Hi dear friends of the forum 😉 I have a few doubts that I would like you to help me clarify. I was just surfing the web for a 458 Spider and I realized only 10% or less of the vehicles don't have sport seats (the nice looking manually operated carbon fiber ones). Most of the cars have the big electric ones and I would like to know why is that? Is it because they are more comfortable so better suited to the relaxing nature of the car ( it's a spider not a coupe) or is it because they are electric aas opposed to the manual sport seats? I always read that actually the sport seats the the most comfortable so I do t get it. And since not even the electric ones are ventilated I'm really not guessing why the majority of the owners opt for the electric seats. Can anyone clarify? Finally is there any difference in components between model year 2010 and 2015, is there anything I should look out for? Like upgraded DCT or roof mechanism etc... Again thank you all so much for the help and support! Paulo
am surprised at the statistic you raise. that is a massive delta. Sport seats are much superior in terms of lateral sport (especially in taking turns at 50+ mph), do not give away anything in comfort, and look much better in my opinion. the value of having sport seats is enormous. I would hold out for however long it took to find the right 458 combination including racing seats. that is just one reason for the massive disparity in 458 pricing. unlike what is often stated re: the value of upgrades/options, option profile is massive and will likely influence aftermarket pricing in greater degrees going forward.
Sport seats or Racing seats are a must in my mind. I think they look better and are game changer for me. The carbon fiber backing is awesome. I wouldn't buy a F car without. With that said, i think the standard seats are a bit more comfortable for me. Thats not to say the racing seats aren't comfortable, in fact they are very comfortable. I love my racing seats!.
Funny thing is I like the Daytona seats with full electric positioning. Maybe because I'm 5'10 ish and 190 lbs. I just couldn't get comfortable in the race seats.. Also the Mrs. is 5 ft nothing she likes the adjustability too. Call me crazy.
The standard or upgraded Daytona seats are okay but the CF race seats are exceptionally good, on or off the track. The standard/Daytona seats are higher, heavier, and give less driving focus. Being more comfortable is a question of the driver's body type. The CF race seats are lower, lighter, manual and look better with CF interior. They are comfortable on or off the track. Since they come in 3 sizes, small, medium, or large, one has to be careful about sizing. I am 5'6", 141 lbs, and fit very comfortably in the large seat. The lateral support is second to none. As compared to the direct competition, the McLaren 12C or 650s, the Ferrari CF seats are far better in performance and aesthetics (more detail and better design). I agree with many here that the CF race seats are a must in the 458. Electric (heated or not) seats are very overrated in sports cars - more weight, fuzzier to operate, bulky. IMHO, every component that goes into a driver focused car like the 458 deserves to have the same consideration. You won't fully feel what a 458 drives like without the CF race seats. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Having owned both I can tell you the full race seats in the 650s Mac are far superior. But for ferrari, the cf race seats are better than Daytona in support and looks.
First let me start with the easiest question you raise. The first spiders came to America in late 2012 model year. So, don't worry about model years 2010 and 2011. They don't exist. I am unaware of any changes to anything from 2013 (my year spider) through 2015 in terms of parts that matter. Meaning short of software updates that are ongoing, the cars are the same from what my uber tech at the local Ferrari dealer tells me. The seat issue has been beaten to death in numerous threads. I HAD the daytona option in my Italia and HAVE the race seat in my spider. Briefly, the daytona seat is the standard seat with just a different stitch pattern. Diamond stitch is the other optional stitching. To the standard seat (with any stitch pattern) you can add power or full power option. The latter adds inflatable bolsters and heating. Because it has smaller side bolsters vs the race seat, and a "flatter" bottom, it is very easy for ingress/egress. It definitely sits higher. If you are tall and any track days are planned, you may not get comfortable with how you have to recline the seat to accommodate your helmet. Weight is more, but gas in the car, your personal body weight are also variables so I doubt it means anything for performance. Despite the theoretical issue. The head rest was also an issue for me on the standard seat. Because it protrudes so much (neck safety for whiplash) I could never get the seat back in the right vertical position where I needed it and not have my head pushed forward. The race seat which I love still has its drawbacks. Unless you have a late model 2014 on (?) that had the adjuster, seat height is fixed. It is usually only adjustable via side bolts. It is not something done on the fly. 20-30 minutes by a trained tech. The passenger side seat is literally on the floor with no adjustments. So, passenger has legs straight out. Therefore, not ideal for really short people (due to seat height) or tall people (due to lack of angle to thigh bolster) or for any long journeys. Yes you can put a pillow under the passenger's thighs to help with comfort. Just an FYI as everyone forgets the passenger seat drawback. If I ever buy another F-car ( I have had 5) it will definitely have the race seat. Glad to hear my spider is "rare" because of this option! Best
Can anyone comment on experience with wearing a helmet (on track days) in the standard seat due to the angle and size of the headrest and/or height of the electric seat?
