Portofino to F12 / 812 S

812 all day long. Amazing car (just a bit on the large size -- wide and long, and turning circle a bit galactic). F12 was a better size (a bit smaller) but 812 better in every other respect (including design both exterior and interior). One of the greatest Ferraris ever made and a truly majestic machine with the most sublime engine/drive train ever to grace any car.

 

if you care about the money go f12. if you enjoy literally burning money then go for the 812.
you shld try a novitec on the portofino.

 

I have both the 812 and F12. Love both cars. If you go for the F12 you will get the last V12 Pinafornia designed car for Ferrari. Plus you will save money.

Mine is a 2015 and has been rock solid.

 

wow you have both the v12 back to back,congrats! my 812 and first ferrari is coming in september,wanted to ask you ride quality which is better between the two for daily drive,meaning suspension wise for bumpy road this is a concern for me as road in thailand not that great,thannks in advance for your comment!

 

Do you every have issues negotiating tight parking spaces, turns, parking garages with the 812's long nose or is it a non-issue with front parking sensors?

One thing I enjoy about the Huracan is that it's very clear where the front bumper is and a piece of cake negotiating narrow/curvaceous entrances and exits? With the AMG GTS I was sometimes worried about scraping/curbing the front even with parking sensors since they couldn't detect parking blocks or low curbs.

 

No issues on the road (yet) but am ensuring I avoid routes with width restrictions. However, manoeuvres in a tight parking garage are very tricky, taking multiple attempts to navigate very tight turns in garages and to position the car in a space. Not so good for the clutch I am sure. Cameras and sensors help, but given the scale of the car and the enormous turning circle, you simple can’t nip through some spaces that other cars can. The main problem is the turning circle. I have driven a Mercedes GLS (a longer car) into the same space with much less fuss.

 

I live in a place where real estate is a premium and tight parking stalls/garages/entrance and exits are par for the course. Your experience is something I wouldn't necessarily obtain on a test drive so thanks for sharing.

 

IMO you cannot go wrong with either, I opted for the F12. A little smaller feeling, more old school Ferrari looking design wise (in my eyes).

The 812 is much more modern, faster, and I think, from my limited time in it, it handles better/easier.

But for the money and when you think over 730HP, which you can never use nearly 70% of it unless you are on the track, I think the F12 is much better value for dollar at the current pricing.

I am partial to older style F cars, but would not hesitate in getting the 812, maybe I am different than most...

But if I was deciding today - it is a much easier choice with the value of the F12 - it is a steal, and arguably one of the best modern F-cars and styling wise since some of the icons in the 60's. But, it is a handful at times, as it will lull you to sleep, then bite you quickly. The 812 a little less so (From a scary perspective - which could be good), as they did a much better job on the 812 at putting the HP down and making it livable...

One point I would give, I let many people drive my F-cars and L-cars over the years, the F12 is one that I give much more instructions and warnings to before they drive it (with me there, and experienced drivers only). When I have driven my buddy's 812, he laughs at the difference in scary factor - as he also drives my F12. The F12 is much less tame, you do not notice the HP difference, as there is to much to notice on both. But with the 812- The all wheel steering, the way it lays down the Hp, etc. It is really amazing what they have done with the 812 over 1 gen from the F12 from a ease of power delivery. It is much easier to drive in all aspects, including less scary.

 

From Port to 812 would make you a much happier man.

 

After doing an actual back to back testing with the F12 vs. 812, I will say that the added cost of the 812 is worth it. I was absolutely dumbfounded as to how much the 812 had evolved. Yes, the F12 is great in its own right, but man, did the 812 deliver.
Some of the key things I found to be the case were these.
While the ride in the 812 is a tad firmer,, it's actually less harsh, if that makes any sense. It's firm, but it does not shake and rattle you. It's firm, but it soaks u the bums extremely well. Add to that I find the F12 to be quite "busy" in this regard. It's like there's a bit too much spring for the rebound somehow. This is where it then gets really strange that the F12 tends to be a bit rolley-polley in the corners. It's not terrible by any means, but it's noticeable.
In this area, the 812 simply seems so much more refined and balanced. What's really funny is that the F12 had the electric comfort seats, and the 812 had the carbon Daytona racing seats. The latter were the better seat in my opinion. Personally I would probably spec them as Stile seats, as the Daytona patter is a bit too noticeable for my liking - but never the less, a great seat for the 812.
Throttle response has improved. The throttle on the F12 strikes me as a bit too sensitive - like on the 458. On the 812 on the other hand, it was so much easier to modulate the throttle input.
Steering, was yet another area where it truly shined. It was still a fast rack like on the F12, but I find it to be weighted better - a bit heavier.
While the F12 has 60 PS less than the 812, and the first 6 gears in the 812 is actually shorter, it feels like the 812 is better at putting its power down. The gearbox is also improved, especially on the long downshifts where I think the FF and F12 could be faster. When you go from say 7th to 4th, you flip the paddle three times, but there's a bit of a delayed reaction. This is still present in the 812, but much less so.
Finally the interior. Wow, what an improvement. Much more contemporary, and much more intimate somehow. It does not feel smaller or tighter per se, but somehow the shapes and the atmosphere just seems more inviting and comfortable.
Get yourself a drive in both an F12 and 812. The 812 is that much better in my humble opinion.
This is the pictures I shot of the 812 that day
Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

As to ride quality etc between the F12 and 812 someone above stated the 812 is more refined. I would agree with that. The F12 is a little more raw on the road. It can slip out a little but still comes right back. The 812 feels much more planted on the ground. It feels as if the back end will never slip out. The rear steering in the 812 makes cornering that much quicker and sure footed. As for feel on the road both cars take bumps very well. But when you put both in race mode check your teeth after the ride unless you hit the “ bump” mode.

