458 first annual service--Help

I'm sorry for what has happened. See if you can find any pictures of the car's wheel well before you purchased the car, there are tell-tale signs of leakage if you know what you are looking for. The dealer will certainly look for shock failure. I don't know if Naples did or not but I would be surprised they'd sell a car with all 4 shocks failed. The service department is separate from the sales department in that service bills sales for any repairs needed. Sales can decide like any customer whether or not to have the fix completed. The only way you might have a leg to stand on is if there is documentation (i.e. pictures) of the wheel wells. In a failed shock, you'll see spotting in the wheel well. Unless you have pictures, you're likely SOL since you put 2700 miles on the car.

 

Sorry to hear this

Did you get a PPI before purchase?

Were there any previous service documents that support the leaks and suggested service?

 

Do you have the list of the 160 points part of the inspection ? (Ferrari's web site mentions 201 points, and claims any defective part would be replaced)
Anyway, I would contact the dealer who sold you the car and explain the situation - including what the other Ferrari service is telling you.
Considering it's very unlikely the four shocks would have reached such state of "worst ever seen" from an acceptable state in only 2,700 miles, I thing the selling dealer should at least partially cover the costs.
Otherwise it would mean CPO is worthless and this should be brought to the attention of Ferrari North America.

 

Ask Continental to send you photos of the alleged "worst ever seen". What is the total mileage on the car when purchased? IMHO you ought to get a 2nd opinion, and an good Indy can replace the shocks. Are there any near where you live so you can verify that the shocks are really that bad? I can't believe that shocks go that bad so quickly for that price on these cars. You are vulnerable since you are not there to evaluate first hand the situation. Rebuilt shocks are available. I doubt that all 4 went out at the same time. I'm skeptical of that situation. Dealers are hungry and have you over a barrel sometimes. Do the service, minus shock replacement, and have it shipped home and get other opinions if it checked out ok at sale in Naples. JMHO. Good luck with that one. Kind of leaves a bitter taste in the ownership experience at such an early stage. My wife questions my sanity in ownership of the car. It is not her favorite thing.

 

Shocks that sit will lose their seals. Drive your cars people!

 

How many miles were on the car when you bought it?

 

What shop in ohio ? Sorry you’re dealing with this.

 

Well said mate cars need to be driven

OP if you don’t have any luck with the dealers etc as someone said just get the service done and a get second opinion from an independent

Even if they are totally shot you can get them refurbished for a lot lot less or even purchase a new genuine set yourself and get them fitted for less then half of what you been quoted

And then you have the option to even go for aftermarket coilovers

Best of luck

 

Sad to hear, but think you can work this out.

I would first send an email to the Naples GM to determine how they can comp you/Continental. Fwiw, inform FNA for assistance.

Yea, will be a stressful, but hopefully they can assist and soon enjoy the 458.

 

My further suggestion is you don't just "talk" but put in writing and include the GM of the dealer - perhaps thanking them for the resolution. Be polite and firm.

All quality Ferrari dealerships want to resolve any potential customer satisfaction issues. Especially these days with social media.

Lastly, even if you pay for it, have Continental check out your car and determine if any other issues that can be covered under the warranty.

Just take it step by step. I'm confident you will get a resolution and more importantly enjoy the 458.

 

Hi so are you paying the full $10,000 to have them rebuilt?

Or is the dealership covering it or giving a goodwill towards it?

If your paying for them in full I certainly wouldn’t be that accommodating lol

A year only since you brought it and only covered a mere 2700 miles and “ALL 4” are now the worse condition they have ever seen?

Something seems fishy

But hey each to their own

I know if if paid top dollar for one and it had a dealer inspection at the time who assured it was all good I certainly wouldn’t be taking it on the chin

 

Quite often with hydraulics, it’s the age— not the mileage.

 

Yeh but its just been over a year since he’s brought a clean inspected car and all “4” are gone now to the point its the worst a dealership has ever seen

Surley they would’ve been misting over time

Can’t really see them being perfectly fine mist / leak free and then in a years time bang they’ve all gone Kaput?

 

I'm not excusing the dealership but I say "never assume" anything. These cars are getting to be a dozen years old.

Should they have found it? The answer is a definite "maybe". If it was worn brakes or something you can measure, for sure they should have caught that. Leaky high pressure hydraulic shocks made by GM in China? Maybe.

The trick is to fix the problem with the least hassle and cost. Then make the wife happy again!

BTW: There is no "sanity" to wanting to own one. You want one because you want to and can afford it. Most owners here worked really hard to get the money.

MY GF would complain I spent too much time and money on cars. Then I asked her why she spent $8000 on a handbag she leaves at home. End of complaining.... I left the "200 pairs of shoes" in the quiver for next time.

Good luck in getting it back on the road and enjoying it again. We all have our "Ferrari" stories. You just got your first.

 

I completely forgot Ferrari used the GM magnet suspension thing. @Snapshift bought a pair of shocks on eBay and they were holding up at the 6 month mark. Wonder how it is now. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/458-aftermarket-shocks-from-ebay.678593/

 

If I remember at the intro of the 458 GM bragged it used the same shocks. How much "the same" I do not know. But for sure GM China built them for Ferrari as well as their own cars.

 

Essentially they are manufactured by BWI Group who are Chinese owned I believe with factories worldwide

Basically the Magna Ride shocks which the GM must use along with some Ferrari and Audi Models all complain of them leaking eventually and being very expensive to purchase and replace

Something do this with the Fluid used is too harsh for the seals inside the shock absorbers hence why they fail

Be interesting to see how the OP comes to a resolution with the dealer network he’s in talks with

Yes these shocks can wear and fail over time

But I find it hard to believe that “ALL 4” where totally fine only a year and 2700 miles ago and have now failed to a point it’s the worse the dealership has ever seen

 

This is correct
The shocks failed from time. It is a 14 year old car.
There is no malfeasance here, just bad luck on the part of the OP.
Accusing Continental of malfeasance is likely false and certainly defamatory.
Be careful.

 

Buying a used car is often frustrating. And the more tech, the more that can go wrong just by sitting there.

This is the reason few independants shops are willing to do a PPI now. You're looking at a snapshop. Tomorrow it could be an entirely different picture but you can get the blame.

For sure if there was previous damage from an accident, or an improper repair, or an obviously worn part these should be found. But its difficult to see what might happen tomorrow. And if the shop issues a warning that sometime in the future something MIGHT happen, then the owner of the car gets upset.

Basically, its let the buyer beware but with the obvious things out of the way (hopefully).

 

So far, holding up well. No leaks. I've got about 3600 miles on the front pair since replacement.

 

I’m gonna have mine rebuilt in the not too distant future.

But…..I’m at 50k and have tracked the car quite a bit in the 7 years I’ve owned it (although I stopped due to safety reasons).

I’d think by now some shop would specialize in rebuilding them, replacement parts not being crazy expensive.

General point…..establish a network of independent shops and service providers for your 458s.

Even though they may look it, they ain't no spring chickens.