Lowering the 458 Italia?

There are so called 'experts' everywhere my friend.

 

There certainly are.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Ah, that's VERY interesting! I wouldn't want to know about this when it's too late!

 

Maybe a good thing. They'll have less of the 'collapsed suspension' look about them.

 

Your cars are Gorgeous!

 

Kuzi whats the gap between your tyre and arch on the front and rear?

 

The dealership in Singapore refuse to lower my 458 and mentioned it will void the warranty. I really don't like the current set up. Can you please let me know what was done to your car, ie how much was lowered on front and rear and how they did it. ie , any parts used etc. Thanks

 

So is anyone going to post some instruction or photos of how their 458 was lowered? Or is it as easy as aftermarket coilover suspension where you just turn the two dials to lower them?

And does anyone have the alignment specification for the 458 and recommend specification for AFTER lowering?

I do find my 458 front looking like a 4wd at times.. its embarassing. Go figure

 

My car is being lowered Monday as it has gone through PDI. Going to pay for it today. If I can squeeze it into my schedule, I will go to service and ask if I can take some pics during the process. If not I'll get at least a before and after shots.

As of now it's $1,200 and requires no parts. Labor and alignment.

Side note. I did ask about an after market exhaust and that answer was no... It voids the warranty.

Rb

 

Do you get a choice of how low you want to go, or is it just a case of up or down?

 

I requested 1" clearance all around. I know they said there was a limit to how low you could go to maintain safety but don't know that actual number.

Hope this kinda answers your q.

Rb

 

LEAVE THE THING ALONE

 

Lowering the 458 is a relatively simple job, plus the alignment. You can choose to set it at any reasonable height, allowing adequate clearance for the suspension movement. Friend of mine has his lowered, looks great. I would recommend from 10-20 mm lowering, all the way around, preserving the OEM rake between front and rear axle to maintain aero balance. BTW, $1200 sounds like a lot for what should take an experienced tech 4 hours or so to perform. Best.

 

I totally agree with you. I got a quote for $600 from a quality Ferrari mechanic BUT I want the factory service center to do it so there are NO warranty issues. That's cheap insurance in my opinion. Just wrote the biggest check in my life for a car to the dealership but its paid for and they can go to work on it Monday. They are going 20 in the rear and 25 in front. Im hoping to be driving it Tuesday.

Thanks for the advice!

Rb

 

do you have the lift kit?

 

I did not order the lift kit.

Rb

 

Robert:

Do you know if the car can be lowered with the Lift option, and how it would affect the functionality of the option.

 

Arnie,
I was told that the lifter scenario was different than non lifter. I don't have the lifter so I didn't inquire about it.

I can't wait to bring the new toy home. I'll give you a heads up when I get it!

Rb

 

Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

 

i was told today i can get around 20mm lowering on the front with the lift kit.

i'll post a pic of before and after next week.

 

Aftermarket exhaust should not void the warranty, Ferrari would have to prove it is the cause of the failure of some other part to be able to void the warranty.

 

My car is finally lowered as it did require some parts to be ordered and they took a little while due to weather in NY. It looks amazing! In my opinion a must as the stock US car looks high. I have not driven it yet as it was flat bed to its next destination (Premier Motorsport) to have the skid plate installed, wheels painted and some other cosmetic requests done.

The total was $1,526. $1,000 labor and $480 parts + tax. It was lowered about an 1.25 on the front left corner and 1.5 on the right. The difference is for driver weight. The rear was ~3/4"

I can't say enough good things about the dealership... the care, workmanship and detail is worthy of the brand!

I will give some driving feedback late next week when I get the car back.

Cheers,

Rb
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Looks fantastic Robert!!!

 

I'm getting my car with the lift kit also and plan on lowering it. Looking forward to seeing your before and after pics.

 

that really does look awesome!
however, i used to like lowered cars but living where the roads are crap and i do a lot of aggressive mountain driving that bottoms the suspension out on every corner i found the stock 458 height perfect for my needs.
it doesnt scrape when i take it to my limits compared to any other stock height new Fcar. So im not lowering it.
Thus far i have yet to scrape anything which i cant say for my others.
but love looking at urs though, its a good thing i cant see mine when im sitting in it.