F430 one year on | FerrariChat
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F430 one year on

Discussion in '360/430' started by tedwentz, Oct 13, 2006.

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  1. tedwentz

    tedwentz Karting

    Aug 29, 2004
    64
    Mid Atlantic USA
    Full Name:
    Ted Wentz
    #1 tedwentz, Oct 13, 2006
    I see a lot of posts with questions about the reliability of the 360/F430 series of cars. I don't know just how representative my experience is, but in the spirit of offering information here goes:

    I've had the car for exactly 13 months. The mileage is now 4,100 of which approximatlely 600 were on a couple of different race tracks. The car is equiped with CCM brakes and a 6 speed manual gearbox. It was delivered with Bridgestone RE050 tires.

    Aside from a Check Engine light that came on and required a trip to the dealer to extinguish I have had zero problems with the car. So far it has not required any oil to be added and has developed no squeaks or rattles. Coming from quintessentially German Porsches and BMWs I had expectations that this Italian car would somehow be less well built, but be much more fun. Boy was I wrong. This is the best built car I have ever owned. And it is way more fun.

    The Bridgestone tires have held up really well. I did two track days on them and they still have plenty on meat left on them. They also don't flat spot if the car has been sitting for a while like some other wide tires do. I bought a second set of wheels and mounted Pzero Corsas on them for my remaining track days. After 4 days they are now wasted with huge chunks out of them. The worst part is that they were really no quicker than the Bridgestones.

    The CCM brakes are just phenominal, the car just pulls up smooth and hard lap after lap yet they feel great on the street too. The pads are now ready for replacment and they are really pricey, but I figure I got my moneys worth.

    So there you have it. I could write more superlatives but you've heard all of that before, I'm just blown away by this car. It's so good that you could drive it every day if you dare - heck even the climate control system works better than any BMW I ever had. And you can take it to the track.
    I don't think it gets any better than this - Bravo Ferrari.
    TW
     
  2. the_jay

    the_jay Formula 3

    Apr 26, 2005
    1,104
    Murrieta, California
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #2 the_jay, Oct 13, 2006
    You go to hear it, but you forgot the pics. :D
     
  3. mw575

    mw575 F1 Rookie

    May 30, 2001
    2,924
    Lake Oswego,Or
    Full Name:
    Martin J Weiner,M.D.
    #3 mw575, Oct 13, 2006
    Agree with Ted.
    '05 430 F1 -16mo- 4200 mi- Michelin's-Zero problems-one track day-
    Great car- Love it-( Radio is a POS !)
     
  4. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
    3,637
    Los Altos Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Gary B.
    #4 Gary(SF), Oct 14, 2006
    My experience exactly, 13 months and 4100 mi, great minds think (and drive) alike! I've got Pirellis and iron brakes, very impressed with the tires and have had no complaints with the brakes at all, and pads (Ferodo DS2500) are $230 for both axles. Still waiting to be convinced on the carbon brakes.

    Gary
     
  5. FJerry

    FJerry Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2004
    933
    United States
    #5 FJerry, Oct 14, 2006
    Thank you for your input! :) I hope to join you in F430 ownership in the next several months!

    best regards,
    Jerry
     
  6. SpeedGeek

    SpeedGeek Karting

    Oct 10, 2006
    134
    Jo'burg, S. Africa
    Full Name:
    Warren
    #6 SpeedGeek, Oct 14, 2006
    Good to know. Thanks for the info.
     
  7. racerdj

    racerdj F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jan 19, 2003
    6,952
    Indianapolis
    Full Name:
    DJS
    #7 racerdj, Oct 15, 2006
    Great write up!! 6 months here and a check engine light also..engine ground problem. Awsome car with each mile driven....Have I said before how I love yellow.
     
  8. SoftwareDrone

    SoftwareDrone F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Owner

    Jan 19, 2004
    7,860
    San Jose, California
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #8 SoftwareDrone, Oct 16, 2006
    Slightly off topic (360) but a longevity report nonetheless. Have had my 360 for a year, have put 18,000 miles on it. Many of those miles are "spirited" driving. During all those miles, have had the following issues.
    1. A $75 plastic shifter sleeve cracked (and I firmly believe it was cracked before I took ownership).
    2. A $35 cable broke that controls the outer door handle (replaced both of them as preventative maintenance).
    3. A little bit of freon was needed in the A/C system.

    I have had more maintenance issues with Hondas! Fantastic car, this.

    Also, I have 10,000 miles on my Capristo exhaust, zero issues.
     
  9. vanny

    vanny Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    262
    buffalo ny
    Full Name:
    van molenberg
    #9 vanny, Oct 16, 2006
    my f430 16 months..5300 miles..just finished a 1000 mile rally..only way to drive the car..no problems..truly a great car...
     
  10. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,294
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #10 hardtop, Oct 22, 2006
    14 months 6500 miles. Just starts and goes. Had updates and annual service done. Looks like I now have a broken exhaust bracket which I was expecting based on others experience. Will get it fixed under warranty.

    Dave
     

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