BuddyTL

Hey, everyone. Just thought I'd create a thread to show the changes of my TL over time. I know it was helpful for me to see other TL's when trying to figure out what to do with mine.

Some of these pics are taken with a cell phone so they aren't the best quality. I'll take some others soon with my DLSR.

In the meantime though, here you go. It's a 2012 Acura TL Tech with the OEM underspoiler kit, Tein H-Tech springs and 20" ACE Convex wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

New (to me)






Just lowered


New shoes




Vinyl wrapped all the chrome and silver (except emblems)

KarKraze

Very nice mods to your Tl so far,i kinda prefer the chrome trims over the wrapped but once you like it that is most important.Michelin Pilot Super Sports are great tires,i have them and i love it.

LawnPro

Congrats BuddyTL! That's one stealth black TL, I like the tint and wheels you went with.

The OEM lip kit adds alot to the look, awsome!

Is that 20% tint?

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

Those Ace wheels look a lot better than I imagined they could on a TL, must be the color scheme.

wreak

It's amazing how much of a difference the wheels made. Your car pretty much just sold me on installing the oem spoiler, thanks for costing me $500 bucks!

FoxTL

Nice ride. Love the wheels.

BuddyTL

Thanks, KarKraze. I'm not much a chrome fan so I thought I'd go ahead and get it all wrapped. If for some reason I change my mind and I can always pull specific parts of the vinyl wrap off.

Thanks, LawnPro. I'm not sure what the % of the tint is since it was already on the car when I bought it.

Sorry, wreak! It really does add to the TL though. It'll be $500 well spent.

Thanks, FoxTL.

BuddyTL

Some better pics although it wasn't very sunny today.

Alexander.

iTrader: (1)

Really big fan of what you've done to the car - looks great

filipinoooy

Booya4139

wheels look killer.... Nice combination of sporty but still OEM'ish... Well done

BuddyTL

Thanks, AccessPhoto.

Thanks, Booya. That's exactly the look I'm going for.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Great updated pictures, Buddy. Love the wheels too.

purextc

Wow! looks awesome all blacked out love it!

sympley

Very well done. Which wheel size did you go with?

BuddyTL

Thanks, purextc.

Thanks, sympley. I went with the 20x8.5" all around.

Thanks, Steven.

alienstudio

Nice wheel choice!
What offset did you go with ?

BuddyTL

Thanks, alienstudio. I went with the +40 offset. I figured if RonJon has an offset of +40 for his 20x8.5" wheels then I should be ok.

rossfarneth

Nice ride Buddy! Kit looks awesome with CPB. Nice rim choice. I was hesitant to do all black for the grill (never seen a pic with it all black), but i'm glad you got a pic up with it b/c it looks really good. Nice work!

jiggaman

sick ride, love what you've done with it!

EkSoni

iTrader: (2)

Very clean and not overdone

BuddyTL

Thanks, rossfarneth. I hadn't seen a 2012+ with a grill all blacked out either before. I think it turned out pretty good though.

Thanks, jiggaman.

Thanks, EkSoni.

Limelight

Excellent job - well done. Your car looks very clean and aggressive.

I would paint the calipers black to compliment the wheels and then leave it exactly as is

Bankz

Looking at your car makes me want to upgrade to a 4G TL

rossfarneth

Random thought...Buddy did you just get this TL at Acura of Orange Park in Jacksonville w/ the kit already on it used w/ just over 10k miles? I just traded mine in last month for the AWD version there and mine had the kit on it. Saw that your license said acura of orange park so.....lol Wondering if it could be my old one!? Regardless...this is currently my fav pic of the 4G TL.

BuddyTL

Thanks, CanadacuraTL. I've never painted calipers but I agree that they need to be made nicer with the open wheels. What's interesting is my wife's Acura RDX has black calipers with Acura written in white on them. Any recommendations on aftermarket calipers?

Thanks, Bankz. You might change your mind once the 5G TL/X is released.

Hey, Ross. Yes, it's your previous TL. LOL The dealership had told me the previous owner traded it in for the AWD TL but I didn't know if that was the real story or not. It's a small world after all! Thanks for the compliment on the pic of the TL.

TerpNation

this looks good. i approve.

rossfarneth

Thats awesome! Glad to see it went to someone that is going to take good care of it. As I said before it's definitely looking damn good!

User Error

Man the parts guys at Acura of OP musta seen your ride there's a new one sitting on the show room floor with all your mod's cept if sitting on Ron Jon wheels... looks sweet... just picked up an 09 for the wife that i'll be starting on after Xmas... What side of town are you on? I'd love to go for a ride and feel the H Tech's before i figure out what springs i'ma go with...

M.I.N.O.

iTrader: (1)

This ride really has me thinking about upgrading to the 4G. Everything is tastefully done and looks OEM. Well done sir.

lazAcura

Wow, I am a huge fan of those wheels. Looking amazing! Have you thought about a rear spoiler?

nakacura

Car looks terrific. Really impressed with the drop, hows the ride? What size tires did you go with? Was appling vinyl to chrome difficult....how long did it take?

User Error

Uhh... it has one?

AnyaBoo

That is one beautiful TL! Great job Buddy!

lazAcura

Was a couple drinks into it last night... I meant to say a rear roof spoiler.

User Error

LoL...

BuddyTL

Hey, User Error. I haven't been by the dealership in a while so I'll have to go check it out. I'm actually just outside of Jacksonville but send me a PM and we can talk about meeting up.

Thanks, M.I.N.O. That's exactly the look I'm going for.

Thanks, nakacura. The ride is about the same but a slight harsher. Keep in mind though that I went from the OEM 245/50/R17's to 245/35/ZR20's too so you're going to feel more in the road. It's definitely not unbearable though. I don't feel like any fillings are going to fall out of my mouth.

For the vinyl I actually had Miller Creative Group in OP do it. I'm sure it's something I could technically do on my own but I rather leave it to the professionals. They had it ready to go within one day.

Thanks, AnyaBoo.

BuddyTL

Thanks, lazAcura. Gotta watch that drinking! Only kidding. But actually the wife just gave me the go ahead on the rear roof spoiler so hopefully I'll be ordering it soon.

alienstudio

with the 20's, do you feel your steer wheel a bit heavier compared to the oem 17's?

BuddyTL

Hey, alienstudio. Between the new wheels, tires and lowering you definitely notice a slight difference in the steering. It's a little heavier/tighter but nothing to be too concerned about.