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

[Mark Manzonelli (mmanzo]

I think it looks real good and NOT boy racer absurd at all....
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rick Lindsay 
  To: Manzo 
  Cc: The FerrariList 
  Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2007 2:43 PM
  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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