which sounds better 458 coupe or 458 spider

To me , a spider with the roof down has the most sound . Externally , both sound more or less the same . Some people consider the spider has better insulation for engine noise but it is a matter of very fine degree I suppose . The thing is both versions unless with the exhaust valve opened are very disciplined and civilized in noise ( engine and exhaust ) !

 

Cannot beat open top driving, the experience is just something else and the best part is the spider is hardtop so pretty much u get best of both worlds.

 

Also with spider you can lower rear window while top is up. Engine sounds fantastic.

 

I had a 2010 coupe and now I have a 2013 spider.
The answer is no so simple.
First, over the years, the coupe sound has been altered due to transmission/computer mapping. The 2010 has more farts and burbles than the 2012 coupe exhaust. My buddy has one so have for comparison. So, the coupe vs spider question also involves year of car.

Next is spider. In sport mode, spider softer sounding than coupe. Not quiet, but not quite as sharp/raucous as coupe. Top down you get great sound out of spider and you do pick up some additional mechanical sounds. But, in race mode the spider does not seem to have the same high pitched wale as my coupe. But, again can't speak to 2013 coupe. The spider is plenty loud roof up or down. And it does have a great sound. But it is slightly different than coupe. Also, shifting in coupe vs spider is different so cars must be considered on this also.

I am not even touching the structural changes with roof off that you get in spider. I think this is the question that is most important for you to make decision on. If you can deal with structural changes, nothing beats the roof off sound. If you can't, coupe with windows down is very loud.
Best

 

Could you expand on the structural changes a bit? TIA

 

Had a spin a 2013 Spider this past weekend, did about 250 km's in a 2011 Coupe last year. In my opinion the Spider is a completely different experience from a sound point of view, especially with the back window down, to my ears its much louder than the coupe and adds a new dimension to the experience.

Corners, well the spider didnt seem to be lacking in the handling department!

If I had the choice of two I would take the spider, even though to me the coupe is ever so slightly better looking.

You really cant make a bad decision when deciding between these two.

 

In response to the above question about structural changes, I will do my best. Most Fchat members have avoided this subject like the plague when I bring it up. Whether they don't feel it or whether they don't care, I have no idea.

Everybody feels different things when they drive their cars of various makes/models. One thing I loved about my 458 coupe was that the car felt like it was made from a solid piece of aluminum. Over bumps, even if harsh, the suspension might have been stiff, but the car felt solid. No unwanted movement up through wheel. In the spider, roof down, the wheel seems to be alive in your hands in a bad way. Not torque steer or bump steer type of rotation, but up-down and side-to-side wheel/column movement is evident at less than 45-50 miles an hour on normal Atlanta, GA paved roads. Roof up, car almost as good as coupe. I had the literally FNA award winning tech at my dealership drive it. He knows me well so was happy to humor me about my findings. Meaning, that manettino and roof positions change feel up through wheel and front end. Lo and behold, everything I described he felt. I was not crazy. At least about this! A guy in Australia traded his F430 spider for 458 coupe. Drove spider back to back with his coupe and said he felt same thing. Said he never felt this in his 430 spider.
At highway speeds, lots of things going on so you don't notice this flex issue as much. More a lower speed thing.
Will you notice it? Will it bother you? I have no idea. Again, rarely has anyone on this site even acknowledged this. I have not read McLaren vs 458 spider review. Perhaps they may comment on this. Although, given Ferrari's blackballing journalists who gives bad reviews, who knows.
Hope this helps.
Randy

 

coupe, no question. I've had both. Spider has way too much wind noise from the rear and they made the exhaust quieter.

 

That surprises me. I would have guessed the Spider sounds better with the top down.

 

When my spider comes in can they pin the exhaust as they did on my Cali so baffles are always open? Love the aggressive sound with barks and burbles.

