550 front skid guards..

Anybody know anything about front skid guards for the 550.
I'm told they protect the front spoiler...
have no idea what they look like or how they work.
Thanks,
Bill

 

Didn't I read a thread on here recently (maybe in the 360/430) about someone's skid plates actually lowering the clearance a little, then getting snagged and ripping off a bumper? I'd rather just be careful, and who sees underneath anyway?

 

Bill- Wayne is correct. Unless you inlet the skid guards intoi your spoiler with just a little sticking out below, they wiil decrease the clearance you have and provide something easy to hook when you do hit an obstacle. About the only time they would help is when your spoiler came down vertically with little forward motion. Big bang, no forward or aft motion to try anf rip it out of your spoiler.

Probably not too useful unless inletted.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Believe it or not I won them with fee install at a raffle at The Auto Gallery.....$ 500 value is what they told me.

so what to do ? maybe exchange for something else?

Terry they didn't say how or were they are installing them.

 

I think all the 550/575 regulars know my mantra.......$500 will buy a lot of tequila shots and lap dances

 

Bill- If I were you, I would trade them for whatever they will give you, even if they were free, like Wayne said. An oil change, environmental filter, air filters, whatever.

Sorry for all the typos on this bloody Blackberry. Will be really happy to get my PC back.

Most of the skid plates are in the $100-200 range for Ferraris.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

always appreciate your time and advice.
Bill

 

somehow I don't think tequila shots and lap dances will be an option...... could ask you never know.

 

Great guy Jesse ( bumper repair and paint) he works for most of the F-dealers around Los Angeles.
when I told him I was going to pass on the front skid guards he said why would you do that ?
most of the F-cars that he had worked on with them
they had saved the spoiler ends from being broken off .
(like what happened to bobwass)

what to do ??????

 

Bill- Have to use your own judgement on this one.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

It seems like Jesse is repairing a lot of bumpers with skid plates on them. Did he say what kind of damage they had?

 

I know a 355 owner who put skid plates on his skid plates so he wouldn't scuff them.

 

Maybe you can get a couple lap dances while you wait as they are being installed? Beats watching TV in the dealer's wait area. What is the saying..."two birds, one stone?"

 

...but bill, i did have the skid pads, and i believe terry has the line on this corner:
they lowered the clearance by about 5/8"
that's why i went to the 575 spoiler setup, alas, it scraped bottom in my
wilshire parking garage - - but still way better than the 550.
only touchup paint needed on the very bottom, no fibreglass work.

 

Didn't know you had them on your car Bob... from the picture you sent me they did not help at all, Jesse said that most of the cars he had worked on they had saved the spoiler....
oh well I think I'll just slo down.
Thanks Bob.

 

Terry is always right !

 

You guys are looking at the cosmetics which is an easy but pita fix. The real problem is that it is possible to bottom out the front of the car on a dip or incline such that you smash the bottom of the radiator support and radiator itself. Now that will make for a bad day. If I ever smash that I'll engineer a proper custom radiator in a better location for a lot less than a ferrari radiator. So far I'm careful. Coming from lowered 348's the 550 is an SUV. BTW I think the skid pads are a waste.

 

Thanks FBB .... bill