| Author |
Message |
Mark Collins (Markcollins)
New member
Username: Markcollins
Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 4:57 pm: | |
My late 96 UK Car is definitely in soft mode with the light on and I can definitely feel the difference on uneven surfaces.
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Clark Driggers (Clark)
Junior Member
Username: Clark
Post Number: 60
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 12:17 pm: | |
I spoke with the salesman and he was mistaken (he said he was thinking of the F1 version). I double checked with the manual. When the light is on it is comfort mode, otherwise it is Sport mode.
Clark
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Willis Huang (Willis360)
Member
Username: Willis360
Post Number: 953
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 12:07 pm: | |
The 355 in normal mode seem to ride harsher than the 360 in the same setting. You will feel the differences more prominently in a 360.
I think the Fiorano package was only available for the last 100 355's built (Series Fiorano). |
A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
New member
Username: Senna1994
Post Number: 31
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 11:59 am: | |
I don't feel much of a difference either, my dealer told me not to bother with the switch. |
Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Member
Username: Mmayeux73
Post Number: 298
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 11:49 am: | |
Does anyone here have the Fiorano handeling package? How is that? |
Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Junior Member
Username: Jussumfastgi
Post Number: 248
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 10:44 am: | |
I guess this thread proves that you can't feel the difference. ;) |
jm2 (Yello355)
New member
Username: Yello355
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 6:01 am: | |
The roads here in michigan are not exactly known for their smooth conditions.While the differences in suspension settings are subtle, the ride is less harsh & stiff on many surfaces in the "comfort mode". |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 510
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 6:05 pm: | |
every time i switch my suspension switch i get a nasty phone call from some woman in Maranello telling me to "cut it out"!
doody. |
arthur chambers (Art355)
Member
Username: Art355
Post Number: 706
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 5:11 pm: | |
I can't tell the difference in any setting. the car bottoms in both setting, when I'm trying to go fast.
Art |
Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member
Username: Rickyn_f355
Post Number: 84
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 4:59 pm: | |
this is hysterical!!! |
James B (Jimmy_b)
New member
Username: Jimmy_b
Post Number: 6
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 4:54 pm: | |
I was told by my workshop that for the first year or so of production - 94 - the 355 was in sport (firmer ride) mode by default and when the light was on it went to 'comfort' (ha ha) mode. Allegedly after some customer feedback on preferences, this was reversed around 96, so light on means sport mode. They also told me that under heavy cornering / fast track use / etc. the active suspension sets hard for maximum grip and minumum body roll regardless of the settings.
The bit about reversing settings in 96 could be for European 355s like mine, not American ones or it could be total BS, but it would explain the level of confusion....
I'm certainly confused. A 456 has three settings that all feel the same!
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Joseph Caretti (Pino)
Junior Member
Username: Pino
Post Number: 90
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 2:01 pm: | |
Clark, perhaps the dealer was confused between an F1 version and the traditional 6-speed. On an F1, the light comes on to indicate that the "sport mode" has been activated, stiffening suspension and decreasing F1 shift time. On the 6-speed the light comes on to indicate that the suspension is in the "soft" setting.
I could never notice the difference in my '95.
I believe in "normal mode" (light off), the suspension is in the softer setting until called upon to stiffen up by more aggressive driving behavior, whereas activating "soft mode" via the switch (light on) does not allow the dampeners to adjust to a stiffer setting. |
eli (ali) Latif (Ninja_eli)
New member
Username: Ninja_eli
Post Number: 7
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 12:17 pm: | |
The light on means that it is in soft setting. This was confirmed by the dealer to me, and also by reading the manual. The manual clearly states that it is for soft mode, so I am very surprised at the dealer telling you that it is for sport mode. Can't have been selling 355's for long. Congrats on the new car!!! I know the 360 apparently has the light on for sport mode, but not sure as I am only taking others word for it. 355 definitely light on = soft mode. Its an orange warning light that tells you its not operating at its best.
Its funny how different people feel about this, I can definitely feel the difference, but perhaps if I wasn't told the real position by the dealer and reading the manual, would I perhaps have a different perception? |
Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member
Username: Rickyn_f355
Post Number: 83
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 9:51 am: | |
thnx mitch,
i find all the differing opinions rather remarkable! u have to love these cars!
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Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Junior Member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 175
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 9:44 am: | |
In <ahem> true Italian fasion the light is ON to tell you that the car is operating in degraded mode--i.e. soft.
I find the soft setting makes the car sloppy on the roads, and only use this when the road gets gritty and really rough. |
Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member
Username: Rickyn_f355
Post Number: 81
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 8:45 am: | |
congrats clark! how do like it so far?
does it feel firmer when the light is on or off for you? Seems that each car is unique. |
Clark Driggers (Clark)
Junior Member
Username: Clark
Post Number: 59
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 8:40 am: | |
Ricky,
I just took delivery on my 355 and the slaesman said that when the light is on it is in Sport mode
Clark |
Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member
Username: Rickyn_f355
Post Number: 80
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 8:20 am: | |
okay, i'm officially confused....i read the manual in english and italian and it's not clear...if the suspension light is on then the suspension is in ______ mode, anyone? |
Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Junior Member
Username: Dapper
Post Number: 242
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 7:51 am: | |
Normally with such systems a dash light ON means the setting that is with higher level of risk and will require MORE drivers input/skill i.e. if talking traction control it would be switched out of authority or OFF, with suspension settings it would be operating in a LESS forgiving manner. |
Robert Ziino (F355bob)
New member
Username: F355bob
Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 7:24 am: | |
From what I understand the computer is reading speed, braking, acceleraton and other parameters. If you are on the highway ata constanst 70 in either mode, I don't think you will feel much difference, but put the car through some fast turns with hard braking and speed changes and you will really feel the difference between the two settings. |
Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member
Username: Rickyn_f355
Post Number: 79
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, October 07, 2002 - 9:05 pm: | |
thnx doody
i too feel like it's a bit more comfortable when the light is on but reading the manual looks like it says that when the light is on it should be in sport mode.
some others who are "confused"
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=63&h=0&t=18359
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Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 508
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 07, 2002 - 8:48 pm: | |
when the indicator light is on that means the suspension is in the less sporty mode (for lack of better phrasing).
i do find a difference in the ride, but it is not dramatic. it's subtle but notable. when the highways are backed up on my commute, there's a section of a few miles through a winding roadway in the woods. beautiful scenery, but crappy road. i always switch the suspension in this stretch, and i can tell the difference. it's not so much "smoother" as it is "just a bit less jarring".
doody. |
Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member
Username: Rickyn_f355
Post Number: 77
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, October 07, 2002 - 8:37 pm: | |
i cant seem to feel the difference between having the sport supsension on or off. If the suspension light is on the dash, should the ride be firmer or softer? |