Ferrari Mailing List: Re: A change to my SL500 - NMGC, NFC

[Dave Handa (dave]

Not bad...but now you need some H&R springs to drop it 1.25"




-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Lindsay [mailto:rolindsay [at] yahoo.com] 
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2007 12:44 PM
To: dave [at] davehanda.com
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: [Ferrari] A change to my SL500 - NMGC, NFC

Hello Folks,

   I took advantage of a massive TireRack sale and
put 19" wheels and tires on my '98 SL500.  Some said
it would look an abomination and others said it would
drive terribly - and yet others said that they have
plus-sized their wheels and they did really well.  I
figure I couldn't hurt the looks much given that it
had 16" CHROME after-market pseudo-Mercedes wheels.

   Here's what I have found; Yes, the car looks a
little 'youngish' for my likes but its not bad.  Of
course, taste is in the mouth of the beholder and we
all know the opinions-simile.  Here's how the car
looks: http://www.aubard.us/SL500/HPIM0727.JPG .  You
either kinda like it or you just puked!  Either way,
I'm not there to see (or smell) it.  If you can stand
it, here's a 3/4 front view:
http://www.aubard.us/SL500/HPIM0730.JPG .  I now need
to clean up the suspension and brake hardware - now
that its all visible - and perhaps repaint the
calipers back silver.
   The ride height is the same as with the 16" wheels
and correct tires, so there is no distortion there. 
The big change is that the sidewall is 1-1/2" shorter:
http://www.aubard.us/SL500/HPIM0729.JPG (not to
mention 20mm wider tread).  It is kinda cool that the
M-B star inserts are the older style with the blue
surround.  My car's interior and top are blue.
   Now let's forget the appearance and talk drive.  In
short, I am very pleased.  To my tastes, the stock
SL500 ride is that of a luxury car.  It is soft but
sure footed.  And we all know that 315hp is a good
thing.  What I find with the shorter sidewalls is a
much stiffer ride.  The car feels more like a sports
car.  Yes, the smooth luxury car feel is still there
in straight and level flight but given a little
'attitude', the car feels the road much better.  I 
hate to put it this way but...  You know how a BMW 
feels sooooo much better than a Honda or Toyota?  
That's the difference I now feel in my SL.
   So the bottom line is that I kinda like the more
aggressive look - if a little youthful - and I can
deal with that easily for the improved feel of the
road.
   I am pleased - whatever that says about me. :-)

Regards,

Rick
'98 M-B SL500
other stuff

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