My First Yearly Service On My 458

You should be pleased, that's a gorgeous car. Always refreshing to see posts from happy owners, enjoying the Ferrari lifestyle. Keep driving, keep smiling and keep posting. Best of luck with your Italia...T

 

2013.....wouldn't the car be eligible for the 7 year maintenance coverage? Or was additional work recommended/required? just curious

These cars are awesome, so please enjoy it.

A few thoughts:

1) yes, it's actually important to drive and use the car. Aside from the pure enjoyment of it, mechanically it's better for the car to have the engine run, the gearbox shifted, all the electric relays exercised, hyrdaulics pressurized, A/C seals kept tight...etc.etc. True story: A friend had an F12 that had a front lift. He barely drove the car, never used the lift. One day, he tried, and the lift didn't work. Nothing fatal....other than the hydraulic mechanism had frozen up as it had not been used. Ever.

2) there is some "baggage" with driving a red 458, including the unwanted attention. My wife used to get chased by high school kids with smart phones. Enjoy it, be generous, and avoid the kids in Subarus who want to race. (having said that, my wife is good at out-braking the high school kids and ducking up side streets..)

3) if you're "afraid" of the car because of the performance, or your driving skills/confidence (yes, it's ok to admit that), suggest you consider a performance driving school. The Ferrari one at Mont Tremblant is phenomenal, but there are a lot of options (including the Porsche program at Barber). My wife was literally intimidated by the cars, but she's now done 5 advanced programs.....her skills are strong, her confidence is up, she can really enjoy the car and frankly she's a safer driver. It's not about learning to go fast, it's about learning to understand how to control the car and avoid trouble. This may irritate people, but FCA (or PCA, or other) DE-type events are great fun, but are no substitute for a proper education/professional school.

 

^^^^ Beat me to the punch... 2013 would have / should have had free service with it.

UNLESS, the car is outside it's service window ( long story )

OP = PM me the last 6 of your VIN and I will look it up for you.

And yes, please drive your Ferrari.

Depending on where you are, get involved with your local chapter of the Ferrari Club of America... drives, meets, dinners, etc...

You will REALLY get into the Ferrari Lifestyle!

S

 

Congrats my Ferraris are red as well. It does get some attention from the general public but it is practically ignored during car meets. I drive mine quite often, already have 10,2xx miles. The Ferrari sound is very special

 

Why did you get ripped off in having to pay for the annual maintenance? Everyone from 2012 on get free annual maintenance even if you bought the car used.

Call the dealer and tell him you'll pay for the shipping but nothing else.

 

Will do Mayor the car is still there maybe he forgot and quoted me wrong.

 

I believe (Steve can correct) that the maintenance is "free" on the program, but only if you do the service +/- 30 days of the due date (i.e. you have a 60 day window every year). I've heard (cannot confirm) that FNA is strict about this, as in they won't reimburse the dealer for the service costs, and if you really blow maintenance schedules, can get stiff on warranty issues potentially.

I guess we could fairly argue if this is good or bad/fair or unfair, I have never read the fine print on the service or warranty terms.

Regardless, it's worth investigating and making sure you're not overpaying

 

I heard this also but I think this is BS. I'd fight it if for nothing other than the principle.

I can see a 6 months or a year. But 30 days? What if you got the car in the middle of winter? Are you supposed to transport it in the snow just to save $1200? Stupid.

 

I really don't want to seem like a prick and a bad person. I really don't care if people look at it and gaze when its parked. I don't mind the little kids coming up and asking questions. Its those grown adults that do stupid things. We were eating at a Fatz Café last summer. A a woman that was riding on the back of a Harley Davidson with one of those huge belt buckles on he leather pants, and HUGE boobs in just a bikini top she was literally laying across the hood of my car when I came outside and the guy she was riding with was taking pictures of her. I was PISSED to say the least and when I walk up she says "I'll leave my husband and sleep with you if you take me for a ride in this." She was drunk off her ass. Its the people who tail grab your ass and the WORST thing for me is when people drive in your blind spot. I've had that happen several times. Person flies up or they are driving like a madman to catch up with me then instead of them just pulling up next to me they drive in your blind spot for several minutes. Or some times I didn't even know they were there and thank God I'm a good defensive driver.

