458 Spider - Carpisto Glass Engine Lid

I think they look cool but the best looking part of the engine is still hidden by the top ...

 

Hi, I’m in the UK too and bought the Capristo glass engine cover for my F8 Spider and absolutely love it, I think it completes the car and the styling looks OEM.
Amazingly I parked my car at my country club and a Blu Corsa 458 Spider parked right next to me… with a Capristo glass engine cover! What are the chances!
The 458 one has a larger glass area than the F8 one and is therefore arguably more like the factory glass engine covers that were on the 360 and 430 Spiders which were the last Spiders to have glass covers until the 296 GTS which has a heavily tinted one.
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This is the one on my F8 Spider.
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This is the one on the 458 Spider that parked next to me.

 

Many years ago, I helped a friend install the glass cover on his spider. I personally didn't like it at all and prefer leaving the car stock. If I remember correctly, it was carbon fiber, and there was a glass that had to be professionally installed after we were done installing/assembling the frame. I wasn't impressed with the way it was all separate parts, the fit or finish, or the way it fit. It actually felt a little flimsy to me, especially for the price. It never was able to fit 100% perfect, so that's why we got a professional to install the glass. The pro also had a lot of trouble, and improved it a little, but still not perfect.
A few things to note:
- I think it was earlier in production when they first designed it, so it may be different now
- If I remember, I think it was around $9k which added to my disappointment (I felt that at that price it should be very high quality with a perfect fit)
- The owner loved the finished product
- I also liked the look when it was done, but wouldn't do it on my car

 

by the way, did you buy Ferrari OEM or aftermarket carbon? I’ve ordered the complete set of Novitec carbon exterior parts for my F8. Quite pricey but still less than Ferrari.

 

Yes, this is definitely true, that could definitely be the reason that psychologically, it just felt like it was made poorly. But I also remember at one point as we tightened one of the parts, there was a little cracking noise when tightening the screws. It bothered me because we barely used any force. So, I remember thinking to myself "man, this thing is ready to fall apart". I just remember I wasn't thrilled with it. But like I said, the owner of the car was definitely in love with it!
I asked him for a photo. When / if he sends it to me, I will post it.

 

Will do...I forgot to add that if I remember correctly, since the factory lid is aluminum, it was much lighter than the carbon fiber with the glass. So in my mind, it's a bit counter productive.

He just got back to me. My memory failed me, it was his 488 not his 458 that we put it on. Unfortunately, I think it's different, but I will post a photo once he gives it to me.

 

After looking at the different engine covers, I now remember the one we installed (the 488 one), and it's totally different from the 458, so anything I said may be null and void, lol. Sorry

 

I think the photos are useless, since it's a 488, but here they are:
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Dangit, I’m such a doofus, yes the car that parked next to mine was also a 488 Spider NOT a 458, sorry!
Not seen the 458 version, but in my experience Capristo parts are generally good quality, certainly my engine cover was well built (but I bought it second hand, so don’t know if assembly was originally required). I love being able to see part of the engine and also bought the Ferrari carbon engine cover part that can be seen through the glass on my F8.
I particularly like the Ferrari logo and Italian tricolore strip that the F8 Capristo cover comes with.