Is the F512 M the most underrated Ferrari? | PistonHeads

How a controversial design refresh created one of Maranello's most polarising designs to date.
Well, until the Purosangue came along, but that's not why we're here. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1994, the F512 M is was meant to be the ultimate, and final, form of the Testarossa. It was lighter, more powerful and more futuristic (for the mid-90s, that is), hence why it earned the 'M' at the end of its name, meaning 'Modificata'. Only 501 were produced, making it considerably more exclusive than its forerunners, and, yet, it tends to be overlook as a true Ferrari classic all down to its cross-era design. So when we saw this example pop up on the PistonHeads.com classifieds, we had to see whether the F512 M deserves a second chance.
Special thanks to ‪@DKEngineeringTV‬ for letting us film their F512 M, which is currently up for sale at PistonHeads: www.pistonheads.com/buy/listi...
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:47 Design walkthrough
2:52 Differences to the 512 TR
3:41 Engine performance
4:43 Interior design and features
7:28 Why the F512 M is a Ferrari classic
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[@larrybeale1710]

No on road content at all? Not even anything with it running?

[@sendark001]

probably DK didn't let them do it without buying a pretty pricy insurance

[@sendark001]

these sorts of cars aren't cars, they're equity / value stores

[@stuffthings3728]

Yeah, what Larry said! ✊

[@princesssolace4337]

It's broken .... no engine .....its not a real engine

[@MarcSob22]

I really love the 512M but the 512 TR is my favorite of the line!

[@cbca6567]

The best version of the testarossa for me. Front headlights open, lemans style, lighter weight, lighter valvetrain and titanium conrods mean better driving experience!

[@aDaWaN]

It basically is an updated version of the Testarossa made uglier. But by the end of the video I was hoping it could redeem itself with the driving experience, being mid engined after all. Unfortunately the video ended there, leaving me wondering why anyone would buy this over a Testarossa or 512TR.

[@Firemarioflower]

It's faster

[@StratMatt777]

The Testarossa's front end was updated to the 512tr look to show it's family resemblance to the 348. The original Testarossa had the front end looks of the 328. The 512M has the grille and tail lights of the F355 to show the family resemblance (and the headlight style that was to come on the 550 Maranello).

[@NathanHarrison7]

Great video. Was itching to hear the engine though.Subscribed.

[@clownworld-honk410]

Oh! He didn't drive it. I thought this channel was called Piston Heads. I didn't hear any pistons firing. Basically, just pretty footage of a stationary car while quoting Wikipedia doesn't cut it when their competitors taking cars like this on tracks and B roads.

[@feelsgoodman245]

Come on guys, no driving? I don’t want an article in verbal form accompanied by static shots of the car.

[@BGcontentproduction]

That’s mad aha I used that song and “quick cuts in time to the beat” in my own edits of another car aha

[@sendark001]

dat engine omg

[@samslinger16]

Have to call you out on the fact its not a flat 12 'technically'. It's a 180-degree V12. A freind owned one of these and said he missed it more than any other ferrari he owned out of 10+ across all ages. Supposedly a rather special vehicle to drive

[@theroadblog2858]

It is a flat 12. It is a 180° V12. It is not a Boxer, yes, that is true, but flat doesn't mean boxer. Flat means horisontal piston movement

[@marcosmata8233]

Back to the Future What if a ferrari 512m would look like as a Time Machine?

[@devanman7920]

In my brain when someone says Ferrari to me it's this sort of shape and looks that I see

[@jasxx1108]

F512M❤

[@piffiiiiiiit]

It would get more love if it had the earlier front end or at least the bumper 😬

[@Carrera-gp9od]

They look hideous , 512 tr is the one you want

[@acharoja_bmw330CI]

Precioso, Forza Ferrari siempre.-

[@lucapupulin6990]

I love it....

[@artysanmobile]

I’m not wild about pretty much everything done to the TR body design here. It all looks somewhat sub-Ferrari quality and very much sub-Ferrari aesthetically, and market prices make perfect sense.

