[dino_viking]

Hello all

In the hunt for my first Ferrari, I am now down to two models, the 456 M and the 550.

I have tested a 99 456 and do feel good about that one.
So, next is to test two 550`s.

But, what to look out for? Any red lights?
How is the quality on the 550? Better than the 456 I have heard.
Service cost?

It is the manual model I am testing and also looking to get. Dont like the jumpy driving style of the F1..........


Thanks for helping

[328Matt]

Had mine for less than 12 months and is proving better than i could have dreamed. On purchase Terry Hoyle (usually found under a 250 gto bonnet!) did a full cambelt service and replaced the leaking clutch fluid reservoir for £1,900. Tyres average about £250 each and the car is very hard on them! Since purchase i have had to do 2 jobs that seem commonplace, namely replace the engine mounts for updated 575m components, and refurbish the steering rack. The latter was about £500, the former about £200 in parts and maybe £150 labour. If its a pre 99 i would spend some time checking the gearbox internals, the leather can come away from the windscreen due to the sun melting the glue.I believe about £800 to repair. I love mine!

[Toggie]

I've had my 1998 tdf blue 550 for almost 2 years now.
I've put almost 4k miles on it (bought it with 17k on it) and it has been completely reliable and trouble-free.
Only thing I've changed is the wheels to the 19" modular 575M ones.
I highly recommend the 550 - mine's a keeper.
.

[dino_viking]

Hello

Thanks for the info.
Sounds like a trouble-free car
Good news for me. You guys have manual or F1 gear? I am thinking manual gear.
MPG around 12-14 I guess.

The service not that expensive, (in my mind, less than a exotic BMW.)

How is the comfort on long trips?
If I go for one, it will be used more as a GT than as a short drive, city car sports car.

Thanks all

[dino_viking]

328matt, when talking about the leather and the windscreen, you mean the leather on the dashboard?
Toggie, what do you mean with tdf, model name? Maybe a US speck.....Hmm.

Thanks

[Baller]

I believe tdf (tour de france) blue is the color.

[dino_viking]

Aaa...LOL

Got it, thanks

[Gcalo]

What about that AT6 though?

[Toggie]

Originally Posted by Gcalo

What about that AT6 though?

Navy Blue, I think.

We had fun with some warbirds the other weekend in Culpeper, Virginia.
Warplanes & Ferraris - Jul 10 - cool event

[Gcalo]

I did see that thread.

Nice airplanes.

[328Matt]

Yes mate, apparantly ferrari changed glue supplier for part of the 98 production run, and it is these cars that can have the fault.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by dino_viking

Hello

Thanks for the info.
Sounds like a trouble-free car
Good news for me. You guys have manual or F1 gear? I am thinking manual gear.
MPG around 12-14 I guess.

The service not that expensive, (in my mind, less than a exotic BMW.)

How is the comfort on long trips?
If I go for one, it will be used more as a GT than as a short drive, city car sports car.

Thanks all

Hi there

(perhaps you want to introduce yourself? We're a friendly bunch here at FL)

There is no F1 version of the 550, it was the last all-manual Ferrari. Only the 575 has F1. I've done 30,000 kms in my 550 in the past 3 years and costs have been below expectation. I had a EUR3k major service (factory interval = every 3 years). I've had all tyres replaced for EUR2k. Whether the car is hard on the tyres really depends on how you drive the car - Harry Metcalfe's 550 (the owner of a UK car magazine) lasted only 7,500 miles, mine have lasted lots longer even though I've taken it to the track a couple of times. Other than the major service I haven't had any issues apart from the computer failing (1.5kEUR).

For long-distance trips the car is wonderful. Especially in Europe, crossing Germany. I did a trip from Austria to Holland (over 600 miles) in 6 hours, without breaking the speed limit. Which means 250km/h cruising speed through Germany. Wonderful car! You can find a full report on that trip in the Ferrari Life Quarterly that you can download from this site, issue #7 if I recall.

Your idea about using as a GT is spot-on, that's what it was built for. I love taking it on trips through Europe. It's not bad on the mountain passes either, and I love driving those (you can find a clip of me driving my 550 in the Alps on www.123video.nl), but its strong suit is fast comfortable cruising.

Downsides to the car? Not many. The nose is very long, which makes parking it a bit of an issue. Parking garages can be a nightmare. The doors are very wide which is a major hassle in most European parking spaces trying to get out of your car. Oh, and the standard exhaust is way too quiet.

Recently I've been getting re-acquainted with my 550 and I'm still just as in love as when I first got it.

If you do a search on the EVO.co.uk website you can still find Harry Metcalfe's running reports on his 550 if you want another owner's perspective.

And - of course - have a look at the excellent buying guide obtainable from this site!


Onno

[dino_viking]

Hello

Well, I have sad Hello in the new member place..But,, sorry, here it comes once more.
I am From Norway, but living in Switzerland. 37 years old.
Seeking my first Ferrarri, oh yes.


Thanks for the reply and good information Onno

Well, your 550 have been a very solid car, neck on neck with the rest from Europe. And, the service cost not that bad, I was also thinking it will be much higher on a maker/car like these.

How about the mpg on long trips? Around 15?
You use your 550 all year? Well, nit in snow I guess, but in general not just a summer car?
I am thinking of using the car all year, just not on snow and icy roads.

The 550 is longer than the 456, but I do find the 550/575 to get more and more good looking.....hmmmmm. And the boot is not bad at all. Even the small shelf in the back of the seats can carry small things or even a bag. Good.

