The 812 was claustrophobic and reminded me of a camaro or challenger regarding the greenhouse. The view out the windshield Is much better. Much more airy ... Feeling.
     
    Caeruleus11 and of2worlds like this.
  22. jumpinjohn

    jumpinjohn F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 22, 2013
    7,509
    Texas
    Full Name:
    John
    Hopefully I will be able to comment on this in a couple of months! I haven’t even seen the car in person, let alone sat in it to comment. I’m glad to hear front and side visibility is better. It appears rear is not as good and I have wondered about the blind spot - thinking it might be bigger.
     
    technom3 likes this.

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