First 458 | FerrariChat

First 458

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Mwilaski, Nov 13, 2021.

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  1. Mwilaski

    Mwilaski Rookie

    Aug 22, 2021
    9
    Longtime lurker, first time poster. After selling my business earlier this year I decided to pull the trigger on a decade-long dream and purchased a 2012 458 Italia. It arrived yesterday and I got to drive it around a little bit, including taking it to dinner (and getting the coveted front of house valet spot :)). Haven't taken any pics yet but this is the car I got: https://www.fusionmotorco.com/vehicles/911/2012-ferrari-458-italia-2dr-cpe It's listed as Silverstone but it's actually Grigio Ferro which looks incredible in person, the pictures really don't do it justice.

    First impressions...

    My daily driver is a Tesla Model 3 Performance, this could not be any more different. When pushed, this is an unbelievably visceral driving experience. Even though it's probably similar 0-60 times as the Tesla, it "feels" much faster just because there is so much going on between the exhaust note, the screaming engine, the lighting fast shifts, the LED tach on the steering wheel, etc. It really puts a massive smile on your face and gets the heart hammering, I could not be happier.

    The car is incredibly gorgeous in person. Ferro really accentuates the lines and it's hard to believe this is a 10-year old vehicle, it hasn't aged a day. Prior owner had it fully PPF'd which was a nice extra benefit.

    Only gripes thus far would be, I don't love the exhaust valves engaging/disengaging at 3K RPM. I'll likely look at an aftermarket exhaust (which I planned to do anyway), as I'd prefer the ability to have them open or closed throughout the power band, it's just a bit odd having it go from so quiet to so loud and back as it crosses the 3K range.

    I also have a couple rattles on the interior, especially around 4K RPM. Hoping Boardwalk Ferrari in Dallas will be able to sort those out. And that's really it. Highly recommend anyone who is on the fence to pull the trigger and happy to finally be part of this community!

    As a new owner, anything I should be thinking about that I'm perhaps not, or things that surprised you after the first few days of ownership?
     
  2. FerrariCognoscenti

    FerrariCognoscenti Formula 3

    Jan 19, 2021
    2,429
    East Coast
    #2 FerrariCognoscenti, Nov 13, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2021
    Congratulations.

    A few things:

    1) Valve solution: you don’t need a whole new exhaust, just the $350 Forza Controller for the 458. This will allow you to keep the valve open at all times by a remote control.

    https://forzacomponenti.com/catalog_controllers.html#458

    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/forza-exhaust-bypass-valve-controller.480941/


    2) Rattles at 4k RPM: I suspect the rattle you’re hearing at 4k actually sounds more like a buzzing noise. As you accelerate up there is no buzz, probably a buzz between 4000-4400 RPM, and then as you’re at 4500+ RPM it goes away? If so, this is a result of Ferrari using plastic zip ties on the interior under the carpeting and not cutting the excess plastic pigtails from the zip ties! The long plastic pig tails literally are sitting against the raw metal of the frame and at a certain RPM they all start buzzing in unison. It drove me mad. Most of them were along the center console under the carpeting on the left and right side from the rear of the wall behind the seats up to just before the dash, about 10+ of them. I cut the excess plastic off the pigtails and all of the buzzing/rattles were gone. It was literally a result of Ferrari being lazy when they made the car and just not cutting the excess plastic.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  3. PMiranda

    PMiranda Formula Junior

    Jul 23, 2004
    639
    Austin, TX
    Gorgeous! I so jealous of the Daytona seats. I really wanted those but didn’t hold out long enough. I think in sport the valves don’t oopen at 3k with partial throttle.
     
  4. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    May 21, 2006
    7,925
    West Coast
    Full Name:
    Ray
    458 is a great car. Just turn the setting to race and the exhaust valves will be open. It's nice to have the ability to silence the car in sport mode for cruising around neighborhoods, etc. Personally, I think the stock exhaust sounds great and wouldn't change it.

    Anyway, congratulations on the car and welcome to the forum.

    Ray
     
    430jm likes this.
  5. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2004
    6,299
    Naples, FL
    Full Name:
    Buddy
    Congrats the 458 is an incredible car, I really enjoyed my spider.
     
  6. Gianugo

    Gianugo Rookie

    Oct 11, 2021
    19
    Somewhere in Italy
    Full Name:
    Stefano
    @Mwilaski … I love your post. This is why we love Ferrari and want to drive it! A mix of unique emotions … I’m Italian and for us Ferrari is a dream from the very early age. Congratulations!
     
