My first Ferrari - what are the must-have options?
Discussion
It will be time to spec my F8 in the next weeks, and having never owned a Ferrari, I am keen for some guidance on MUST-HAVE options from both an experience and residuals purpose. I'll take what I learn on here as gospel, as I'm sure the dealer will be happy for me to be spenny...
I'm not a particularly 'racey' driver and wont be taking the car on track so I know that the racing seats aren't for me. What I do like are the carbon fibre steering wheel with LED's and the passenger display.
Finally, I am looking for two tone with a black roof. Instead of paying Ferrari the best part of £7k for two tone, and another £5k for paint protection film on the bumpers, what are your thoughts on me taking the car straight to a wrap//vinyl specialist instead?
Thank you
I'm not a particularly 'racey' driver and wont be taking the car on track so I know that the racing seats aren't for me. What I do like are the carbon fibre steering wheel with LED's and the passenger display.
Finally, I am looking for two tone with a black roof. Instead of paying Ferrari the best part of £7k for two tone, and another £5k for paint protection film on the bumpers, what are your thoughts on me taking the car straight to a wrap//vinyl specialist instead?
Thank you
Indeed, the racing seats are comfortabele and really nice especially with the leather Daytona pattern.
Cuoio or blue leather Daytona racing seats , black leather dash with either a Rosso Monza, Rosso Corsa or Nuovo Rosso F1 exterior would be my choice.
Carbon fibre driving zone incl. the steering wheel with shift lights would be my pick as well.
Another must have are the Ferrari shields imo, in yellow ofcourse.
Cuoio or blue leather Daytona racing seats , black leather dash with either a Rosso Monza, Rosso Corsa or Nuovo Rosso F1 exterior would be my choice.
Carbon fibre driving zone incl. the steering wheel with shift lights would be my pick as well.
Another must have are the Ferrari shields imo, in yellow ofcourse.
Congrats and enjoy the process.
Just be aware of what your preferences truly are going in as this brand, more than other similar, really lean on you during the specification session to keep adding.
When you sit in the room with the big screen and the dealer app which is far better than the internet build tool, very easy to get carried away as your build looks more and more stunning the more you add.
They will tell you their recommendations are to help you protect your investment, which is true to a point as their related primary motivation is them thinking about when they resell on your car.
End of the day, it is your money and your tastes that should be the most important consideration at this stage.
Just be aware of what your preferences truly are going in as this brand, more than other similar, really lean on you during the specification session to keep adding.
When you sit in the room with the big screen and the dealer app which is far better than the internet build tool, very easy to get carried away as your build looks more and more stunning the more you add.
They will tell you their recommendations are to help you protect your investment, which is true to a point as their related primary motivation is them thinking about when they resell on your car.
End of the day, it is your money and your tastes that should be the most important consideration at this stage.
Two approaches:
1) Spec for you and make your own value decisions, regardless of what anyone thinks is good/bad/ugly.
2) Spec it for the dealer, which will be the guys selling it to the next owner.
Balance point between 1 & 2 is when you may sell it. If its relatively quickly, then spec will not be so critical in light of demand.
FWIW, I'm going to spec my car at the factory pretty soon.
My thought on options are:
- carbon race seats, as they are comfy and add massive occasion
- seat lifter
- front lift, better safe than sorry and I would not buy a used car without
- carbon driving zone and bridge, maybe door cards
- carbon exterior, not sure how much
- carbon engine bay
- JBL hi-fi because I don't want an amazing car with a crap stereo
- shields, calipers, rev counter, embroidered horse
- park and camera
- electrochromic rearview
- 20" forged rims
- special paint
Would say £50k in options.
1) Spec for you and make your own value decisions, regardless of what anyone thinks is good/bad/ugly.
2) Spec it for the dealer, which will be the guys selling it to the next owner.
Balance point between 1 & 2 is when you may sell it. If its relatively quickly, then spec will not be so critical in light of demand.
