Life110 Geometry. Experience, Advice and where to get done

[Whaleblue]

Having raised this topic on the Hire thread, and checked such a thread doesn’t already exist I thought I’d start one.

I’m interested in getting my car set up after reading the odd observation about it transforming their cars, and also hearing that the cars aren’t even within factory tolerance on delivery - though I can’t find these assertions easily now!

What are the experiences out there?

Also, being on the West Sussex coast I’d be interested in recommended outfits that can apply the Life settings. I’m sure others around this Isle would be similarly interested, so let’s perhaps gather that here.

[Whaleblue]

bcr5784 said:

Whaleblue said:

I’m interested in getting my car set up after reading the odd observation about it transforming their cars, and also hearing that the cars aren’t even within factory tolerance on delivery - though I can’t find these assertions easily now!

.

I had a courtesy car which felt different to mine so I had it checked (but not altered) - and it was well adrift of factory settings. I then checked mine and found it was out too - and I've had it from new.

I haven't done the Life110 mods (though I intend to). The opinions of those who have ranged from it "transforming" their cars to just a modest improvement (but all positive). I do wonder if those whose cars were transformed were off factory spec to start with. Certainly there is a wide range of opinion on the stability in crosswinds and again I wonder if poor geo is, at least in part, responsible.

It’s increased stability that is my main interest to be honest as (although a driving god ) I won’t be hooning it around all that much. Sounds very positive though.

[Whaleblue]

TN34A110 said:

Whaleblue said:

What are the experiences out there?

Also, being on the West Sussex coast I’d be interested in recommended outfits that can apply the Life settings. I’m sure others around this Isle would be similarly interested, so let’s perhaps gather that here.

We are also in West Sussex (Chichester) and have been recommended.......Darren at Wheelalignmentsolutions in Southampton. They have previously aligned another A110.

Thanks. I’ve actually just pinged a request for the cost of Life110 doing this, and taking the opportunity to get the titanium rear track rods fitted, and perhaps the steel brake pipes and silicon intake pipes too. To be honest this is as much a potential excuse for a trip up there and a night or two away.

[Whaleblue]

Yes, I’m convinced! Many thanks.

[Whaleblue]

Yup, great story there Tim. I’m at Spires next week getting the geometry done, plus the brake hoses. As the car is new I don’t want to change anything else as yet, and I do enjoy the ride on our UK roads on its standard 17” wheels!

[Whaleblue]

Copy of part of my message of thanks to Matt (Spires) and Daivid ((Life110) having had the Fast Road geo applied to my base A110…

“I don’t wish to use hyperbole, but I’d say the car was transformed from great to superb. It just feels more direct and responsive, but also more essentially stable.

I’ll live with this for the foreseeable, but might be tempted to improve further somewhere down the line. In the meanwhile thanks again for turning the car into the car that should really leave the factory!”

That’s from the 12 mile journey back to the hotel. Looking forward to the drive home.

[Whaleblue]

Another 140 miles on the new geo yesterday for the journey home and I’m delighted with the transformation. I avoid motorways whenever I can (generally, not just in the Alpine) but had plenty of miles on fast dual carriageways, mixed with twisty single carriage A and B roads. 70mph in crosswinds no longer feels edgy as it did before, and overall the car feels more connected and confidence inspiring.

One thing I forgot to mention yesterday is that chatting to Matt he pointed out that the rear toe-in is adjusted on each side via two bolts which both need to be balanced to get the car right (my paraphrasing). The front of these two bolts need a plate of some sort temporarily removed to get at. He believes the cars are adjusted at the factory using only the rear right bolt, leaving the toe correct, but the car asymmetrical.

He also said that my car was in spec per factory, but at the limits of front toe out - so this might mean I’m seeing more difference than some have.

In summary, if you’re running the car in factory setup, and anything I’m talking about makes sense in terms of what’s not so good in the stock setup I’d highly recommend Life110 “Fast Road” on the base A110, and I’d also highly recommend using Matt at Spires to get it done just so.

Applying the geo…

Edited by Whaleblue on Sunday 9th July 10:04

[Whaleblue]

Meonstoke said:

Hi,

I'm curious to know what the difference is between the "Fast Road" set up and the "original adjusted Geo" settings which David Pook created a few years back to improve the handling and cross winds etc? I was under the impression that the Fast Road set up also meant lowering the suspension and adding stiffer dampers etc. Perhaps I am mistaken though. I assume there is also a "Track"set up too?

M.

Hi M,

To be precise I think they call the geo Sports Road on the standard suspension, as mine is.

https://life110.co.uk/collections/alpine-a110-tuni...