 

Yes, exhaust can be modified just like coupe.
Roof up, windows closed, but rear window open gives you lots of motor/exhaust sounds not reproducible in coupe. Also, wind noise not a factor in this configuration. Additionally, I do not find wind noise in convertible to be significant if windows up. Becomes like a better sunroof. Meaning, full sky,but no "waffling noise" frequently heard in sunroof cars at certain speeds. Lastly, wind noise has never drowned out my exhaust sound. As I originally posted, character/pitch of sound different than coupe, but never obscured for me.
Best

 

Wow, very surprising. A convertible of this calibre and price should not have that degree of wheel/cowl shake. I briefly overheard someone at C&C talking about this issue and I almost couldn't believe it. That's got to be more than a bit disappointing.

Thanks for the comments.

 

+1

 

Just drive it in race mode or get the Valve opener, remote or switch.

 

To me top down Spider, top up Coupe.

 

^^^^What he said.

The sound of the spider can't beat...top up or down. Sounds fantastic.

BTW I drive in RACE Mode 90% of the time. Exceptions are quiet neighborhoods or trying to listen to music, cell phone, etc.

 

Had the 458 coupe's rear half been styled like the Spider (with the more classic flying buttress), it too could have had the power rear window, which is great for ventilation and engine sound. Though the coupe's fastback profile looks good and is likely more aerodynamic, I don't think its engine view through the glass is a sharp looking as the 430's. The 430's intake plenum is more attractive IMO, as are its engine compartment's side covers. Plus, its engine cradle is much more visible. Personally, I would rather have the power rear window.

 

Would like to give a different point of view regarding this issue, which is that I would expect a certain amount of wheel/cowl shake and I am OK with it. Why? Because to reduce it Ferrari would have to make the spider heavier than it already is. There is no doubt in my mind that they have already optimized stiffness at the given weight of the car. And even if they added a 100 lbs additional bracing you would still have some shake. Just basic physics given how the car is framed. Spider is already nearly 200 lbs heavier than competition.

If Ferrari wanted to eliminate shake they would have to go to a carbon tub structure like the 12C which has literally no shake - I've personally experienced this so know to be true and not some marketing hype. If I want no shake I'll get a McLaren, if I want ease of entry/exit, regular doors and the look of the Ferrari spider I'll buy it. Not really reasonable to complain about this IMHO. Nobody, including Ferrari, can violate the laws of physics, as they say.

I really don't think a 458 spider is something you buy to go to the track with so don't worry about the flex. And how much time do you spend on rough roads? Not a lot I would argue. No car can do it all and we each have to decide what's most important to us.

 

Makes sense. I also thought about the added weight required for a super stiff chassis. Can't have everything, I guess. If the lack of rigidity is as disconcerting as some report, it's an area Ferrari can seek improvement.

I agree that the Mac's rigid carbon tub impedes ingress/egress. While the car's smooth ride and transmission are great for daily driving, getting in and out of it on a daily basis is not ideal and unbefitting a daily drivable super-car . I don't think the staunchest Mac supporter would argue that. Getting in and out of the 458 is much easier.

 

Agree about the Mac's smooth ride. I simply didn't believe it until I rode in one and probably explains why Mac guys put so many miles on their cars. But you pay the price in entry/exit. If your young, thin and flexible (which I'm not!) it appears very easy to do. Individuals of such stature seem to simply step into the car with ease. When I first saw someone do it I almost blurted out "how did you do that!"

 

The local Mac dealer often brings MP4s to C&C. Many people, including myself, have sat in them. Getting in isn't too difficult, gravity is on your side, but getting out is not easy. The tub's high sill and general design are not very welcoming. I'm not big or heavy, but I still wouldn't want to drive one every day. A few times a week would be fine, though. The tub/doors are cool looking, for sure, but not all that practical. Perhaps Ferrari was correct for giving only their hypercars a carbon chassis. Maybe future technology will allow more user-friendly carbon chassis construction.

I remember when the Lotus Elsie first came to the USA. A dealer brought one to a PCA event that I attended and was letting people sit in it...talk about a laugh! Once again, getting in wasn't too bad, but getting out challenged many interested parties. Some needed help, others resorted to crawling/falling out.

 

Hope you are right about future technology maybe solving the problem. The advantages in weight, chassis stiffness , etc. are really significant, particularly in spiders.

 

Some say they see cowl shake but I didn't notice it. Is the coupe stronger? Yes. Is cowl shake an issue? No more than the 360 and F430 and people like those.