458 and an 8.5 hour drive....

[gcpeters]

Hi Everyone

quick check here before my wife officially kills me (as it will be to late by then when we are on route). What is the general feedback on long (500+ mile) journeys in the 458? We have to go from Bristol up to Aberdeen for a long weekend and i am debating taking the 458..... It has the carbon sports seats....

a good part of the journey will be at 90 (kmh of course) - does the exhaust stay closed at that speed? i cant recall...

Secondly (and why she has even a higher chance of being very very unhappy) is that i also have an M5 which would probably be the more sensible choice (but no where near as entertaining!)

thoughts?

Edited by gcpeters on Monday 29th July 12:36

[theRossatron]

I think it would be fine, drove my 488 from Edinburgh to Brands Hatch and its perfectly capable at cruising.

The area the 458 struggles with for everyday driving is at slow speeds around town, isn't quite as smooth and easy going as the 488.

[davek_964]

Years ago, I had to drive up to Newcastle and really wanted to take my 360.

After about 50 miles, I wished I'd taken my Cayenne. Sitting on a motorway in the 360 just seemed...... pointless. Although I understand the temptation to take the 458 (and in your position, I'd be exactly the same) - are you sure you'll enjoy it more than the M5 on that kind of journey?

[gavsdavs]

If you'd like to be on speaking terms with the wife at the end, take the BMW

[Pooh]

No idea about the seat comfort unfortunately but if you have the time I would recommend cutting off at Perth and going via the A93 over Glenshee and down Deeside to Aberdeen or vice-versa on the way back. These are great roads and I have had loads of fun over the years exercising various cars on them.

[abzmike]

Pooh said:

No idea about the seat comfort unfortunately but if you have the time I would recommend cutting off at Perth and going via the A93 over Glenshee and down Deeside to Aberdeen or vice-versa on the way back. These are great roads and I have had loads of fun over the years exercising various cars on them.

This... If it is motorway, A90 take the M5, scenic route north from Perth the 458.

[garystoybox]

Unless you have cruise control I would take the M5. The throttle sensitivity of the 458 on Motorways had me demented on a 20 mile run, trying to maintain a steady speed. A bit better in wet mode which will also quieten the exhaust valves. I always found my two 458’s were a pain over long distance with the short gearing, but a joy ‘round the doors’.

[willy wombat]

I have driven my 458 spider (with wife) to the South of France, to Florence etc etc. No problems but I do have the comfy Daytona seats.

[gcpeters]

abzmike said:

This... If it is motorway, A90 take the M5, scenic route north from Perth the 458.

Thanks for the responses everyone, and your right - the route is going to be (in the M5, or the 458 )

Glasgow, Perth, Glenshee, Bridge of "whatever its called", Ballater, and then round to Aberdeen

does that make the choice harder.... hmmm

[MDL111]

I have done distances longer than that in the 355 and the Scuderia, both were fine (esp at the low speeds you can do in the UK)

[justin220]

gcpeters said:

abzmike said:

This... If it is motorway, A90 take the M5, scenic route north from Perth the 458.

Thanks for the responses everyone, and your right - the route is going to be (in the M5, or the 458 )

Glasgow, Perth, Glenshee, Bridge of "whatever its called", Ballater, and then round to Aberdeen

does that make the choice harder.... hmmm

Makes the choice easier. The Blairgowrie to Braemar Road is probably one of the best in the UK. Take the 458.

I'll post a couple of pics when I get the chance later. I live near Ballater and even the roads around it are great.

[justin220]

Old Military Road - A93 by justinking1986, on Flickr

Old Military Road - A93 by justinking1986, on Flickr

Old Military Road - A93 by justinking1986, on Flickr

[willy wombat]

Cracking road but will the wife let you play or does she act as a speed limiter?

[MrVert]

willy wombat said:

Cracking road but will the wife let you play or does she act as a speed limiter?

I call mine my 'handbrake'

[MrVert]

I've done 5 hours in the 458, carbon seats, perfectly comfortable. However if it's mostly motorways as said above, there's not a lot of point IMO.

It's not as if an M5 is a poor choice

[gcpeters]

Well.....

this could go very badly, but you only live once...

im taking the 458!!

[mickyblue]

Good choice - that's why we have these cars!

I'm planning to do Nordschleife to the Stelvio in one day in September on the way to Monza for the F1 - I also have the carbon seats. I'm curious to see how you get on - and whether I need to book the osteopath (and marriage counsellor) before I set off!

Micky

[abzmike]

One word of warning - sheep... Last time I came south from Braemar I came across one right in the middle of the road just after the crown of a bend. Fencing is not a strong point, especially on the Glenshee to Braemar section.

[Durzel]

willy wombat said:

Cracking road but will the wife let you play or does she act as a speed limiter?

This is the critical point.

Will you enjoy the journey if you're in the 458? Will you be allowed to enjoy it? If you're not sure of the answer to either of those - take the M5.

[MDL111]

Personally would never take an M5 over a 458 unless I need more than 2 seats