A sad day for me and my 575M | FerrariChat

A sad day for me and my 575M

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Elsi, Jan 27, 2012.

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  1. Elsi

    Elsi Formula 3
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    Markus
    #1 Elsi, Jan 27, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I had my 575M in the shop for fixing a problem with the clutch (throw-out bearing). Today my tech (official Ferrari dealer) called me. I thought he would tell me I can come to take the car home. Instead he told me that he had totaled the car (see pics).

    He was on a test drive to verify that all works fine. When he accelerated on the high way drive-up in 4th gear he crossed the white line and lost the car (it was wet and cold but not icy).

    I know this tech quite well for about 10 years and he always delivered excellent work. He nearly cried when he had to tell me on the phone that he totaled my car. I will meet him this evening and discuss what car they will offer me and what I will have to pay up (they have a black 575 HGTC, a 599 or also a 430).

    I take this as a chance for a new car (even though I guess I will have to pay some money for an “upgrade”).

    Markus
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  2. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
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    #2 toggie, Jan 27, 2012
    Oh my, sorry for your loss, but at least it sounds like no one was hurt in the accident.

    I've had a few loose moments when my 550's tires were still stone cold. Nothing life threatening but it does get your attention.

    Good luck on your replacement negotiations.
    .
     
  3. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 Jack-the-lad, Jan 27, 2012
    Devastating, but you have a great attitude about it!
     
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  4. 2000 456M

    2000 456M F1 World Champ

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    #4 2000 456M, Jan 27, 2012
    +1. Best of luck.
     
  5. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 Napolis, Jan 27, 2012
    Best of Luck.

    Glad no one was hurt.
     
  6. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    #6 Jedi, Jan 27, 2012
    :eek: Oh, what an awful phone call to get :(

    But your attitude is commendable. I'm glad no one got hurt, and kudos
    at least to your tech for being honest - he could have blamed it on the car,
    but chose to be honest.

    Good luck in your replacement quest


    Oh, and I love the irony of the Prius passing your poor Ferrari on the highway :p:p

    Jedi
     
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  7. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 mseals, Jan 27, 2012
    Wow, Markus, what a phone call to get... How awful for this to happen to what is obviously a well-cared for car.

    But, as you said, a chance for a new car, and I'll bet you'll get 'special consideration' on the price of the car...

    Mike
     
    daytona355 likes this.
  8. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 amenasce, Jan 27, 2012
    Sorry to hear that. Im sure you had lots of wonderful memories with the Maranello and i hope the next one will be even better.
     
  9. Elsi

    Elsi Formula 3
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    #9 Elsi, Jan 27, 2012
    Thanks to all for the kind words! That really helps!

    I am back from meeting the tech. He explained once again how it happened: He was entering the high way with about 80 km/h (50 mph) in 4th gear. He was far away from fully pressing the right pedal and actually was accelerating rather smooth. When he crossed the lane it happened and he lost the car. He is very experienced with an age of 56 and working for more than 10 years for this Ferrari dealer.

    When the police came they treated him as if he was 20 and driving a Ferrari for the first time. He first had to explain to them that he is very used to drive such cars.

    Now I will take some time and think about my next Ferrari. It is still winter here so I do not have to hurry. The tech showed my all their cars. I do not like the sales guys very much of this dealer and always talk to this tech. He is very experienced and open to tell about the weaknesses of the different cars. I really appreciate his honesty.

    Thank you all so much for your expressions of sympathy

    Markus
     
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  10. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 tazandjan, Jan 27, 2012
    Markus- I am really sorry to hear about the accident. I know how attached you were to your car. Hopefully the chance to move up to the HGTC will cost you nothing. I think they should offer you that car in direct exchange as recompense.

    Glad nobody was hurt, but sorry it had to happen.
     
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  11. Elsi

    Elsi Formula 3
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    #11 Elsi, Jan 27, 2012
    Thank you, Terry

    Markus
     
  12. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

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    #12 F456M, Jan 27, 2012
    My condolances to you Markus. Very sad to see an accident like that.

    I wonder what happened.. Did the torque from the engine make the wheels spin out of control? I guess the ASR was off? I had an almost similar experience one time with a Maserati 3200 GT. It was wet and I changed lane in a slight turn with a little bit of throttle. The anti-spin had no chance of avoiding the wheel spin and the car broke loose for a 360 degree spin-out that in one mysterious way ended well as I managed to straighten the car and drove luckily further down the highway.. I guess I had become so used to the ASR working that I trusted the car too much. But when the rear end of a car suddenly looses its tracktion, things happen in the matter of on tenth of a second. It is just unbelievingly little time from great joy to disaster. So now I always "hold back" 20% and it works great.

