488 Checking in...from Cali to 488

Thought I’d share my relatively short but exciting journey in Ferrari world these past 3 years. With all the fun talk on the Pista, F8, Portofino M and the Roma, these days, this may be of little interest! (Long post alert)

Bought a 2010 Nero Daytona California in 2017. Loved the car, and added a few minor things but in the end, grew nervous about potential DCT and roof mechanism issues. And admittedly began to dislike its looks from the rear. Couldn’t shake some of the negative impressions (many read on Fchat!) and grew tired of the $4500 (perceived need) New Power Warranty cost each year. All mental but enough to make a change. Decided best option was to trade it in (after zero buyer interest for several months). But, put 12k exciting weekend miles on her!

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Saw a 488 in the flesh in Greensboro earlier this year and fell in love. Began the search and found my ‘new to me’ 2017 2,100 mi 488 GTB in Bianca Avus/Nero at Prestige in Miami. Flew down for a test drive in late June, PPI at FoFL, and made the trade. Prestige ‘threw in’ tinting the windows, a new battery (still, I’ve bought a Noco boost) and a second key (original mysteriously lost...hmmm). Great to work with.

Loved the Cali more as she was whisked away but it had to be!

Goodbye Cali...
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Hello 488...
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Had the 488 shipped to FoATL for a look over (they’ll become my new service Dealer, Michael Roth is great), painted the rear Cavallino Nero and lowered on stock springs. Spacers are 10mm in the front, 15mm in the rear, lowered 18mm in the front and 24mm in the rear, perfectly balanced and ‘square’ and aligned.

Before....
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After...
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Once I took delivery, I removed the PPF (had partial covering of high impact parts but slightly yellowing), had the vehicle paint corrected (amazing difference), including applying Graphene ceramic coating to the windows, wheels, calipers and plastic parts, and then applied PPF on the entire car (SunTek Ultra film). Makes my undiagnosed OCD self feel much better!

Other ‘mods’ I’ve done (with my credit card) thanks to Fchatters...

Custom floor mats by ExotiCARe

Added front and rear cameras (couldn’t get aftermarket WiFi’s to work) viewed along with the Escort radar image in the rear view mirror (radar-mirror.com)

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I’m no audiophile and normally don’t care but the stereo sound was seriously lacking. So, I upgraded the speakers with JL Audio including custom 3D printed tweeter pods for the doors, a custom (in my Nero leather and white stitching) subwoofer, amp in the bonnet, and component speakers in the doors. Thanks Mike (softwaredrone on Fchat) at Scuderiaaudio.com. Sound is amazing although of course I prefer the revs and downshifts of the engine! I’ll have to admit though, cranking out ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica was no different than being on the front row of a concert. Just an FYI, music selection in the 488 (80’s rock) is much different than the other 99% of the time I spend in my Suburban. Back to the install, everything is easily reversible and nothing invasive was done.

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Installed an aluminum dead pedal (Hill Engineering).

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Peeled the label off the foot guards. Not sure why some don’t do this?

Probably will paint match the side markers on my annual at FoATL but for now, applied a CF black wrap on them since the installer didn’t have a matching color to the paint. Black side indicators from Novitech/Vivid Racing are on back order so I’ll put that off (maybe indefinitely) for now.

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No plans to flash the ECU as the car is plenty fast and I enjoy getting up to speed. As for the exhaust note, it’s perfectly loud and angry enough for my taste and no plans to add a valve controller. Remember, the daily is a Suburban so I’m good with stock for the long haul.

Of course, I bought my detailing supplies from fellow OCDer Matt at ObsessedGarage. Love the foam cannon, pressure washer, and blow dryer. Washing is like mowing...therapeutic!

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And finally I read on the forum where some guys keep some models of their car on hand to give to kids at car shows, gas stations, etc that are excited to see the car. Gave 2 away to two zealous kids that were super excited to see a Ferrari this weekend on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC. Of course I let them sit in the driver’s seat!

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I guess a better investment may be following some of the stock tips on the Business & Investments thread but at some point you gotta invest in you, right? Not to mention your marriage...(weekend outing without the kids!):

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Great write up, Andy! Am glad to hear that you are enjoying this car to max and adding your own pizzazz to it. Miles and smiles, my friend, hope you have a bunch of both in this 488...T

 

Congrats beautiful car and you have done some great upgrades! Love the black roof but of course I’m a big fan of that!

