I Are the master cylinder and booster on challenge same than road 458’s? If not, what’s the difference? Thanks
I hope this is an issue that can be teased out with mileage for those of us in the market for a used car (although someone mentioned issues at 8k miles). Im crossing my fingers that buying one with 5 or 10k miles and having a solid PPI will offer some protection in addition to being cognizant of this issue in general. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experience and insight into this. This forum is so awesome.
There has been several reports on the 488 indeed, I suppose the defect was simply carried over from the 458. What is disturbing is that's it a very serious issue, but at the same time statistically rare enough to be neglected by Ferrari - which is frustrating. I have been lucky (or not unlucky...) so far with my 488, and I hope it will remain the case... and that the F8 does not have the problem.
Most will never encounter the problem because most Ferraris are garage queens or pick up Starbucks 1 time a month and the owner hits 80mph and stops super easy. Beat on that car and I think you'll find it's problem is huge. I had no brakes at 140mph once in mine. Was no fun. Ferrari was a joke as far as support.
Maybe if you’re quick enough to realize what’s happening and then happen to remember where the particular button is. And then that button actually works at 70 mph. Simply unacceptable and criminally dangerous if true.
Incredible. This just happened to me at COTA on turn 12, after 3-4 laps, 1st session. When I applied brake, the pedal went to the floor at 140-150Mph. Thank God for the long run off there. I was not injured. 2012 458 here, had brake fluid flush and "pre-track inspection" done by F San Antonio the day before. When I got back to the pits, techs said I must have overheated the brakes, riding the brakes along the track and that I was braking too vigorously. Whatever bro. No warning given by the car. Horrible feeling. I cannot trust the car. For track, I will stick with my GT3 RS. So, disappointed by this. Very dangerous too. I guess my 458 will just be a street cruiser...
RalphyRS, Since the problem, have your brakes worked normal? Let us know if you find the problem with the failure. I don't track my car but any brake failure on any car is scary. Glad you are safe!
For really hot track laps, the brake fluid typically used by your dealer is not usable. You should use race brake fluid with a much higher boiling point, for example Castrol SRF. Not cheap, but worth any penny.
I am a close friend of the OP. After his 458 brake failure had occurred during the canyon drive as he mentioned on the first post I went ahead and flushed the whole system and installed Motul 600 racing brake fluid for him since then he had not encountered any more brake failure.
Is there any downside to the racing fluid? Seems I heard its prome to trapping moisture qiucker than regular fluid? If so, does that mean the brake system should be flushed more frequently?
That's true for some of them, but not for all. The already mentioned SRF has a higher wet boiling point than some standard brake fluids, when they are dry.
Pure racing brake fluids can destroy some parts on your standard car, so read carefully before putting in your car. But of course the fluid that dealers use is just for commuting. Castrol SRF react is perfect for track days on standard cars. Anyway I don’t see likely that the wrong brake fluid makes brake system fail completely. It must be related to the booster.. Ferrari should do something!!!