Intermittent Brake failure on 458

I don't know where it's going here, it's becoming so confusing I need to revisit my understanding...
Which is (in simplified terms) : there is an issue with the brake booster in the 458 and 488, which could make it inoperant if some brake fluid goes into the booster (which is in no way a normal situation). The recall was a workaround to prevent this to happen, with the fuel cap change to make the brake fluid less prone to go into the booster (for whatever physical reason) and a software change that is more sensitive to the loss of brake fluid (assuming the missing fluid could have gone into the booster and potentially cause the booster failure).
As a side note, the failure does not cause a total loss of braking power, it unexpectedly requires the braking system to be operated as a system without booster (with far more pressure required on the brake pedal).

 

Could you quantify this statement? I am asking sincerely. I want to know if there are other brake problems besides the booster/acute brake failure issue.

 

Hello,
As everyone knows, CCM (carbon ceramic brake system) is standard on 458s. It is true that when you first start driving the car, that is, when you want to slow down the vehicle by applying the brakes while the brakes are cold, it feels like the brakes are not really working (this is a common feature of ceramic brake systems), but after a few braking times, the brakes start to warm up and carbon ceramics have serious braking power. I was wondering why you got the impression that the car's brakes were ineffective?

Have a nice day.

 

There are apparently 2 separate problems. One primarily (only?) affects 458s whereby the pedal intermittently loses boost (goes "hard") and the brakes are much less effective but braking power is subsequently recovered. The other primarily (only?) affects 488s which involves loss of brake fluid into the booster resulting in a total loss of brakes (pedal goes to the floor with no braking effect) and braking power is not recoverable without replacement of the booster/master cylinder.

Anyone who denies that either of these problems exist is grossly misguided.

 

Here's a good video that everyone should watch that explains a lot.

 

I thought the 458 and 488 had the same braking system and therefore the same problem.

 

No. The above video explains the differences. The 488 is a turbo car so it can't use the same vacuum source as the N/A 458. It has to use a vacuum pump.

 

The brakes on my car would would work normally more often than not, however, at times, with no pattern to be discerned, would need lots of pressure while the braking would suffer. when taken to the dealer, they stated everything is working as intended. That said, I found the brakes sub par in comparison to a Pcar ceramics of the same vintage. This is my personal experience and hope that helps.

 

I have had multiple cars with ceramic brakes and am well aware of the limitations in cold weather. this is basic knowledge as well as burnished brakes et cetera. I would not call what I felt an "impression", even if does not fit your narrative.

best