MajorCommonEngine

Ferrari 599: Engine mounts cracking from V12 heat at around 50,000 km

Engine mounts cracking from V12 heat at around 50,000 km is a common engine fault on the Ferrari 599 on the 2006–2012 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,500 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 5 documented faults on the Ferrari 599.

Vehicle: Ferrari 599
Years: 2006–2012
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Ferrari 599 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Ferrari 599 faults5 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The rubber engine mounts on the 599 sit under a 6-litre V12 that runs hot, and they crack and separate at roughly 50,000 km — the rubber simply cooks. The car starts to shake at idle, then clunks on take-off and on firm shifts as the engine moves against its stops, and the exhaust and driveline are asked to absorb movement they were not built for. It is one of the most common jobs on the model and not a huge one, but a car that shakes at idle has not had it done.

What you would notice

Vibration through the seat and wheel at idle
Clunk from the front on take-off or on a firm gear change
The engine visibly rocking when revved with the bonnet up
Exhaust knocking against the underbody

How to check it

Where to look. Engine mounts either side of the V12 block

With the engine idling and the bonnet up, have somebody blip the throttle while you watch how far the engine rocks — a shiver is normal, a lurch is worn mounts. Sit in the car at idle and feel for a vibration that changes when the engine is revved gently, then pull away firmly a few times and change gear under load listening for a clunk. Ask whether the engine mounts have been replaced and at what mileage.

What it costs to put right

$1,500 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Have the engine mounts been replaced, and at what mileage?”
“Is there any vibration at idle or clunking on take-off?”

Now check the Ferrari 599 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

Car Examer — 'Ferrari 599 Problems: What To Know Before Buying'
Cars-Directory — 'Common Issues with the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano'

Ferrari 599 buyer questions

Is engine mounts cracking from v12 heat at around 50,000 km serious on a Ferrari 599?

We rate it major and common on the Ferrari 599. The rubber engine mounts on the 599 sit under a 6-litre V12 that runs hot, and they crack and separate at roughly 50,000 km — the rubber simply cooks. The car starts to shake at idle, then clunks on take-off and on firm shifts as the engine moves against its stops, and the exhaust and driveline are asked to absorb movement they were not built for. It is one of the most common jobs on the model and not a huge one, but a car that shakes at idle has not had it done.

How much does it cost to fix on a Ferrari 599?

$1,500 to $4,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Ferrari 599 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2006–2012 Ferrari 599. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.