Gallardo: Balboni or Superleggera?
Discussion
70proof, thanks again for the data and putting a stop to the flirting 
I'm feeling quite excited about the idea of looking at a Gallardo next, though whatever version I get, I do think time is unlikely to consider it to be as "special" as the Strad. I need to scratch the itch!
In terms of gearbox, is the e-gear worth avoiding if I can find a manual? I'm open to the idea of a manual SL.
I think I'm going to have to test drive (I didn't either GT3 or Strad because I just knew) - can anyone recommend a sensible dealer?
I will admit to also being pleased that contributions have been forthcoming without the "pet" being mentioned. Everyone's growing up, long may it last! Been watching a video of a evil, black Performante though... looks mental. 70proof, where do you feature that in the your list of specials? I note you don't mention it. Is it essentially a body kit?
I'm feeling quite excited about the idea of looking at a Gallardo next, though whatever version I get, I do think time is unlikely to consider it to be as "special" as the Strad. I need to scratch the itch!
In terms of gearbox, is the e-gear worth avoiding if I can find a manual? I'm open to the idea of a manual SL.
I think I'm going to have to test drive (I didn't either GT3 or Strad because I just knew) - can anyone recommend a sensible dealer?
I will admit to also being pleased that contributions have been forthcoming without the "pet" being mentioned. Everyone's growing up, long may it last! Been watching a video of a evil, black Performante though... looks mental. 70proof, where do you feature that in the your list of specials? I note you don't mention it. Is it essentially a body kit?
Edited by AdvocatusD on Sunday 10th August 15:32
happy to help.....
re the PET, without doubt it is an exceptionally good car, and will be best for aural delight..... it looks good roof up or down, and it is widely accepted there is no chassis compromise with Gallardo spyders....
I do not mention it as I'm not into spyders, despite the aural benefits of being able to listen to that V10, which must be one of the greatest road car engines ever..... just not me, coupe every day of the week for me, and the weight penalty means it simply cannot be a focused car, dry weight 1485kg..... defo the car to have over a lp560 spyder, as the sharper handling makes it more coupe like.
as a Ferrari man, ask yourself how the 16m and scud are revered.... also, there is a following Ferrari have, celebrity collectors included, which means they attain that special status easier.... if lambo owners hyped their cars more, then maybe.....
re egear and manual...... egear is not that bad at all, but i'll try to get famoussas to comment, he's properly owned both variants, not just had the odd drive, but lived with both.... I've only had egear cars, and would have no reservation recommending it.... only gripe with pre LP box was when slowing to a junction it would get its knickers in a twist the slower you got, post lp cars will sit in second to the very last minute.... in that evo chris harris lp570 sl video he actually remarks how good the box was, to his surprise...
re the PET, without doubt it is an exceptionally good car, and will be best for aural delight..... it looks good roof up or down, and it is widely accepted there is no chassis compromise with Gallardo spyders....
I do not mention it as I'm not into spyders, despite the aural benefits of being able to listen to that V10, which must be one of the greatest road car engines ever..... just not me, coupe every day of the week for me, and the weight penalty means it simply cannot be a focused car, dry weight 1485kg..... defo the car to have over a lp560 spyder, as the sharper handling makes it more coupe like.
as a Ferrari man, ask yourself how the 16m and scud are revered.... also, there is a following Ferrari have, celebrity collectors included, which means they attain that special status easier.... if lambo owners hyped their cars more, then maybe.....
re egear and manual...... egear is not that bad at all, but i'll try to get famoussas to comment, he's properly owned both variants, not just had the odd drive, but lived with both.... I've only had egear cars, and would have no reservation recommending it.... only gripe with pre LP box was when slowing to a junction it would get its knickers in a twist the slower you got, post lp cars will sit in second to the very last minute.... in that evo chris harris lp570 sl video he actually remarks how good the box was, to his surprise...
Edited by 70proof on Sunday 10th August 18:05
AdvocatusD said:
I think I'm going to have to test drive (I didn't either GT3 or Strad because I just knew
I bought my first 08 Gallardo without any test drive or seeing it, I bought the 2wd without ever having driven it..... still in love with the Gallardo, even though my dream lambo's are the countach and lp670svyou need to test drive I think to decide on which variant, as there are subtle variations, but the Gallardo will blow you away... when the Gallardo was released, evo tested it with a strad and I have the article upstairs.... guy said on a perfect day, on the perfect road, strad was the clear winner, otherwise.... and the sl and lp cars are way better than any early 04 Gallardo....
Edited by 70proof on Sunday 10th August 15:45
Thanks again.
This looks superb.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
What would we say the most desirable convertible Gallardo version? LP 550 - 2?
This looks superb.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
What would we say the most desirable convertible Gallardo version? LP 550 - 2?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw6Ye4eaLlA
not sure if any 550-2 spyders were ever sold in the uk..... best spyder has to be a PET I think....
not sure if any 550-2 spyders were ever sold in the uk..... best spyder has to be a PET I think....
Edited by 70proof on Sunday 10th August 18:49
AdvocatusD said:
I think I'm going to have to test drive (I didn't either GT3 or Strad because I just knew) - can anyone recommend a sensible dealer?
