I LOVE the black roof!
I would not recommend any OEM method. The OEM springs are not designed to be lowered. You have less spring strength and travel if you lower with OEM springs. Get yourself a Novitec spring set and do it right. You will improve your ride stance and maneuverability and your car won't suffer, in which turn, neither will you.
Good to know. I hesitate to make any sort of adjustment to the car. I know Ferrari spent a lot of time and money setting up the car. Who am I to go in there and make changes?
What you're saying is true - however in the USA our ride height is much higher than the spec is in Europe, this was for crash safety purposes? I can't speak to why since GT3/GT2 etc come to the states in the proper height. Point is you should be able to lower the car to the euro spec without any adverse issues. I did a two step approach to this and hopefully my insight will save you some time. I lowered my car on the OEM springs, at least 1.5 or so and although it looked better, it handled worse in the mountains and was less comfortable on the road (in all settings, bumpy, sport, race). I then went to novitec springs and lowered the car another 1/3 inch or so and the car handles and rides better than it was when it was OEM.
Good to know. It seems like your experience is similar to others that I've read. And it looks like the springs themselves are super cheap. Definitely something to look into.
Maybe this may drive my point home. A newer car, a much higher performance car. See what he just found out today. I just got my F8 about 3 weeks ago. It is in the shop for PPF, paint correction and ceramic coating. After that is is getting springs, wheels/tires and exhaust. @SoCal to az as well as many other here, are very experience and knowledgeable about cars, not just Ferrari. Coincidentally, he just posted this today. Trust me on this. Just because Ferrari made it, doesn't mean that everything they do is the best or even better. If that is the case, why do they have a JBL HIFI stereo system, among many other things. There wouldn't be any 3rd party upgrades if they really made a perfect car. They do a great job in esthetics, design and performance (although they compete, their once strong grip is slipping), as we are seeing Porsche always given them problems and providing a strong competition, Lamborghini, eternal rival, not slipping and young McLaren setting the bar.
Honestly I’m embarrassed for Ferrari after the experience I just had. Why do I have to spend almost 3 grand after market to make the car ride like it should out of the factory? For anyone who I looked down upon for changing their exhaust or lowering the car or doing any modifications to make it better my apologies.
I agree with this. If you lower in the OEM springs, they are compressed and ride quality will suffer. I did Novitec and I could not be happier! Phenomenal improvement in the car.
Thanks @GT2goneF. My M3 is full of Dinan parts so I'm not against modifying a car, but I am weary of modifying what a large company has spent lots of time and money to make robust and performant. I also realize that what the engineers are optimizing for in Ferrari are not necessarily aligned with my goals. If people have had a good experience with Novitech springs (and it's clear they have) then I'll probably jump on the bandwagon. Just gotta work with my dealer to get them installed. I don't know how the car can feel and handle any better, though. Maybe it's my newness to Ferrari and supercars in general but it feels out of this world to me already.
If you think the handling is out of this world now, you will be in another galaxy when you replace the springs. Trust me, my second Ferrari, never thought the handling could be improved. But its not even a question of how good the Novitec springs are.
Fine, don't take my word for it. Never mind the references... LOL. Now you have heard it from the source.
If I am reading correctly, you are from SD. You should give Sean from @TAGMotorsports a call, they are up your alley. They usually have the springs in stock. They have plenty of experience with Ferraris. They have great prices and they will install and align all in one stop. Disclosure, I am not affiliated nor I am being paid to promote them. Sean was very good to me and I respect people that care and do good work.
Huge Congrats!!! My first (only so far) was my 308 GTS QV Restomod. Getting a 458 as a First, must be amazing!! Enjoy!!
Alright springs ordered from @TAGMotorsports. Looking forward to how the car looks and handles after install!
Congratulations! You will love the look and the ride. I know that @TAGMotorsports treated you right. Please let us know how it goes/went and show us pictures! Some before and after side to sides. Any ETA for installation?
They told me I grabbed the last set they had in stock so I'm hoping they'll get them shipped out on Monday and installed soon. I have a track day on the 29th so hopefully before then. I haven't seen many great before + after pics on the forums so I'm going to try and take some good before/after pics in good light conditions and focusing on the wheel arches for posterity.
Well aren't you a lucky one. Installation and alignment only take a few hours. It comes to shipping and appointment availability. Hopefully, all components are in good shape and safe, so it is a very good possibility provided that everything above lines up.