430 F430 just bought - Would appreciate some heads ups..

HI all,

Very delighted to say that my first Ferrari will be with me early next week. Yay.

The history of the F430 is good. I have done the usual due diligence on headers, joints, rubber, headers and clutch.

My questions are really post-sale based:

• Can anybody link me to a UK based outdoor cover company that is decent enough to cover the car when I cannot fit it in the garage?
• On that note, what is the exact width of the F430 Spider with the mirrors in?
• Have you got any start-up and warming-up, and cooling down, engine off, best practice to prolong the engine?
• Is it true that it is best to put the car into neutral before coming to a stop at a junction? (It's a Manual)
• Do I need to avoid 2nd gear until the car is warmed up, or is that now not a thing!?
• Which specific areas are best to PPF to maintain the best possible protection
• As I start getting more experience on start-up sounds and driving, are there any specific noises, smells and leaks that should be on the look out for?
• Has anybody know where I can get a carbon version of the aluminum piece that is around the airbag on the steering wheel?
• Should the roof only be lowered and opened only with the engine on and a static car?
• What fuel (UK) is 'best' for the car?
• I understand it is a dry sump? So I check the level when the car is warm, say after a decent run
• Lastly, where do I find out where events are in the South/South East of the UK (I am Surrey based)

Thanks ever so much.
I just want to get on top of these bits as I intend to drive the car a lot and properly.

Cheers
Ade

 

Oh no! Well, in that case, I definitely need to order a decent outdoor cover!! Like... now...

Right, I will only put the roof up and down when still , with the engine on then. Thanks. I can't ever imagine a time I will ever drive with the roof up. I might get caught in a light rain I guess but I won't be driving it if I expect rain, snow or salted roads.

I will definitely read through the manual but I have ADHD and a very bad short term memory. I need to start thinking about all this now so it starts to become a routine thought. Bit difficult to explain.

The car is all paid for, all sorted but I have to wait for the tracker to be installed by a professional before I can drive it. It is about 3 1/2 hours from me so the drive back will be great.

Cheers.

 

Blimey, ha. I am starting to get anxious. I am typically crap at maintenance.

Ah, this is not good. Our house goes on the market next week and I will be after at least one double garage. Alas, for now, in 1930s house has one single garage, wider than the modern single garages (pointless for modern larger cars) but still not wide enough for the F430. I have already gone my Neighbour App to see if anybody close has a double garage free for 2 months - seriously. Bollox. Didn;t think this through enough.

Marvellous.. ha. Great tip. I will try and remember it.

Thanks. Noted.

Blimey. Glad I asked.

Thanks. Just joined. Looks a bit thin on first inspection. I will delve deeper. One of the events looks amazing value!

Cheers for those!

 

Yeah... umm. Apparently not. Funnily enough... one could be fitted....

 

Yeah, will have to. I am under a large oak tree and the sap is crap. I will have to wash the cover itself once a week.

Jeezuz. Wow. My C63 gets silly hot, so I understand. What can be done to help lessen this? Obviously, heat is a killer of performance. Is it good to wrap up pipes, etc? Take the glass cover off

Yep, ok, sounds doable.

Really? is the paint that poor? Fair point then. I can let the chips and scratches build up and get them painted.

Should I do this proactively? As in, not long after pickup? I am keen to take preventative measures. I was looking at the Capristo headers and suspension bracket but, according to the service history they were done 5 years and 3500 miles ago - I guess I can stay with the OEM until it exhibits signs of stress.

 

I have not yet picked the car up but this is the actual car.

I will be doing a full collection and drive back video.


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Thanks, will try.

 

OK, I am keen to do this then as soon as I get the car. Extra peace of mind.
Is it a quick job for a pro? I could order one and then take to an exhaust fitting company down the road/

 

Ah ok.. I will look around now for the part, cheers.

 

I saw this on Ebay..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134141688688

Give that the Capristo bracket alone is a lot of money, does this bracket look similar enough to do the job?

Anybody have any idea what this system actually is?

Of course, I can fit the bracket immediately and try the system out. If it is too loud or droney then I can put the OEM back on.
It clearly does not use the OEM valve system so the noise is the noise. I also assume this is almost cat less so might be too mad anyway.

 

Ha yeah. That is my worry.

Can a fabricator bastardize the OEM system and put in the valves do you think?
Or is there another way to do something which lowers the loudness a bit?

Lastly, which parts of this would be recommended to wrap up, whilst installing, to lower heat radiation?

Thanks!

 

Thanks., bought the cover and they were kind enough to explain how best to put it in and remove it.
Also, joined DU - being processed - so nice work!

I did mention Greyboxer from FerarriChat as the referrer for DU, in case you get a bottle of bubbly!