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Handling Speciale Pack on UK Roads

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by nidriver, Aug 16, 2015.

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  1. nidriver

    nidriver Rookie

    Aug 16, 2015
    46
    N. Ireland, UK
    #1 nidriver, Aug 16, 2015
    Im in the market for a California 30 (i think) to drive on UK roads. Ive only ever driven a 30 with the Handling Specialie Pack. I did enjoy the responsive steering , but the critisism that its a bit overly sensitive on long bends did kick into play when i found myself correcting the wheel a little more than expected on some turns.

    However, im not too worried about this. What i was wondering about though is that i found the car a little bit (even in sports mode) hard/firm on our roads in northern ireland. Another critisism that ive read online.

    Im hoping to use the car i buy as an everyday car (to some extent) - does anyone here have similar experiences - do you think i would be advised not go get the HS pack on the used 30 i would buy?
     
  2. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
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    Michael
    #2 4th_gear, Aug 16, 2015
    SPORT mode actually stiffens the chassis. You should try COMFORT mode if you want a softer ride.
     
  3. nidriver

    nidriver Rookie

    Aug 16, 2015
    46
    N. Ireland, UK
    #3 nidriver, Aug 17, 2015
    Thanks - I know what the different settings do, but my question is to the effect that HS has generally. I know it has stiffer suspension even in comfort mode than the standard car.
     
  4. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
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    #4 4th_gear, Aug 17, 2015
    You're probably correct about the suspension in the HS Pack car being stiffer all-round than the regular car.

    My Cali30 does not have the HS Pack but does have Magneride. I also take it onto roads with what I would rate as marginally adequate road surfaces (repeated small patches of spalled surface asphalt but no gaping holes) and the stiff suspension setting feels alright to me. So I suspect the COMFORT mode of the HS Pack car would also be alright for me. I'm not so sure about the stiffer HS Pack setting though.

    As usual, the acid test is a road test.
     
  5. Tarheel

    Tarheel Rookie

    Feb 7, 2015
    33
    Michigan, USA
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    Ritch
    #5 Tarheel, Aug 17, 2015
    I have the HS package on my 2013 California 30. I live in Michigan where we have the worst roads in America. The Cali has been great as a car I can drive every day (except deep winter here). As suggested in a previous post, I just use the comfort mode as needed if I'm rolling around. For fun drives and track days, the HS package is a great plus. I ordered mine new, so had never driven an HS car before I bought mine, but had driven the standard equipped car. I am very glad I went with the HS.
     
  6. nidriver

    nidriver Rookie

    Aug 16, 2015
    46
    N. Ireland, UK
    #6 nidriver, Aug 17, 2015
    Thanks for this guys. Tarheel - would you be able to compare it to the ride in any other cars you have driven? The only cars i have access to are a porsche 997 c2s (fine to drive in normal mode, not useable all the time in its sport mode), and an audi r8 v10 (again fine to drive in its normal mode).
     
  7. Tarheel

    Tarheel Rookie

    Feb 7, 2015
    33
    Michigan, USA
    Full Name:
    Ritch
    #7 Tarheel, Aug 17, 2015
    It's better all around than the 996 Turbo Cab I was driving before. I drive a Cayenne Turbo S in the winter here which is a great option for bad roads and snowy weather in the wintertime. I have a 458 Speciale on order and scheduled to be delivered in about 3 weeks. When that arrives, I'll use the California as the daily driver 8 months of the year, the Cayenne for the winter, and the Speciale just for fun.
     
  8. Ron4pro

    Ron4pro Karting

    Oct 21, 2013
    180
    Arizona
    #8 Ron4pro, Aug 17, 2015
    i had the 2014 Cali with an HS package...I am glad I did because I did enjoy the tighter steering too. I traded it in this year for 2014 Spider. The Cali HS in sport mode is a softer ride than the 458 Spider in wet (comfort) mode.

    The rodes in Arizona are very friendly but I would still felt the ride was never overly harsh. I test drove some non HS when I purchased and found them to have a little too much roll. I hope that helps...at the very least, get magaride shocks. They do make a huge difference
     
  9. nidriver

    nidriver Rookie

    Aug 16, 2015
    46
    N. Ireland, UK
    #9 nidriver, Aug 18, 2015
    Thanks guys. From reading other forums and reviews, the "recommended setup" for a daily driver cali 30 seems to be nonHS but with magneride. Though of course not everyone agrees.

    I did like the faster steering when I test drove the one last week - however, I did also feel it wasn't so good on longer more gradual bends.

    Its great to get responses from actual car owners who live with the cars rather than journalists who drive them for an hour or two and write a review - much appreciated.

    Going tomorrow for another drive in another one so ill see how that goes!
     
  10. Peter P

    Peter P Karting

    Dec 22, 2011
    129
    Boston area
    #10 Peter P, Aug 18, 2015
    I have a 2013 Cal30 with HS and magneride and drive in the sport mode every day, even over New England roads that are far from perfect. I actually find the steering to be quite precise and enjoyable -- more so than my wife's new Targa 4 GTS, which feels very heavy. Regarding ride quality, on a longer trip or in stop and go traffic, comfort mode is nice, but more so to make the shift points a little more friendly. But 95% of the time I'm quite happy to have the more responsive steering coupled with the firmer suspension, and of course that wonderful raspy exhaust note you get in sport mode. I would definitely opt for both the HS package and magneride.
     
  11. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

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    #11 4th_gear, Aug 18, 2015
    I think your personal experiences with the HS Pack Cali30 and your newer 458 Spider are quite useful and telling. Your mentioning about the HS Pack exhibiting less roll (when cornering in stiff mode) also highlights one of the design intentions of the option.
     
  12. nidriver

    nidriver Rookie

    Aug 16, 2015
    46
    N. Ireland, UK
    #12 nidriver, Aug 22, 2015
    Thanks for your help guys. I drove the car I was thinking on buying (2013 cali 30 with HS pack) on a variety of roads and liked it so much I bought it! Its more comfortable than my Porsche 997 c2s (even in the porche "normal/soft" mode) on bumpy roads from what I can tell and of course sounds amazing!

    The HS pack will take a little getting used to on slower bends, and I do feel that there isn't the same feedback from the wheel as I notice on my 997, but im sure each of those will change when I get used to the car. It does make turning sharp corners much more fun and the car is so well balanced its hard to believe.

    Ill put up some pics when I get it delivered - grigio Silverstone.
     
  13. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
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    #13 4th_gear, Aug 22, 2015
    Congratulations! It's interesting that you find the Cai30 HS Pack more comfy that your old 997 C2s.

    As for the speed of the rack, you'll get used to it quickly. My car's non-HS rack is 2.5 turns (compared to your car's 2.3 turns) and I also found it fast at first since I came from a BMW 540is but even with that I got used to it in no time. :) Enjoy in good health!
     
  14. 430maybe

    430maybe Karting

    Oct 12, 2012
    112
    Northern England
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    Full Name
    #14 430maybe, Oct 1, 2015
    I must agree with the above - you get very used to the handling very quickly. I wouldn't swap it. HS pack is great and the magnaride is beautiful.

    Got a real problem with squealing CC brakes right now though. :(
     
  15. Ron4pro

    Ron4pro Karting

    Oct 21, 2013
    180
    Arizona
    #15 Ron4pro, Oct 2, 2015
    Check out Rick Lederman's posts on bedding in the brakes. That should cure your brake squeal problem.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  16. nidriver

    nidriver Rookie

    Aug 16, 2015
    46
    N. Ireland, UK
    #16 nidriver, Oct 14, 2015
    oh - i forgot to say - i bought the car with the HS pack - its great!
     

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