458 Speciale advice?

458 Speciale advice?

Author
Discussion

Phil74891

Original Poster:

1,067 posts

133 months

Saturday 21st June 2014
quotequote all
I'm seriously looking at ordering one of these for a spring 2015 delivery, when I return to the UK after working abroad for a number of years.

Can anyone in the know recommend a good dealer? Could be anywhere in England. (PM if appropriate).

Also, what are considered to be the must have options? The car seems to be very well specced to start with. I would aim to keep the car for the very long term, so would want it to be right, but I wouldn't go nuts for the sake of it. Would be nice to hear from some owners before I listen to the dealers!

Any help appreciated.

johnnyreggae

2,940 posts

160 months

Saturday 21st June 2014
quotequote all
Read some of the recent threads about Speciale to get an idea of options etc

But you may not find any dealer with enough allocation to give an unknown customer a nine month delivery time

ajr550

489 posts

124 months

Saturday 21st June 2014
quotequote all
Phil,I've had mine for 3 months now.Don't give it a second thought just order.The car is brilliant !
Mine is a long term keeper and I added very little because a)it is well specced as standard and b)the factory worked hard to reduce weight and most options add it back on again.
Stripe is about £7k and is a matter of taste.I went without.
Harnesses suit car and are easy to use.I've not had them before but am now a fan and am glad I added.
I also specced a fire extinguisher for Track Days.This could be done much cheaper as a non factory option but I went with factory option.
I enquired about roll bar at factory but was told that it was purely cosmetic and added weight so did not spec.
If you want sat nav and stereo up to you.I put neither in.Telemetry kit was more tempting but I am not a regular and serious track day driver so did not add.
Main cosmetic on interior to consider is headliner.Standard is same fabric and colour as seat inserts which in my case would have been red.Along with the rest of the group at the factory I was with I thought this reflected a bit too much and was distracting so specced black alcantara which I'm really pleased with.
I was told I should seriously consider a suspension lifter if I was going to drive anywhere with speed bumps regularly.I did not because it adds a lot of weight.Having driven the car in various stuations I don't think it is necessary.
Lots of carbon fibre options that can add quite a lot of cost.I added a carbon fibre engine bay and rear diffuser.
Paint protection can be specced but can be done much cheaper in UK and I'm told factory option has prancing horse logos on it which sounds hideous IMHO.
All in car came in at about £220k.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything I added but covers most important items.
I thought about each option carefully so feel free to post any other questions.
I used Carrs in Exeter who were excellent.Availability seems difficult at present though especially if you don't add much.Read other Speciale threads.I had no such problems but had been wanting the car for years so was lucky to be at top of list.




Phil74891

Original Poster:

1,067 posts

133 months

Saturday 21st June 2014
quotequote all
ajr550 said:
Phil,I've had mine for 3 months now.Don't give it a second thought just order.The car is brilliant !
Mine is a long term keeper and I added very little because a)it is well specced as standard and b)the factory worked hard to reduce weight and most options add it back on again.
Stripe is about £7k and is a matter of taste.I went without.
Harnesses suit car and are easy to use.I've not had them before but am now a fan and am glad I added.
I also specced a fire extinguisher for Track Days.This could be done much cheaper as a non factory option but I went with factory option.
I enquired about roll bar at factory but was told that it was purely cosmetic and added weight so did not spec.
If you want sat nav and stereo up to you.I put neither in.Telemetry kit was more tempting but I am not a regular and serious track day driver so did not add.
Main cosmetic on interior to consider is headliner.Standard is same fabric and colour as seat inserts which in my case would have been red.Along with the rest of the group at the factory I was with I thought this reflected a bit too much and was distracting so specced black alcantara which I'm really pleased with.
I was told I should seriously consider a suspension lifter if I was going to drive anywhere with speed bumps regularly.I did not because it adds a lot of weight.Having driven the car in various stuations I don't think it is necessary.
Lots of carbon fibre options that can add quite a lot of cost.I added a carbon fibre engine bay and rear diffuser.
Paint protection can be specced but can be done much cheaper in UK and I'm told factory option has prancing horse logos on it which sounds hideous IMHO.
All in car came in at about £220k.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything I added but covers most important items.
I thought about each option carefully so feel free to post any other questions.
I used Carrs in Exeter who were excellent.Availability seems difficult at present though especially if you don't add much.Read other Speciale threads.I had no such problems but had been wanting the car for years so was lucky to be at top of list.
Thanks for your excellent response! Your car sounds very similar to what I have worked out so far. I currently drive a Vantage V8S and am constantly worried about taking out the C/F splitter on a speed bump. No issues yet, so will need to compare the heights and angles of that with the Speciale before deciding on the lifter. I agree with you re adding back all the weight with options. Seems the biggest issue will be getting an order slot, particularly as I have no Ferrari history, nor a desire to spec it up to 250k. I am patient though, so hopefully I'll be able to work something out. Thanks again for taking the time.

ajr550

489 posts

124 months

Saturday 21st June 2014
quotequote all
Also worth reading current EVO especially spec that factory brought along for Speciale track test.

