458 Looking at a 2011 Italia. Any pointers?

Hi KC,

As far as I know, the only thing that changed in 2012 is that from that point onwards, owners get 7 years “free” maintenance, and a newer software version that eliminates backfire/crackles/pops on deceleration.

Other than that (guys please correct me if I’m wrong and/or missing something), 458 production remained basically the same (or in terms of mechanics, electronics, wiring, etc: exactly the same).

I have not seen any evidence to support that pre-2011 cars are more or less prone to mechanical issues/transmission issues/braking issues than post-2012 cars.

I’ve seen post-2012 458s and F12s with gearbox speed sensor issues as well. It seems the issue lies with Getrag. I’ve also seen spectacular 488 braking issues and the car was released much later than 2011.

Most transmission problems occured on Californias. That seems the model most affected by the issue, not the 458, although I guess it can happen to any Ferrari with a Getrag gearbox, regardless of year of manufacture.

You’re coming from a Modena. Prepare to be dazzled by a brave and wonderful new world, my friend. You’ll adore the 458, I guarantee it!

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

if you search "buying" "looking" in 458 section you will see dozens and dozens of posts exactly same as your question....

 

fwiw any of the post 2010 models have nuclear risks - new lussos are showing the PTU issue which is a 40k fix. i has 2 2010 458s and no issues but because i have alot of cars i really dont put many miles on mine. nothing wrong with a 2010 or 2011. 7 yr maintenance is fading out now that is gonna be 2020 soon and honestly the annual maintenance plan is basically an oil change so anyone who targets cars with 7 yr is just making things more complicated. Again its 7 yr maintenance and NOT 7 year warranty.

 

I bought a 2010 458 new...it's been flawless. Not one issue. I mean the paint sucked from the factory and my detailer spent 2 days fixing it. But mechanically it's been spot on.

 

I assume that you have read about electronic issues and the apparent correlation with oem batteries. Seems like that is relatively easy fix for an electronic problem that i wouldnt have come up with if i hadnt looked at this forum. RayJohn seems to have a ton of experience with ferrari quirks like this and 488.

Sent from my SM-N920V using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

i have a late 2010 for 2 years now, no problems. sticky buttons yes which i sent out to get refinished. my left screen turned green once, but restarted and it went away. Put in a new battery and tpms. Shifts fine. Put 5k miles on it so far. No issues *knock on wood*
with 458 i think it'***** and miss, there are issues here and there but doesnt affect every car

 

Happy to tell you I have a 2011 458 with 10K miles. Zero problems. As good or better than when I first bought it. Of course, regular service, etc.

 

Ken,

Although I’m not addressing your question directly, I enjoy your input very much and I hope this helps:

When looking for a pre owned 458, a lot of people elect mileage as their chief concern. That may actually make some sense if you buy the car but are planning to resale it in the short term.

Assuming that’s not your case, that is, that you’re buying to enjoy and not to resell in the foreseeable future, I wouldn’t get tangled in questions of mileage and/or year of manufacture. Why wouldn’t I:

1) These post-2008 Ferraris aren’t the heavy, complicated, hard on your body machines that 308s, Mondials or 348s used to be. They’re so easy and pleasant to drive casually and on the limit, that these cars will rack up significant more mileage than older Ferrari models, and components of modern Ferraris (namely engine) is much better prepared to deal with mileage. 50.000km on a 308 is one thing, on a 458 or 488 quite another.

2) Low mileage cars mean garage queens which, in turn, mean potential hefty maintenance bills. If the car has barely moved, few things can go wrong. If you do little or nothing, nothing could go wrong. Once you start enjoying the car, issues it developed while sitting still may emerge, quite spectacularly.

3) “Higher” mileage cars (I mean “normal”, “acceptable” - like, for instance, say 4.000km/year) will have a properly reduced buying price.

What do I personally value, regardless of mileage?

A) Complete maintenance history from day one. And I don’t mean just a fully stamped maintenance book. I mean receipts to go along which each maintenance and stamp.

B) Optional equipment. If the car was configured to my taste, without difficult-to-explain situations, like: no carbon fiber whatsoever, and then carbon fiber F1 gearbox levers. Doesn’t make much sense and tells you car was probably configured on a budget.

C) All factory accessories present and accounted for: books, tool kit, compressor kit, car cover, steering wheel and seat covers, 2 keys, keycode card, “Welcome to Ferrari” leather dossier, etc.

D) Some sort of proof the car has never been involved in an accident.

E) Know the previous owner! Meet with him/her, talk to him/her. You’ll be surprised how much one can deduce the car was maintained and used, if one gets to know how how the previous owner thinks, believes, does, etc.

F) Check ownership history if you can. Personally, if a car has 4 or 5 owners in 5 or 6 years, to me that’s a red flag. No one probably paid much attention to it, if at all. Most likely car was used, abused and sold before a proper, expensive maintenance. God knows if next owner did the same and so on... So I wouldn’t risk it. Plenty of nice 458s out there, no pressure or need to make a risky move.

I’m sorry Ken if this isn’t quite what you where looking for and/or if you’re sick and tired of already knowing all of the above, but I’d like to share my personal, biased opinion with you.

Kind regards and have a nice weekend!

Nuno.

 

How did you solve the bluetooth issue?