Picking a 599 next, current opinions on reliability?

Here's a pretty recent thread from April 2023 that lists most of the gotcha's:

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/advice-on-pre-purchase-high-mileage-599-gtb.675601/

 

Congrats, the 599 is one of the best Ferrari ever made.

 

That thread hits the high points but read it carefully. There are a few things written that are wrong and other comment on them, correct them, later in the thread. An example is clutch life on the 599. Clutch wear isn't particularly an issue in the 599, you can easily put 50K to 75K miles on a clutch. Even in that thread someone repeated the internet myth about 360 clutch wear and linked that myth about wear to the 599. I DD my 599.

 

The 599 is a stunning car! I owned one back in the day and I recently purchased one again.

It is the true cross over from Classic to Modern.

One thing I dislike about Ferrari's these days is the lack of steering feeling. However the 599 nailed it. Jayemm discusses this in one of his video reviews and I totally agree with him.

My car has a dealer fitted HGTE kit which I makes it even nicer.

Servicing if done at a main dealer is not too bad. I just had an annual "Service C" at $3,016 and my car had 4,100 miles on it.

Sound..... I added a Fabspeed bypass and it is the cheapest bang for buck.

Aside from this, get he suspension checked out and also go for a 2008 onwards if you can.

 

My experience over the last 3 years:

I now have about 9K miles on my 2009 with full dealer installed HGTE.
.
Rear Shocks leaked, replaced with OEM.
Change ALL fluids to start a known baseline.
Engine Mounts start to sag.
Notorious stickies must be addressed on all cars.
Make sure oil is never overfilled. Follow tech procedure carefully.
Check vario cam wires for oil.
Check cam covers for gasket leaks in rear.
Change tires that have aged out. Replace TPMS sensors at the same time if more than a few years old.
It is a good idea to change brake lines that have aged out.
Change the battery if it is more than a couple years old and use the right battery maintainer.
Check F1 pump time to pressurize and cycling.
Have the clutch PIS checked.
Get a scanner that can read all of the nodes on this car. I use a Foxwell 520 and it does everything I need to service the car.

My car is almost perfect and has been very reliable even though I do not use it enough (I know). I only use the car in the winter here in SW Florida. These are truly great cars. Don't be afraid of the F1 system. These cars have a twin disc clutch that can transmit the torque smartly and provide long service. It is critical that the PIS be accurately set to prevent clutch wear.

 

Our first Ferrari was a 365 boxer, today we take care of a TR, 550 and 599. The “nine-nine” is on another planet in almost every way, including reliability. Yes shocks leak and gaskets weep, but as long as it’s serviced and you have the gremlins list, she’ll be better to you than the previous 12 cylinder GTs.

 

Hi,
I owned it for about 4 years and sold it recently. The 599 GTB is a truly amazing car and, in my personal opinion, one of the best modern Ferraris. I think the interior and exterior design is still very stylish, and the 599 is one of the last cars that gives you the old school Ferrari pleasure with its Enzo V12 engine, and it provides this with many electronic/technological equipment.
General problems that may be encountered;
- leak in radiator
-sticky buttons and panels
-leakage in the shock absorbers (I haven't had any, but there are 599 owners who have experienced this, maybe it is related to mileage and driving style)
-corrosion and related paint bubbles around the blades on the rear fender (a similar problem also exists on F12s)
- Deteriorations in the interior leather of the car
- solenoid valve failure that sends signals to the timing variators (not the variator itself!!)
These are the first and most common ones that come to my mind. In general, the 599 is a reliable car, but before you buy it, show the car to a Ferrari service or an expert mechanic. If you can find in a good condition and well-maintained 599, I would say buy it without hesitation.
Have a nice day

 

I have owned mine since 2019, and its been very reliable. I was stranded once - when the hydraulic line burst to the gearbox... earlier that day I hit a hidden pot hole & I think that did it... I had the radiator replacement, small leak, and had the overfill of oil - by a dealer ... they fixed it.. and had to replace a TGK valve - caused from the rad replacement. I bought it with 19K miles, and I now have 35K miles on it. Driven it on street, hwy, and track - and love it. I try to drive it weekly... and plan on going out in it in 15 min. annual service costs $4-$5k ... depending. I have to do shocks and mounts at some point.. and I have a small oil leak ... you notice it in cold weather tiny stream of smoke from where the cam gasket is wet. All my stickies were done - so the interior is in great shape.. smooth leather no issues, no tears or scratches etc.. have fun.

 

I've had a very similar experience with my car, which I've had since 2018 as a second owner. Last year I did the shocks. I would check the oil breather to see if it's leaking. Here's a link you might want to look at:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/599-on-flames.683165/
Apparently this valve should be changed every 7,500 miles, news to me!

 

This is from a year ago. Wonder if he ever got one?