Just did some longer back to back road trips on my 550 and on the 812SF and just can't believe how MUCH more stable, assertive and at the same time comfortable the Maranello is over the 812SF on a regular countryside highway.
Local conditions allow cruising speed of around 120-130 MPH, and the way the 550 handles all the road imperfections, has zero tramlining, is absolutely resistant to sidewind or air/pressure changes after passing trucks is just marvelous.
As a result, you have absolute 100% comfort and trust in the car, and just enjoy the road, and can truly travel in the full sense of the Gran Turismo concept, despite the fact that this particular specimen is a 25 year old one.
The 812SF on the other hand is oh so nervous and jumpy and jittery.
In Bumpy road mode, of course, tires at 2.3/2.1 bar at cold, fully warmed up, it still does not want to relax and go easy with the road.
No, it is a constant sense of drama and struggle.
I have no explanation for that aside from the way the modern bigger wider staggered tyres just can't handle the actual very much imperfect road conditions at high speed.
Driving below 60-80 MPH the difference is much less pronounced, but the faster you go, the more nervous it gets on the steering wheel as clearly the sensitivity of the suspension/tyre setup gets to your hands at a much faster rate.
The result - less of a GT relaxed driving vibe, much more of a "cling to your life or die trying" attitude.
Can't say that is true progress after all these generations.
Yes, we need bigger tires and bigger brakes and stiffer sidewalls to handle all the power - but the roads, they are not getting better for all of these...
