Hi there, This is my first post, I'm just about to start actively looking for a Ferrari 360 as a 30th birthday present for myself and just put a call into a dealer about going to test drive one. I've read some of the back posts where the merits of both a manual and the paddles have been discussed, but the one thing I'm still not clear on and can't find the answer to is; Does the F1 paddle shift 360 come with a full auto option that you can switch to? I live in London, so I'll be driving in quite a bit of traffic, so if it did have a full auto that'd really seal the deal for me over the manual. Any help appreciated!
Yes. The automatic mode of the F1 transmission can be engaged by pressing "AUTO" right next to the stick in the center console. The transmission is a bit clunky in auto mode, though, and unlike traditional automatic transmissions it goes through gears sequentially, even downshifting to a stop, so you feel every shift.
Awesome, thanks for that. I'm used to a smooth Mercedes auto box at the minute so it sounds like it'll be very different, but I can spend a lot of time in traffic going very slowly, so a heavy clutch is good to avoid. It's good to know these things before I go to the dealership, so can sound like I know what I'm on about when I go to test drive it.
You have mail In the photo you see the reversing lever and just the other side of it the Auto mode button and the slippery road button Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just one persons comment here but, if you plan on doing a good amoung of stop-and-go traffic, a F1 may not be what you want. (Or let me put it this way, I never used mine when I had it in Auto-mode, but the paddles are fine for slow traffic. I think though that you will have an greatly accelerated wear use vs a traditional 6speed in that kind of traffic). Remember that the Ferrari F1 is really still a traditional clutch/transaxle setup with electromagnetic assistance. NOW.......if your talking just "slow" traffic that is moving at some rate other than an actual stop-and-start, then the F1 would be just fine. Its when you come to a total stop it makes the difference. Good luck!
Yeah I don't think you would want to use an F1 in Auto mode in London traffic, would probably need a new clutch in >5k miles! Use the paddles, will be much better for the life of the clutch as you will probably find you won't need to come out of second much. The auto would be changing non stop!
I love my Ferrari 360 "Stick Shift" but it's a bit of a pain in the ass in traffic. That said, I'd say the F1 probably is too! I love my daily driver, an auto Merc like yours, and marvel at just how easy it is to drive in traffic. I don't know if this Ferrari will be your only car but if so you might find yourself a bit frustrated regardless of your gearbox choice. Just my two cents worth.......! Good luck whatever you decide.
Thanks for the replys everyone, I imagine it'll be a bit of a pain in traffic either way, but if I have the option to switch to full auto then I can try both and see which works better, it's nice to be able to do both.
My 360 F1 is easier to drive in stop and go traffic using the paddles (and auto mode off) than my stick shift BMW. Auto mode is essentially like letting some guy named Bud shift your car from the passenger seat, and you and Bud don't communicate too good.
Using the auto mode is not that advisable. It's not very sophisticated and you will wear out your clutch in no time whatsoever.
True All false, this is one of the great urban legends - In auto mode the clutch engages the same as if you use the paddles. The only difference is that it shifts early, low revs, and automatically. Clutch wear is a function of how you drive the car not if you use auto or not. If you feather the gas the clutch will never engage fully and the clutch will wear quickly. If you let a gap open, give it gas to engage the clutch, then brake when you want to stop clutch wear is low. Applying the brakes at slow speeds disengages the clutch so you are better to let it creep along and only brake to stop.
ES- If you are just worried a heavy clutch, F1 is for you. No clutch pedal. In heavy traffic, you only need 1st-3rd gears and you can use the paddles to be in the correct gear each time. It very quickly becomes second nature and, with practice, very smooth. In traffic when it becomes obvious you will stop, I select Neutral (horrors to some F1 drivers), but the system will downshift automatically for you if you do not do it yourself or select Neutral. If you misjudged and traffic continues to move after selecting Neutral, depress the downshift paddle and you will have power and be in the correct gear to continue. F1 works fine in traffic. Use of Auto mode is avoided by most Ferrari drivers with the F1 shifter. Those who like it speak your mind. Have never even pushed the button myself. Taz Terry Phillips
I agree with most posts... I ve rarely used the AUTO button myself. I push it only when someone else dear to me like to drive the car, like my father visiting from overseas, or my wife going for a tour around the block shopping,... for London traffic i would get an F1 and would just shift between 1, 2, and 3rd gear, there is no stress on the wrist like you expect on your foot or knee with a manual transmission. AUTO would kill the clutch much faster. Good luck on your shopping !
Manual is the way to go. Even if you forget to downshift when slowing to a stop it will down shift for you to 1st gear when you stop completely and without the jerkiness of a stick three pedal.
+1 Very very very true. Not only due to excess clutch wear, but also because it's most clunky when coming to a full stop and then restarting from a full stop.
The 360's F1 auto system is very similar to the BMW M6 SMG set up which is clumsy and has a mind of it's own in particular when going slowly uphill (whiplash is generally the result!!!) The 360 F1 box auto function IMO is (as other members have said) for drivers who have limited non automatic gearbox experience or the idea of something that may be difficult to drive puts them right off even getting in car. The paddle shift in the 360 in London traffic will be easier and less stressfull than manually shifting every 30 secs. FYI i traded my M6 on a 360 spyder F1 two weeks ago and love it to bits. Regards
I live in London too, and got a 2003 360 F1 spider back in august of this year, and find it surprisingly very easy to drive in town, much easier than a manual I suspect (I haven't had a manual 360, but I have a manual 348 & and manual 911), and I actually find the 360 F1 an easier town drive than both. I did have the usual dilema before buying the 360 whether to go manual or F1, but I definitely think f1 was by far the right choice for me. The shifts are fine, and are lightning in sport mode, and finding the biting point in reverse, and applying the right amount of throttle doesn't seem to be a problem at all (In my view Clarkson is completely wrong about flappy paddles is this respect). Driving auto mode is a breeze, and allows you use the car a a bit of a grand tourer, not requiring much concentration in traffic, although the way the the F1 electronics slips the clutch when pulling off can be a bit unnerving, as psychologically it makes you feel that you are wearing the clutch. I believe a good ferrari specialist can set the car up on the sd2 computer The only thing that goes against the car for town driving is the poor rear visibility.
I call the auto button on my 360, the "designated driver button". I've only used it twice, both times when I had a few cocktails, and let my girlfriend drive me home. No explaining the paddles required. AND, when we got home! (Remember, I just let her drive my 360 )
Totally agree with Netster. I have a 360 F1 Spider and if i am just pootling around in traffic I almost always use it in Auto mode. I find it works really well, though you are always aware that it s a manual gearbox with a (quite clever) automatic shifter - it isn't as smooth as a 'real' auto. I never sit at traffic lights with it in gear (i select N) and have not had any clutch issues, except when reversing up hills, when the clutch slips too much.
Sitting in N is no different than in gear with your foot on the brake. The system doesn't engage the clutch when in N so there is no difference. In reverse the clutch is never fully engaged; again by design. Hence reverse up hill is a bad idea or at least very hard on the clutch.