    I bet you will get that HGTC for a decent price as a compensation, and paid by your insurance company. What are the colors and spec of that car? Please let us know how your "mood" is developing. Whatever happens, I wish you the very best!!

    Erik
     
  13. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 Veteran
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    #13 jsa330, Jan 27, 2012
    You have my sincerest sympathies. I'm still grieving over my 330 2+2, totaled nearly five years ago.
     
  14. Red Head Seeker

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    #14 Red Head Seeker, Jan 27, 2012
    Hello Markus; Have you considered buying back the car & "Parting it out"?.....seems there is alot of potential there.....Mark
     
  15. Mr. Francesco

    Mr. Francesco F1 Rookie

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    #15 Mr. Francesco, Jan 27, 2012
    wow, I'm so sorry. Best of luck.
     
  16. Sir Paul

    Sir Paul Formula Junior

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    #16 Sir Paul, Jan 27, 2012
    Spooky! If you recall the photos, the car at the front of all those crashed Ferraris in Japan a few weeks ago......was a Prius
    PAUL
     
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  17. 575

    575 F1 Rookie
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    #17 575, Jan 27, 2012
    Ouch that hurts!

    I hope it all works out. good luck
     
  18. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
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    #18 Jdubbya, Jan 27, 2012
    Wow, that's the call any of us dread when our cars are in for service! Sorry to hear about it. I do like your attitude though. Nothing you can do about it but try to put a positive spin on it. Good luck with the search for a new car!!
     
  19. Fiorano57

    Fiorano57 Formula 3
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    #19 Fiorano57, Jan 27, 2012
    Very sad to see such a beauty in that shape. As others have stated :good to see no one was hurt" It might be exciting to go on the hunt for a new model though.
     
  20. S Brake

    S Brake F1 World Champ

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    #20 S Brake, Jan 27, 2012
    Wow, I am very impressed with your attitude. I hope you're able to find a replacement quickly.
     
  21. dailyferraridriver

    dailyferraridriver Formula 3
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    #21 dailyferraridriver, Jan 27, 2012
    Wow - reminds me of that F40 that was wrecked during a service. It must be the mechanic's version of a doctor telling the family that they've lost the patient. Hard call to make.

    Good luck with your next car!

    Erik
     
  22. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie
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    #22 wbklink, Jan 27, 2012
    So very sorry....

    Glad nobody was hurt.

    I hope it all works out in your favor.... get that HGTC!

    Bill
     
  23. Elsi

    Elsi Formula 3
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    #23 Elsi, Jan 28, 2012
    Ouch! That really hurts!

    No. The tech told me that the car will go back to Maranello when it is totalled.



    When I woke up this morning my first thoughts were about my Fcar. Since my tech was very experienced and cautious, the situation is not too hard for me. I think the same thing could have happen to me as well. It would be a completely different story if he were negligent or if somebody else would have crashed into my Ferrari inadvertently.

    The tech assured he was driving in normal mode with ASR fully engaged.

    I am currently thinking about the following options for the replacement:
    - HGTC: I always wanted a HGTC but bought an “ordinary” 575M. Mine was black/tan and the HGTC of the dealer is black/black. Since I do not like black interiors too much I am not sure if this is the right car for me. I bought my 575 without the wife and she never liked the car. So we will do this evaluation together (that’s my learning of the purchase of this car).
    - 599: The dealer has a really nice 599 (black/cuoio, 2009, 9000 km). This is a very modern car with more power and less weight and also less service costs. But I had to pay quite an amount of money.
    - 430: I once drove a 430 together with my wife on the passenger seat and we both were very impressed about the car. The wife loved the sound and the feeling in the car as well as I did.

    I am waiting for the offer from the dealer/insurance and will then decide together with my wife which is the best solution. The good thing is that I know have a good reason to test drive all these cars:)

    Thanks again for all the kind words

    Markus
     
  24. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 134282, Jan 28, 2012
    The Prius in the second picture is clearly at fault.

    Markus, I applaud your unwaveringly cool attitude in the face of such terrible news. I'm glad your mechanic is okay - though he'll likely be haunted by this for some time. Did you just buy this car in 2009?

    Please let us know how each test drive goes - and good call on including your wife in the decision this time. :)
     
  25. F456M

    F456M F1 Rookie

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    #25 F456M, Jan 28, 2012
    You could put in your tan interior into the new HGTC...
     
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