kirbyflorida

After adding the A-Spec suspension I am VERY happy with it, in fact it really works well.
I drive an NSX as my other car and really like cars that handle well and are responsive, this RL really works. I liked it before and now more so, about 35% better for handling.
It has less lean, less nose dive when braking , and is much more nimble in the turns, turn in is quicker.
I would highly recommend this suspension for anyone who likes this response, however, the ride is slightly harsher, NO issue where roads are nice, like south of Kentucky.
Those who still have to live up north may not want to go this route.
I kept the stock wheels and tires, the lower profile 18 inch would be more crisp but harsher.

I used to live in Wisconsin so I am familiar with roads in the north, I am fortunate to now live in paradise (IMO), no more storing cars and the roads are like glass, and NO snow EVER.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

The A-Spec suspension seems to be universally praised by those who are interested in the benefits of better handling without the drop or harsher ride usually associated with aftermarket suspension kits. Glad to hear you are enjoying the car.

neuronbob

Hahaha, another convert drinks the Kool-Aid!



It's not that bad on Cleveland's broken pavement, either. But I won't go to 19's for that reason.

dwboston

I have to admit that it gets a little rough at times with the A-Spec suspension and 18" wheels given the condition of the roads here in MA (potholes, ruts, and frost heaves abound). It's all worth it though. Best mod/upgrade I've ever done on any car.

NavyDoc333

Is the ride height significantly lower? I know it's a little over an inch lower...but I guess my question is... is it 'noticable'. Do you look at your car and think, "Man that's a lot lower".

kirbyflorida

Acura says 3/4 inch, I could not see the difference, but it really works, very crisp.

UW RL

I believe the A-Spec suspension lowers the car a little less than an inch. Correct me if I am wrong. Personally I believe the A-Spec doesn't lower enough, although I believe the handling is greatly enhanced. I would like to have around 1.5 inches of lowering like Comptech or Eibach offer, but unfortunately they don't offer applications for the RL.

neuronbob

My drop was just short of an inch. More than enough for me, I don't want the flinty ride that would result from being lower than that.

sleepinxlionhart

i was wondering if i should get aspec suspension..i kinda want to keep the RL "luxury" you know? but i'm also wondering, how much does it really help for the daily driver? i'm sure it makes a big difference on the track and if you drive your car like a race car. so i'm not sure..

Touge

sleepinxliohart, the a-spec is more of a street suspension, I wouldn't use it on the race track.

mr_allenp

I know that some of you guys here lives in New York. I like the idea of upgrading to the A Spec suspension, what i don't like is the idea of using it in New York city streets where the roads are far less than ideal. I am afraid that with the firmer suspension, I would just add to the wear and tear of the car due to the road condition that we have here. This is my only gripe here in New York, they say it's the greatest City in the world but the streets just plain sucks, probably one of the worst in the world.

Chas2

A-Spec suspension is supposed to be a .75 inch drop

kirbyflorida

My headlights need adjusting after the aspec install, they aim low.

JonFo

Just went for a 'test' drive on very windy mountain roads (inside my gated community, we have 50 miles of private paved roads), and man I’m impressed.

First, some background, even though I’m 49, I love a high-performance cars. My recent vehicles have or include:
’97 Subaru SVX (4EAT), ’02 Audi A6 2.7T sport (5sp Tiptronic), ’04 Subaru WRX (5MT), ’05 Subaru Legacy GT (5EAT).

Notice a slight bias towards AWD there ;-)

The 04 WRX and the ’05 GT are incredible performers in curvy roads. With the right tires, they’re glued to the road, no matter the conditions.
Credit a great AWD system, firm bodies and more than enough power. The downside is noisy place to ride in.

The ’07 RL I just blasted around in here outperformed the A6 I had by a noticeable margin. Much better tracking, with no plowing. Stepping on the gas (in manual, 2nd gear at 3K RPM) at the apex yields stunningly great response. It just goes where you point.
Very little body lean for a ‘heavy’ sedan as well.

Diving down switchbacks I found the brakes very easy to modulate and again, the chassis stays where it should be.
The seats hang on well, but then all seats in the cars listed above do a wonderful job.
It was good to see the luxury part did not kill good side bolstering on the RL seats.

I have to say that even bone stock, I’m satisfied (considering it’s my commuter car, not my mountain carver, that’s the WRX)..

I imagine better tires and suspension would transform this into something quite impressive.

Question is: What does it do for the interior noise levels?

neuronbob

No change from the suspension itself.

However, I changed tires and wheels at the same time I did the suspension and the tires do add some noise.

kenny5

'inside my gated community, we have 50 miles of private paved roads".

Wow!! Here in Gotham, I feel lucky if I don't have to stop 10 times in a 0.5 mile drive. Just the garage (indoor parking space) costs $400 a month.

Sorry for being off topic. I just need to vent when I feel so deprived.

JonFo

Thanks Bob, that's good to hear. Guess I need to start (or search for) a thread on quiet high performnce tires, if that's not an oxymoron

Kenny, sorry to harsh your mellow, but you probably have umpteen hundred restaurants within a few miles of you, we get two within a 15 mile radius.
Oh and entertainment, unless it's watching the deer eat the flowers, there is precious little here. But then there are those 83 miles (wife corrected me, 50 was an old number from 7 years ago) to go carve up

neuronbob

Pirelli Nero Zero is most popular here and are apparently satisfactorially quiet with good performance. I don't have them because thy were on backorder in the RL's 18" size at the time I needed them.

dwboston

I have about 5000 miles on my Pirelli's with no noticeable noise from the tires. I switched from the Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires that came with the car, and once the Pirelli's broke in after 1000 miles or so there doesn't seem to be much difference in handling between the two. The Pirelli's are great tires - let's see how long they last though.

psa#33

[IMG]..you know when I bought my car last year I always wonder if it came with a-spec sunspension..

CG2007RL

Please let me know if you know the height difference between having A-Spec and not having A-Spec?

tasdisr

Well count me as another Kool-Aid drinker! Dropped my 07 RL off today to have the a-spec suspension. Wanted to get it done before we go up to Niagara Falls in a couple of weeks.

Dealer gave me an 08 RDX for a loaner!