I really liked my 458 spider... except for the cowl shake. Something you would expect from a $40K "sporty" car.
Simon, Thanks for the insight. Your experience actually makes sense; the RR Phantom is among the stiffest cars in the world in sedan form, so one would also assume that the drop head is rigid as well. For comparison sake, the RR Phantom (fixed roof) rates at 40,500 NM of torque per degree of deflection. The 360 Spider: 8,500 NM. Carrera GT: 26,000. I couldn't find numbers for the 458 spider.
These are the exact reasons I've never considered a convertible in the past (plus the worry of taking a direct hit from a seagull with no bowel control!). And I've never liked the way the soft tops look when they are up on mid-engine sports cars; 430 Spider and Gallardo convertible are gorgeous...until the top comes up. Then to me they just look odd. That is, until I started researching the 12c Spider. Have only driven the coupe, but if what is said regarding no loss of stiffness is true, then I will consider the Spider. I do love the looks of both the 458 and 12c, in coupe and Spider version with the hardtop up or down. It's a pity that with the additional reinforcement (and weight!) the 458 Spider still exhibits considerable cowel shake. And my concern would be that over time, more looseness and rattling will surface.
I posted several times about a year ago in regards to this phenomenon in my '13 spider. All you could hear were crickets. Nobody seemed to notice it. Now, it is becoming evident to many. Having said that, it is interesting to note that the new 4 series BMW and Audi A/S/RS 5 cabs have all been dinged for scuttle shake. More than previous generations. Not sure if suspensions are "torqueing" chassis more and highlighting structural loss. It seems odd that all these cars with increased rigidity over their predecessors are experiencing it more. Additionally, even though Ferrari swears no structural difference with roof up, my car is fantastic in this configuration. Due to freezing temps I have had roof up last few weeks. Started to really love a car I have thought of selling after most drives. Today, it got up to nearly 60 so I dropped the top. It was 1970 all over again. How the car changes so much with roof stowed is beyond me. Best
Do manufacturers have to measure torsional rigidity roof down or in the case of a folding metal roof can they gain a better, but perhaps misleading, result by doing it roof up?
I own a 12C spider and have a good friend who has a F458 spider. Having Driven them back to back, the F458 does have significant cowl shake. If you are OCD then it will bother you more and more. If you aren't then you will get used to the F458 with time. You wanna feel REAL cowl shake, try my NSX- Targa or a C6 Targa! They suck!!
I could not stand the 458 spyder cowl shake. I suffered through it for 2,000 miles on twisty/bumpy CA roads (in bumpy mode!) and finally drove it straight to the McLaren dealer. The 458 coupe was great but the spyder is simply awful. I think the car simply weighs too much for the aluminum frame design.
i must be blessed with a good one because mine doesn't exhibit the condition you are referring to,or maybe the roads here in Michigan are less prone to cause it
I seriously doubt that. Your OCD meter or Butt meter isn't set as high as others. Nothing wrong with that.
I've got a 12C Spider, but I'm starting to feel sorry for the poor old 458 Spider here. This is a Ferrari board after all guys....
But the 458 has so much more soul, drama, presence, and well, you know, it's just clearly the best. I mean, well, if you can only have one . . . .
yeah, i really miss the soul, drama, presence but mostly i miss the orange peel paint finish...i love the wrinkle in a good paint job, reminds me of some great Italian paintings....
He-he, but it does, it very much does ... the sound, the linear acceleration, the sexy looks, it does make my day every day I drive it. (sorry I must be too blind I don't see any orange peel, next time I will inspect with a magnifying glass The best? depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking to be the fastest, probably not the best. If you're looking for fun, then probably the best.
The 430 spider was stiffer than my 360 spider. Either had as stiff of a structure as the porsche 991S or 981S have. When I drove the 458spider, I thought it was slightly stiffer than the 430 spider but perhaps just a slight notch down from the porsches. I will be test driving the both the new C7 convertible and the 12c spider in the near future. I am a convertible , wind in the hair guy but the cowl shake does bother me. Topless and stiff are a good combination.
Well... you're right! It does. It just shakes more. Actually F430 has more "soul" and drama than 458-- and a lot more than 12c.
LOL! I too suffer from a roasted forehead / limbs from time to time! I'll always 'screen up for a day at the beach, but never before a drive. Go figure! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
