AF coupe to standard Spider, anyone have experience of both? | FerrariChat
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AF coupe to standard Spider, anyone have experience of both?

Discussion in 'SF90 Stradale' started by Lukeylikey, Feb 12, 2022.

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  1. Lukeylikey

    Lukeylikey F1 Rookie
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    #1 Lukeylikey, Feb 12, 2022
    Specifically the AF v non AF? I have a spider allocation and currently own an AF coupe. We’ll do aTM on the Spider so it will probably be a long term keeper. I absolutely love the AF pack car and especially the way it drives. I know the dampers have something to do with that, plus of course, that carbon spoiler at the rear looks beautiful and really enhances the back of the car aesthetically. Since it is a TM, there is always an urge to ‘get the best’ too. I have no problem with the ride quality on European roads, though the UK is a bit more challenging. Nevertheless, the dampers are such an improvement, even in the UK.

    So here’s the ‘but’. No lift has been pretty inconvenient. Lack of bumpy road mode adds to the inconvenience but that alone would not make me consider doing the spider without AF. If the standard version was not as good to drive, or at least close, I would again put up with the lack of lift which has only been really very problematic on one occasion, where I had to use many people and lots of wooden planks to get in and out of a hotel car park on a roadtrip. Roadtrips would be 60% of its usage and better not to limit where you can and can’t go. Sometimes it would mean not joining the trip or not using the car (I do have others). It’s just a hassle though. I’m interested in everyone’s thoughts, especially those who have experience of both versions. I know what I gain by not choosing the AF pack but how much do I lose?
     
  2. j09333

    j09333 Formula 3
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    #2 j09333, Feb 12, 2022
    Sf90 best GT ever made by Ferrari minus space. Better than v12s. FF Lisso or F12 or 812 have no chance except engine noise.

    SF90 the most thrilling car ever made by Ferrari next to tdf. AF makes car special and exciting.

    You can drive not worrying about car might jump and lose front with
    SF90.


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  3. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
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    #3 Il Co-Pilota, Feb 14, 2022
    If I was in your shoes, I'd do the following. Order the car without AF and then add Novi springs if you feel that you need the stiffer ride. Car can still be set at stock height, and the quality of the KW springs is second to none. I've driven both back to back, and seeing that I want my car to be used for trips, I found them way too close to give up the lifter and adaptive suspension. Like comparing a Pista and Pista Spider, or 812SF and 812 GTS, they simply change once you lop the top off. If the only thing you did was day trips and A to A round trips, then the AF might make a bit more sense to get that little bit extra out of it, especially to recover a bit of the directness which is inevitably lost by changing the structural integrity of the car. But if the car sees real useage, I think non-AF makes a lot of sense. The weight you save means nothing, and the CF wheels which does make a difference, can be had on both versions. The stiffer springs can be had in other ways such as the Novi set up.

    Boiled down, I found the non-AF coupè and AF coupè to be pretty close overall. Let me put it this way. If the AF car is like a Pista, one might think the non-AF is like an F8. However, I would say it slots in between. If the F8 is the 0% mark and the Pista is the 100% mark, it would sit at the 40% mark. You know both the Pista and F8, so you know what I mean. Furthermore I would point something else out. The first non-AF SF90 I drove had normal Pirelli PZ4 shoes on it. The next had MPSC2. That in itself makes a pretty substantial difference. It can kinda be compared to going from MPS4S to MPSC2. Not because of the difference in grip, but because of the stiffer sidewall and the difference in response.

    As far as looks go, it was easy for me. I simply like the non-AF look a lot more. Especially the rear spoiler so many like, I just think distracts from an otherwise clean and coherent look.

    I can't tell you what is best for you, but those are my impressions and thoughts.

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  4. Lukeylikey

    Lukeylikey F1 Rookie
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    #4 Lukeylikey, Feb 14, 2022
    Thanks for that, that’s really helpful. The comparison between Pista and F8 makes sense.
     
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  5. F12_vrooom

    F12_vrooom Rookie

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    Brandt U
    #5 F12_vrooom, Jun 12, 2022
    Thanks for this write-up. I was right at the last minute getting my SF90 Spider order in and have been going back and forth on my spec. I’m going non-AF. The Pista compare was great as my wife does not enjoy ours, so don’t want to double down on that.


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