575M F1 or Manual six speed?

This is a daily debate on F-cat. I'm sure you can search and get lots of perspective, but it really comes down to driver preference. You need to drive both and decide for yourself.

My two cents - I'd get F1 in that car. Said by a guy who owns a 6-speed 360.

 

I drove a 575M F1 for about a week and was not impressed with the system. Personally I would go for the 6-spd.

Gary

 

It's all personal preference. The 550 and 575 torque monsters that could be driven well with 3 speeds and are hardly demanding of the driver in daily driving environments.

 

Personal preference of yours, but 6 speed manual is my choice.

 

My last car was a 6 speed and I'm happy with the 575 F1.

 

The same as with every F1 I have driven (I have no experience with the 430 F1) - that is, you've got a computer trying to guess what you are going to do and engaging or disengaging the clutch accordingly, which makes for less than smooth shifts and throttle transitions, especially in traffic. Most of us do a much better job of handling the clutch with our left foot than the computer does, at least with the pre-430 systems.

Gary

 

I had the same dilemma 15 months ago. I got a 6sp mostly because I wanted the pleasure of shifting gears in the metal gate in my first Ferrari and I was also concerned with clutch wear in a car that I was going to drive frequently and in stop and go situations. Six speed 575's are not common; from what I have heard ~10% of the total production of about 1980 units. When I was looking ~ two years ago, the were usually 2-4 6sp and 1or 2 6sp with Fiorano listed on FML. Today there are 0/18 of FML.

Steve

 

Absolutely no second thoughts. There is no data re: reliability f1/6sp. At the end of every search you do on the topic of f1/6sp, the conclusion is the same: personal choice. My own opinion based on other people opinion is that with normal driving esp. stop and go hills etc., clutch replacement will be more frequent with f1. This is based mostley on 360 "data". In my opinion most 575Ms are not driven enough to even form an opinion of reliability. On FML, of 18 575s, 17 had < 10miles. I have put 28k on mine in 12 months and the clutch is fine and no mention of replacement at last service.

The one real advantage of f1, is that you will have alot more choices. I have been told that ~10% of 575Ms have a manual clutch. The total production run of 575Ms was about 1980 units. Again it comes down to personal choice. My absolutes were '02(for price), Fiorano, 6sp, and availability of Ferrari extended warranty; next ext. color, int color, finally tubi.

Finally the belt service needs to be done at 30k or 36 months from the date of manufacture.

Steve

 

The conventional wisdom seems to be is that the stock 550 was good;however, the stock 575M is too soft and vague. The Fiorano pkg. has:
stiffer front and rear springs, ? stiffer anti-sway bars, lower ~10mm, Pagid orange brake pads (they squeek, I rather like the garbage truck sound, a lot of people change to Pagid blue pads) and I believe the steering may be a bit quicker in sport mode.

I had another thought about f1/6sp while washing bugs off of the 575 after a 700 mile run this weekend. The 575 transmission is not happy until it is well warmed up, therefore you can forget using second gear and first to third shifts are advised. The thought just occured that since this is not a option with the f1, what is going to happen to the second gear syncro. after ? miles.
I have not seen this posibility mentioned. I an just an owner and would appreciate the thoughts of experts.

Steve

 

Not a fair comparison since my last 6-Speed was a 2000 Corvette (800HP SC'd). But I loved control of the 6 speed.

Wasn't sure how I'd like the F1. But I'm totally cool with it and the rev-matching downshift advantage (no heel to toe needed) + mis-shift/over-rev protection + faster shift advantage with an F1 vs. what is possible with a manual.

Non-Sport mode is super smooth.
ECU Tuned Sport Mode is very aggresive and crisp.

My only complaint so far is a bit of a chug-chug motion out of the hole with the F1 in 1st gear. This has been explained to me as cluthc break in, and can take some more miles. I've broken in many clutches in the past. Nor sure how the 1st owner (1100 miles) broke in the F1. The 1st gear should smooth out in another 500 miles, but it's not that bad. U just need to tach up another 2-300 rpm when you feel the grabby spot on the disc.

 

i have both traffic is not the place for f1, thats my experience. tract and road are heaven for f1.

 

True. I've heard of people burning up F1 clutches in 4-5k miles if they commute in stop and go traffic.

 

The 575 isn't my daily driver. I only take her out when I know I'll have fairly open roads. Fri nite, Sat/Sun, or on a weekday before/after rush hour.

Regardless of the clutch pak issues in stop and go, it's no fun being stuck in gridlock with a Ferrari anyhow.. Rather frustrating.

I think if you are conscious of the disc and F1 hydraulics(?) being sensitive to heating(?) in stop and go you can alleviate some of the abuse created in these situations. Staying in Gear while parked on an incline is supposed to be bad also. Still learning a bit on this too.