Handling Speciale Pack on UK Roads

SPORT mode actually stiffens the chassis. You should try COMFORT mode if you want a softer ride.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

Check out Rick Lederman's posts on bedding in the brakes. That should cure your brake squeal problem.


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