Frustrating issues with my F430 Spider

I guess this type of thing is part of the Ferrari ownership experience, however, this type of thing has not really happened to me before. Its frustrating but hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel. I purchased my F430 Spider from a reputable Toronto dealer last November and immediately stored it for winter. Unfortunately the weather here in Toronto has not really cooperated this Spring so the opportunities to drive it on weekends have not really materialized as hoped. Not only has the weather been quite cold but we've had buckets of rain. I did manage to have one nice drive with a locally based club, and then decided to add some additions to my car, and that's when the troubles started. The first thing I did was install a Blackvue Dashcam (don't ask me why I did it, it was probably a mistake, and an impulse decision I now regret because I didn't need one for the 3 years I owned my previous 575M Maranello). After that was installed I immediately started to have battery issues, with the battery going dead at the shop that did the install when I went to pick it up, and then again at my home when I planned to bring it back to the dealer for a full PPF (clear plastic paint coat protection) install. When I initially questioned the shop about using my trickle charger while the car was stationary at home (as well as a friend who has one on his Porsche but drives it every day), I was told there is not need to do that because along with the dash cam they also installed something called a Multi-safer which is supposed to control the voltage usage and turn off the dash cam if its too much. It seems that they were both wrong, as when I brought the car back to the shop to do the PPF install, my battery died again and not only that, it was so bad we initially could not get the top to go back up because of too much battery drain. We had to let the car charge (with a trickle charger) for a few more hours before we could get the top to go up, and until I could leave. During the stay at this shop, I also asked them to do a track inspection and they found 3 issues with the car, the first being a leak in the F1 pump hose, the second a broken exhaust bracket, and the 3rd being a loose tie rod. So after leaving that shop I immediately drove my car back to the dealer who sold me the car. I expected the battery to be charged after the 30 minute highway drive to get there, but apparently it didn't because when I turned the car off, it wouldn't start. In discussions with the dealer they fortunately agreed to look after all the other issues found (exhaust bracket, F1 pump hose leak, tie rod replacement) but the battery replacement is on me. I asked them to have someone in from an media shop that they use to install dash cams for their clients just to double check the install that the other shop did, and they found that the Multi-safer I originally purchased for the dash cam to save the battery is not appropriate for Ferrari use, so I had them install the appropriate component. Then while servicing the car to replace the broken exhaust bracket at the dealer a technician did not screw back the rear diffuser properly and so it fell, taking the bumper with it and causing a tear. They were honest enough to tell me and will fix it, which includes re-painting and putting back the PPF. I can't very well say I am happy about this turn of events but I guess "**** happens". I guess all the love and care I planned for my car to protect it has achieved the opposite. Very frustrating, and part of it is that I now have to wait another two weeks for my car to be ready and may miss the track day. Such is life.

 

Thanks. Battery has been replaced but its the other fixes I have to wait for now.
Clyde

 

Omg James after reading your story I'm not gonna complain anymore, that's rough man. Glad to hear you still have a positive attitude after all that. Yea it's true all the complaints disappear when you have a chance to drive it. Thing is I sold my 575M Maranello for this car and that car was bulletproof with almost nary a problem. There were no Ferrari horror stories. I guess I got lucky with the 575 but hopefully that's the last of the issues with this F430 too. I've been told suspension tie rods and wheel bearings are a common problem with these beasts ($$), but didn't expect to have to deal with that issue so soon. I have a CTek which I'll plug in while it's parked in the garage from now on, and if the dashcam causes battery issues again I'll have It taken out. Other than that I am looking forward to having it for my track day June 1 and beyond.
Wish you best of luck with yours too.
Mine has the stock exhaust and headers so I may put aftermarket on eventually.
Thanks for your good wishes
Clyde


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi Curt,
Yes I may eventually rip out the dash cam if it causes anymore problems with the battery. Its not worth it if it ruins the enjoyment of the car, or worse still causes other problem issues. I've already had the battery replaced as I wrote in my original thread.
Happy to hear you've had 7 enjoyable years with your car and I wish you many more.
Sorry to say but if you had any inkling of our winter weather here you would not recommend taking it out in winter. Toronto Canada weather is not like South Carolina. Beyond the snow we get the city pours tons of salt on the roads which eat into the frame of the car and cause other issues. Besides Ferrari supercars were not designed to be snow driven, except perhaps the FF or the GTC/4 Lusso. Also if you intend to sell the car one day and hope to get anything for it, a winter driven Ferrari is a good way to destroy your investment. I hope to trade this up for a 458 in a few years if I'm fortunate enough, but if I were to drive it in winter there is no way that would be possible.
Clyde

 

Hi Fred
Actually the engine was running when I had the trouble with the top but it was determined that the battery was too weak anyway. The battery is replaced now so I will have to test it as soon as I get the car back.
$17 in 2 years seems like a lot, but maybe you installed aftermarket headers and exhaust?
Thanks for your good wishes and hope you have fun this summer as well
Clyde

 

Thanks Serf,
I certainly hope you're right. Yes the bumper issue really bothers me, but I am sure when everything is all fixed up I'll be happy.
Clyde


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I have asked them to check the Alternator Steve and they told me its fine, let's hope so.
Clyde


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Yikes that's high!
Clyde


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

You're a lucky man Sam
Clyde


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thanks that's what I'm looking forward to [emoji3]
Clyde


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi yea after changing the battery and the dash cam controller its been working fine. Only thing is that if I know I won't be driving my F430 for more than a week I plug in the charger to make sure its not going to drain the battery. Another thing I do is disconnect the dash cam when its in the garage as well.
Lastly, next time I won't be buying a dash cam for my Ferrari

Clyde

 

Wow! You really had more serious issues than I had, that sucks. Glad to hear you've been happy with your Lambo you purchased and that all is well with it. Its unusual because I've known people with Lambos that have had all kinds of issues as compared to Ferraris in general. Yes, it does hurt the experience when you are constantly dealing with issues. The F430 is definitely more finicky than the 575M Maranello I had before, but I guess every car is different as well so it could only be the car.