FWIW, I'm going to spec my car at the factory pretty soon.
My thought on options are:
- carbon race seats, as they are comfy and add massive occasion
- seat lifter
- front lift, better safe than sorry and I would not buy a used car without
- carbon driving zone and bridge, maybe door cards
- carbon exterior, not sure how much
- carbon engine bay
- JBL hi-fi because I don't want an amazing car with a crap stereo
- shields, calipers, rev counter, embroidered horse
- park and camera
- electrochromic rearview
- 20" forged rims
- special paint
Would say £50k in options.
If you spec racing seats, makes sure they fit. Large is about the right size for the average Brit. I personally like park assist front & rear, no camera as that gets covered in dirt and one tends to rely on it. Check out colour combo in the flesh. Must have shields. The rest is standard.
LED wheel and shields are the usual UK must haves (apparently in Italy shields aren't as important!)
As for the seats, I had the comfort ones in my 488 and the carbon ones in my 458 and Speciale. I much prefer the carbon ones from a comfort and driving perspective. They also look so much better.
For me carbon interior is also a must I just hate the standard silvery one it looks plastic although it is actually metal.
As for the seats, I had the comfort ones in my 488 and the carbon ones in my 458 and Speciale. I much prefer the carbon ones from a comfort and driving perspective. They also look so much better.
For me carbon interior is also a must I just hate the standard silvery one it looks plastic although it is actually metal.
controlz said:
Thanks.
Is carbon fibre interior more valuable than exterior when thinking about residuals?
I can't help but worry at the cost of replacing a CF bumper!
If you get rear ended the do’er pays for a new diffuser. Is carbon fibre interior more valuable than exterior when thinking about residuals?
I can't help but worry at the cost of replacing a CF bumper!
Side sills are pretty safe, unless you plan to pavement hop.
Front splitter cover in PPF and beware of kerbs.
controlz said:
Finally, I am looking for two tone with a black roof. Instead of paying Ferrari the best part of £7k for two tone, and another £5k for paint protection film on the bumpers, what are your thoughts on me taking the car straight to a wrap//vinyl specialist instead?
Thank you
Thanks all. Any thoughts on the above?Thank you
I'd get the upgraded sound system. I have the standard in my 812 and it's embarrassingly terrible. Wish I had spent the extra 1% and got it....
On the carbon, I went for it inside everywhere but not outside. The outside I find it a bit shiny and glitzy but maybe that's my own excuse for ultimately thinking it's incredibly expensive for what it is. I also think on the outside if you get it, you kind of have to get it everywhere and it really adds up.
On the carbon, I went for it inside everywhere but not outside. The outside I find it a bit shiny and glitzy but maybe that's my own excuse for ultimately thinking it's incredibly expensive for what it is. I also think on the outside if you get it, you kind of have to get it everywhere and it really adds up.
Agree with the exterior carbon comments...you need to have none or go all in, which as others have said starts to get expensive for what it is.
Manufacturers must love the current CF fad as they get to charge literally £thousands extra for in most cases the same component material part, the difference being that it looks like CF weave.
Manufacturers must love the current CF fad as they get to charge literally £thousands extra for in most cases the same component material part, the difference being that it looks like CF weave.
I think the exterior carbon is dependant on the exterior colour. If you prefer a lighter colour such as white, yellow or silver, then the contrast of the exterior carbon works really well. If you prefer a darker exterior colour then I think the exterior carbon gets lost a bit. Same with the contrast roof. I like Bianco Avus, contrast roof, and all the exterior carbon other than the engine cover, together with the interior racing pack. If you get the packages then you save around 15% on the carbon, compared to the cost of adding each item separately.
A good compromise might be Grigio Silverstone, with no exterior carbon and the interior racing pack. But that is just me, of course. Have fun speccing up what you want. If you are worried about re-sale, don't buy the car!