Lamborghini Pangbourne. 
Ask for Craig, and tell him I sent you.They also happen to have this LP550-2 with a manual 'box in stock ...
jeremyc said:
amborghini Pangbourne. Ask for Craig, and tell him I sent you.
They also happen to have this LP550-2 with a manual 'box in stock ...
I wish you hadn't posted that JC! Ask for Craig, and tell him I sent you.They also happen to have this LP550-2 with a manual 'box in stock ...
From my experience of manual LP560-4 and E-Gear Performante I would say..
Manual gear box was more fun, more involving and more rewarding. The only negative I could say about it is bit of a pain in heavy traffic i.e. London, and no option of Sport/Corsa button to open the exhaust valves up which made it pretty quiet at low speed. Thats it.
E-Gear is good, blips on the downshifts are worth it on their own but only for making lots of noise. As mentioned above, added benefit of Sport/Corsa mode which isn't available on the manual car.
When it comes down to Balboni vs Superleggera - Superleggera every day of the week. I thought the non carbon breaks on my LP560 were poor and I didn't have much confidence in them. CCB's on the performante are in a different league, so much so that would be a deal breaker for me. I thought the seats in the LP560 were extremely uncomfortable and I would get bad back ache after about 45 mins, although I didn't have the electric seat adjustments so couldn't alter the position much. The carbon buckets in the Superleggera/Performante are much better. Interior with all the carbon is generally more appealing for me in the Superleggera/Performante models as well, really makes the car.
In an ideal world manual Superleggera although I don't think there are any about in the UK.
Although lets be honest, you won't be disappointment with whichever variant you go for.
Manual gear box was more fun, more involving and more rewarding. The only negative I could say about it is bit of a pain in heavy traffic i.e. London, and no option of Sport/Corsa button to open the exhaust valves up which made it pretty quiet at low speed. Thats it.
E-Gear is good, blips on the downshifts are worth it on their own but only for making lots of noise. As mentioned above, added benefit of Sport/Corsa mode which isn't available on the manual car.
When it comes down to Balboni vs Superleggera - Superleggera every day of the week. I thought the non carbon breaks on my LP560 were poor and I didn't have much confidence in them. CCB's on the performante are in a different league, so much so that would be a deal breaker for me. I thought the seats in the LP560 were extremely uncomfortable and I would get bad back ache after about 45 mins, although I didn't have the electric seat adjustments so couldn't alter the position much. The carbon buckets in the Superleggera/Performante are much better. Interior with all the carbon is generally more appealing for me in the Superleggera/Performante models as well, really makes the car.
In an ideal world manual Superleggera although I don't think there are any about in the UK.
Although lets be honest, you won't be disappointment with whichever variant you go for.
sa_20v said:
AdvocatusD said:
Thanks again.
This looks superb.
Black isn't the most popular colour, plus no secondary carbon packs on the interior.This looks superb.
There's something about a hairdresser Lambo that I must confess is tempting! I know the drive won't be as good, but I'll laugh my tits off at half the speeds!
AdvocatusD said:
Really? I would have thought that it would be. LOL, I should have realised that Lambos are about the old disco colours!
There's something about a hairdresser Lambo that I must confess is tempting! I know the drive won't be as good, but I'll laugh my tits off at half the speeds!
There's something about a hairdresser Lambo that I must confess is tempting! I know the drive won't be as good, but I'll laugh my tits off at half the speeds!
famoussas said:
Manual gear box was more fun, more involving and more rewarding. The only negative I could say about it is bit of a pain in heavy traffic i.e. London, and no option of Sport/Corsa button to open the exhaust valves up which made it pretty quiet at low speed. Thats it.
E-Gear is good, blips on the downshifts are worth it on their own but only for making lots of noise. As mentioned above, added benefit of Sport/Corsa mode which isn't available on the manual car.
Interesting, I'd still assume that the e-gear is light years ahead of the Stradale's gearbox and change. I think like I posted on the first page, a manual SL would be my pick, with maybe a Performante second? Looks like the Balboni isn't quite as liked as I thought it might be.E-Gear is good, blips on the downshifts are worth it on their own but only for making lots of noise. As mentioned above, added benefit of Sport/Corsa mode which isn't available on the manual car.
AdvocatusD said:
Really? I would have thought that it would be. LOL, I should have realised that Lambos are about the old disco colours!
There's something about a hairdresser Lambo that I must confess is tempting! I know the drive won't be as good, but I'll laugh my tits off at half the speeds!
Alrighty then...There's something about a hairdresser Lambo that I must confess is tempting! I know the drive won't be as good, but I'll laugh my tits off at half the speeds!
70proof said:
mate.... forget who likes what, buy what you like.... get out there and drive a few.....
Absolutely mate, what I've always done. It's just that a lot of us here are fairly similar, so the consensus is a useful starting point.Looks like this is a sure-fire classic Gallardo.
http://paultan.org/2014/05/26/lamborghini-5-95-zag...
Don't mind the rear so much...
Edited by AdvocatusD on Sunday 10th August 21:57
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