488 GTB- Parking Camera?

[Chad_Hugo]

I could use a bit of help from any past or present owners with regards to the reversing camera specifically.

The 488 is certainly not a big car length wise looking at the official length Ferrari provide, but obviously very wide at the back although the rear visibility (from what I can tell at least) appears to be better than many supercars.

The front/rear parking sensors audio/visual are standard so my question is how essential is the reversing camera?

As it was an expensive (for what it is) optional extra I would say approx 50% of cars on the used market don't have any camera, just the sensors.

Do you consider it a must have, or do you think the sensors are enough and don't use the camera much?

Thanks in advance for any feedback...

[blueSL]

The front parking sensors were not standard and something like £900. The reversing/parking camera was something like £1536. The rear sensors were standard.

The car is indeed quite wide and I would say all three are essential if you are old and infirm like me. The sensors work well and there is a clear indication of when you are in danger.

The danger is when you get into your F355, forget there are no sensors and scuff the bumper against the garage door…

[Chad_Hugo]

Thank you.

How do you find the rear visibility in the 488, is it good?

The rear+ front camera option cost was 3456 GBP, you could I believe order just the rear (but not just the front) camera.

Retrofitting the Ferrari rear camera and running it through the infotainment system requires the wiring loom to be there on the car which is not always the case, otherwise unfortunately the cost is obscene as other parts are involved. I was quoted 9k!

I would prefer a car with a camera. Odd that so many cars do not have one specified, but do have so many other far less useful options.

[garystoybox]

Never bothered with camera on 458’s or 488, the rear sensors do the job (although still not convinced 100% as there occasionally seem to have a slight delay). Have the rear camera on my 812 and it’s not really great as when you are turning the wheel the image is obscured by your arms. I certainly wouldn’t be put off a car without in the slightest.

[South tdf]

Had front and rear cameras (have put pictures of the display below). They are handy but you need to get used to the image aspect as everything looks really close which just a adds to the nerves when worrying about the front splitter and rear diffuser.

Going again front and rear sensors are enough but would not say no to rear camera but would not be a deal breaker.

[Chad_Hugo]

Thank you that is quite helpful.

Your right from that pic certainly does seem the aspect ratio is a bit different to most cameras I have seen!

[sone]

I’ve had cameras on all my cars, Ferrari’s Lambo’s and even my daily RR. However I don’t actually think I ever use them. Sensors are much more use in my opinion.

[shoes_and_cars]

Definitely recommend a reverse camera if possible! As mentioned, the perspective is rather 'fish eye' so can be a bit misleading but it's definitely reassuring to have the camera as it is quite wide on the rear.

[blueSL]

The front camera is actually hideous, it looks like a black wart on the front of the 488 bumper and a ghastly looking black nipple on the 812. The rear camera is more discrete in both. The front camera was also obscenely expensive as you have found.

I would say the sensors are more important than the camera to be honest, amazing that the rear camera on my Golf R was £250, 6 times that on the Ferraris but of course you only need to avoid one mishap to justify it. A new front bumper on the 488 is £8k, more if it has the carbon insert.

[Chad_Hugo]

Thank you for the feedback to everyone that replied- my take on it so far is that rear camera is nice too have and preferable if possible but not absolutely essential at all.

I think it does also depend a lot on how/where you use the car. Driving and parking regularly in a busy city center you would for sure want lifter/camera. If it's purely a fun, weekend car used in the nice weather from time to time, taken to places where parking is not problematic I'm sure the front/rear sensors should probably be ok?

Can anyone comment on how good the visibility is from the rear window?

[blueSL]

Rear visibility on a 488 is fine but rear quarter visibility is not. If you are at a t-junction and not 90 degrees to the road you are turning on to, you need to position the car so you have a clear view outside through the side windows.

The rear view is through the cabin rear window across the engine bay and out through the glass lid. You do see the engine in the rear view mirror though I expect the bigger engine of the 458 offers an even better view.

This is my 488 in the Elan Valley in Wales…

Edited by blueSL on Tuesday 1st February 15:51

[Chad_Hugo]

Beautiful car.

I am not brave enough to go for red, but looks stunning regardless.

[jdwoodbury]

I would not say it would be ideal breaker if its not on there, its useful but because its positioned low, its wide angle and the display screen is pretty small its only good for observing possible objects in the way. Put it this way its not a precise tool, if I am worried about kerb and such I get the missus to step out and take look while I back in.

[blueSL]

Chad_Hugo said:

Beautiful car.

I am not brave enough to go for red, but looks stunning regardless.

So what colour do you prefer? My F8 Spider is blu corsa which is even less for the shy retiring type!

[Chad_Hugo]

Grigio Silverstone or Nero Daytona as they are two of the most subtle colours (well as subtle as you can get on a V8 Ferrari)

My favorite colour is actually tour de france blu followed by blu pozzi but they are so hard to find in 488 or 458's, especially in the former I don't remember seeing a single high spec low ish miles 488 GTB in either of those colours last year.