APOLO1

5,256 posts

194 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
ajr550 said:
Phil,I've had mine for 3 months now.Don't give it a second thought just order.The car is brilliant !
Mine is a long term keeper and I added very little because a)it is well specced as standard and b)the factory worked hard to reduce weight and most options add it back on again.
Stripe is about £7k and is a matter of taste.I went without.
Harnesses suit car and are easy to use.I've not had them before but am now a fan and am glad I added.
I also specced a fire extinguisher for Track Days.This could be done much cheaper as a non factory option but I went with factory option.
I enquired about roll bar at factory but was told that it was purely cosmetic and added weight so did not spec.
If you want sat nav and stereo up to you.I put neither in.Telemetry kit was more tempting but I am not a regular and serious track day driver so did not add.
Main cosmetic on interior to consider is headliner.Standard is same fabric and colour as seat inserts which in my case would have been red.Along with the rest of the group at the factory I was with I thought this reflected a bit too much and was distracting so specced black alcantara which I'm really pleased with.
I was told I should seriously consider a suspension lifter if I was going to drive anywhere with speed bumps regularly.I did not because it adds a lot of weight.Having driven the car in various stuations I don't think it is necessary.
Lots of carbon fibre options that can add quite a lot of cost.I added a carbon fibre engine bay and rear diffuser.
Paint protection can be specced but can be done much cheaper in UK and I'm told factory option has prancing horse logos on it which sounds hideous IMHO.
All in car came in at about £220k.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything I added but covers most important items.
I thought about each option carefully so feel free to post any other questions.
I used Carrs in Exeter who were excellent.Availability seems difficult at present though especially if you don't add much.Read other Speciale threads.I had no such problems but had been wanting the car for years so was lucky to be at top of list.
respectfully, how did they allow you to spec your car below the 250k...? even more so for an early car

ajr550

489 posts

124 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
APOLO1 said:
respectfully, how did they allow you to spec your car below the 250k...? even more so for an early car
It was never raised as an issue and no pressure put on me to add anything.Having said that I had put an expression of interest in a long time before car was officially announced on the assumption Ferrari would follow normal model progression.

Phil74891

Original Poster:

1,067 posts

133 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
ajr550 said:
Also worth reading current EVO especially spec that factory brought along for Speciale track test.
Thanks AJR, downloaded and read. More support for not adding back the weight! Looking at the car in the track test, I'm not a massive fan of Alcantara, except for maybe headlining, so may have to go leather for the dash etc.

I've emailed two dealers I'll be passing by in a couple of weeks time. Let's see if I get a response.

boxerTen

501 posts

204 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
ajr550 said:
I enquired about roll bar at factory but was told that it was purely cosmetic and added weight so did not spec.
...
I was told I should seriously consider a suspension lifter if I was going to drive anywhere with speed bumps regularly.I did not because it adds a lot of weight.Having driven the car in various stuations I don't think it is necessary.
Very interesting comments, particularly with regard to the lifting system which seemed a sensible option, but if its heavy ... . The cosmetic roll bar I had suspected - couldn't see any bracing in the only picture I've seen.

Do you have an idea how much weight is cut if the carbon fibre rear diffuser is specced? Similarly the sills?

giggle

1,952 posts

245 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
Phil74891 said:
Thanks AJR, downloaded and read. More support for not adding back the weight! Looking at the car in the track test, I'm not a massive fan of Alcantara, except for maybe headlining, so may have to go leather for the dash etc.
NO!!! Don't do it on a Speciale. Leather?!?
Just does not work on any lightweight car.
I always cringe when I see 430 Scuderias with leather.. Nasty.

Hey, its all just opinion but I do think you should find a way to appreciate Alcantara if your'e going into a speciale smile


Edited by giggle on Monday 7th July 18:53

Phil74891

Original Poster:

1,067 posts

133 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
giggle said:
NO!!! Don't do it on a Speciale. Leather?!?
Just does not work on any lightweight car.
I always cringe when I see 430 Scuderias with leather.. Nasty.

