I thought a F430 Spider would be fast?!?

[kaisersolsay]

Popped with to the local town this afternoon to get some mini milks for the kids and on the way back came across a Ferrari F430 Spider (58 plate), gorgeous machine. Instead of turning left at the junction I turned right and decided to give him a bit of sport. Approaching the outer-limits the tone of his V8 increased in tune with mine giving away that he'd selected 2nd gear in preparation for WOT.

We hit the 60 limit sign and both planted it at the same time......and to my surprise the good old RS6 kept up with his ass. Not only that but actually gain ground and sat tucked under his rear refuser! We entered a range of twisties (between Crieff and Lochearnhead on the A85) and again the RS6 kept right up behind him. We opened out into a clear straight and again I could hear his high reving V8 getting worked hard but again the Beast gained ground slip streaming him once again and then pulled out alongside. The look on the 2 lads (wearing matching Ferrari baseball caps I might add) was priceless!! Must have been gutted......paying over £100k for a shining red Stallion only to get shown-up by a 7 year old family estate!! Love it!

I honestly thought that I would be left for dust given the 30 BHP and 400kg differential, however I was wrong.

Anyone else had any super car experiences?

[alpinestars]

What power are you running?

I had an F1 Spider, and it was the quickest car I have had. 30 to 100 in just less than 7 seconds - that's really quick. If the one you played with was not an F1, it might explain some of the difference. However, there does seem to be some inconsistency with Ferraris. Autocar tested one and 0-100 was in the 9s. The Scuderia they tested was in the 7s! There is no way the two would be that different.

[kaisersolsay]

I'm standard bar a full Milltek. Not sure if it was an F1, how would I tell? I was surprised that the 2T barge kept up and gain ground.

[delboymafia]

LEGEND

[Future_RS6Owner]

[Cornishmoocher]

I have had a blat with a 430, and I have to say that, in a straight line there was not much in it. But in the twisty bits it killed me, and after 1/2 a mile of twisty bits I couldn't catch up again. Even with over 510hp and 600ftlbs....

I would say Well done to you, it is a great achievement for the 6, but honestly think it is driver/car error on the fezza's part. a standard 6 by the laws of physics cannot keep up.....483 hp v 450hp and 1450kg v 1865kg.

The sheer torque of the RS will help low down, but the fezzas power comes in at 0rpm and finishes at 8500rpm.......

Now if you had nudenuts C6RS6, I reckon you may have a real chance of getting far enough ahead before the twisty bits to stay there. But that has 700hp!

Well done again anyhoo, its always good to make em worry!

[woodlum]

Ha ha prancing horse!

[rol]

Same happened to me only I met up with a 360 modena at a roundabout knew what was going to happen as his engine started screaming so selected S and used paddle shift right up his tail and actually passed him on the straight couldn`t believe it thought afterwards maybe he missed a gear or chickened out still can`t understand but delighted don`t know the age of it as it had a private plate.

[paul_23]

Had some closely matched fun with Corvettes (even Z06 which was a surprise), Holdens, many normal 911, older Ferraris.
However, been left for dead by too many - Nissan GTR, Brabus (various), merc sl65, merc black versions, 911 (997) turbos, 911 gt2, Gemballas, lambos, Bentley, even a Cayenne Turbo S (must have been modded). The Rs6 is a good car but not in the same league as the modern best - it still give them a surprise as they dont expect it from such an old barge.....

[kaisersolsay]

I agree Mooch, I can only think that the 430 driver was a bit limp in the wrist. However the fact that the good old 6 wasnt left for dead is a result!

[alpinestars]

I'm standard bar a full Milltek. Not sure if it was an F1, how would I tell? I was surprised that the 2T barge kept up and gain ground.

You won't be able to tell at a glance. A blip on downshifts would make it more likely to be an F1 unless the driver was heel and toeing it.

[Wolverine]

I have an F430 Spider (manual) and can confirm that my RS6 (536bhp) can almost keep up with it to near a ton where the Ferrari then starts really pulling away. Around the twisties RS6 would not stand a chance, period. I think 0-60 on the Spider is 4.1 sec. My modded RS6 is probably around 4.5 sec, maybe a touch better on a cold morning. The difference is not that big, really its more about reaction times.

[alpinestars]

I have an F430 Spider (manual) and can confirm that my RS6 (536bhp) can almost keep up with it to near a ton where the Ferrari then starts really pulling away. Around the twisties RS6 would not stand a chance, period. I think 0-60 on the Spider is 4.1 sec. My modded RS6 is probably around 4.5 sec, maybe a touch better on a cold morning. The difference is not that big, really its more about reaction times.

Surely it's not about 0-60? The question related to a rolling start didn't it? in which case the 430s advantage is even greater.

[Wolverine]

Depends what gear then I suppose the Ferrari was in. It has quite a long 6th gear. Also, weight has more impact on the Ferrari, so having two people, especially fat ones ! will have a bigger impact to the power/weight ratio compared the the RS6.

To be honest these days its very hard to see the performance differences of high end cars on the public roads (without going outside the legal limits). Only on the track can you really see what the differences are. The RS6 is real sledgehammar of a car, but round a track its simply too heavy and has too much understeer to compete with modern exotica.

[GregR1]

Anyone actually looked at how unlikely all this is on the figures? Ferarri 430 has more bhp and far less weight, so unless the OP's car is modded, or the Ferrari was not booting it, its just not going to happen.