How to mount a UK licence plate on my 512TR?
Discussion
Absolutely no idea - blu-tak? 
I'd call Ferrari UK / a good specialist and get their advice - they must have done this 1000 times in the past! Id you need numbers drop me a PM.
In addition I would be very interested in your experiences with the car.
How does it handle?
Is the width a total nightmare?
Whats the maintenance cost / regime like?
Is there a massive difference between the 512TR / the testarossa / 512M in terms of road manners?
Any chance of a pic?
I'd call Ferrari UK / a good specialist and get their advice - they must have done this 1000 times in the past! Id you need numbers drop me a PM.
In addition I would be very interested in your experiences with the car.
How does it handle? Is the width a total nightmare? Whats the maintenance cost / regime like? Is there a massive difference between the 512TR / the testarossa / 512M in terms of road manners? Any chance of a pic?
Is that the Tony from "FIAT = Fix It Again Tony"? I mean suggesting to use blu-tak technology and all...
Okay, here's your questions answered:
1) Handling: She hasn't stepped out of line yet, although I must confess to feeling a bit 'Oh-oh!' when driving fast over expansion joints, such as you find on bridges. What happens is the rear wheels lift up ever so slightly for a moment - then the sound of the engine goes up in frequency (that bit's nice) - then the wheels drop and if one side lands before the other well it can get a bit twitchy. Er, maybe its just my driving style so no crtiticism of the handling here then!
2) Width Nightmare: Not in practice, although its a pain in the nether regions to park in my garage! In fact the biggest headache in terms of shape isn't even ground clearance - its the long front overhang. Try driving up and modest slope (e.g. onto a ferry) and its guaranteed crunch time. I've had the car 6 months and I'm onto my second front spoiler-lip already.
3) Maintenance costs: Its important to find a fundamentally good car. I spent about a year on and off, searching. This particular 512TR is in immaculate condition - as the Ferrari dealer said to me, the engine's just about run-in now! Do your research and you'll be alright. As for maintenance well mine's just a recent purchase so I wouldn't know yet but by all means the worst is the cam-belt but even then, at a good independent its not too bad. I don't know what the fuss is about - a Ferrari expert told me they can last 10 years, but he recommends changing say, every 7 to be on the safe side. Personally I might reduce that to 5, but anything else (apparently) is just a revenue generator for the dealers. Luckily my car has an up to date history anyway.
4) Testarossa/512M handling differences: Sorry, I can't say. By all accounts the dry-sump in the 512s and the lowered engine do improve their handling a lot over the older Testarossas. Less of a pendulum effect apparently.
In conclusion, all I can say is that with the Tubi exhaust (at least I think it is) the wail at 6000 revs is uncannily like a Formula 1 car. Alebit a '70s model which apparently the flat-12 is based upon. My only regret is that there aren't more tunnels near where I live. Sigh.
And do you know what one of the best things is: scaring convertble owners. Evil, eh? If you time it just right, you sneak up on them, drop down a gear or two, floor the throttle just as you're both passing under a bridge and yeeeeeeehhhhhhaaaaaaa. The sound is awesome and I reckon I've caused a few damp seats in the cabrios....er, if you know what I mean.
I'll try to attach a photo below...and yes, it'll be a pretty awful photo, sorry about that. See y'all.
[pic] http://users.pandora.be/hugh/512TR.jpg [/pic]
Okay, here's your questions answered:
1) Handling: She hasn't stepped out of line yet, although I must confess to feeling a bit 'Oh-oh!' when driving fast over expansion joints, such as you find on bridges. What happens is the rear wheels lift up ever so slightly for a moment - then the sound of the engine goes up in frequency (that bit's nice) - then the wheels drop and if one side lands before the other well it can get a bit twitchy. Er, maybe its just my driving style so no crtiticism of the handling here then!
2) Width Nightmare: Not in practice, although its a pain in the nether regions to park in my garage! In fact the biggest headache in terms of shape isn't even ground clearance - its the long front overhang. Try driving up and modest slope (e.g. onto a ferry) and its guaranteed crunch time. I've had the car 6 months and I'm onto my second front spoiler-lip already.
3) Maintenance costs: Its important to find a fundamentally good car. I spent about a year on and off, searching. This particular 512TR is in immaculate condition - as the Ferrari dealer said to me, the engine's just about run-in now! Do your research and you'll be alright. As for maintenance well mine's just a recent purchase so I wouldn't know yet but by all means the worst is the cam-belt but even then, at a good independent its not too bad. I don't know what the fuss is about - a Ferrari expert told me they can last 10 years, but he recommends changing say, every 7 to be on the safe side. Personally I might reduce that to 5, but anything else (apparently) is just a revenue generator for the dealers. Luckily my car has an up to date history anyway.
4) Testarossa/512M handling differences: Sorry, I can't say. By all accounts the dry-sump in the 512s and the lowered engine do improve their handling a lot over the older Testarossas. Less of a pendulum effect apparently.
In conclusion, all I can say is that with the Tubi exhaust (at least I think it is) the wail at 6000 revs is uncannily like a Formula 1 car. Alebit a '70s model which apparently the flat-12 is based upon. My only regret is that there aren't more tunnels near where I live. Sigh.
And do you know what one of the best things is: scaring convertble owners. Evil, eh? If you time it just right, you sneak up on them, drop down a gear or two, floor the throttle just as you're both passing under a bridge and yeeeeeeehhhhhhaaaaaaa. The sound is awesome and I reckon I've caused a few damp seats in the cabrios....er, if you know what I mean.
I'll try to attach a photo below...and yes, it'll be a pretty awful photo, sorry about that. See y'all.
[pic] http://users.pandora.be/hugh/512TR.jpg [/pic]
Carnut, use double sided adhesive pads. Several of my cars have had their plates held on like this. Will work only for plastic plates - if you have metal plates, I suspect they will need to be mounted with screws.
Try Graypaul servicing for an answer - they are usually very helpful.
Nick
Try Graypaul servicing for an answer - they are usually very helpful.
Nick
This is only a partially valid opinion, but I have driven both a Testerossa and a 512 - albeit for only about 30 minutes for each.
I though the 512 was magnificent and if I had the means I would love to own one.
I did'nt like the Testerossa nearly as much.
The 512 , to me in a short drive, steered better, braked better, cornered better and went faster.
Lovely car IMO.
I though the 512 was magnificent and if I had the means I would love to own one.
I did'nt like the Testerossa nearly as much.
The 512 , to me in a short drive, steered better, braked better, cornered better and went faster.
Lovely car IMO.
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