Several questions from new owner (car not home yet!)

Hi gang. In anticipation of receiving my '06 F430 Spider 6-sp manual, would like some of my questions responded, if you don't mind. Hope I don't get the 'why don't you search?' crap because I tried with one and found nothing. If you're on a bad mood, just get out now . Just got the documentation, service history, and spare key, by the way.

- Can you buy the key's red 'caps' separately??? Spare key is all beat up. And yes, I'm disappointed at the key too < he he>; looks like a Toyota one but with a Ferrari logo. Was expecting a nicer key. And holy cow, previous owner bought one and paid $875 PLUS coding. Geez.

- Key came with TWO cards. One red 'code card', and a silver one with 2 codes: 'electronic code' and 'mechanical code'. What are all those 3 codes for?

- Has anybody bypassed their clutch switch??? I have always done that on all my manual cars except the M3 V8, due to having 'comfort access' (I'd be unable to turn 'acc' or 'ignition' ON as car would just start) and 'hill-assist', which prevents car from rolling backwards when clutch is depressed. Anyway, is there any such thing on the Ferrari? Otherwise I'd like to do it immediately. It's reversible in a minute, as I just put a thin paper clip bent in a 'U' shape, then put electrical tape on top and reinsert connector halfway. Oh, I do that to be able to start car without depressing clutch pedal. And on the Ferrari, you have to be an idiot not to see it's in neutral < ha ha>.

- What suspension system does car have from the factory? Coilovers? Double-wishbone all around? Multi-link rear and double-wishbone in front? And what kind of electronic shocks do we have? Is it the magnetorheological ones?

- Noticed engine had 10/60 oil (like my M3), and then FNE switched to 5/40 Shell Helix. What do you guys use? I'm inclined to use 5/40 full synthetic (group IV), like Pennzoil ultra or M1 extended performance, but the way I drive (mostly sedately) and the mileage car will accumulate in a year, regular M1 or Pennzoil Platinum should suffice, no? Is Shell Helix a group III, IV or V synthetic? By the way, Castrol TWS 10/60 is a rare group V, but too damn thick for normal driving and winter IMO. Comments welcome.

- Finally, car has stock exhaust but with Fabspeed straight pipes (no valves) and tips (ex-owner lied about having a Fabspeed muffler). My two questions are if car won't be too noisy when driven sedately on the freeway, etc., and if you recommend changing the upgraded stock exhaust brackets with the Capristo ones. And yes, I'm supposed to get the stock pipes (with the valves) and tips.

Thanks a lot gang; really appreciate it. Still have to wait at least a week, so please help me ease the pain < he he>. Have a great weekend.

 

Mods, please delete this thread. Guess the gang is not in helping mood. Oh well. Time to search for a more technically oriented Ferrari site. Good day.

 

For those ladies who got offended by my 'attitude', tried to edit my post but the edit option was gone; sorry. And some of you should look in the mirror and see who has the attitude problem with those replies . Oh, and asked for deletion of thread because nobody replied in 5 days and 150+ views.

Thanks a lot for your help Hardtop and Stef, as always. Will definitely stick with 5/40, but was curious if Ferrari changed recommendations since the first oil change was done with 10/60. And Ferrari dealer said those 3 codes are ALL related to the keys. The radio (becker) code is in the owner's packet, along with the car cover and VIP build pictures and stuff. And already have a contact for the service manual since I want to learn more about the top mechanism (and related maintenance, especially with the hydraulics) and the rest of the car. Car just had all fluids replaced, so I'm good there for a year. I didn't see an accessory belt replacement, so will keep an eye on that, although it seems crazy to need one with only 8K miles on it. And PMed the Capristo dealer here (couldn't get search results because I was typing 'Capistro' Duh!), and he said they don't make any exhaust brackets; what's up with that???

Below are pics of the car (first 3 from the PPI; rest from owner). Will get more when I get it (on its way). Car has all options (leather everywhere, CCBs, red calipers, HiFi, CD changer, bluetooth, scuderia shields, daytona electric seats, red stitching & tach, CF vent surrounds, etc). Will work on the profile later. Have a great day folks.

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/ELP_JC/F430%20Spider/

PS. Hey Stef, does the 430 have a CAN electrical system? Hope not. And who do you recommend for the cheapest Ferrari OEM parts/accessories? Need a CF shift knob so I don't burn my hands here in hot TX. Thanks man.