Cali as snow machine? | FerrariChat
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Cali as snow machine?

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by samjam, Jan 26, 2012.

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  1. samjam

    samjam Rookie

    Sep 12, 2011
    28
    CT
    #1 samjam, Jan 26, 2012
    I just picked up my new Cali from the dealer last Friday, drove it to its garage in CT, and awoke the next morning to 6 inches of fresh snow. Eager to activate the satellite radio (among other things), I backed it out of the garage ever so slightly into the snow (maybe 10 feet) so I could get a signal. To my surprise, I had zero wheelspin--going out and back in. My 911 and QP have proven useless in similar conditions. Although I'd never intentionally drive it in the snow, I wonder if anyone has actually had to do so and what it was like.
     
  2. GNALUZU

    GNALUZU Formula Junior

    Mar 23, 2004
    703
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Full Name:
    Adam
    #2 GNALUZU, Jan 26, 2012
    Cue the response and pictures from Rick Lederman.... :)
     
  3. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
    950
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    S
    #3 Balsamina, Jan 26, 2012
    Congrats on the new acquisition. Let's see pics and tell us your specs.
     
  4. Tireman

    Tireman Karting

    Nov 13, 2011
    208
    Canada
    #4 Tireman, Jan 26, 2012
    With limited slip diff it will pull fine .. but BEWARE about talking it out in cold weather and snow covered roads without winter tires .. IF you put on the Winter Tires... no problem .. :)
     
  5. arizonaitalian

    arizonaitalian Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Oct 29, 2010
    20,508
    Wyoming
    #5 arizonaitalian, Jan 26, 2012
    LOL...seems Rick is sleeping at the switch! (because we all know we monitor F-chat at all times).
     
  6. hotbmwm3

    hotbmwm3 Formula Junior

    Jan 11, 2006
    554
    Melbourne and London
    Full Name:
    Owner -09 California
    #6 hotbmwm3, Jan 27, 2012
    Its interesting to see the way people use their cars.

    My car has only been driven in the rain once, and that was only because it started raining after I had driven 100 miles from home

    I felt the car was intimidating and didn't inspire confidence in the wet, and I don't plan driving it in the wet again if I can help it

    I'm not a good enough driver to be confident in low grip conditions and I love tge car too much to risk crashing it

    I never buy cars that have been in a collision, and I suspect the value of a car that has had a crash might be £40k less than one that hasn't, despite a "perfect repair" and I'm yet to see an Insurance policy cover the loss of resale from selling a repaired car

    I'm not saying the guys driving in snow or rain are crazy, it's just not for me and it suprizes me that people do it

    I am fortunate to have a Mercedes 4wd and an M5 for times when the California isn't practical or suitable

    I'm suprized more people don't use other more practical cars for the snow or rain :)
     
  7. deppi0

    deppi0 Formula 3

    Jun 30, 2010
    1,246
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Edmondo
    #7 deppi0, Jan 27, 2012
    I use mine everyday as a DD and the only times I don't is because I want a change....or if it snows ;-)
     
  8. Tireman

    Tireman Karting

    Nov 13, 2011
    208
    Canada
    #8 Tireman, Jan 27, 2012
    The right tires make a huge difference ;)
     
  9. Traveller

    Traveller F1 Veteran

    Apr 10, 2009
    6,323
    UK
    Full Name:
    Tim
    #9 Traveller, Jan 27, 2012
    Had mine out in the snow Christmas before last, and whilst one really had to focus and use the throttle sparingly, no more of an issue than any other car.
     
  10. samjam

    samjam Rookie

    Sep 12, 2011
    28
    CT
    #10 samjam, Jan 27, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The car is Silverstone with Cuoio interior, diamond-stitched seats (charcoal stitching), shields, 20" wheels, and some practical stuff like Home-link and electric seats. Also carbon-fiber around the rear license plate. I passed on things like cruise control (I don't use it much), Magneride, LED steering wheel, and the like--nice but they add up quickly. I also thought colored tach and calipers didn't go with my vision of a GT car. Photos are from the dealer--I haven't had a chance to get good shots due to the inclement weather! The 100 miles driving it home were amazing.
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  11. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    #11 RickLederman, Jan 27, 2012
    Yep, I have been napping here! As little as 1/4 inch of snow makes the PZero's Damn Dangerous!! Be very careful with PZeros. Your driveway obviously has no slope to it, if it had any slope you would have seen your California slide uncontrolably down that slope.

    Exactly the opposite with real snow tires. I have SottoZeros and they are great on snow or ice which we had on the roads this morning ... and I had no problems at all.

    In NW Ohio and I have had it since December 15 and have about 2,500 miles already! Drive it like today is your last day on earth! I also have a CL550, very cool car and very powerful, all wheel drive, etc. Rather drive the Cali, so I do, snow, rain, and even once in a while this winter (today!) in the sun:)

    Rick
     
  12. samjam

    samjam Rookie

    Sep 12, 2011
    28
    CT
    #12 samjam, Jan 30, 2012
    Thanks for your post. You're right about the non-slope of my driveway; surprisingly, though, at least to me, my car came with Bridgestones, not Pirellis. The salesman said when I asked that you have to special request either Pirellis, Michelins or Bridgestones, all of which are listed in the manual as standard, or they'll be chosen randomly. This could be a heads-up for those who have a preference and are still in the ordering process. When you switch to your snow tires, do you just have them mounted on your normal wheels or did you buy special wheels for the snows?
     
  13. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    #13 RickLederman, Jan 30, 2012
    I was very lucky and a woman that used to hang out here had a set of standard wheels for sale after buying a set of the 19" star wheels like I have for summer, and I bought them at a great price, including a good set of Bridgestones. I never drove the Bridgestones, simply put the SotoZeros on the wheels. P-Zeros are REALLY REALLY bad in snow. I am very surprised that you could get the car back in without wheelspin. I probably will remove the SotoZeros in the spring and mount the Bridgstones for a visit to Mid-Ohio, but keep the Mickellins for daily driving. The spare set of wheels makes changing tires very easy!

    My 2012 came with Michellin's and the sticker said Pirellis. I failed to specify so I can do nothing. We will see this spring how the Michellins are. And we will see how long they last. My Pirelli rears lasted about 7,000 miles, fronts 15,000 miles. However I jump on it at most every stop sign or red light. This car is just too much fun to drive like a grandfather!

    Rick
     
  14. samjam

    samjam Rookie

    Sep 12, 2011
    28
    CT
    #14 samjam, Jan 31, 2012
    It's my grandchildren who beg me to drive it "like a race car".
     
  15. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,897
    #15 MalibuGuy, Jan 31, 2012
    I have the Michelins and they are pretty good. I think they will last longer than the P's.

    (BTW I just ordered a CL550 4 matic. Had to replace my old CL500 with 250K miles. Looking forward to the TT V8 direct injection. Also very happy to have airmatic suspension rather than the old ABC. 2013 will see introduction of ABC version 2. )
     
  16. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    #16 RickLederman, Jan 31, 2012
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2012
    Its too bad that the CL550 is not a Ferrari because it is a really cool car. Mine is a metalic black. The front end is way low and looks awsome. But it is not a Ferrari.

    Rick
     
  17. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,897
    #17 MalibuGuy, Jan 31, 2012
    My spec is Black , but almost ordered the metallic black like yours.

    In the last 7 yrs, Mercedes has introduced some pretty cutting edge paint technology taking advantage of nanotechnology to improve the gloss and durability of their clear coat in particular.

    I swear the Mercedes Glossy Black Paint is the best I've seen on any car!
     

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