    Rexcat458 likes this.
  7. Mwilaski

    Mwilaski Rookie

    Aug 22, 2021
    9
    Thanks for sharing that Forza Controller option, I will definitely look into that. Certainly more economical. Also appreciate you pointing out that the Race setting opens them up too. Thanks to everyone for the kind comments, now off to put some miles on it :)
     
    Cigarzman likes this.
  8. FFan5

    FFan5 Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2018
    550
    Congrats! I just order another Tesla this week. Once it arrives will have two Tesla commuters and a very loud 458. I think it is a great combo. (At least until someone makes a naturally aspirated V8 commuter with Tesla's autopilot technology)

    I would get a valve controller installed and call it a day for a while. Then get an aftermarket exhaust in a year or two when you are ready to spice things up.
     
  9. frankgorman

    frankgorman Rookie

    Jul 2, 2021
    22
    Grapevine, TX
    Full Name:
    Frank Gorman
    Boardwalk Ferrari is one fine place... FG
     
  10. Cigarzman

    Cigarzman F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed


    Or have the valves pinned open by the dealer for zero cost like I did. Also FWIW , my Forza controller on my F8 spider was ~ 1600 installed.
     
    Texas Forever likes this.
  11. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2013
    11,618
    Congratulations!

    In addition to the above great suggestions, Novitec also makes a remap that will make it so the valves are always open in Race mode and stay closed a touch longer in sport mode and it will free up a few ponies. Its more expensive and probably best done in conjunction with headers, cats, etc, I just want you to be aware it exists.


    Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
     
  12. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    Congratulations! Very well-specced car.

    Second the use of the Forza controller, because I agree the binary nature of the exhaust valves can be pretty annoying.

    Enjoy it in good health!
     
  13. Stams

    Stams Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 30, 2020
    550
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Sean
  14. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    This is certainly an option and I'm sure many people enjoy it. But in my opinion having the valves open ALL the time would drive me crazy. In all honesty the F136 doesn't sound that great at low rpm and under light load. And it has a tendency to drone at highway speeds (65-80mph).

    Not to throw shade at the valves-always-open approach because I'm sure people love it. It just wouldn't be for me.
     
  15. Stams

    Stams Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 30, 2020
    550
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Sean
    It’s not for everyone, but I like the sound at all frequencies.

    She does drone at freeway speeds, and I have a bose soundlink mini 2 for that.




    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
    axlesofevil likes this.
  16. 3POINT8

    3POINT8 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2014
    5,279
    congrats nice spec
     
  17. Bob in Texas

    Bob in Texas F1 Rookie

    Apr 23, 2012
    2,733
    Just East of Weird
    Full Name:
    Bob
    Congrats on your new pony!
     
  18. Widebody_Don

    Widebody_Don Karting

    Apr 16, 2021
    130
    Two popular interior rattles are from the back of the seat (top area) touching the back wall (move the seat up or tilt the back of the seat forward) or the passenger's seat belt touching something (buckle it up and see if it goes away).

    Sent from my SM-G977U using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  19. axlesofevil

    axlesofevil Formula 3

    Jan 14, 2012
    1,669
    San Diego, CA
    Yeah my passenger seatbelt clip rattles against the back of the CF seat. Buckling it makes it go away.

    I also had a rattle coming from inside one of my driver A/C vents. Ferrari of San Diego fixed it for free! Ended up being a rivet that got loose. Took a couple days for them to chase it down but definitely worth it.
     
  20. matt lane

    matt lane Rookie

    Jul 17, 2007
    41
    Canada
    Full Name:
    Matthew Lane
    Yeah, the Forza controller is probably the best bet.

    Sport has a 'reasonable' RPM threshold to open, Race just moves it earlier, but then the greater likelihood of toggling back and forth, open/closed in street driving. Kinda annoying.

    The transition from open to closed is not great in either situation, and the drone on highway (again depending on RPM) can be an issue with Open setting and lower RPM.

    I have stock and just work around it, but the controller would be better I guess. Suggest trying sport vs. race modes and be realistic about how you plan to drive the car before doing anything. Then you'll be clear on what you are trying to solve for.

    Cheers

    Matt
     
  21. Il Co-Pilota

    Il Co-Pilota F1 Veteran

    May 29, 2019
    6,023
    Hopefully some place nice.
    Full Name:
    A.B
    Well, not everybody wants them open all the time, and not every dealer will do that for free.

    How on earth did you accept that bill? 1500? For something that takes them less than an hour? Didn't you ask in advance what they would charge? Not sure who's to blame for paying that. Them or you.

    That's not normal pricing to install a simple exhaust controller.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  22. Cigarzman

    Cigarzman F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed


    Well , apparently that’s the cost of doing business from my dealer. And yes I did ask in advance what the cost , including the controller would be.Ps. I believe the F8 install is different form the install without the particle filter contraption.
     

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