Lowering the 458

I had my 458 lowered simply and effectively by my dealer. The shocks were "turned" to lower the ride height to where we wanted it. Obvious care taken to ensure car evenly lowered as even from factory, it was not exactly right. Then to add "insurance" to under tray/front bumper, delrin applied. Bolts counter sunk so as not to scrape. Note, factory bolts (in 2010) are exposed and will scrape so even Ferrari could take a hint here. If you have the front lifter, you can still go down but not as much. If you want to go lower, the shock housing can be drilled or you can do other mods beyond my experience. All info I am giving you was done on my car. It was done by a primo Ferrari factory trained "wrench." It is NOT sanctioned by Ferrari.

 

^^ This.

Question I have , if you want to PM me, is what were you charged to do the above work?

I ask, because we have been asked to do the same, but client " expectations " seem to be all over the board. ( Some thing it just takes a spanner wrench , others that the entire strut comes out to adjust, and so on )

Thank you for your post,

S

 

Yes, you can have the dealer lower it for you. Max drop you can get is about 1/2" for front and rear on a non-front lift system. If you have the front lift system, the dealer will use their diagnostic tool to level the drop on the fronts and can drop up to 1", but the rear is still max 1/2" drop due to the conventional coilover setup.

 

No lectures here, I think the thing just looks even meaner when its dropped! In my experience with non ferrari cars, it was always better to get after market springs that where high quality over the dealer. Since it seems you can drop it 1/2 with the stock springs then maybe just save the cash and go that route. I would question after market springs quality wise compared to Ferrari unless its the stuff they are using in the race 458s. Either way please post pictures after you drop it, I think the look so nice dropped. Good luck!

 

No lectures and I'm all for dropping it but I wouldn't go lower than 1/2 inch. Hopefully you have the 21/22 inch wheel set up most people get who buy ADV1 wheels.

 

I do not have the front lifter and the Dealer was able to drop it 19-20mm. Anymore then that and I would have had to go to aftermarket springs. Also with the front lifter....aftermarket springs is a requirement.

19-20mm looks perfect on a 458. Spider or coupe. No ride quality issues whatsoever. All work done by Authorized Dealer.
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How does the car drive once its been lowered?

I had it done on my SL55 some years back and the ride was so bad, my fillings almost fell out.

I do like the lowered look and feel the 458 sits to high above the wheels, but would not consider lowering mine, unless the drive isn't changed by much. Please advise?

 

Dropping the car on the stock springs without the lift system works out really nice. It makes the car look the way it should have from the factory. It maintains the factory ride because you have not changed the spring rate. A good dealer can do it and align it properly as well.

The car looks 10-13x better than at the stock ride height. I would bet that 98 out of 100 Ferrari 458 owners could not tell any difference in handling even in spirited street driving. Of the two that could tell, one would say it was better and the other would say it was worse.

 

Thank you for the picture, i am dropping mine as well to compliment my 21/22 ADVs

 

Got the ADV5 trackspec SL, with ball polished finish. They promised to expediate my order and deliver in 3 weeks, crossing my finger they will deliver on time. How long have you waited for yours?

 

That's mostly true, but since you're 'decompressing' the spring, the car becomes more 'bouncy'. With a 1" drop, that should be quite obvious on speed bumps. And a little on 'S' turns. But it's mostly unnoticeable by most owners. However, since spring rate doesn't change, there's less suspension travel when lowering that way, and suspension can bottom out easier. Therefore, the proper way to lower any car is with lowering springs, which usually have a progressive rate, meaning the first half of suspension travel is just like stock, but they get progressively stiffer after that, to avoid bottoming out the suspension. Plus you wouldn't have the bouncy feel at slow speeds, which is exactly what you want on a lower car. Have to be extra careful with that. It helps to keep the manettino in 'sport'.

 

Dropped mine off at GMG today to get lowered with the Novitec springs.

 

Post some pics after its done! how low you going?

 

Dropped mine 10-12mm from stock with the standard springs, no noticable "bounciness" and no scraping or bottoming out. Looks much better but not "slammed".

 

+1

 

Just re-read the previous posts. My car was lowered by a Ferrari technician good enough to be flown to Italy by FNA and SpA. So what I am reporting is from him not me.
(1) You can lower the ride height significantly and keep factory settings of alignment the same as stock. Beyond that point adjustments are required. I got about an inch with factory settings retained.
(2) The ride is completely unhurt. This cars' wishbone suspension (as well as other series) allows it to be lowered without changing relationship of spring to shock. You get less roll due to center of gravity issue. There is NO change in compression/rebound and therefore NO change in impact harshness.
My spider is already on the books to be lowered. Unfortunately, it hasn't arrived yet!
Best.

 

Here is mine with US stock ride height (approx. 2.75 inches) and lowered a full 31 mm (1.25 inches) just adjusting the factory shocks: no issues yet
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There is some caution to lowering with a high impact to the lowered OEM spring it can blow the shock, The Novitecs use 2 springs per shock a small helper spring and the coiled larger spring the smaller spring takes up slack when extending all the way up and fast down.The San Diego dealer wouldn't lower my Spider with OEM spring due to refusal of warranty by FNA I'm sure they would refuse it with the Novitecs as well,But its less likely I will blow a shock with Novitecs
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To your question about the Novitecs,its a firmer ride than the stock and a little softer with the button select on the ride control,However still firmer in both settings than the stock ride.I like that its gripped to the road and more on turns I feel more in control of the car I would highly recommend it

 

If you have the hydraulic lift suspension there isn't any factory adjustment available. If you don't have the hydraulic lift we still recommend going with the Novitec springs due to problems like what King Monkey stated and that you are loading the springs at rest to achieve the lowered stance which can cause a lot of issues. We should have a set or two in stock.

Novitec Sport Spring Kit - Ferrari 458 Italia