Side skirts on 458

With the grey side skirt, the curve of the waist comes out better. However, You can do it aftermarket with much cheaper price and same effect.

 

Go grey. It makes all the difference on the side view.

 

I went without the gray side skirts. 2 reasons.

1) It's a pain to keep clean.

2) To me, it looks "phony". It's a kind of visual gimmick that ends up actually calling more attention to the area.


Some think it makes the sides look slimmer. And, it does. But at a price. That price is a kind of band aid to cover up something that you are not supposed to look at.

This is only my opinion but it's the rational that I used in making my decision. Others will have theirs and everyone will be correct for themselves.

 

Victor, I've just noticed you are in Melbourne. James from Invisible Car Bras did a full bonnet and guards bra for me - I highly recommend him. He also did the side skirts in matt.

 

I was originally going to get them in matte black (you can spec the sills in black for $674 more than the regular PEXS). Then decided against it:

1) Most people (myself included) put clear bra on the sills anyway as its an obvious wear point. Black film would be cheaper and look almost exactly the same since the factory option is matte

2) You have to be super careful detailing it as it can't be buffed. Means no stops by the local car wash if you just need a quick wash

Personally I like the look though.

 

maybe the factory will offer the side skirts in carbon fiber to make sense with the winglet, side mirrors and diffuser CF options.

 

I've got the sports skirts and I love them. I think it gives a whole other dimension to the side profile. Obviously I prefer it over the painted skirts. I will say I've had NO problems keeping them clean. I find it strange that almost every 458 spider I've seen is using the painted skirts...

 

They do offer it in CF and I'm told it is an improvement over the painted version.

 

+1 I ordered it in CF with the top part painted; you can also order it like the scuderia/16m/gto with it completely unpainted so where the pinnafarina badge is the area is bare CF.

 

I'm feeling a little regretful I didn't order the grey skirts.
They do look a little contrived but I like the "wedge with a waistline" look they accentuate.
Probably much depends on the lighting and on any other dark features on the car.
The last 458 I saw was black so not helpful in deciding.
Good to know the aftermarket option exists.

 

Carbon options...
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Yes, mine is Rosso Corsa. I assumed that the grey skirts were standard because all the Ferrari launch pics had them. I changed my order just in time to add the option.

 

Is there another color?

 

+2012

Better without. OK. I'm conservative. And lazy. Every bit of dust will show.

 

They tell me it's a problem of oil and shoe scuff marks that are the problem.

 

I've never had a problem with marks on the sports sills on either of my 458s. Although they are an opaco finish (non laquered) they seem more durable than the opaco roof on my Cali. Swissvax do a range of products specifically to care for these matt paint finishes and they are really good. They cleaner fluid should lift any stains and there is a protective wax as well.

http://www.swissvax.us/usa/matt-paint.html

 

Ooo, I do like the painted one with just the skirt in bare carbon, best option I've seen yet. The whole bare carbon side skirts just seem strange, they don't flow with the car at all unless you have a black car.

 

I must have been still hyped up from the test drive as I do not remember going over this option with the dealer. I have looked and looked for various pictures and cannot determine what ithe OEM color is? Body color? The 458 I drove had grey and looked very nice.

 

OEM is body color.

 

my car is black so obviously the contrasting sill doesnt make sense but i have to say it looks great with colored cars that have dark wheels. gives it a more aggressive look.