It's here!!!! - finally!!

Chenrezi · 10-29-2011, 11:37 AM

I had to take a week of.
No other way would have it.
It took a million papers, 4 months of waiting and a lot of phone calls from a zillion different places in the world to get it done.
But today, today it was all worth it.
Today, sun shinning, roads not-so-clogged and everything set and arranged all stars aligned!
It was just a small 100km drive, but I loved it.
It's not the punch-filled turbo car I had before, but it's torque is strong enough to be a pussycat to drive around town, and then it just screams on the highway.
The sound, the sound is amazing.
Almost as much as the heat emanating from the vents reminding you that there's a mighty V12 up front!!

I'll try and keep you posted on how everything evolves but for now a BIG thank you to TAZANDJAN!!
Terry, your help was invaluable and priceless!
I can't, CAN'T thank you enough!!
You were single handedly THE MOST important source of information and advice I could find at any time, any place, about anything!!

I pray you keep your wits and attitude towards this community and that everybody (me included) treats you with the aw and respect you deserve us.

Thank you very much!!!!

To you and the rest of the Flife community a BIG THANK YOU!!

P.S. I have the SRI gold connector kit with some extras. Dave was a very, very nice guy, always cool and willing to explain everything and his wife and daughter the most dynamic people you can find.
Let's see how it all manages on the long run!!

wetpet · 10-29-2011, 11:58 AM

congrats, can't wait to see it.

champagne612 · 10-29-2011, 12:02 PM

Michael Congrats!

Great to see a car lover in love.

Pics of your car whenever you stop drooling

Chenrezi · 10-29-2011, 12:10 PM

Here you go guys!!
Thanks for the support!
It's been a long time coming but just looking at her almost justifies the 4 month waiting period.....

Chenrezi · 10-29-2011, 12:15 PM

Taz, check out the gold painted calipers!!

Pics:
#1 - The redhead in good company.
#2 - driving her out of the shop
#3 - sunset in heaven....
#4 - straight pipes anyone? Oh, and bypass valves with a hidden on/off button
#5 - big shiny engine
#6 - on the dyno
#7 - gold painted calipers - Taz, seriously I think they were a german option
#8 - on the dyno (front)

Hope you like them!!

I sincerely wanted a BLACK one. More menacing and less "look-at-me" but seeing it in the metal in the garage.....

tazandjan · 10-29-2011, 01:39 PM

Michael- I am really happy for you and she is a real beauty. I know you will love her as much as I love mine, especially since she is Rosso Corsa, just like my car.

The gold calipers may have been an option. Unfortunately I do not have as much source data on 550s as I do on 575Ms.

Those straight pipes will make beautiful music and the bypass valve override switch is something I need on mine.

Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS · 10-29-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champagne612

Michael Congrats!

Great to see a car lover in love.

Pics of your car whenever you stop drooling

+1 to you, Michael. Looking forward to your driving reports. Enjoy.
w/ smiles Jimmy

Andrew · 10-29-2011, 01:53 PM

Michael, congrats! Glad to hear you are loving it even after only a few 100KM.

Barry · 10-29-2011, 02:06 PM

Congrats Michael. A wonderful looking 550. Enjoy in good health.

Chenrezi · 10-29-2011, 02:46 PM

Andrew, thank you very much! I had a quick stint in Germany, driving her from Hamburg (where I bought her) to Borken/Dusseldorf (where Vmax is located and Markus did the check up and changes required and that I had asked him previously - among them the SRI)

Jimmy and Barry, thanks guys!! I just got home after dinner and took another look at her.... It's like a new girlfriend beautiful and thrilling in equal measure - hopefully it won't turn to a witch in some time.... We shall see.

Taz: I wouldn't feel too bad for not knowing one small option regarding the 550 when you can quote by heart (possibly) the exact measures of every single component of it!! Also, the bypass valve is amazing and the sound of the pipes screaming in a tunnel is surpassed only by a 500 voices choir singing Carmina Burana!

Here's some extra pics for you that I think you'll enjoy!!

#1 - If it doesn't start with a 5, it isn't good enough
#2 - interior how I bought it...
#3 - Now this is different - iPhone connection lurks over here (no pics yet)
#4 - SRI....
#5 - less ballast!!

Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS · 10-29-2011, 02:51 PM

That is a 3 pedal stick, ...my choice too. Beautiful and gorgeous. The symphony must be just exquisite and beyond !!! w/ smiles Jimmy

Chenrezi · 10-29-2011, 02:59 PM

Jimmy I wrote a lenghty text elsewhere about everything that led me to the car, colour and everything, but in a nutshell not being able to stretch to a 599 it had to be a 550 with a manual box.
The 575, from ALL that I've read is only half good if you get one with the FHP (cue tazandjan....) and even then has issues, and let's not forget - IT'S HEAVIER!! (cue taz again...)

I would rather have a black one like Jazzy O's - your car is beautiful!! as I think that the red ones do scream "look at me" way more than I want them to! But hey, as Evo's Harry Metcalf said "red, the only option for your very first Ferrari".

Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS · 10-29-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chenrezi

Jimmy I wrote a lenghty text elsewhere about everything that led me to the car, colour and everything, but in a nutshell not being able to stretch to a 599 it had to be a 550 with a manual box.
The 575, from ALL that I've read is only half good if you get one with the FHP (cue tazandjan....) and even then has issues, and let's not forget - IT'S HEAVIER!! (cue taz again...)

I would rather have a black one like Jazzy O's - your car is beautiful!! as I think that the red ones do scream "look at me" way more than I want them to! But hey, as Evo's Harry Metcalf said "red, the only option for your very first Ferrari".

That is great, Michael. Great to know that the purchase was based on wise informations from the Guru Taz. Wonderful. w/ smiles Jimmy

Chenrezi · 10-29-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

That is great, Michael. Great to know that the purchase was based on wise informations from the Guru Taz. Wonderful. w/ smiles Jimmy

Yes! But Taz is a BIG supporter of the 575, I was just expecting him to intervene and defend his baby. Guess not....

Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS · 10-29-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chenrezi

Yes! But Taz is a BIG supporter of the 575, I was just expecting him to intervene and defend his baby. Guess not....

I would tend to think that Guru Taz is a much more accomplished individual than the rest of the mortals like myself to behave like that.
w/ smiles Jimmy

355dreamer · 10-29-2011, 04:45 PM

That's an awesome car. Congrats!

champagne612 · 10-29-2011, 06:49 PM

Anyone wanna bet Michael is sitting in the drivers seat reading the owners manual?

Can't say I blame him if it's true - beautiful Ferrari!

Seeing guys post like Michael and sharing the experience is good stuff.

More of this please!

Boxer · 10-30-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Michael- I am really happy for you and she is a real beauty. I know you will love her as much as I love mine, especially since she is Rosso Corsa, just like my car.

The gold calipers may have been an option. Unfortunately I do not have as much source data on 550s as I do on 575Ms.

Those straight pipes will make beautiful music and the bypass valve override switch is something I need on mine.

My 550 also had gold calipers. It was told at the time that it was a factory option.

550JM · 10-30-2011, 01:53 AM

Congratulations with your gorgious car! I totally understand your feelings as I picked up my 550 last week!! (nero instead of red) The experience in this car is......well, I even can't put it in words, it's just amazing and thrilling! I'll start making some pics and post them as soon as I can. I'm very curious about what you have changed on your car and what the difference is, can you explain a bit more? (what's SRI?) I live close to the German border (Dusseldorf is only an hour away) so I could easily drive over to the guys that worked on your car. Are you also close to Dusseldorf? Maybe we could meet someday compare the cars and drewl on eachothers hoods :-)
Enjoy in safety!

Chenrezi · 10-30-2011, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champagne612

Anyone wanna bet Michael is sitting in the drivers seat reading the owners manual?

Can't say I blame him if it's true - beautiful Ferrari!

Seeing guys post like Michael and sharing the experience is good stuff.

More of this please!

Actually I had downloaded the manuals a few months ago and read them back then

But it's never a dull reading!!!

10-29-2011, 02:06 PM	#9
Barry Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 3,256	Congrats Michael. A wonderful looking 550. Enjoy in good health. Barry Ferrari's: 360 Modena F1, 308 GT4 Other Italians: Ducati 916, Ducati 848 DD's: RR Sport, BMW 645ci, BMW 1200GS Adv.

10-29-2011, 02:46 PM	#10
Chenrezi Owner Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 62 Name: Michael	Andrew, thank you very much! I had a quick stint in Germany, driving her from Hamburg (where I bought her) to Borken/Dusseldorf (where Vmax is located and Markus did the check up and changes required and that I had asked him previously - among them the SRI) Jimmy and Barry, thanks guys!! I just got home after dinner and took another look at her.... It's like a new girlfriend beautiful and thrilling in equal measure - hopefully it won't turn to a witch in some time.... We shall see. Taz: I wouldn't feel too bad for not knowing one small option regarding the 550 when you can quote by heart (possibly) the exact measures of every single component of it!! Also, the bypass valve is amazing and the sound of the pipes screaming in a tunnel is surpassed only by a 500 voices choir singing Carmina Burana! Here's some extra pics for you that I think you'll enjoy!! #1 - If it doesn't start with a 5, it isn't good enough #2 - interior how I bought it... #3 - Now this is different - iPhone connection lurks over here (no pics yet) #4 - SRI.... #5 - less ballast!! Attached Images

10-29-2011, 04:45 PM	#16
355dreamer Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: MAR Ferrari Life Posts: 693 Name: L.C.	That's an awesome car. Congrats! Everything you have heard is true.

