I haven't posted on this forum in months, but I've been enjoying my '06 RL and now am approaching 17K miles. I would like to report on my A spec suspension after driving about 8,000 miles with it on all types of roads and conditions:

I had the A-spec suspension installed after my dealer agreed to match ridiculously low ebay prices...it cost me about 900 dollars installed. I kept my 17 inch wheels and tires for ride quality. Let me say that this has absolutely transformed my car. The steering is way more responsive, and on center there is no soft (dead) spot that existed before the upgrade. I asked the dealer about this recently, and they said that lowering the car and the related suspension settings are the reason. They also told me others who upgraded the suspension have commented about this.

At speed the car feels way more planted and tighter than before. Much to my surprise, the feel through the wheel of the road surface has been improved by orders of magnitude. The steering also feels faster, perhaps because there is less body roll that goes on when you initiate turning. Even stupidly quick turning of the steering wheel at speed garners an immediate reaction from the car. I think in fact that my car is safer because it is more controllable in an emergency maneuver. In the twisties, the car corners flat, never floats, feels stronger braking, and, most importantly, the sensation from the SHAWD is much improved whenever you mash the pedal into corners. You can really feel the back end of the car pushing through the corner. This must have something to do, again, with the lack of extraneous body movement in transitions.

As for ride quality, it is still decent. Certainly, it is not as cushy as before, but I did not like the softness. The new suspension is really this is only noticable with large potholes or dips at highway speeds. Also, as speeds increase, the suspension feels more supple.

Cheers

 

Great review on the A-Spec. I have my eye on the rs*r springs, but have been seriously considering just going with the A-Spec. It won't lower my car as much (which in theory I might like better), but it sure sounds like a great product! Decisions decisions!

 

Nice review. I could've written that.

Another advantage to the A-Spec suspension is.....warrantied dealer service if there's a problem. Further, it's the most cost-effective suspension solution.

 

The A-Spec comes with retuned dampers also, which cannot be a bad thing--it is a full spring and damper replacement, not just a spring replacement.

 

if the A-Spec suspension upgrade would lower the car by a little more than an inch I would be all over it by now... Decisions decisions..

 

One thing I forgot to add was a comparison I recently made between my car with aspec and an Infiniti m35. I recently spent a week in Phoenix with an M35 rental car. I had read a lot about how the M had such great steering, handling, and how the RL was soft with numb steering (see autospies.com...they're idiots though). Well, after driving the M for a week and coming back and immediately driving my RL A spec home from the airport, I can say that the RL has much less body roll, and the steering has equal or even more road feel. The on center feel is the same between the cars. The M does have slightly higher effort steering, but not much. I am not sure about the steering ratios, but they feel very similar. Overall, though, my A spec car feels more composed in the corners and the steering tingles my fingers more as the road surface changes. I bet the reviews of the RL would have been completely different had the testers used the a spec and 17 inch wheels.

Let me also say something about the engine performance. The M feels faster on the initial punch of the accelerator, but there is then an important difference. Where the RL continues to build acceleration into a frenzy, the M starts off strong but it's pull lessens as the revs build. It is interesting that the cars have very similar 0-60 times, but several comparisons I have read say the RL is not quick. Accelerating at highway speeds, the RL is noticeably quicker than the M I drove, and I had a week to test the M in all types of conditions.

Anyway, I came home with much more admiration for my car than before the trip. I wish more RL drivers could experience a drive in an a spec's car.

 

When I rented a M35 from the PHX airport I felt I was in a lesser car. The engine noise was horrendous and the belts were sqeaky/noisy - and this car had less than 5000 miles on it. My wife was contemplating trading her 2004 RSX-S for a G35 coupe but once we took the test drive she decided to keep her RSX. There is definitely not a $13000 difference between those cars. We offered $31500 but were scoffed at for that 6MT with sport pkg. Acura is tough to beat for the value/$.

 

Yes! We probably rented from the same place (National?). I noticed that the engine noise was way beyond the RL during acceleration and even cruising on the highway, and to me the interior looked cheap. My wife thought the same thing. I just cannot figure out where some of the comparison reviews (like consumer reports) come out praising the M and trashing the RL. They smell of obvious bias for some reason.

 

Looks like I am going to "negotiate" an A-Spec upgrade at one of the local NJ dealers. Sounds awesome. The only thing with the M35 is that is has a "slightly" bigger presence. Overall the car is a little bigger in size (wider), more bloated than an RL.

Good to hear the A-Spec is truly a performance upgrade.

 

I recently went from an 05 TL to an 07 RL and I am glad I made the move, though I do miss
the more responsive handling of the TL. Does anyone know how the ride and handling compare to the TL.

Being a larger car I understand the RL will not be the same, just looking for a general comparison I guess.

 

Hey, Static, when you're done negotiating the installation of an A-Spec suspension on yours in New Jersey, will you post how did it go. I don't think I will find a good deal here in New York. Installation alone will cost me some money. I was quoted $700.00 for installation by my dealer just the other day.

 

Test drive #2, RL vs TL impressions



I paid $4xx including the alignment, $330 for suspension alone.

 

So Neuronbob, are you saying that you paid about $800.00 for the the suspension installed? And is that in Cleveland? Hmmm, I believe I can drive up to Cleveland if I will get the same price that you get. One question, I bought an Acura Care Extended Warranty, if an Acura dealer install the suspension, would it be included in my Acura Care warranty?

 

Great review by the OP. You guys are making me a little envious...with CMBS/PAX I can't do the A-Spec mod. (I also have a nasty dip at the end of my driveway that eats low-riding cars for breakfast!)

I've always admired the A-Spec wheels too. They're at least as nice as the upgraded BMW wheels. I think the RL is happiest with 18" tires.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...25&postcount=7

I paid for the suspension kit and wheels together on eBay and had my dealer install the entire setup. They were a hair over $2k shipped. The suspension alone is $600 on eBay, so I actually paid a total of $930 installed (again, not including the alignment). Your $700 was for installation alone. . I am a regular customer at my dealer service department and they've done suspension mods on three of my cars. I think that could have influenced the cost, though if I referred you, maybe they could work something out?

The A-Spec suspension is just like any other installed part--you get a 12 month warranty if you don't install at the time of purchase. However, since it's an Acura part, I don't think a dealer would give you any trouble if you ran into problems after that.

 

My dealer said they would honor the warranty on my A spec shocks as long as the vehicle warranty was in effect.

 

You can test drive any car in the RL class(as I have) and if you are honest with yourself, its hard to find anything better. I can only imaging what the A-spec is like on the RL. It is the definition of smooth and beauty, not to mention the great reliability for all its gadgets.