458 Buyers Guide - What to check before buying!?

[AMDB9]

I am shortly about to embark on 458 ownership. This will be via a main dealer so the car will have a two year warranty and the remainder of the 7 year service pack. What are the points to be checked on potential cars? I know the F430 had manifold and Clutch life issues - is there anything as such to check on a 458 before I place a deposit or am I safe in knowing the 24 month warranty has my back?

I'm looking at end of 2011 early 2012 cars and most in the dealer network seem to have had 4-5 owners already - is this usual? The dealers have told me these cars change hands every 12 months or so and the nunber of owners is pretty irrelevant in this market place - how true is that?

Been googling but can't find a buyers guide as such so any pointers appreciated. Many thanks!

[shabster]

It's true that Ferraris in general to change hands a few times, although it's not impossible to find a 1 or 2 owner car if you wait around. Newer Ferraris with the 7 year service pack atleast give you the comfort they've been serviced regularly.

Things I checked for when I bought my 458 - check under the front spoiler for any scrapes - mine had a couple and had dealer repair.

If you can find one with paint protection is a plus, and Ferrari paint quite soft and chips easily.

Check over all the electronics for any gremlins - check the stereo/sat nav etc. The only thing I've needed replacing on mine was the RHS infotainment HUD.

Matt

[F355GTS]

Get the brake wear read and confirmed even if low mileage they wear very quickly if it's done some track days

Number of owners is not unusual but of course come trade in there will be lot's of sharp intakes of breath and the dealer will knock the price over a 1-2 owner car

Make sure it has full service history and accept nothing less

[AMDB9]

Thanks folks - keep em coming

I guess trying to find a car that has not been tracked is a bit silly as guess that's what most owners will want to do with a beast like this? As long as it has been maintained should be OK right? It won't void the warranty or anything Im guessing........sorry for the nerdy questions

[F355GTS]

AMDB9 said:

Thanks folks - keep em coming

I guess trying to find a car that has not been tracked is a bit silly as guess that's what most owners will want to do with a beast like this? As long as it has been maintained should be OK right? It won't void the warranty or anything Im guessing........sorry for the nerdy questions

No problem with a tracked car but as said check brake wear, should;t affect warranty.

tbh my experience is most owners seem to cruise down the either local club meet or Golf Club adding less than 15 miles a Year

[Durzel]

458 doesn't have any of the issues that the F430 suffered from.

It's been covered already really, check the front spoiler for scrapes - though in my experience it's less likely to ground than the F430 was. Besides that it's just the usual stuff imo.

[cgt2]

I've heard of a couple of DCT gearbox issues on early cars, but other than that it appears to be the most reliable Ferrari ever. Certainly a big step forward over a 430.

[andrew]

check the mileage...

[AMDB9]

Thanks guys - I have just bought a Nero Daytona 458 from Dick Lovetts Swindon

Picking it up in two weeks as will be away travelling!

Has anyone installed a Capristo remote control exhaust valve kit? Wondering if it affects warranty? Is there any other way to keep the valves open on a 458? I'm moving from a Maserati MC shift and am worried I'll miss the exhaust burble and overrun!

There seems to be more USA focused Ferrri forums than UK ones...

[Durzel]

Congratulations! Be sure to post some photos when you collect

Race mode (or Wet, I think) seems to keep the valves open for longer in my experience.

Might be worth asking Ferrari if the Capristo would affect warranty. I would hazard a guess that on a new car it wouldn't (unless directly attributable to a failure), but on extended (Power) warranty it probably does.

[MrVert]

AMDB9 said:

Thanks guys - I have just bought a Nero Daytona 458 from Dick Lovetts Swindon

Picking it up in two weeks as will be away travelling!

Has anyone installed a Capristo remote control exhaust valve kit? Wondering if it affects warranty? Is there any other way to keep the valves open on a 458? I'm moving from a Maserati MC shift and am worried I'll miss the exhaust burble and overrun!

There seems to be more USA focused Ferrri forums than UK ones...

Saw that one when I bought a few weeks ago. Lovely car - congratulations!

I've had mine just over a week and it is utterly spell bindingly brilliant!

Enjoy in good health

[SL550M]

AMDB9 said:

Thanks guys - I have just bought a Nero Daytona 458 from Dick Lovetts Swindon

Picking it up in two weeks as will be away travelling!

Has anyone installed a Capristo remote control exhaust valve kit? Wondering if it affects warranty? Is there any other way to keep the valves open on a 458? I'm moving from a Maserati MC shift and am worried I'll miss the exhaust burble and overrun!

There seems to be more USA focused Ferrri forums than UK ones...

Congrats mate. I picked up my 599 from Dick Lovetts in Swindon last week. They're a great bunch of guys and it seems to me they totally understand that buying a Ferrari should be a very special experience. I haven't stopped smiling since and I'm sure you'll be the same. Enjoy!!

[355fiorano]

Another shout for Dick Lovett's Swindon
I bought my Stradale from them in November and they've been brilliant and especially after sales, where they needed to sort some small niggles out and all was done with no hesitation or hassle!

[sone]

458 great car, you can just unplug the valves so they're open all the time 2 minute job makes the car sound great.

[AMDB9]

Thanks guys Absolutely chuffed and excited for my first F car

Going to be a long wait as I'm off to LA and Vegas for my 40th and will only be picking the car up mid March when I am back - will certainly post pics.

[WCZ]

AMDB9 said:

Vegas

try not to get too drunk and blow your life savings there

[AMDB9]

WCZ said:

AMDB9 said:

Vegas

try not to get too drunk and blow your life savings there

Or win my 458 for free

[Durzel]

Don't forget - what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

[5lTVR]

sone said:

458 great car, you can just unplug the valves so they're open all the time 2 minute job makes the car sound great.

Ahh How do I do that? Picking up my new 458 Italia (grigio Silverstone with reserved on it currently)from Meridian Modena It will have yellow callipers when i get it too

[sone]

5lTVR said:

sone said:

458 great car, you can just unplug the valves so they're open all the time 2 minute job makes the car sound great.

Ahh How do I do that? Picking up my new 458 Italia (grigio Silverstone with reserved on it currently)from Meridian Modena It will have yellow callipers when i get it too

See those round things that look like top hats, well unplug the silicone hose's ( one each side) to the back of them put a golf tee into the end of the silicone hose and tie wrap it somewhere out of the way so it doesn't flap about. A golf tee or something similar diameter will do, I used some steel pins out of a racking system but I've seen golf tee's used a few times.
Job done!