Track days in my 458 Italia coupe with Daytona seats...not good. I'm 6'1" and had to hunch down all day. Was pretty disappointed to tell the truth. I didn't track the Speciale but seat was lower for sure.
Thank you all so much for the comments and valuable insight. Also another possible reason for the comfort seats apparent choice is the fact that they can be heated and the racing seats cannot. I was completely oblivious to the sport seats passenger problem too....I wonder what my wife will say to : hey, just sit down and don't move ahah 😄
I hate the standard seats in the 458 Speciale. The lumbar area has zero cushioning and hit my back at exactly the wrong spot. It gave me a backache for a week after I drove the car. I replaced them with Enzo seats in my red Speciale, and Challenge Stradale seats in my grey Speciale. Problem solved. The Enzo and CS seats are absolutely fantastic. Great lateral support. Much more cushioning than the factory Speciale seats. And they sit about an inch or so lower as well.
Teka, I have on my 2015 spider the daytona seat and I find it perfectly,class and beautiful, I find the seats Standard Daytona sports are more aligned and in adequacy with the model,despite the higher price than racing With a spider we driving GT and little spider make the circuit, they are very comfortable for long trips and very good support if you want a sports road. The racing seats are beautiful but ideal for a Speciale or Italia.Look more Race. Advise for circuit day The finish of the racing carbon seats decided on my choice. the rail vision on the carpet padding and low are not in agreement with such GT 458 spider In electric seats with full controls are cleaner and class to finish level of the 458 Spider. Nothing to do with the price as the full electric seats and daytona cost more expensive than carbon racing. I also understand the choice of most of the US Ferrari 458 Spider not release because of the price but because of the design and look more in keeping with the sporty GT spider For spider and the statistics confirm ,I can only advise to buy a model with this standard sport Seat with or without Daytona option. Good Choise Teka
Absolutely right, even more so with actual bucket seats!! I would say my internal cabin volume has increased at least 5% - 10% best
2012 and newer model years have upgraded software, lost some of the exhaust pops and gurgles but have a 7 year free maintenance. Racing seats are more comfortable but are an added option for additional cost so that's why more have the standard seats (less comfortable and less attractive). Get the LED steering wheel!!!!
Thank you all for the inputs By the way I've heard that models before have a different suspension. A bit harder. Is it like the Italia? This upgrade to the 2012 models is just software or its hardware too? Again thank you all
The "race seat" as it is known has a rake adjustment. There is a knob on the bottom of the seat back for this. Height can only be adjusted by a dealer or a semi proficient back yard person. Later models had extra cost option of manual seat lifter. Passenger seat has no ability to be raised or lowered. I guess fabricating a new mounting bracket might be possible. I am not recommending nor have ever seen this done. Best
I've done this and it wasn't good. However - I tried a 458 with race seats at the same time and the height difference wasn't noticeable to me.
You mentioned they’re LOWER. Is this true, and if so, how much? The reason I ask is because, at 6’1’’, I’m sitting way too high with my Daytona seats. I bought my 458 spider about a month ago and I was surprised by this. I also drive a GT3 with sports seats (the middle between comfort and buckets) and I sit much lower. To me this is quite important for the driving experience and if the CF race seats offer a lower seating position, I’d really want to consider them. Thx in advance.