 

Great write up. What a car! Love white with black roof...I never thought about the model car idea...nice kind touch!

 

I don't comment much, but that was a great post. I especially like the idea of giving out models to kids. What a great idea and very thoughtful of you. I just ordered ten 458 Italia models from ebay to do the same thing.

 

GREAT WRITE UP , BUT EVEN MORE GREAT CAR.

Love the way you made this car beautiful 488 GTB yours.

IMO I love the monochromatic color. Just works. You had me at aluminum calipers !!!!! Very classy look.

Great detail with regards to the front and rear reflectors.

I have been in Stereo all my life but i chose not to touch my 488 GTB. I can see how you can return it totally back.

So congratulations !!! And ENJOY here. Its a beast.

I do concur there is such a buzz seeing a young boys eyes light up when they see your car.

 

Beautiful car; all mods very tastefully done (good that all are reversible). You're going to love the 488; it is a spectacular car. About the only other mod I would recommend would be clear side blinker lenses as the amber colored lenses are hideous looking. I'll PM a photo to you.

 

Congrats! That car is a stunner! I love my 488...... You will love yours as well. The car does it all.....

 

Congrats!!! My first Fcar was a 488 GTB, and it was incredible. Enjoyed reading your journey!

Oh and btw I loved the stock 488 sound. It's great

 

Thanks for the pic. I’m going to add that to my list. Looks great. I was deciding between black and clear and I like the clear idea. Helps it disappear.


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Thank you! It’s been a blast. Even drove it in the rain on Sunday. Unplanned but we survived...and enjoyed the follow up wash.


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I would not have known to spec the aluminum calipers if I were building this car but I love the look! Thank you for your Noco recommendation as well!


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Thank you. I’m glad I read about it on this forum. It was one thing to let them sit in the drivers seat. But to give them a scaled down model...their reaction was priceless. You’re gonna enjoy it.


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And your F8 is amazing. Keep the rims as is for a while. You can always wrap them to see if you like the look before diving all in.


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Thanks Tom. I’ll try to catch up in mileage!


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Good on the Noco . Just a fact your will need it one day. Best to have.

Just another thought. You look like your going to look after your car washing BTW great technique. However i dont know what your water is like where you live. Ours is the best in Australia but it still has minerals. These minerals are what give you spots even after washing and blowing dry.

I use filtered water. You have dealers there in the states that make the same with a stand. Over here they don't supply stands as most mount them on the walls.
However i wanted a stand to be moveable because i can also wash my house windows.

Filter unit will come with a meter to measure solids as to determine when to change filter medium.

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The dead pedal did you remove the rubber one or go over it ? Ive had mine for 2 years and still haven't installed it.

Im thinking about getting the passenger side one like the one on the Pista. Not sure if Hills has one for the passenger side.

Do you still have all the OEM controls for the radio ? I assume the OEM door tweeter is disconnected ?

 

Love the carbon shields. I have a new set that I've been debating putting on my nero California T but have not done it yet. Looks great on bianco!

 

Not even a freaking comparison… Enjoy!


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Thanks for the water filter tip. I’ve seen the issue being discussed but I don’t have any issues with spots, etc. Although, I do tend to wash it in the shade in the cooler part of the morning or evening and then I promptly pull into the garage to blow dry it.

I installed the dead pedal over the existing rubber pedal just to make it easier to revert back to stock if needed. I used 30mm screws. I like the idea and look of adding one to the passenger side.

The radio is the same. I only added the amp, sub, tweeters in the triangle corner of the door, and the component speakers in the door. Not sure about the OEM tweeter. I have the originals in a box I should look at. Really an amazing difference in sound.

Frankly I don’t think I did anything too crazy for someone to have a problem with down the road. But you never know what a buyer wants. If it were a limited production model I’m sure I wouldn’t change anything.


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this white 488 looks good. have you considered changing the under door panel to carbon fiber to make the body more sleek?

 

You picked up a very nicely specced car their Andy - congratulations

Very enthusiastic to jump straight in with the mods, but they all look great, so very well done.

I hope you enjoy adding more fun miles and spend many weekends dishing our 1:24 488's !!

 

Beautiful car made stunning by the added modifications. good call on upgrading the stero. congratulations

 

I have and I do like that look. Just haven’t taken the $$ plunge yet. I may temporarily wrap that portion just to see how much I really like it before diving in. But for now I need to quit looking at it and just drive it.


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