360 Scuding Swiss F1 relay worth it?

I fitted one to my CS at the start of the year, really just to remove a potential failure point with the pump relay. I got the version with the little diagnostic box so in theory I'll get some early warning if the pump starts misbehaving in general but I haven't even looked at the box since I installed it.

I also haven't noticed any difference in driving and I still carry a spare relay in the car(!)

 

Is this not one of those cases whereby who has bought one say they are a must have and those that have not says its just a waste of money?

Some say just put in a 50am fuse, or change the 30amp every other year!

Not sure, I have found this all very dependant on who you speak to and opinions on this subject are divided!

 

Mike

Give me a call whenever you want to discuss . but like mentioned above it is almost a personal decision - no right or wrong

 

There is an improved 30-amp relay that has proven very reliable. Have had one in my 2004 575M for several years. It is Tyco V23134-B57-X266. Hard to find until BMW started using it as an OEM part as part number 61.36-8 366 646 or 61368366646. They use it on the ABS system, so needs to be very reliable. Around $40 from online BMW parts sources.

 

First please note this on my 2008 F430 F1 which has covered 23k miles, and showing no signs of any issues.

I was considering one of these but thought I would go down the "simply fit a new replacement Relay as service item route" first.

Ordered a new genuine Relay and decided I would do the swap in my Spring tinkering earlier this year.
I removed the old - and original - Relay but before fitting the new one I thought I know, I'll take the old one apart and check it's condition.........................and what did I find ?

It was perfect, as in it looked liked it had never been used ! There wasn't any burning on the contacts, or pitting, or any of the usual suspects when it comes to a 15 year old Relay in a high stress application.

I suppose if you looked really closely the contacts showed a little sign of use.
So as a matter of course I used some fine wet n' dry paper to give the contacts a nice polish, resembled the Relay and put it back in the car.

The new Relay I purchased lives in the tool kit, just in case.

This of course led me to the conclusion, do I need the SS F1 Relay ? No, most definitely not.

What does that mean for you, or anyone else ? Well that is down to you and your personal preferences, and situation, but I concur with Taz, the normal Relay is perfectly up to the job in hand, and is either easily replaced, or even save yourself more money by carrying out the simplest of maintenance every so often.

 

I did grab a scuding swiss e-relay since 2005 cars have the 360 or "weaker" F1 pump. Mainly for a piece of mind.

I would think any of the later 50a cars could just swap for another equivalent 50a for good measure. I actually replaced every relay in the F430 and only saw wear on the AC compressor fans relays. Super cheap piece of mind with many threads about where to order the relays.

On my Gallardo I just swapped in a new BMW relay and called it good. ~$46 https://www.ebay.com/itm/363997681230 (same PN as above)

 

I believe the generic Fiat part number is 46520419

Someone had fitted a ‘bitron’ 50A relay to my car which seems to be the Fiat/Alfa/Lancia part.

Anyway you should be able to find a Bosch equivalent for about $20 I guess. They’re just under £20 here.

I’ve still got a text file on my iCloud Drive somewhere with a list of the Bosch equivalent part numbers for most of the relays in the 355 after chasing down a ‘running on 4’ issue with mine(!)

 

The 50-amp relays and 30-amp relays have different pin arrangements, so 50-amp relays are not going to do an early CS much good. The OEM Ferrari 50-amp relays are not that expensive. Much less than the OEM 30-amp relays.

On 575Ms, swap-over for 50-amp relays was at assembly number 52556 (~SN 13518xx). Should be close to that for the 360 and CS.

 

Definitely interested as well.