For the money the F12 at the current used prices is a great deal you can’t go wrong. If rear steering and more stability is what you want, then go with the 812.

 

Hmmm, that's not exactly how I feel about between the F12 and 812. I used to work with some major racing suspension companies and tires manufacturers. I just gonna share my experience here if you don't mind.

My English may not be good enough to describe them but here we go.
F12: nimble, sensitive, smooth, GT (in Ferrari term), but the suspension reacts slower and flexes quite a bit compared to many cars in this level in today's term.
812: tight, sharp, hyperactive (in any supercars term), but it could feel big and numb at a lower speed

812 feels exactly how a generation ahead of the F12 and more. Before I got my 812, I did not believe or expect 812 could be better. However, it turned out the 812 is just every bit better than the F12 except the turning ratio. 812 feels more like a hypercar and the street version of the TDF, while F12 feels more of a luxury GT in this comparison (in ferrari term of GT).

 

I have an F12 and awaiting my new 812. Just heard it should arrive in next month or so. Now at build stage 60 on the production line. I have driven an 812 for a couple of days and found it amazing. I think the 812 steering and gear change is a big step up but differences inside and styling largely a matter of taste. Ultimately if you want the better car and happy to spend the money and take more depreciation (at least in the short term) buy the 812. If you don’t want or can’t get new or want virtually all of the thrills for around £200k then take an F12.
Ps I have not committed to partexing my F12 to dealer so if your in UK and decide to go the F12 route let me know.

 

thank you f12 and 812 owners for your comments about ride suspension and chassis feel, this is very encouraging and can't wait to receive my electrico blue 812 in September )

amazing folks here so nice of everyone

 

Sounds great. Do you by any chance have any pictures of your 812 in Blu Elettrico?

 

I completely agree. This is also how I felt about it. As I said, it's more refined, but not so much because it's less raw, or feels smoother or softer, because I don't think it does. It's blisteringly quick and sharp on a level that is a pretty big step up from the F12.
I think it's more refined because it's better on all accounts - the keyword here being "better". Gear ratio, transmission, suspension, and what else have you. I actually don't feel the rear wheel steering to be very notable and intrusive. My friend whom I spent the day testing with, has the current GT3RS which also has RWS. And from his perspective, that's a system you actually feel - both good and bad in this regard. The RWS in the 812 simply seems to be so well integrated that it hides itself very gracefully.You can still get the rear to step out every bit as much as in the F12, it just feels more solid when it does.

There's no doubt that there are F12 cars available for a good price, but at the same time, I personally feel that the gap is big enough to warrant the 812 despite this.

As you say, it feels like the next generation - but even a bit beyond that. I cannot remember when a car last had me wanting to just keep on going as much as the 812 had. Will I call it a hypercar? Probably not. But not so much because of its performance, but because it does not have the hypercar craziness. It is as well at home cruising the Autobahn @ 250 kph with the occasional 320+ kph blast and a boot full of luggage, as it is tearing up the back roads. And you can still attend a nightclub opening if that sort of thing is what you like, or perhaps a formal gathering with the local royalty.

 

My car is arriving in September if no delays ,I have ordered it with beige tradizione Eed racing stripe in the inside


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Sounds like a great spec. Very close to the pictures I posted. That's Blu Le Mans with Beige Tradi interior. Any other details on your spec?

 

Red clipper brakes and Italian flags behind also Italian buttons on the gear bridge,carbon steering and for the outside I am getting after market carbons novitec around the car including side skirts
Also contemplating on changing the front to 21 and rear 22 with HRE wheels but this is not sure yet as I want to make sure about how stiff stock is
Will post picture surely once car is here


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Good stuff.

Make sure you understand what the downsides to the 21/22 combo will be - because it will be significant. You will be forced to run a much wider rear tyre which will make the car understeer and push a lot more. Add to that the fact you will need to "downgrade" your tyres from Ferrari spec PZero PZ4 to the old PZero in a non-Ferrari spec. If you like the idea of larger tyres, consider a 21/21 setup using either Michelin Pilot sport 4S in 275/30R21 and 325/30R21 or Michelin Pilot Supersport in 285/30R21 and 325/30R21. These setups will let you retain a lot more of the driving dynamic attributes the car was initially set up to have.

 

Don’t do the wheels just yet because no good tires. I tried my F12 set up on the 812, they didn’t work very well. So far I have done Pzero 21/22, PZ4 21/21 (355 rear), and Super Sport 21/21 (325 rear). And I’m back to oem with just wheel spacers.

With those tires I mentioned above, they worked excellent and perfect on my previous F12’s but somehow they didn’t work on the 812 at all. In Sport mode, more than 20% throttle input would trigger the TC, in Race mode I still couldn’t do more than 40% throttle. It’s just all over the places. Those tires don’t fit the torque the 812 putting down.

 

Just get the suspension setup properly in the F12 and it will be very tight and balanced. Yes, the power will scare you but that's half the fun trying to control the beast. After a few years of ownership you will really enjoy how it performs. Can't go wrong with either so it comes down to value and looks IMO. And there the F12 is unbeatable.

 

wanted to ask you about f12 or 812 when we are in wet mode does the exhaust and overall noise get quieter? this will be good for when driving into home neighbors etc
thank you

 

Although I have never driven more than a couple minutes in WET mode, I believe it has been posted that the valves open later and more nannies are in place to avoid abrupt acceleration and loss of traction. If you keep either car in RACE mode below 4K rpm it will be pretty quiet (valves closed). I have taken to driving in ESC OFF on known country roads in ideal weather and tire condition and it is glorious. Best.