Well, later today I will return with some information on how my 575 F1 test did go. The dealer have got a 03 model in, just 20 000km and one owner, so I like to give it a try, and feel how the V12 with F1 gear feels like, comparing to the manual 456 M I did try.

Thanks for helping me all

[JazzyO]

Hi,

I meant telling us your name rather than where your from, but no matter I'll just call you Viking.

One thing I forgot, I also put on new brakepads of course. The only months I have not driven my 550 yet are January and February. I don't take it out when there's salt on the roads, normally, just once last year for a photo shoot.

Mpg is something that does not really interest me, but in Euro terms I normally do about 6 km/litre, giving a range of over 500kms, but I have also managed to burn up 100 litres in just 150kms... on the track of course. In the mountains I've hit 3 kms/litre once.


Onno

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Mpg is something that does not really interest me, but in Euro terms I normally do about 6 km/litre, giving a range of over 500kms, but I have also managed to burn up 100 litres in just 150kms... on the track of course. In the mountains I've hit 3 kms/litre once.
Onno

Now that's how a Ferrari should be driven!

[JazzyO]

What a great day that was at Zandvoort!

Onno

[dino_viking]

Hi

Ups, my name, Vigo it is.

Well, now you all know.

So, todays test drive????? YES

I was out in a 2003 575 F1.
It is a one owners car, only 18 000km, loaded. Dont have the list here, but got some special things, daytona seats and so.

But, how was it to drive?
Well, good, GOOOD, I have to say, on the high way.
In the city, not so good. I do say that coz of the F1 gear.

I dont like it at all. Jumping forwards, backwards when trying to reverse, rolling and so.....Hmmmm....Or, maybe it is just me......(?)

But,, all in all, the 575 was great. What a car.
The inside space was massive, for a car like these. Keeping my old BMW 850 and the Porsche 996 in mind.
Seats was good, very good and comfortable. Trunk was nice, also a good shelf behind the seats, able to carry a newspaper or two, cool.

The sound was some of the best things, when the dealer started it up, I was just standing, looking at the rear end, listening, oh wooow, nice.


At first I had the dealer to drive it, I like that makes me able to listen to things more than when I am driving.
What I did like was the solid, well made feeling of it. It dis fee like a luxury GT not a sports car.

Driving it was good, feeling solid, giving good steering response, good suspension, sporty but not back breaking.
Even was able to get over speed bombs ok.

Hitting the execrator turned it from a big heavy GT into a FAST sports car, wow, it is fast. 1-2-3 revs out, woooow, now that is power.
For me, who has never had a sports car( the 996 is NO sports car in my mind after tested these...sorry), it feels just ...what to say?
Do not know, but it does make me feel great,, smiling.
Getting behind a lorry, wait.......space, gear down from 4 to 2, and hit it...aaaaa...wow. What a car. What can I say.

And, when taking over the lorry, calm down, take it easy, relax and enjoy the ride.

So, downside?
Yes, parking it was not easy, loong noose made it hard, and also the F1 added to that. Hmmm, why is the F1 so popular?

As you sad Onno, the doors are big and getting in and out in a parking house/place is far from easy......AI AI AI, watch out.


All in all, the 575 F1 was, sorry IS good, but I am not sure about the gear box.
Maybe it is just me.
Or, what do you F1 users say?



Will I go for it?
Not sure, it is good, it is still in my mind.
But, it was a 550 with manual I was about to test.....Not a more expensive 575 with F1 gear.

The 575 is in my price range, but not sure yet.

Guess the service cost and so are the same as a 550, so I will post the test here, and hope some can help me make up my mind.

So, next? Well, out to test a 550, with manual gear.
That will be saturday, or tomorrow if the rain stops.

Thanks all for helping me

[JazzyO]

Hi Vigo,

nice test review! You know, there are 575's with manual gearbox, but they are quite rare. It might not be worth waiting for one to turn up. Personally I would buy the 550 anyway as I prefer the exterior styling, but there are some more modern touches in the 575 interior. And it has slightly more power, of course. But for the rest it's the same car. Wonderful machine, glad you liked it.


Onno

[JazzyO]

And here was that video. http://www.123video.nl/playvideos.asp?MovieID=187329&


Onno

[dino_viking]

Hi Onno

What to say?
I agree with you 100%
I do not understand why the F1 are sold in so high numbers??????



Well, I will wait and find a 550 or a 575 with MANUAL gear.
The 575 is a more modern 550, but at a price.
So, will I be paying it?
Maybe not. Better to go for a good 550, and save my money for a 599....OOHH....They only have the F1.....ai ai ai.

Well, these is all my mind, my idea.

I am as far from a Ferrari, super car, know how as one can get. I just feel what I do, and say it.
The 456 was great, but I feel it is a bit old inside, comparing to a 575. The 5550 will be a bit "older" inside, but it still has mire or less the same style, lay out.
I find the 550/575 to be just great.

Just now I did look over some old things I have regarding the 850, and it turns out the 850 used just the same amount of gas, had less space inside.
All in all, making the 550/575 a great GT!

And that is what I am seeking.

Just to make things right, I did sit inside a 360 today for 2-3 minutes, and it is a great car, but for me......NO. To much noise and more cramped.

Oh, a front engine it is. A 550 it will be, and the last model, I belive, to only have a manual gear box. Great news.

When I ave tested one, I will lett you know how it turned out.

Also, Onno. Your fuel consumption is not bad at all, it is a V12 GT, not a Nissan Micra.
For that fuel, you get so much fun, love and excitingness back......Hmm....

Have a good night all