daytona seats in a 2011 Ferrari 458 - thoughts

1) honestly they are slightly less comfortable only because of the indented "slats". But most don't mind. I liked them as they do look very nice.

2) race seats are completely different. No power movement at all, thinner padding, lighter weight, a little tighter to sit in. IMO, the racing seats are remarkably comfortable but they are little narrower. I don't think tracking would make any difference at all with either. People track both.

3) NO! And no fans in the seats or other such gimmicks. You can find them with "full power seats" which are very rare. I believe these have lumbar adjustment but very difficult to find as most wouldn't pay for the extra $3 grand or so for it.

A Daytona seat is just the regular seat (powered or unpowered) with the added design element of the slats. You order it exactly the same and add the power features you want or don't want.

Racing seats have been one style only but now I believe the 488 allows you to order a racing seat in Daytona trim.

 

I have the Daytona seats and love them. I also had them in my 430 spider. My buddy has the standard seats and I thought they were very uncomfortable. I've not had the racing seats. I also like the fact that my seats are electric. I was only interested in the daytona seats ( electric ) when I was hunting for my 458 spider. Fwiw I'm 5'10 190 lbs. Good luck bro and post pics.

 

I've sat in all three types of seats, back-to-back. I think in terms of comfort, I rate them Daytona > racing > standard. The main problem for me with the standard seats is they seems to pinch my hips, even though I am a thin person. It must be the way the bolsters are shaped. None of the seats "inflate".

The Daytona seats are better padded than the racing, but I suppose for tracking maybe the racing seats would be better in terms of road feel. Also, the racing seats are much lower than the Daytona because they are thinner and sit lower as there isn't any electronics below them. If you are tall and need the room for a helmet, the racing seats are the way to go if you plan on a lot of tracking.

 

Interesting as the Daytonas are the standard seats with a different pattern / centre insert.

 

The full power seats have inflatable lumbar and side bolster supports. You can tell them apart from lesser power seats by looking at the adjustment panel on the side of the seat bottom. It will have more adjustments and 3 buttons for the seat memory. Even if you are ordinarily the only driver, the memory function is useful to restore your ideal settings if driven by service personnel. The Daytona inserts can be ordered with any of the power seats.

 

I'm looking to get a 458 ..but when I drive a car with Daytona seats I have to lean the seat
Back because my head is almost within the ceiling.
So I need to get racing seats...which feel comfy plus I have more headroom.
Don't have to lean the seat back.

 

Had the Daytona's in my 458 and the Racing seats in my F12 both myself and my wife find the racing seats more comfortable both of us are in our 50's my wife is small to medium build and im large and fit better in the racing seats. 😀😀😀


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I had the full power daytona trim seats in my 2010 Italia and have the race seats in my '13 spider.
The standard seat - which is EXACTLY the same seat as the the daytona/diamond stitch is great for ease of entry/exit vs the higher bolster of the race seat. BUT, the seat is mounted higher than the race seat so even at 5'7" 140lbs. I found the seat too high. Guys taller than me have even more complaints about head clearance and leg room. Never mind the actual driving position. More importantly is that even with the fully inflatable bolsters, I never had the lateral support I thought should have been there. The inflatable bladders seemed to be pushing into my lateral back areas, not enveloping me as a side bolster should. A larger person would probably find it even less helpful as they are farther to the side in the seat.
The race seat is be far my favorite. Even though I could have easily ordered the better fitting size medium seat for my frame, I get fantastic support in the large race seat. I have no issue getting in or out by placing my hand on the sill and rising up out of, or lowering myself into the seat. I do this maneuver in regular or race seat and did so in 360 and 430s to protect the side bolster from premature wear. The lack of adjustability of the race seat height is its biggest drawback. Some later cars had a further 2K option of a manual height adjuster.
Lastly, when I drove a 488 w/standard seat, it was obvious that it goes much lower than the 458 seat. Ferrari may have finally realized this issue as well.
Most importantly, this is a very personal choice. Everyone's physical proportions/likes/dislikes seem to play a major role in which seat is best for them. I am only sharing how I sit in each seat.
Best

 

Very good input.

 

I have daytona seats and have no complaints. I am 6'-1" and have no head room problems.

 

I have Daytona seats. And at the race track, they blow. I'm fighting to stay in the seat. And I'll echo what others have said. With my helmet, I'm touching the ceiling. And I'm only 5'9" (long torso)


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I'm 6"2 and I CANNOT fit into a 458 with standard seats when wearing a helmet. Thank god I bought a Spider, hence the roof always came off on track days. In an Italia, I would have been stumped!

 

Randy agree with your take. Love the race seats and wouldn't have anything else. Don't fully understand the need for adjustment but then I'm the one that mostly/only drives my F cars. Maybe with multiple drivers the standard/Daytona seats would be a consideration although not as comfortable.