I'm still planning on getting a 2006 RL this fall. Now the issue becomes getting the tech or not. I'm interested in getting the A-Spec suspension at some point - but that isn't a pressing issue. I believe that would be more costly with the conversion of the PAX tires.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the price difference would be about $1500 for the 2006. I've also noticed that only about 10-20% of the 2006 RLs had the tech package, so finding one may be a bit of a challenge anyway.

My questions to the assembled masses -- have the benefits of the tech package been worth it? Has CMBS saved your bacon? Are the PAX tires worth it? Replacement costs?

Thanks!

 

Well when i usually see this question the answer to it is get the nav...

 

I'd say no...but then again I rarely, if ever use cruise control where I live.

If you look at some other PAX threads, it' gone or going away from the RL anyway.

 

All 2006 RLs have a navi. The two 2006 trims are "base"--everything except CMBS/PAX-- and "tech"--everything.

It's not until 2007 that the base model without navi came into being in CONUS (previously, it had been sold only in Hawai'i and Alaska.

To the OP: if you really want the CMBS, get the tech and get rid of the PAX if you want wheel choice.

 

I just picked up a 2006 with the Tech Package. I personally do a lot of long highway trips, so the adaptive cruise control was a huge plus for me. The added safety of the CMBS and PAX systems was also nice. After reading some reviews that the PAX tires performed better than the standard option sealed the deal for me. Moreover, I know myself, and the fact that I didn't have a "loaded" model would have always bothered me a bit.

All that said, I wouldn't say any of the Tech Package options are necessary, especially if you don't use the cruise control much anyway. In addition, the loss (or at least added complications) of adding the A-Spec suspension and/or other wheels, along with the unknown future of the PAX System, should weigh heavily in your decision.

I personally love my RL, and would still buy it over a non-Tech if I had it to do again. However, if I were you, from what you say above, I'd get a non-Tech.

 

While I have no issues with the PAX system, I'll most likely de-PAX when they need to be replaced for the convenience if nothing else but I'm very happy with the adaptive cruise control and CMBS.

LL

 

My only concern would be with the PAX system but if you are going to upgrade to A-Spec then this might not be a significant issue. I will say that I have the Odyssey Touring with PAX and the last time my wife suffered a road hazard and I needed to replace a tire it was $330!! For one tire!! This included the tire, gel pax, and installation($50). Plus I'm only getting about 35K miles tread life. Previous Michelin tires have lasted 50k+. My RL doesn't have the CMBS/ACC but I don't do a tremendous amount of fwy driving so it wasn't a selling feature for me. Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

I think that you understand that for 2006 models only, Tech means ACC/CMBS/PAX.

For 2007 and forward, Tech means navigation

I have a 2006 Tech Pkg, and I absolutely enjoy the ACC and appreciate the CMBS. So far, I have no issues with the PAX tires, but I know I will when I have to replace them. See my previous thread on the cost to replace 4 PAX tires:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5916

I believe two potential issues arise with CMBS/PAX equipped cars:

1. The PAX units are much heavier than standard tires, so the rear suspension on PAX equipped cars have a different damper (shock) than non PAX cars. All four springs and the front shocks are identical to non-PAX cars. We have one anectodal example Pertinent thread link of a change from PAX to 18 inch A-Spec wheels, and no noticeable difference. That is good to hear:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5901

2. A-Spec suspension is not recommended for PAX equipped cars, but we are never really given a reason why. I believe, but only from indirect evidence in the OM, that the reason is Acura does not recommend it is attitude change in the car. A-Spec lowers the car, and may affect the pointing of the CMBS radar unit, and I am not confident that dealers can adjust the pointing of the unit without a lot of trouble. I have not yet heard of anyone on the board making the change to A-Spec, on a CMBS/PAX car.

When the time comes, I am pretty sure I will switch to standard wheels and tires and buy a spare.

 

Thanks for the posts - yep, knew about the evolving meaning of tech and what options are available for the 2006 RL.

I checked cars.com today. Nationwide, they had 101 2006 RLs for sale and about 5 were with tech packages (hard to say exactly because not everyone properly describes it). Prices for all the cars ranged from $40k (5600 miles) to $23K (58k miles). Median car was $31k with 30k miles.
My objective is get a CPO at $30k out the door (in California). But I can wait for a while.

Good point about CMBS radar alignment. I like the positive feedback on ACC. I don't do many highway miles now, but I am changing jobs next year and don't know how much travel it will entail.

If you go A-spec, would the change-out of suspension parts include the suspension differences between PAX and non-PAX cars?

Thanks for the link on projected PAX tire replacement. I saw the referenced post with $3750 for de-PAX (with a discount on the spare too). Compared to $2100 for a new set of PAXs - what a dilemma! Any other experiences out there?

It makes me lean more toward the non-tech...

 

On a PAX car, if you change out the suspension, you are changing all four springs and shocks. So if you keep the PAX, the rear will have more unsprung weight than the design criteria, but is it too much? I don't think any one has tried it.

The A-Spec drop is ony .75 inch, so I don't know what the effect on the CMBS is. The .75 inch drop is relatively mild in comparison to others like Eibach and H&R typically do. In addition, the drop seems to be the same at all four corners, and not more pronounced in the nose like most.

I have not yet decided whether I want to mess with it.

Maybe bob or others can say whether the A-Spec drop is greater at the nose than the tail, or the same all the way around.

Regards the ACC, it is most useful on non-interstate primary roads where there are long stretches of slower roads like 35-45 mph, or even in more heavily congested 55 to 60 mph roads. It is also good on interstates, of course.

 

Thanks - what I'm asking is, if I get a tech (06' with PAX) then get the A-spec suspension and wheels, would that be any different in suspension than getting a non-tech 06 and getting the A-spec suspension and wheels?