Looking at 458, some questions...

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

Looking at a 458 from Ferrari, still can't decide on colour, its a choice of black, red or yellow, any advice here?

Car is a 2011 car with 14k miles and reckon I can get it around 135k.
It has buckets, carbon interior/wheel
satnav
tracker
Forged wheels

Front disc wear is 7%, rear is 9% (assume rear wears more due to traction control?)

Car has had 4 owners. 2yr warranty, set of new PS4S fitted all round.

Worrying things are, it has no lift but Ferrari advice is should be fine as the 458 sits higher than competing cars such as Huracan and GT3.


Well priced, or should I be pushing for lower, lastly should black be avoided or is it a good colour or should I stick with classic red or go more daring and get a yellow one.......

Can you get a clutch wear report on 458 or was that only on the older F1 gear boxes?

[Gibbo205]

MrVert said:

Prices have dropped, you'd have been paying 145-150k for that 6 months ago, however there is a feeling prices may be slightly squeezed further so there may be a deal to be had.

Sounds like the perfect spec, I didn't have nor need lift in two years and 4k miles. It does sit higher at the front so it shouldn't be a problem unless you have a steep entry point to your driveway.

Black suits the car brilliantly, however like all black cars keeping it looking good is a PITA...plus check for swirl marks as black is terrible for showing them..

I had a Grigio Silverstone one (see profile) which looked fab and different depending on light conditions however it's a little subdued for many.

I wanted a yellow one but there were none for sale when I was looking. Looks absolutely fab in Giallo, however you will probably have to pay more...or possibly compromise on mileage / spec.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I do like that car, but I feel they are gambling on the colour regarding price.

Spec wise its no better than one I am looking out, its just yellow and registered later so younger and has some service pack left, not sure the yellow is worth the 20k plus premium over the black one which arguably has nicer wheels too.

Maybe I shall try and squeeze the black one down to 130k, they can only say no.

[Gibbo205]

MrVert said:

You're right...it's lovely but not at 20k more. Service pack is indeed very handy to have, I didn't spend a penny on servicing, or anything actually, in two years. However if you're negotiating hard this will go some way towards servicing costs

One more thing....definitely get one with bucket seats, I found them very comfortable on long journeys and you sit lower in the car. They're the best seats I've had in any car and look beautiful.

Already decided on buckets, I found them comfier than the regular seats plus they are like around 20kg lighter per seat, combined with forged wheels your talking pretty much 50kg weight saving.

One last question, I assume the 458 just has a regular AGM or acid battery, so should it fail a replacement can be had from Halfords for around £200 and not £3000 like Mclaren charge for a battery?

[Gibbo205]

garystoybox said:

Surprised that people think prices have softened; they most definitely haven’t for Rosso Corsa cars with black interiors. I sold my 2012, 14k with standard full electric seats, no carbon (apart from the wheel) back to main dealer end December for £133k. They sold the car within 4 days for £147k. Black, yellow, Grigio, Scuderia are in significantly less demand and priced accordingly.
If anything prices have firmed and there are very few 2012 onwards Rosso cars on the market.

Is Rosso the deep metallic red? If so lovely colour and yeah don't see many for sale, quote a few flat bright red cars for sale, but I'd rather black or yellow over regular red, but Rosso red I think would be easy if thats the deep metallic red.

[Gibbo205]

W4NTED said:

Is this car at Stratstone Manchester? Its been unsold for over 8 months now - fk knows why!

Yep that is it, that is good for thought. Has it always been up at 139k, maybe just asking too much?
It seemed to drive fine.

[Gibbo205]

Taffy66 said:

I bought a 458 Italia just before Xmas.Its a late 2011 car in Grigio Silverstone and Nero roof and mirrors with 17K miles..I did about a year's research to find my ideal spec as they vary enormously..The standard stereo is awful so the JBL Hi-Fi is very desirable IMO..Its also a wide car so the optional folding mirrors are essential and to a lesser extent the Photochromatic mirrors which can be switched off.
Make sure its got the Alcantara/leather headlining as the standard fabric looks less than classy..
The 458 underwent a software and suspension upgrade about the same time the 7 year free service plan was introduced which was sometime middle 2011..Cars after this date are more sought after and should command a premium.
Nero Daytona was one of the most common colours on the 458 which should mean a bigger choice although they seem to sell for less money compared to Red or GS.

Good to know.
This is a 2011 car, but I think it is before the change as sales guy informed me its running the older ECU or engine tune as its very noticeable from a noise perspective being quite a bit louder and more pops/gurgles on over run, he said in 2012 onward they tamed that down a little.

Also said 2012 newer had different brake setup as i commented on long pedal and he said in 2012 onwards they made them feel more assisted.

Would be good to know more about the suspension upgrade though, what was changed?

[Gibbo205]

Thanks guys

Its car at Gray Paul Edinburgh, they only just got it so its yet to go through their 190 check and to have major service completed.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

You can see the car is a bit bland, silver wheels, silver calipers and all black interior but otherwise good spec or so I think, others care to comment?

Here is the video:
https://video.citnow.com/vtKVP1Bq3LS

In the video the bonnet looks uneven across front, maybe just latch? I shall call tomorrow and also ask, might just be camera angles and lighting playing tricks.


After some negotiation, agreed on 135k along with carbon lower centre retrofitted, calipers painted yellow, PS4S fitted all around with 190 check, major service and 2yr power warranty.

Anything scream out to anyone as anything wrong with colour, I found 6 owners a bit alarming should I be worried?

With yellow calipers and full paint correction should end up looking like this:
https://www.bramley.com/carsales/details/Ferrari/4...


Was not as keen on a tradition red, but this Rosso Fuoco colour is fabulous and seems a little rarer.

[Gibbo205]

Taffy66 said:

Rosso Fuoco is Ferrari's nicest red and much deeper and classier than the default Rosso Corsa..That's a beautiful specced 458 IMO with low miles and great value at £135K compared to others i've seen advertised.
My 61 plate 458 i bought recently also had 6 previous owners which is pretty normal for Ferraris so absolutely no source of concern.

Edited by Taffy66 on Wednesday 13th February 20:08

Thank you that is good to know.

[Gibbo205]

Hi there


So I drove a 2012 Black Nero just, with full leather black nero with yellow contrast and every carbon extra. This was a post 2012 car so had all the updates and I could feel every single one:

Brakes: 2012 more assisted, more confidence inspiring, 2010 car much longer pedal, takes time to re-adjust, very much like a GT3! Post 2012 wins here!
Engine noise: 2012 one was actually civilised and quiet, it really made the car well feel more like a normal car, this was not enjoyed, car felt not as urgent at upper RPM, it just felt smooth, guess they maybe tweaked power curves. Pre 2012 wins here!
Gearbox: Much smoother, maybe placebo but maybe a tad quicker and it was certainly holding positive energy in the post 2012 car, even upshifting whilst pootling along in race mode the car was inertia shifting, both good and bad. In race mode it however was not as harsh when you really gave it some and felt more artificial. I'd rate them even here, but again the pre 2012 software makes the car more an event, because in race mode with lights on dash it felt harsher and just more race car.
Suspension: Post 2012 car makes a bigger difference on bumpy road button, much softer, in short like driving a Mondeo soft, just soaked it all up, it goes from firm to soft, whereas pre 2012 car goes from firm to a touch less firmer. For whatever reason either mag ride updates or the tyres on car (super sports) the car felt a bit nervous to me, I had a lot more confidence in the pre 2012 car, but maybe that is MPSS vs PS4S, the pre 2012 car was on near new PS4S, whereas this post 2012 was on 4-5mm super sports, but saying that my M3 is on 4-5yr old super sports they give huge confidence.


In short 2010/11 car was more of an event to drive and still more than comfy enough in auto/bumpy road mode. The 2012 car felt modernised and if anything less Ferrari, less bespoke, it was still awesome but dare I say this it felt more like Huracan in drive train, too accomplished, too artificial and the handling was a tad nervous.

In short I prefer 2010/11 car for sure.

But seeing another black car really throws a spanner in the works, I seriously cannot get over how bloody amazing they look in black, they are simply things of beauty. All being well I am catching train to Scotland Monday to inspect the red one and if all goes well finalise the deal, but for sure the older model I prefer, it feels more mechanical in its nature and more an event.

Driving a 2014 yellow tomorrow so shall be interesting to see how it compares to 2012 but as far as I know all the updates came in 2012 that impacted how the cars drive, only other update was speed display on both screen in 2011.