A good compromise might be Grigio Silverstone, with no exterior carbon and the interior racing pack. But that is just me, of course. Have fun speccing up what you want. If you are worried about re-sale, don't buy the car!
Please don’t spec the car for the next owner - spec it for yourself. You’re going to lose a whole load of money in depreciation anyway so you might as well get the car you want - after all, the privilege of buying new is getting to spec what you want.
In terms of CF, I agree that it makes the interior feel special but is not necessary on the outside.
For your question on the two tone roof. Absolutely no problem with getting it wrapped when you get the PPF done from new.
One other poster mentioned stitched cavallinos on the headrests. I’d agree that they make the car really special - pay attention to the stitching colour. Contrast stitching can really lift the interior.
If you’re going for red paint (it’s a mid V8 after all), please go for a metallic - and try to avoid all black interiors - sooo boring!
I have no experience of the carbon seats but they do look the business and apparently are rather comfortable.
I have a personal preference for white or yellow Rev counters and would avoid red.
The joy of these cars (apart from the driving) is that they are uniquely tailored to your taste and the variations in build can be so different to what the mainstream brands give you. Please don’t waste that opportunity by going for Rosso corsa over black...
Take a look at 488 and 458 picture threads on Ferrarichat. They’ll give you an idea of the possibilities out there.
In terms of CF, I agree that it makes the interior feel special but is not necessary on the outside.
For your question on the two tone roof. Absolutely no problem with getting it wrapped when you get the PPF done from new.
One other poster mentioned stitched cavallinos on the headrests. I’d agree that they make the car really special - pay attention to the stitching colour. Contrast stitching can really lift the interior.
If you’re going for red paint (it’s a mid V8 after all), please go for a metallic - and try to avoid all black interiors - sooo boring!
I have no experience of the carbon seats but they do look the business and apparently are rather comfortable.
I have a personal preference for white or yellow Rev counters and would avoid red.
The joy of these cars (apart from the driving) is that they are uniquely tailored to your taste and the variations in build can be so different to what the mainstream brands give you. Please don’t waste that opportunity by going for Rosso corsa over black...
Take a look at 488 and 458 picture threads on Ferrarichat. They’ll give you an idea of the possibilities out there.
Edited by ANOpax on Thursday 5th December 21:27
If you think Red Ferrari too much then i suggest Grigio Silverstone with Black roof..Definitely get the large Carbon Racing seats with lifter as they are both comfortable and supportive plus the backrest angle is adjustable..All the Carbon inside bits apart from the door inners which are a bit OTT on a non special Ferrari.
Rear camera and upgraded Hi-Fi are pretty much 'must haves' IMO..Front lift not a must have on Ferraris unlike Porsche GT3 RSs as they sit higher and rarely cause problems on speed ramps.
My personal choice is to get yellow calipers and rev counter to match the exterior wing yellow badges
Rear camera and upgraded Hi-Fi are pretty much 'must haves' IMO..Front lift not a must have on Ferraris unlike Porsche GT3 RSs as they sit higher and rarely cause problems on speed ramps.
My personal choice is to get yellow calipers and rev counter to match the exterior wing yellow badges
Edited by Taffy66 on Thursday 5th December 21:43
ANOpax said:
Please don’t spec the car for the next owner - spec it for yourself. You’re going to lose a whole load of money in depreciation anyway so you might as well get the car you want - after all, the privilege of buying new is getting to spec what you want...
Absolutely.Notwithstanding, I echo the posts above about trying the carbon seats and not dismissing them as only if you do a lot of time on track.
Also, think carefully about the passenger display. There may well be times you might not want your passenger to know what speed you're doing!
kith said:
Can't understand the obsession with spec'ing shields on regular production Ferraris. Anyone who understands the history of the marque know that these should be reserved for the racing cars, or at a push, the race inspired specials / Ltd Editions
I agree but it is what the market demands on resale especially on the mid-engined cars.Gassing Station | Ferrari V8 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff