Discussion
I sold my beautiful 550 in 2011 (yes I know; don't say it!) and am contemplating a return to the warm embrace of V12 Ferrari ownership. With early 599s now in the same price bracket as the 575/550, and having never managed to secure a drive in one, I am wondering if that might now be a more satisfying ownership experience. I do like the look of the 599 a lot and I intend to drive it, not tuck it away in the garage as an investment. Would really appreciate any input, especially from anyone who has themselves made the jump from 550/575 to 599. Thanks.
I've owned all 3 (and 3 599's)
You'll not regret it
599 is a significant step up in every area to the 575, much much quicker, better gear change, best seats I've ever sat in and a perfect driving position. bad bits are economy - just laughable, std Sat nav is useless and be concerned about brake disc and pad wear if you use it on track.
Info
HGTE suspension makes a positive difference as does slightly faster gear change
From around Sept 2008 a 'lean burn' map was introduced, supposed to improve economy by 15% but not noticed any difference!
things to look for
Get brake and clutch wear read outs (printed)
Clicking from rear when pulling away is driveshafts
Leaking shock absorbers
Perennial Ferrari ball joint wear
Did I say you'll not regret it
Shout if you'd like to talk
You'll not regret it
599 is a significant step up in every area to the 575, much much quicker, better gear change, best seats I've ever sat in and a perfect driving position. bad bits are economy - just laughable, std Sat nav is useless and be concerned about brake disc and pad wear if you use it on track.
Info
HGTE suspension makes a positive difference as does slightly faster gear change
From around Sept 2008 a 'lean burn' map was introduced, supposed to improve economy by 15% but not noticed any difference!
things to look for
Get brake and clutch wear read outs (printed)
Clicking from rear when pulling away is driveshafts
Leaking shock absorbers
Perennial Ferrari ball joint wear
Did I say you'll not regret it
Shout if you'd like to talk
lucky enough to have only ever owned V12 ferrari's. went through 456GT then 456GTM followed by a 612 and now a 599. loved each one and each was better than the last for different reasons. the 599 is by far and away the best of the lot. kids are grown up and dont need to justify a "4"seater to the wife so i lucked into a 599 decision. However to me the proof of the car is the mechanics who look after it and at different times have all told me (unprompted) this is hands down the best all round outstanding car and their choice. Others go faster and turn/stop better but a detuned Enzo engine in this 2seat GT configuration - outstanding.
as mentioned they arent cheap to maintain they way they must be, then again if you cant afford to service it, you cant afford it. Weeping shocks are only available from italy in pairs (hand made by the pope and driven to the UK by him best i can tell from the cost) and together with a regular MOT/Service was fat end of £5k. Bank on £2/3k pa. Chains not belts on a 5year cycle helps too
go drive one and enjoy
as mentioned they arent cheap to maintain they way they must be, then again if you cant afford to service it, you cant afford it. Weeping shocks are only available from italy in pairs (hand made by the pope and driven to the UK by him best i can tell from the cost) and together with a regular MOT/Service was fat end of £5k. Bank on £2/3k pa. Chains not belts on a 5year cycle helps too
go drive one and enjoy
lucky enough to have only ever owned V12 ferrari's. went through 456GT then 456GTM followed by a 612 and now a 599. loved each one and each was better than the last for different reasons. the 599 is by far and away the best of the lot. kids are grown up and dont need to justify a "4"seater to the wife so i lucked into a 599 decision. However to me the proof of the car is the mechanics who look after it and at different times have all told me (unprompted) this is hands down the best all round outstanding car and their choice. Others go faster and turn/stop better but a detuned Enzo engine in this 2seat GT configuration - outstanding.
