Ferrari V8 Buyer's Guide

Some information on what to look for when buying a V8 Ferrari. This guide focuses mainly on the 458 and 488.

Please get in contact if you have any specific questions for which you may not be able to find any technical answers.

A valuation of cars based on spec and mileage:

Introduction

The Ferrari 458 Italia was made from 2009 to 2015. Production for the Ferrari 458 Spider started in 2011. The track-focused Ferrari 458 Speciale started production in 2013, and the open-top Speciale Aperta started production in 2014. The track-only version, the Ferrari 458 Challenge car started production in 2010. Production ended when the Ferrari 458 Italia was replaced with the Ferrari 488 GTB in 2015.

Approx 15,000 458s were built in total. The car performance is very high, with a 0-124 mph time of 10.4s and 202 mph top speed.

Engine

The car has a 4.5 litre V8 producing 562 bhp at 9000 rpm,

The engine features direct injection and 12.5 compression ratio. The Speciale engine produces 597 bhp.

There are no cam-belts so this reduces the servicing costs. The engines are mechanically robust but require professional dealer intervention for electronic checks (sensors etc).

If it is still available (with the age of the car), consider purchasing Powertrain Warranty for £2500 p.a. in case of any engine failure such as camshaft pitting or other.

Transmission

The gearbox is a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) by Getrag. The differential is fully electronic (E-diff) and the car is fitted with advanced stability & traction control (F1-Trac). The gearboxes are strong but it is worth making a check on how much life is left in the clutch (a complete change costs £20,000).

New gearbox software was released after 2012 although no official statement was made on the exact functionality change.

Tyres, Wheels, Brakes, Suspension, Steering

Tyres cost £250 for each rear and £200 for each front (~ £900 for a set). Any replacement wheel is £2500.

Get the brake wear inspected and quoted as % of maximum: a set of front brake pads is £750 and a complete set of brake discs is approximately £10,000.

It is important to check the adaptive dampers for any leaks: they are only supplied in pairs at a cost of £3000 (for the pair).

Bodywork

Check underneath the front chin for any big scrapes or repaired damage.

Be thorough in checking that the car has not been involved in an accident which is not declared.

You may want to consider paint protection because Ferrari paint is known to chip easily.

Fire hazards

Check that the rear wheel-arch liners have been replaced/fixed as per factory recall (fire-prone adhesive removed and replaced with rivets). Check that the car has been routinely serviced at an official servicing agent.

Recalls

Engine seizure: Recall #12V211000

Affected 2011-2012 model years.

A faulty crankshaft can cause sudden engine seizure. Some crankshafts were machined incorrectly during manufacturing and should be replaced. Owners were given the option of having a new crankshaft and bearings installed or a completely new engine.

Trunk latch: Recall #14V487000

Affected 2010-2014 model years.

The secondary component of the trunk latch may not release when car is stationary.

Rear Fender Adhesive: Recall #10V389000

Affected 2010 458s.

At high temperatures the rear fender adhesive can ignite, leading to a fire in the engine bay which can propagate to the rest of the vehicle. The recall removes the use of adhesive and have instead uses rivets to attach the components together.

Specifications & Updates

2010: the first version has the loudest/frutiest exhaust system of all years

2011: Spider version introduced

2012: addition of the no cost 7-year maintenance package on top of the 3-year factory warranty.

Software upgrades deliver a harder kick when shifting up in race mode as well as a tamer exhaust note. Revised engine maps and revised damper and chassis updates to improve handling (available to pre-2012 cars as a Handling Kit Upgrade).

2013: No change

2014: 458 Speciale introduced.

Revised pistons, intake, ports, crankshaft, and titanium exhaust achieved a 40hp power increase to 597hp. Weight saving removed 90kg. A Side Slip Angle control (SSC) system was created to improve car control at the absolute upper limits by torque distribution via the electronic differential.

A revised transmission software allowed for 20% quicker upshifts and 40% quicker downshifts. Borrowed from the LaFerrari hypercar were new brakes that reduced rotating mass at each corner and were better at dissipating heat.

Specially made Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on new forged wheels.

2015: 458 Speciale Aperta introduced

Servicing costs

From late 2011, 7 years servicing was included in the price of the original car. Check if this applies to the car you are purchasing. It's called "Ferrari 7 Year Maintenance Plan".