Do I need lift?

Author
Discussion

markiii

Original Poster:

3,628 posts

195 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
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So it seems finding my exact spec isn't easy.

And it seems lift wasn't as popular as I might have expected, so just how essential is it?

br d

8,403 posts

227 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Depends on use. A Gallardo will go over an average speedbump without lift, if you go very careful but anything gruesome like you might find in a busy city will have you clenching your buttocks.

If you plan on driving in Europe it's a must, French towns especially can be a real problem in a low car.

Can a lift system be retro-fitted? Might be easier to get the spec you want then have it added.

TISPKJ

3,650 posts

208 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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My drive is a complete b1tch of an angle, due to large overhang the 355 used to scrape if not careful, 360 hardly ever, and gallardo with very short nose I don't think will be a problem and has not been so far.
We have a speed hump approaching my road and again no issues.
My car has got lift but for me I would say it's a nice to have more than a need to have.

4321go

638 posts

188 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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355 always scraped it's chin when reversing onto my driveway, but the Gallardo never does.

More relevantly, at work I park on the top floor of a three floor, '60s or '70s era multi-story car park. Six steep and narrow ramps. I approach them slowly and square-on and have no difficulties. In fact, when I was looking for my car I mentioned this to a dealer. His response? "Don't bother. You don't need it and it's just one more thing to go wrong!"

andrew

9,972 posts

193 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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go to a lambo dealership and cast an eye under the front of their cars...
hth

StuLawton

400 posts

182 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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It can be easily retro-fitted, I did it to an '09 SL.

It's not absolutely essential, but something I would want on my own car as it means not having to worry 'what if...'

That said, IIRC it's a good few grand at retail money and you could do a lot of bumper repainting for the money. If the car's right and on the money bar the lifting system, you don't have a really steep drive or multi-storey to contend with regularly, then go for it!

4321go

638 posts

188 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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355 always scraped it's chin when reversing onto my driveway, but the Gallardo never does.

More relevantly, at work I park on the top floor of a three floor, '60s or '70s era multi-story car park. Six steep and narrow ramps. I approach them slowly and square-on and have no difficulties. In fact, when I was looking for my car I mentioned this to a dealer. His response? "Don't bother. You don't need it and it's just one more thing to go wrong!"

lambo_xx

2,199 posts

198 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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markiii said:
So it seems finding my exact spec isn't easy.

And it seems lift wasn't as popular as I might have expected, so just how essential is it?
I have a couple cars with it, but most don't have it. Personally I would "have it" if I could. A couple years ago on our way back from Italy we stayed in this lovely hotel with one of the steepest ramps I've ever seen. Everyone else had to build a makeshift ramp out of old pallets etc, whereas I zoomed in without a problem. I don't need it most of the time but it is SO handy to have!

It can be retrofitted however I don't think Lamborghini will do it. So you're looking at an aftermarket system which from memory costs a couple thousand. It could in theory we wired into a standard button so the car would look "stock". It's up to you whether that s a route you want to go down though.

I guess it depends what you plan on doing with the car. If it’s a weekend toy that will do tiny miles then it doesn’t matter, if it’s a daily then I would want it.

StuLawton

400 posts

182 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Can 100% be dealer-fitted, we did it at Lambo Brum.

GRBF430F1

4,843 posts

171 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Gallardo looks lower at front than it actually is. When my LP570-4 Performante was parked next to my F430 spider the Ferrari was actually lower although it didn't look that way at all. Had to get my ruler out to measure it.
Never scraped my F430 so the logic suggests that would be the same for the Gallardo especially as the front overhang is shorter. I was extremely careful with the F430 and must have drove people mad with my 5mph approach to speed humps lol

That said for the peace of mind its nice to have the lift on the Performante and I do use it all the time now. Probably helps resale as well as like said above some people do have steep driveways etc

andrew

9,972 posts

193 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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i was looking at 430s when i bought the gallardo

standard 430 ride heights varied over a range of about 15mm

it's almost like the factory can't be bothered to set them up properly

markiii

Original Poster:

3,628 posts

195 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Thanks chaps based on today's experience I reckon lift isn't actually that essential

Dblue

3,252 posts

201 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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Have barely used my lift tbh and would never worry about a car without. Its not that low and has a short front overhang

acme

2,972 posts

199 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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I know it's kind of been covered but can a gallardo or indeed F430's get over average speed bumps, as in ones you'd see on speed restricted roads?

Less so driveway/car parks. I need to ensure I can get to my house!

andrew

9,972 posts

193 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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acme said:
I know it's kind of been covered but can a gallardo or indeed F430's get over average speed bumps, as in ones you'd see on speed restricted roads?

Less so driveway/car parks. I need to ensure I can get to my house!
we have a number of "standard" speed bumps on our road
the gallardo can get over all but two of them
hth

acme

2,972 posts

199 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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andrew said:
we have a number of "standard" speed bumps on our road
the gallardo can get over all but two of them
hth
That makes for worrying reading if you can't get over two?!

Does yours have lift?

Jules360

1,949 posts

203 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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I had one in Dubai where we have some monumental speed humps. I had the lift system but cannot ever remember having to use it. As has been mentioned the front overhang is very short.

andrew

9,972 posts

193 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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acme said:
andrew said:
we have a number of "standard" speed bumps on our road
the gallardo can get over all but two of them
hth
That makes for worrying reading if you can't get over two?!

Does yours have lift?
i do have lift, but if i'm not paying attention then it's easy to hit 50 between the ramps and have it automatically lower : hence i've caught two very average ramps

i alluded to this earlier, but lifting gear is essential !

br d

8,403 posts

227 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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andrew said:
i do have lift, but if i'm not paying attention then it's easy to hit 50 between the ramps and have it automatically lower : hence i've caught two very average ramps

i alluded to this earlier, but lifting gear is essential !
Perhaps we just had super-sexy low riding cars andrew because we seem to be the only 2 people in the thread advocating the lift system.

If you're unlucky enough to drive it in East London there are plenty of bumps that will crunch the life out of an unlifted car.
And again, if you're planning visiting any European towns things will get grindey pretty quickly.

It was a must for me.

Dblue

3,252 posts

201 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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br d said:
andrew said:
i do have lift, but if i'm not paying attention then it's easy to hit 50 between the ramps and have it automatically lower : hence i've caught two very average ramps

i alluded to this earlier, but lifting gear is essential !
Perhaps we just had super-sexy low riding cars andrew because we seem to be the only 2 people in the thread advocating the lift system.

If you're unlucky enough to drive it in East London there are plenty of bumps that will crunch the life out of an unlifted car.
And again, if you're planning visiting any European towns things will get grindey pretty quickly.

It was a must for me.
I guess years of GT3 ownership gets you so attuned to speed bump pain that every successful traverse in the Gallardo is a reason to be cheerful
I have a lift and use it but compared to the Porsche its a piece of cake - lift or no lift