What's the consensus concerning the F1 gearbox ? Some say they never had any problem with it, others say it's very expensive to fix. So, would you buy a 355 with the F1 gearbox ?
The 355 sometimes have issue's with the F1 pump and/or the F1 pump relay. The pump can be bought "cheap" for a few thousand $US. Relay's are always a cheap fix. When the clutch is replaced in the F1 gearbox, it has to be calibrated with the Ferrari SD2 unit by a dealer, or whoever has a SD2. I think it all comes down to a matter of preference on which one you want IMO? F1 box or not. I have never driven with an F1 box, but there would be no reason I would not buy one as of yet.
There are alot of threads on here discussing the 355 F1 pump. Read and enjoy. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98499&highlight=355+F1+pump http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91420&highlight=355+F1+pump http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88251&highlight=355+F1+pump http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39200&highlight=355+F1+pump http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47167&highlight=355+F1+pump
PAP348, Thanks for the tips and the links! Ernie, You seem quite categorical. Did you have some bad experiences ?
I prefer the 6 speed on the 355. The 360 seems to have alot better version of the F-1 technology which is leaps and bounds beyond the 355 version imho. Plus I think the 6 speed is more fun to drive also! gordon
STANDARD SHIFT IS NOSTALGIC TO ME. FERRARI'S GATED SHIFTER IS AWKWARD TO ME AND CLUNKY. IF THEY HAD A SHIFTER LIKE THE NSX I WOULD CONCIDER IT BUT I'D LIKE TO NOT BE HELD UP BY THE GATED SLOTS AND IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME TO HAVE TO "WORK" AND OR "MISS SHIFTS" WHILE I'M IN MY355. 57,000 NO PROBLEMS (SPORT MODE AT ALL TIMES) MY355
The F1 has "6 speeds", in fact I believe the F1 and manual (stick shift) share the same gearbox. The F355 has a mechanical throttle hence the gear change process can only control the throttle using the idle speed control valve - but you still have control of the throttle so you need to be more involved with the shift to make it smooth, rather than just pulling the lever. The 360 and later have fly-by-wire throttles so the shift is superior, but it takes more away from the driver. The 360's shift is virtually identical to the shift in Alfa Romeo Selespeeds as it uses the same technology. Owners and technicians will tell you about reliablity but in general the 355 system is more expensive than the 360 version because it was the prototype system. Personally I would like an F1 shifter, but I do love the manual too
The 355 F1 *will* burn up your clutch if you drive in reverse up an incline. This may or may not be an issue for your driving/parking style. The 355 F1 has a few issues with dropping into Neutral if hydraulic pressure is low (e.g. low on fluid, pump problem, etc.) while driving, or not completely releasing the clutch at idle in stop-n-go traffic. The 355 F1 isn't available to shift into Neutral if the engine has been turned off while in gear...until pump pressure builds up (about 30 seconds). This was "remedied" in the 360 by installing a switch that starts the F1 pump when you open the driver's door rather than waiting for the key to be turned in the 355. The 355 F1 has been known to burn up a relay that leaves the F1 pump on all of the time...which could potentially burn up the F1 pump. But frankly, these are hardly issues that you'd avoid on many other makes/models. Every piece of technology has strengths and weaknesses...and precious little is bullet-proof. If you like the F1, then go for it. It's just an automatic transmission marketed as something more manly ("Oh no, it's so much more than an auto!"). If it's one of the 20% or fewer F1's that has a problem, then fix it...either hire the work done or do it yourself. There's a thread on here by ImpDesigner showing the F1 pump/motor as common parts, as well as pointing out numerous preventative fixes for the F1 relay issue. Don't act as though Ferraris can't be fixed, or that having a problem with a car is some big deal. In the grand scheme of things, car trouble is pretty low on the list of worries in life. There will *always* be people telling you about every bad thing that can potentially go wrong...such predictable whining yields very little useful value. Can you afford a Ferrari? Can you afford to pay for maintenance, or do you have the initiative to do the work yourself? After answering those questions, then ask yourself if you *want* faster shifts...well, that's what the F1 delivers. And while it isn't my cup of tea, I'm going to give it credit where it is due...and I'm not going to fault anyone who has a different wish-list than myself. If you like the F1, then get it if you are going to buy a Ferrari. If you prefer to shift yourself, then get the 6 speed in the 355 or 5 speed in an earlier model (e.g. my 348). Then go drive the thing. Get it wet. Get it dirty. Wear it out. Break it. Fix it or get it fixed, then go drive it some more. If it starts to bore you, then get something else. Keep life simple. Keep it good.