as mentioned they arent cheap to maintain they way they must be, then again if you cant afford to service it, you cant afford it. Weeping shocks are only available from italy in pairs (hand made by the pope and driven to the UK by him best i can tell from the cost) and together with a regular MOT/Service was fat end of £5k. Bank on £2/3k pa. Chains not belts on a 5year cycle helps too
go drive one and enjoy
as mentioned they arent cheap to maintain they way they must be, then again if you cant afford to service it, you cant afford it. Weeping shocks are only available from italy in pairs (hand made by the pope and driven to the UK by him best i can tell from the cost) and together with a regular MOT/Service was fat end of £5k. Bank on £2/3k pa. Chains not belts on a 5year cycle helps too
go drive one and enjoy
In 2008 I traded in my 430 Spider for a 599 GTB. Since then I've also owned a California for 2 years and now have a 458 Spider but I still have the 599 and have no intention of ever selling it. I prefer the car without the HGTE kit as it keeps it a tad softer which I find better for touring but try both versions before you buy. And be aware, it is a big car - make sure your garage is wide enough. Like a previous poster said, I also get a lot of compliments from Ferrari mechanics re the car.
I was wondering if the carbon ceramic brakes can simply be changed out with the normal steel brakes on a 599 or if it's not that simple?
Given that these cars are now changing hands for 80-100k, the price of the carbon ceramic brakes as a proportion of the value of the car seems to me like it would put some people off if they had to have carbon ceramic replacement - it certainly would make me think twice.
If one were driving normally - no track days, and no massively hard braking - how long could one expect the carbon brakes to last?
Given that these cars are now changing hands for 80-100k, the price of the carbon ceramic brakes as a proportion of the value of the car seems to me like it would put some people off if they had to have carbon ceramic replacement - it certainly would make me think twice.
If one were driving normally - no track days, and no massively hard braking - how long could one expect the carbon brakes to last?
slf2012 said:
If one were driving normally - no track days, and no massively hard braking - how long could one expect the carbon brakes to last?
Probably forever! it's the track use that wears them quickly. No reason not to swap to settle but it'll be new discs, callipers and pads plus something needs to change with the main instrument panel, not sure it's a whole new oneI suspect changing to steel would make the car less desirable come resale so what you'll save you'll probably lose in the future
I looked at one prior to buying my gt2 and the rears were completely worn while the fronts were still only 50ish percent gone if that. I think one issue might be the traction control cutting in and burnign up the rear discs. i guess you can just switch it off when driving in a spirited manner to improve disc life? am sure an owner might be able to give more input on this.
soomebody said you cant have them refurbished as you have to enter a code, otherwise refurbishing them is a lot cheaper than replacement discs
soomebody said you cant have them refurbished as you have to enter a code, otherwise refurbishing them is a lot cheaper than replacement discs
I've had my 599 on track a few times and done quite a bit of spirited driving (Mille Miglia Tribute for example). I had to change the pads at about 8,000 miles but the discs are fine. In my previous post I should have mentioned, if buying a 599 avoid the run flat tyres at all costs - they ruin the car. I bought mine nearly new with less than 1000 miles and it had the run flats - within 200 miles I had them off and replaced with Pirellis.
steelej said:
The carbon ceramic discs are supposed to be replaced after 2 pad replacements, the pads wear just like normal pads, not sure how widely known that is. Unlikely the discs will last forever
Actually the ceramic disks have a minimum weight stamped on them below which they should be changed. The dashboard ECU also logs the number of times the brakes are applied and how hard. This info is then passed through some witchcraft algorithm to estimate brake wear.Interesting....so if the discs need replacing after two cycles of 8,000 miles, you're almost looking at a pound per mile for brakes?
I guess that's not a massive cost if you're only doing 1,000 miles per year, but these cars seem to be used much more.
Given these potential scary costs, would it be prudent to look for a car with steel brakes?
I guess that's not a massive cost if you're only doing 1,000 miles per year, but these cars seem to be used much more.
Given these potential scary costs, would it be prudent to look for a car with steel brakes?
Look, its an almost £100k purchase of a supercar that originally cost in excess of £200k. If you are worried about the cost of possibly replacing the discs at some point I'd gently suggest that you shouldn't be looking at buying one full stop. It is never the costs that you're worried about that get you - its the ones that never crossed your mind.
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