360 Modena - Manual or F1

[bertie]

Anyone with any expierence of living with the F1 gearbox day to day?
I've test driven both and got my order in but don't know which way to go, manual or F1.
The F1 is a lovely bit of technology but is it a gimmick you get fed up with after 6 months?

[bosshog]

I've only driven the F1 on a 360 but aren't you buying the car to 'drive'? why would you want an automatic(/semi - sic) - its just less rewarding than a sweet down shift that you did yourself.

Edited by bosshog on Monday 7th January 15:08

[tuscan_v8]

You giving up your Tuscan?

[bertie]

The Tuscan was an interim measure to get it out my system after the 355 until the 360 comes (probably!!).

I tend towards the manual myself but apparently that's the minority view looking at the cars about at the moment.

[bosshog]

quote:
The Tuscan was an interim measure to get it out my system after the 355 until the 360 comes (probably!!).

I tend towards the manual myself but apparently that's the minority view looking at the cars about at the moment.

Yes, but how many people who buy 360's actually 'drive' the cars with any verve? 25 percent maybe?....

[bertie]

Whel mine will be going to work every day just like the Tuscan does and the 355 did before that.

I agree they're for driving not looking at... although they're rather nice to look at as well!

[RRTuscan]

Recently did a ferrari experience near liecester in a 360 manual. The instructors said they ditched their two 355's as the F1 gearboxes were useless and their dealer had spent 38,000 pounds trying to fix one of them. They had reverted back to the manual boxes for reliability. The 360 in my mind is a nicer drive and goes like stink. I own a red rose tuscan and to be honest I dont think there is much in it between the two cars. The ferrari was better balanced and easier to drive. Not sure if they are worth the cash though. Nice all the same.


I tell you what though, the new maserati is SUPER quick from 40 -100+. With the turbo's it creamed the ferrari and my tuscan. For 60k it is a serious fun car. Shame it doesnt look too nice.

[marki]

quote:
Recently did a ferrari experience near liecester in a 360 manual. The instructors said they ditched their two 355's as the F1 gearboxes were useless and their dealer had spent 38,000 pounds trying to fix one of them. They had reverted back to the manual boxes for reliability. The 360 in my mind is a nicer drive and goes like stink. I own a red rose tuscan and to be honest I dont think there is much in it between the two cars. The ferrari was better balanced and easier to drive. Not sure if they are worth the cash though. Nice all the same.

I was told a similar story when i was on The supercar thing at Snetterton , they reconed they had spent £28k on the box of an F1 355, then the only problem with a new car under warranty is the time the car is away for repairs

[bertie]

So manual then eh!

[marki]

quote:
So manual then eh!

But all the reviews rave about the F1 box , i mean its not an auto in any way shape or form and maybe they got it sorted now on the F360 , tough choice to have to make ,,,,,,,,,,,,

Edited by marki on Tuesday 15th January 14:51

[domster]

No denying the F1 box is complex though. I drove a F355 F1 and loved it, but owning one would be scarier than the manual... more bits to go wrong in a worst case scenario.

Still, if you are buying new and there's a warranty, what's stopping you?

Domster

[McNab]

Anyone who can 'heel and toe' perfectly, and I mean perfectly every time, would get more satisfaction out of the manual. Otherwise I would go for the F1.

It seems that continuous track use has shown up defects in the earlier F1-equipped cars, but surely this is (or soon will be) rectified.

Being well past my sell-by date it would be wrong of me to pontificate on this one, but logic suggests that paddle/button shifts are a huge advantage under heavy braking.

Even on the road with my bog-standard 996 I find myself flicking down through the gears before every corner, but then I'm lucky enough to do very little town driving.

Enjoy, whatever!!

[subaq]

For what it's worth, a good friend of mine recently purchased a 355 spider in manual form. He was warned in no uncertain terms by our local dealer, KHPC (www.khpc.co.uk) to stay away from the F1 due to the unreliability.

[McNab]

John, if you are member of the Ferrari Owners Club you may have seen the odd comment about this in the club magazine?

Perhaps OK when buying new (warranty), but not so sensible with an older car.

[ninja_eli]

Just thought you might like to see what Hamann did to a 360. [pic] www.infomotori.com/foto/art_220.1_ferrari360hamann1.jpg ">others at www.infomotori.com/news/a_16_IT_220_2.asp. Personally dont think cars like 360 should be touched, but not too bad.

[ninja_eli]

I test drove a 355 GTB F1 and must say that it is truly amazing. You really can pretend you are an F1 driver. Dealer reckons they are not problematic on the Modena's. I would love the F1 gearshift, but I couldn't handle the car being off the road if it did go wrong.

I was going to call the dealer today and pay a deposit but I saw an advert in Top Marques for a 355 1997 GTB LHD with 23T km for 20grand cheaper than the Spider RHD for sale in Maranello in Egham. The left hand drive is with Joe Macari in South London.

I would appreciate if anyone knows of this dealer and has any comments to make. Are unofficial dealers warranties worth while???

Oh by the way Bertie you are absolutely right. The Porsche does not compare to the 355. The Ferrari is definitely a gear ahead. And I was looking at the 360s and must add you are one lucky guy to be buying one!!

[hungryjim]

It would be much better for town driving with no clutch pedal and not having to take your hands of the weel.Remember the 360 has 6 speeds and it may get tiresome changing all the time .I would reccomend you try it you could grow to like it.

Jim

[bertie]

Having driven both manual and F1 now I think I'm heading towards the manual.

The F1 is great fun on a blast but still needs some care and concentration to get smooth, plus it's a £7k option!

The manual is so nice, light and precise, much better than the 355 which could be a little recalcitrant when cold or if you were slow with the action.

Also you get the lovely click-clack as you change!

[kneilson]

F1's good if you can stand the thought of replacing the clutch in as little as 5000 miles. That coupled with the smoke from it trying to slip in traffic makes the whole thing a bit less cool when crawling through London.