Hi All Im new to this section of the forum, and Ferrari ownership, I hope to get into a 2006 F430 Spider soon, I had wanted an FF but prices are creeping now so have put that on hold. I have a few questions and concerns that I’ve tried reading about and seem to get mixed opinions but some threads are years old so I’m asking again if thats ok guys? So, my questions/concerns 1. What’s the hood like on these in terms of fit, finish, noise insulation etc. I had an R8 V10 soft top and it was ok but was a 2014 car, is an F430 going to be lesser quality in these areas? Coupes are more expensive and harder to purchase here in the UK. 2. Ive tried reading up on cowl shake, seems mixed opinion on it, some say they had it and didn’t like it, some inc press reviews say no real issues, what should I expect? The R8 didn’t have noticeable shake and I assumed the Ferrari would be the same? 3. Is there a way to clear the orange lenses from the headlights, I saw a couple of 599’s that had this lense in clear and it looked so much cleaner? 4. If lowering by 10mm is that possible with factory set up, how is that done please? 5. I know the Scud has more power than the F430, is it just a tune & filters etc or other things? 6. I’d be using the car regularly but lightly, last clutch change was 21k miles and 12k miles ago, but 10 years ago, will the age matter, is 21k miles about right, so Im around 50% worn now if I proceed on the one I’m considering? Hope you guys don’t mind the questions, Im sure some have been asked many times, apologies for this. Im hopeful of getting the most up to date opinions so I can make the right choice. Thanks Carl
Strange I have always found a good spider / colour more desirable or expensive than the coupe. Looks on which is better is a mixed opinion as well. For me a Spider is a no brainer. The hood, lots to go wrong, and it is an area to check out and make sure its working correctly with no issues, a specialist can spend a weeks labour trying to fix a faulty roof and still not get it to work! It seals really good and there is very little compromise over the coupe that you will really notice on the road. Yes you can split the lamps and remove the fried eggs most don't bother though. Have a look at my posts there is some about lowering the F430 on stock suspension. Watch out for bum info on the subject as well. Decent headers and filters will see the F430 rev more freely and hit near as damn it SCUD power. Miles has nothing to do with Clutch wear its how its driven and cared for. Get a clutch wear read and that will tell you where its at!
Thanks for the reply. Here in the UK there are more soft tops than Coupes, the Coupes are more money and less choice so it’s going to be a soft top I think. Good to hear the roof is a good fit etc when it’s all good, will be sure to check that thoroughly. Ref the egg lenses, I guess it’s a bit of work to get to them, is there a clear lense to replace them? I saw some threads about the use of Scud springs in the regular cars but assume that’s expensive, will see how it goes if I do complete on it. Can it be driven in auto mode or does it change gears on its own and does auto wear the clutch quicker, when looking at Gallardo it was recommended not to drive on auto, Thanks again Carl
i think you just remove the orange lenses if I recall. You can use auto just fine and the cars just acts like an auto although remember it’s a single clutch early system, but it’s not bad at all. The nose on the F430 is long and low, and it’s the overhang that causes the problem, so you have to be careful when going to low, what with the uk roads.
In regard to lowering, it is already low enough. You can drop it by adjusting the suspension units but you then have to adjust the suspension shims etc. Not a cheap job at a ferrari dealer in the uk. Nice to hear 430 coupe prices getting better as mine goes next year.
