355 - Specifically F1 Gearbox experience | FerrariChat
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355 - Specifically F1 Gearbox experience

Discussion in '348/355' started by MarkCollins, Feb 7, 2009.

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  1. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
    Full Name:
    Mark Collins
    #1 MarkCollins, Feb 7, 2009
    Does anybody have direct experience of the F1 box in the 355? ideally with a comparison to a later 360/430 change. I appreciate it was early days when introduced and there were some stories about that the change was very poor and clutch wear excessive, I'm interested to get some real world views.

    I've driven 575, 430 and 599 F1's and much prefer it to manual, I may be in the market for a 355 and I'm wondering if I should consider an F1 car


    thanks
     
  2. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 9, 2004
    4,685
    LA & OKC
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    #2 RossoCorsaItaly, Feb 7, 2009
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2009
    Hi Mark,

    I've driven the 355, 360, and 430 in F1. The 355 is by far the most raw one of them all. Shifts are HARD and sometimes from 1-2 I look in my rear view mirror to make sure I didn't leave the transmission behind. But honestly it's more fun than the 6spd. If you're an F1 guy, you have to appreciate it for what it is. If you compare it to the 430 F1 you will be disappointed, but if you view it as the FIRST production model car to have paddle shifters it was clearly ahead of its time.

    Clutch wear has not been an issue for me 30k miles on the original clutch and no signs of slippage. I've done over 100 launch control starts, had it at the drag strip numerous times, and drive it about as hard as anyone I know and as my daily driver most of the year it sees a decent amount of traffic.

    Note that in the rare event you end up being unlucky and having to purchase an F1 pump ($16k retail but other solutions are available for $3-5k) or hoses (heard it costs $1k+) it can be expensive, but the majority of owners usually don't report these issues, only a very few but something that should be in the back of your mind at all times.

    Good luck and keep us updated with your decision.

    Regards,

    Kevin
     

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