I had the A-spec suspension installed on my 07 RL the last week of May and this past week my wife and I took a some time and drove up to Amish country in Ohio and then on up to Niagara Falls.

The A-spec suspension is great. The car handles much better, a lot less body roll
and I think overall a much improved ride. My wife even made the comment that the
car seems to ride much better and was much easier to control.

One other thing, gas mileage was 27.8 mpg overall for the entire trip. This included
sitting at the border crossing on the way back for 45 minutes on the way home
and doing a lot of stop and go driving in Niagara on the Lake.

Overall the RL is one impressive car!!

 

Now there are 2 current threads that mention MPG's that I could only dream of. My RL would not get 27 + downhill with the wind behind it. I can't believe that A Spec has anything to do ith it either!
My MPG is 23 - 24 if I drive 65 - 70 freeway 90 %. I can get much worse without too much effort.

 

I have been averaging around 17.5 to 18.5 in my daily commute which is only about eight miles each way and no highway driving.

I was surprised at the overall mileage on our trip and decided to double check the MPG display in the MID. Even calculating our mileage manually with pencil and paper our mileage was still 27.5 mpg overall.

Highway driving was all between 60-65 mph with an occasional push to get around slower moving cars.

 

I use my RL for business (about 4k miles per month). I average about 27mpg hwy(live just outside of DC). I have done as high as 29-30 when I keep the speed at 60-65 (secondary highways) and use gas from well outside of the DC beltway (Roanoke Va gas). Straight local driving is low 20's.

Can I ask what is the cost to have the A spec suspension parts and labor?

what parts of the suspension were replaced? Did you keep the 17" tires?

I had a 2007 turbo VW GTi 6 speed and 2003 Acura CL-type S 6 speed before this RL. I love the RL, but really missed the GTi last week when I drove through the mountains of southern Va.....the paddle shifters are useless in the twisties! The car handles much better than a Cadi or Town Car, but it is no boy racer through the mountains!

Thanks!

Ed

 

The A spec suspension consists of 4 A spec Coil spring / strut units and lowers the car around
3/4 of an inch. I paid around $1100.00 for parts and labor at my dealer and I kept my 17" tires
and wheels(for now).

 

Just got back from taken a trip to PA from Wash. DC. Going up I average 30mpg. Coming back 27mpg. I am not sure why there was a difference, other than, I had put a can of BG 44K in the tank, on theway up to PA. Needless to say, the car drove and handled perfect. The RL is such a wonderful car, I just might be forced to get that ugly 09 when the lease is up.

 

Look at any map. Heading from D.C. to PA is uphill!

LL

 

Great to hear about the A-Spec.

Has anyone with PAX taken the plunge yet?

With regard to mileage, this car is an amazing cruiser. I have not gotten to 30 mpg, but high 29.x mpg. Urban driving is not its strength. I wish I got 18-19 city. More like 14-16. Must be that 93 Sunoco gas, all ethanol.

 

I have had the A-Spec for most of my 18000 miles, it works so well, just amazing.
Might be a bit harsh on very bad roads.

 

TASDISR: Thanks for the info. I am going to inquire at my servicing Acura dealer and see if they would allow/approve keeping the original 17" tire-wheel combo on the car. I want to avoid the extra costs of going to the 18" tires and wheels.

 

Right, so I got better mileage going uphill? I would think it would be the other way around.

 

I am wondering if it's the expensive California gas that is giving me lousy MPG. Anybody here live in CA and get 27MPG?

 

I see that you are in NOVA. If you get a quote anywhere close to 1100 mentioned from local acura dealers, please let me know. Radley wants 8 hrs for labor only (I believe the book hour is 6). That should definitely come out way over 1100 with parts and labor. Not sure what chantilly charges.

Thanks

 

Tire pressure and A/C have a lot to do with MPG. Octane also has a large impact on this high compression engine. When I put Xylene in my tank to boost the octane to 97 (my car pings otherwise), I get about 2mpg more than when using 93 octane. My MID shows 22.5 mpg with little to no highway (average speed is 28mph). I also start-out in 2nd gear...I find that the car accelerates better when starting in 2nd....maybe not the first 5mph but from 0 to 20mph, definitely.

 

DB - I'm in CA and don't get 27. Best I do on trips is about 24, but usually driving 75ish.

 

That's identical to my RL. I just got 24 on RT LA to SF at 70-75.
Sure glad our gas is more expensive! I have never understood how coagulated dinosaur pee can change so much in value!

 

Yes, let me know too.

Chantilly gave an off the cuff quote of $1600.

 

I will let you guys know. I will probably have the car over at Pohanka in about 2 weeks for service. I did buy the car at Karen Radley in Woodbridge (they were terrific) but have it serviced locally at Pohanka. Jerry Soriano has been my service advisor for this car and my 2003 CL-S.....Jerry serviced the CL-S for the entire 183k miles I put on the CL and I could not have asked for better service.....never had any issues or disageements with them and they kept that CL like brand-new.