430 Spider F1 box?

[barriejames]

Hi All

I am looking move away from my manual R8 v10 Spyder in 2020 and head to a 430 Spider. I am not worried about performance difference between the 2 cars, but as I cannot stretch to a manual 430 I would ask what the F1 box is like? In the Audi R8 the R tronic box has been slated and I would not want to get into something which is similar. So my question is the F1 box useable or old hat tech now? Also if anyone has a nice genuine 430 Spider and wants a trade with cash your way for an R8 Spyder it might save a search etc Whilst writing I have decided it must be red but what's the deal on black v white interiors is there much in it purchase price or resale wise?

Edited by barriejames on Sunday 29th December 23:04

[mike01606]

barriejames said:

Hi All

I am looking move away from my manual R8 v10 Spyder in 2020 and head to a 430 Spider. I am not worried about performance difference between the 2 cars, but as I cannot stretch to a manual 430 I would ask what the F1 box is like? In the Audi R8 the R tronic box has been slated and I would not want to get into something which is similar. So my question is the F1 box useable or old hat tech now? Also if anyone has a nice genuine 430 Spider and wants a trade with cash your way for an R8 Spyder it might save a search etc

You really need to drive one then decide if you like it. It's the same basic system as the R-tronic but I've not driven the R8 so it may not suit the car the same.

It'll become an almost religious argument on here as the manual fans will tell you they are really old tech, replaced by DSG and drive terribly with zero engagement etc and the F1 fans who'll tell you it's great.
Is it useable...Yes, is it old hat.... Yes but it is of it's time if that makes any sense. Isn't manual also old hat by that measure?

IMO don't rule one out until you've driven one. In 2011 when I was looking at 430's, manuals were the same price if not cheaper than F1 and I'm sure the customer base hasn't changed that much.

[BlackR8]

Having driven various paddle shift cars from this era including M3 SMG, F430 F1 and Gallardo E-Gear I would say the F430 F1 was the best of them all. Shifts felt fast enough for me, and take off from standstill was much smoother than the others. All IMO ofcourse.

[anonymous-user]

The F1 is fine but some things are against it, the life of the clutch, the F1 pump can fail, the clutch needs specialist equipment to set a new one up so make sure these things are sorted before buying.
All is said and done still a fantastic experience driving one.

[barriejames]

Thanks. For me its more a visual aspect of the design i guess i enjoy the way a car looks as much as the drive, as im not good enough behind the wheel to know the difference. i love the look of both 360 and 430 Spyders but realise the the 430 will feel more modern.

Edited by barriejames on Tuesday 31st December 09:47

[barriejames]

Thanks. For me its more a visual aspect of the design i guess i enjoy the way a car looks as much as the drive, as im not good enough behind the wheel to know the difference. i love the look of both 360 and 430 Spyders but realise the the 430 will feel more modern. im a 3k miles a year user so its not a daily etc

Edited by barriejames on Tuesday 31st December 09:53

[MrVert]

After an Audi, the F430 won’t feel as well built, certainly in the cabin. The more carbon trim, the better they look / feel inside.

If you can get one with the race seats, they elevate the car to a different level.

The F1 box is decent enough and works well with the V8, banging up and down the gears is quite an experience and very visceral.

I went F430 to 458 Italia. While the 458 is obviously the better car, I actually preferred the driving experience of the 430, purely because it was more raw.

Great cars, read up on the known faults (manifolds, suspension etc), get an inspection carried out and get one bought. I doubt you’ll regret it!

[dereksharpuk]

My thoughts, for what they are worth given that I have owned 2 x 360 manual and 3 x 430 manual & F1. I would always go for a manual as the F1 box has limitations. Sadly though, the manual versions are sold at a premium. So what is wrong (if anything) with the F1 box? Not a lot. OK, it is not as slick as the Porsche/Audi/Ferrrari twin clutch modern system, but you get used to it. My main gripe is reverse. I find it fairly difficult to modulate the speed in reverse and if you have a narrow entrance to your garage, that can be a problem. It is also a little jerky until warm, but that can be negated with skill. Clutch life is a problem (I'm told circa 7000 miles), but I personally don't drive many miles per year, so that does not bother me. Moreover, if you get into the habit of selection neutral when stationary, then clutch life improves. As for 360 v 430... I just love the howl of a 360 at full chat; but the 430 is a better drive. By the way, when I went looking for my 5th Ferrari, I looked for a Rosso vehicle. I came away with a Grigio Silverstone (gunmetal). It is just stunning.