Crazy stuff like that annoys me. It must be insane driving a LaFerrari, Enzo or Aventador.

 

I took my 458 spider to a car show and went to get a drink. I came back and 3 teenagers were taking turns sitting in the car and having their pictures taken. Then others start standing in a line thinking it's Ok...

I'm like WTF? Do I just open your car and sit in it without asking?

Some people have no consideration. I've also had situations with women leaning on with their jewelry and handbags.

On the flip side, I stopped by a Walgreens once and I came out and a father and 10 year old boy were admiring the car. They wouldn't get within 3 feet of it but were trying to peak inside.

So I asked the boy if he wanted to sit in it. I don't think I ever saw a bigger smile in my life. And, I think I enjoyed it more than he did.

You have to take the good with the bad.

 

Unbelievable. Where I live my rosso 458 italia doesn't get any attention. But one day I had people try to throw something in my 430 spider while driving

 

yes its +/- 30 days annually.

 

Picked up my 2014 458 Spider 45 days ago. Second owner, first owner did the first annual, but was 8 months past second annual when sold to me. Apparently, they didn't think the second annual was needed because it had only been driven 120 miles during the preceding 6 months. My local dealer (2 hours away), suggested I just wait until the next annual coming up in two moths and do it then, otherwise, by Ferrari's warranty policy, I'd have to pay for the service that was missed if I do it now, even though I didn't own the car at that time. So, yes, apparently they are strict regarding that service time period.

Missing that one service does not affect the remaining services for the remaining years according to the dealer, it only affects the year you are actually late.




Jim

 

We bought a 2012 Italia in February. only 1200 miles. We took it in for service a month ago. It had missed a service or two from the first owner. It wasn't an issue. No charge. The dealer didn't warn us about any penalty for missing scheduled services.

Basically they said see you next year when the car tells you it's time.

 

To the OP. Drive your car and enjoy it. Politely deflect all commentary of which you don't want to engage.

I understand the attention thing. It was overwhelming when I visited my hometown in SC. Just go about your business . You will learn to ignore most of it.

Congrats on the new car.

 

I think annuals are important for Ferraris just like you get annual check ups with your doctor. I make sure everything is ok and bring it to my mechanic few times a year. You live 200 miles away from a dealer which makes it difficult to arrange things. However she needs it so you should do it regardless of miles driven IMHO.

Well I don't have a 458 but a 430 Spider. Maybe I live in an area that Ferraris aren't rare at all so I normally don't get much attention at all plus mine is dark grey. Some high school kids at the traffic light want me to rev the engine for them. Sometimes I do. When you drive a Ferrari everyone wants to race you. I just let it go most of times unless I want to just blow them off. Last week my wife and I were running errands around the town and an old lady gave us the most dirtiest look to us. We weren't speeding or anything but some people hate Ferraris I guess. I believe in cars meant to be driven. I drive mine as much I can not looking at miles, depreciation or anything. Will keep the car for a long time. And probably pick a 458 or 488 in few years.

Happy Father's Day and enjoy driving.


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Yes. But that's why they give you 30 days in front and behind the service date. It's not up to the dealer and FNA will not budge on this. Bummer but true.

 

I find it strange that they charged you for free maintenance and then performed those particular services. Does a 2013 really need a belt change? Just curious how many miles are on the car.

 

Totally agree as we appreciate people that respect other people's property.

 

And I was told +/- 60 days....I have had 3 annuals thus far and 2 were in April....in service date of Feb 28th...


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The father and son story is more typical of my experience. Having owned a 458 since new in Feb 2012, I have been chased and complimented, but I can only recall a couple of times I cautioned someone about damaging the car. With that said, I usually park it "safely", small valet venues where I know the attendants or in a place someone would have to go out of their way and intentionally seek to cause a problem. Best

 

Alot of this has been discussed in this thread:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/458-italia-488/518526-ferrari-unfree-maintenance-program.html