10-29-2011, 06:49 PM	#17
champagne612 Owner Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: St Louis Ferrari Life Posts: 4,631 Name: Doug	Anyone wanna bet Michael is sitting in the drivers seat reading the owners manual? Can't say I blame him if it's true - beautiful Ferrari! Seeing guys post like Michael and sharing the experience is good stuff. More of this please! 612 Nuvolari 16M Grigio Ferro

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10-29-2011, 11:37 AM	#1
Chenrezi Owner Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 62 Name: Michael	It's here!!!! - finally!! I had to take a week of. No other way would have it. It took a million papers, 4 months of waiting and a lot of phone calls from a zillion different places in the world to get it done. But today, today it was all worth it. Today, sun shinning, roads not-so-clogged and everything set and arranged all stars aligned! It was just a small 100km drive, but I loved it. It's not the punch-filled turbo car I had before, but it's torque is strong enough to be a pussycat to drive around town, and then it just screams on the highway. The sound, the sound is amazing. Almost as much as the heat emanating from the vents reminding you that there's a mighty V12 up front!! I'll try and keep you posted on how everything evolves but for now a BIG thank you to TAZANDJAN!! Terry, your help was invaluable and priceless! I can't, CAN'T thank you enough!! You were single handedly THE MOST important source of information and advice I could find at any time, any place, about anything!! I pray you keep your wits and attitude towards this community and that everybody (me included) treats you with the aw and respect you deserve us. Thank you very much!!!! To you and the rest of the Flife community a BIG THANK YOU!! P.S. I have the SRI gold connector kit with some extras. Dave was a very, very nice guy, always cool and willing to explain everything and his wife and daughter the most dynamic people you can find. Let's see how it all manages on the long run!!

10-29-2011, 11:58 AM	#2
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 6,600 Name: Ed	congrats, can't wait to see it. Everything you know is wrong Stop chatting and start living the ferrarilife!

10-29-2011, 12:02 PM	#3
champagne612 Owner Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: St Louis Ferrari Life Posts: 4,631 Name: Doug	Michael Congrats! Great to see a car lover in love. Pics of your car whenever you stop drooling 612 Nuvolari 16M Grigio Ferro

10-29-2011, 12:10 PM	#4
Chenrezi Owner Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 62 Name: Michael	Here you go guys!! Thanks for the support! It's been a long time coming but just looking at her almost justifies the 4 month waiting period..... Attached Images

10-29-2011, 12:15 PM	#5
Chenrezi Owner Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 62 Name: Michael	Taz, check out the gold painted calipers!! Pics: #1 - The redhead in good company. #2 - driving her out of the shop #3 - sunset in heaven.... #4 - straight pipes anyone? Oh, and bypass valves with a hidden on/off button #5 - big shiny engine #6 - on the dyno #7 - gold painted calipers - Taz, seriously I think they were a german option #8 - on the dyno (front) Hope you like them!! I sincerely wanted a BLACK one. More menacing and less "look-at-me" but seeing it in the metal in the garage.....

10-29-2011, 01:39 PM	#6
tazandjan Owner Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Ferrari Life Posts: 3,603 Name: Terry H Phillips	Michael- I am really happy for you and she is a real beauty. I know you will love her as much as I love mine, especially since she is Rosso Corsa, just like my car. The gold calipers may have been an option. Unfortunately I do not have as much source data on 550s as I do on 575Ms. Those straight pipes will make beautiful music and the bypass valve override switch is something I need on mine. Taz Terry Phillips Present: 575M 135171 Past: Dino 246 GT 02984, 365 GTB/4 14009, 308 GTS 25125 Every day I look around, and if nobody is shooting at me, it is a pretty good day.

10-29-2011, 01:53 PM	#8
Andrew Administrator Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: San Francisco Ferrari Life Posts: 6,188 Name: Andrew	Michael, congrats! Glad to hear you are loving it even after only a few 100KM. AvidSquare \| Drivers Network

10-29-2011, 02:51 PM	#11
Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS Owner Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yokohama & Tokyo, Japan Ferrari Life Posts: 3,549 Name: Jimmy Chen Shiba	That is a 3 pedal stick, ...my choice too. Beautiful and gorgeous. The symphony must be just exquisite and beyond !!! w/ smiles Jimmy

10-29-2011, 02:59 PM	#12
Chenrezi Owner Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Europe Ferrari Life Posts: 62 Name: Michael	Jimmy I wrote a lenghty text elsewhere about everything that led me to the car, colour and everything, but in a nutshell not being able to stretch to a 599 it had to be a 550 with a manual box. The 575, from ALL that I've read is only half good if you get one with the FHP (cue tazandjan....) and even then has issues, and let's not forget - IT'S HEAVIER!! (cue taz again...) I would rather have a black one like Jazzy O's - your car is beautiful!! as I think that the red ones do scream "look at me" way more than I want them to! But hey, as Evo's Harry Metcalf said "red, the only option for your very first Ferrari".

10-30-2011, 01:53 AM	#19
550JM Owner Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Netherlands Ferrari Life Posts: 547 Name: Jeroen	Congratulations with your gorgious car! I totally understand your feelings as I picked up my 550 last week!! (nero instead of red) The experience in this car is......well, I even can't put it in words, it's just amazing and thrilling! I'll start making some pics and post them as soon as I can. I'm very curious about what you have changed on your car and what the difference is, can you explain a bit more? (what's SRI?) I live close to the German border (Dusseldorf is only an hour away) so I could easily drive over to the guys that worked on your car. Are you also close to Dusseldorf? Maybe we could meet someday compare the cars and drewl on eachothers hoods :-) Enjoy in safety!