[dereksharpuk]

MrVert said:

After an Audi, the F430 won’t feel as well built, certainly in the cabin. The more carbon trim, the better they look / feel inside.

If you can get one with the race seats, they elevate the car to a different level.

The F1 box is decent enough and works well with the V8, banging up and down the gears is quite an experience and very visceral.

I went F430 to 458 Italia. While the 458 is obviously the better car, I actually preferred the driving experience of the 430, purely because it was more raw.

Great cars, read up on the known faults (manifolds, suspension etc), get an inspection carried out and get one bought. I doubt you’ll regret it!

I agree all this. You must get a proper inspection. ps I'm now looking for a 458 Spider

[barriejames]

This is just the sort of info i needed helps me build a picture i spent ages reading up before i got the R8 and pretty much narrowed down ehat i wanted before looking. problem was as i wanted a red manual v10 spyder only 2 came up in over a year!! Deffo has to be Red just not made up mind on crema or corsa interiors. sport seats would be a plus

[cgt2]

People talk up manual 430's (particularly dealers who wanted it on SOR promising fantastical numbers) but when I finally sold mine after months of trying I got exactly the same as I would have if it was an F1. Buy on condition and history.

[dereksharpuk]

barriejames said:

This is just the sort of info i needed helps me build a picture i spent ages reading up before i got the R8 and pretty much narrowed down ehat i wanted before looking. problem was as i wanted a red manual v10 spyder only 2 came up in over a year!! Deffo has to be Red just not made up mind on crema or corsa interiors. sport seats would be a plus

Crema with red is nice, but do not turn down Sabia. At least have a look.

[dereksharpuk]

cgt2 said:

People talk up manual 430's (particularly dealers who wanted it on SOR promising fantastical numbers) but when I finally sold mine after months of trying I got exactly the same as I would have if it was an F1. Buy on condition and history.

Good advice, but a manual will always command a higher value as they are quite rare. Lovetts sold one for circa £120K not very long ago.

[FezSpider]

barriejames said:

Whilst writing I have decided it must be red

Edited by barriejames on Sunday 29th December 23:04

This line made me laugh, it reminded me of when Jeremy Clarkson went to buy his first Ferrari.
If any one saw it you will know what I mean

[barriejames]

i remember it well!! i do like Giallo also. some guy came up to me in summer and said if you car didnt have 4 rings youd think it was a ferrari!!! can only think because its red

[cgt2]

dereksharpuk said:

Good advice, but a manual will always command a higher value as they are quite rare. Lovetts sold one for circa £120K not very long ago.

What probably didn't help sell mine was that I committed the cardinal sin of actually driving it (a lot) and it had nearly 40k miles on it even though impeccably maintained. I do think the 430 with either gearbox is a great car so there is no bad choice.

[corinthian]

Driven with vigour on rural roads and probably overusing the gear changes just for the fun of it, clutch life on an F430 with F1 is 25k - 30k miles, maybe more, my clutch has done 27k and still feels fine, I'm sure they said it was 60% used at the last look.

Granted, I don’t do stop start traffic and I rarely need to use reverse, ( which I agree, is rubbish), but I don’t do motorways either.

[dereksharpuk]

corinthian said:

Driven with vigour on rural roads and probably overusing the gear changes just for the fun of it, clutch life on an F430 with F1 is 25k - 30k miles, maybe more, my clutch has done 27k and still feels fine, I'm sure they said it was 60% used at the last look.

Granted, I don’t do stop start traffic and I rarely need to use reverse, ( which I agree, is rubbish), but I don’t do motorways either.

Interesting. I was told (don't believe everything I'm told) that an F1 clutch lasts 7000 miles. I suppose you are quite right and that how you use the car is critical. Lots of stop/start town driving with the vehicle always in drive will affect the life. That is why I always put it into neutral if I am stationary for a while.

[corinthian]

I’ll have spent more on tyres than the clutch will cost, when I eventually need it. According to Stewart Rorden, it’s not even than difficult a job, the gearbox being at the back and all. I suppose the risk will be, waiting until it’s completely worn could damage the fly wheel and add to the cost.

[barriejames]

interesting stuff. so on the mileage front i assume 40k milers are considered poorly as thet seem mileage sensitive even more than the r8