Hey, its all just opinion but I do think you should find a way to appreciate Alcantara if your going into a speciale smile
I hear you Giggle! Will need to give it some thought........smile

ajr550

489 posts

124 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
For what it's worth I agree with Giggle.Don't think leather suits car but it is all personal taste,no real right or wrong.
When deciding on headliner the seat insert technical fabric in black was an alternative to alcantara if you want to use as little of that material as possible..

APOLO1

5,256 posts

194 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
ajr550 said:
APOLO1 said:
respectfully, how did they allow you to spec your car below the 250k...? even more so for an early car
It was never raised as an issue and no pressure put on me to add anything.Having said that I had put an expression of interest in a long time before car was officially announced on the assumption Ferrari would follow normal model progression.
You are very lucky, including myself, I know of another 4 on here, that all wanted early cars, only to be told that if the build price did not come to 250k or more, the car would just get pushed back to the end of the pack, to quote, " may not get built at all"

ajr550

489 posts

124 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
Interesting.Might be a factor that I specced at Factory at the launch.Dealer arranged trip and was there when options chosen but no pressure just a sensible discussion about pros and cons of each item.Guy who runs studio there was very knowledgeable (as he should be but not always the case)and enthusiastically bought into the whole lightweight approach.In answer to previous post he was able to tell me exactly what each option added or subtracted to total weight. I found the whole experience fantastic and can't wait to do it again if I can ever afford it !

boxerTen

501 posts

204 months

Sunday 22nd June 2014
quotequote all
ajr550 said:
In answer to previous post he was able to tell me exactly what each option added or subtracted to total weight. I found the whole experience fantastic and can't wait to do it again if I can ever afford it !
I shall interrogate salesman on weights of various options! I am definitely a fan of light weight - am envious of the 458 Challenge whose dry weight is 70kg lower still. Normally I wouldn't consider buying new - but the way prices are going at the moment there may not be much depreciation at all, particularly if the Speciale turns out to be the last of the n/a lineage.

Stevo458

7 posts

151 months

Monday 30th June 2014
quotequote all
Definitely leather which comes with red mesh inserts. Alcantara does not wear well. Mine has arrived spec is red no stripes interior is wicked with red stitching red roof lining . Outside red calipers gold wheels which is pure historic ferrari

Car looks so different to 458 Italian i have just sold!!!!!

Also drove hurracan and advent adore last week not a patch on 458

Jonty355

4,423 posts

213 months

Monday 30th June 2014
quotequote all
I've just driven a 458 Speciale on track today.


That car is amazing! I've never known a road car have the precise turn in as that! Its an astonishly good car. If you can afford one, buy one!

Phil74891

Original Poster:

1,067 posts

133 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
quotequote all
Test drive booked for Thursday. More after then........

Camlet

1,132 posts

149 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
quotequote all
APOLO1 said:
ajr550 said:
APOLO1 said:
respectfully, how did they allow you to spec your car below the 250k...? even more so for an early car
It was never raised as an issue and no pressure put on me to add anything.Having said that I had put an expression of interest in a long time before car was officially announced on the assumption Ferrari would follow normal model progression.
You are very lucky, including myself, I know of another 4 on here, that all wanted early cars, only to be told that if the build price did not come to 250k or more, the car would just get pushed back to the end of the pack, to quote, " may not get built at all"
Mine has just gone Red10 so in production biggrin. Reviews have only raised expectation. EVO review makes a very compelling case for. I'm looking forward to seeing it in my spec of TDF with white NART. No dreaded yellow calipers wink went black, carbon wheel centres, carbon everywhere else except sides, charcoal alcantara, nero tex seat centre, silver seat cavallino rampante, nero alcantara dash top, no stitching to limit windscreen reflections. I've included lift, why wouldn't you. I only added what I wanted and my spec easily hit the numbers mentioned so not sure it matters either way. Ferrari at the top of its game.

Edited by Camlet on Tuesday 1st July 09:34


Edited by Camlet on Tuesday 1st July 09:35

neil-f

1,647 posts

207 months

Tuesday 1st July 2014
quotequote all
Leather adds a lot of weight, if you hold a section of alcantara in one hand and leather in the other the difference is considerable!
Does anyone have the weight for the Radio + Navi system ( I suspect this is heavy)?
This is the one option I am still undecided about.