[@rolbar73]

7:54 You mean SP3 Daytona (not Monza)

[@PistonHeadsTV]

Yes, you're right. I did mean Daytona. Palm applied to face 🤦🏻‍♂️ - Cam

[@jamescalalo]

look at the front its like F355, 550 and 456GT

[@nickrichardson1317]

£299,950 is a bit of a bargain. Buy it now & watch the value climb! A year ago a F40 was sub £1m now nearer to £2m & more. My Mondial 3.2 Coupe cost £31k in Sept 2019, I just saw one at £57,950 asking price! A friend got £40,500 for a 3.0 Mondial, 3.2’s are scarce as many have been made into Historic Race cars, something which suggests my road car is pretty good. It’s fast and handles well. Ferrari doesn’t make duff cars. My 1988 car comes from the same period as the F40, & F512TRm, & I can see bits from mine used on them! The steering wheel, orange gauges, seats, manual gear shifter, keys, bits in the engine, all shared! I like to use my car, not just garage it. On one of my four previous 308GT4’s I did 98,000 miles, it did not affect it’s value unduly! Now is the time to buy older manual Ferrari’s. This car is a weapon. I love its looks. He wouldn’t be allowed to drive it because of insurance and his lack of early Ferrari experience. I’d drive it at 60mph for ten miles at least to warm the oil in the gearbox & drivetrain, plus get the tyres working, suddenly it will come alive and then it becomes the best experience most drivers will ever have!

[@princesssolace4337]

M stands for 'Meh'nerello TR stands for Type R

[@garybrown5769]

Give me my time back

[@sixpotshot]

This presentation has a big downside: it mentions many many times the car's 'flat' engine however and somehow fails to explain that technically its engine simply is a V12 at 180 degrees...it has got the properties and runs like a V12 just one with a lower centre of gravity but without the benefits of Porsche's and Subaru's boxer engines. And whilst I am at it and for some extra clarity: Ferrari has never produced a boxer engine: The F512 M 's engine is flat through its 180 degrees V but it is not a boxer engine...

[@camtait]

It’s fair to point out that it’s not a boxer, but that’s exactly why I called it a flat-12 - because it is a flat-12. Had it functioned as a boxer, I’d call it a boxer. Thanks for watching

[@dinotom1]

Well, Enzo called it a flat 12 and hundreds of pieces of Ferrari’s documentation from the 1970’s onward refer to it as a flat, that’s good enough for me. Last I checked 180 degrees IS flat

[@paulthomson9014]

​@@dinotom1its the crank pins that make it a v12 180 instead of a boxer configuration

[@richardtodorov]

#WalkAround #NoTestDrive

[@robt8620]

The 512 M is ferraris Lambo Countach Anniversary both ruined a nice shape

[@igorR061]

I kinda like the Anniversary, something like a Gemballa very aggressive and exaggerated design, 512M is that kind of update fail, using newer parts on a car that don´t fits well to the original shape.

[@richardtodorov]

Most compromised Ferrari actually. Originally the Testarossa was designed as Enzo's GT, the M is trying to be a serious sports car when it's not.

[@wbpderks]

Hmmmm panel gaps are almost as bad as tesla 😮

[@hifiandmtb]

Yeah - you'd think DK would tweak those. The front is appalling.

[@MarcSob22]

this is a 90s car it's normal

[@adamkhan5274]

Drove my mates one a few years ago. Very overrated. Like driving a giant v12 lawnmower. 456m (manual) or 550 much much nicer to drive. But of course if attention is your thing then this wins.

[@who_stole_my_username]

Waffle waffle waffle, aren't you going to drive it? Not even let us hear that flat 12 with Tubi exhaust? I am disappoint.

[@OllieC100]

£300K??? 🤣

[@CarToneHK]

It's unloved just cause how hideous it is and it is still absolutely awful looking in person

[@gentnextdoor]

At least take it for a drive

[@JamesGadbury]

I'm sure it's a wonderful driving experience but a Ferrari has to look good. The car looks awkward to my eyes. Looks like it's been fitted with a naff body kit.

[@billshoe22191]

Car doesn't run? No driving?

[@m1keyw]

The last iteration of the Testarossa and by far the worst styling. As with the Countach Anniversary.

[@gpanoutsak]

I dont like the rims at all .

[@preeteshpatel3962]

No it’s the ugliest Ferrari.

[@weallfollowmanutd]

This car is so compromised by how ugly it is. What on earth were Ferrari thinking?

[@6th.replicant577]

Handling / cornering is horrible because of high centre-of-gravity - that lardy engine is mounted on top of the gearbox. 🫤

[@RobertRedford77]

Cos its 🤮🤮ugly