01-27-2019, 06:25 PM | #1 |
Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 2,027
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Test drove the ZL1 1LE - Observations from SS 1LE
Got bored today and decided to go test drive the ZL1 1LE. My local dealer has 3 of them.
Let me start by saying that the last time I test drove one was when I was thinking of replacing my lease-end M3 with one, before I knew about the SS 1LE. So, lets get the elephant in the room out of the way first... RIDE QUALITY: Now, my M3 had Ohlin coilovers on it and was pretty stiff and harsh around town. Driving the ZL1 1LE at that time was actually a bit of an improvement over the Ohlin set-up I had. Fast forward to today and after 6 mths of SS 1LE ownership... You get spoiled by the MRC!!! Damn, the ZL1 1LE was pretty harsh now by comparison. For driving around town and a quick jot on the freeway, the damping didn't feel any better than the MRC, although I am sure it would with triple digit speeds, but damn there is a BIG ride quality difference. You bounce around A LOT more, you forget just how good the MRC is. I also have the ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings upgrade, so the ZL1 1LE didn't feel any more solid that my car does in that regard, but from a stock SS 1LE and remembering what it felt like before the upgrade, the ZL1 1LE does feel more solid feeling in stock form in the rear-end. POWER: Wow, so much quicker feeling, but you also have to be careful. Between those tires that need more time to warm up and the added HP & TQ, mashing 1st is a no-no. While I enjoyed the added throw you back in the seat feel, I think the SS 1LE is more satisfying to drive off track as even with the tires not up to temp, you can still pretty much mash the throttle in 1st gear and just go, as long as it isn't 30 degrees out. Also because of the added HP and TQ and supercharger, Track Mode throttle mapping doesn't feel nearly as anemic as it does in the SS 1LE. The clutch pedal has a stiffer feel to it and takes a little more muscle to push in, probably because of stiffer clutch springs to adjust to the added power. EXHAUST SOUND / LOUDNESS: This only applies to aftermarket exhausts, since I have the Corsa Cat-back system, but going back to a stock exhaust, it sounded weak by comparison, I just love the sound of the Corsa system over stock. Love the wing from the outside, but damn, it is right smack in the middle of the rearview mirror, not optimum for daily driving. FINAL THOUGHTS: The ZL1 1LE is BAD ASS, but I choose the right car for me in the SS 1LE. Since the dealer let me test drive it and I didn't want to be a total dick and just say bye, I decided to let the dealer "run numbers" just for fun. They offered $30K for my 2SS 1LE with 8K miles on the clock. LOL.
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22' Porsche PDK GT4 (MCS 2-way remote dampers) Previous: 18' NFG 2SS 1LE (ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings & Corsa Exhaust) 16' F80 M3 (Ohlin R/T Coilovers) 13' Audi TTRS (APR Stage 1, MSS Springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' E90 M3 06' 335i (KW V2 Coilovers) 03' C5 Z06 |
01-27-2019, 06:34 PM | #2 |
Drives: 20 X3M CP & 19 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brenham, TX
Posts: 3,517
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There it is folks.
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01-27-2019, 06:46 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2019 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 129
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So the ride quality of a track-ready racing suspension is the proverbial elephant in the room?
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01-27-2019, 06:47 PM | #4 |
Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 2,027
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It is what most people focus on with the ZL1 1LE, I believe.
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Current:
22' Porsche PDK GT4 (MCS 2-way remote dampers) Previous: 18' NFG 2SS 1LE (ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings & Corsa Exhaust) 16' F80 M3 (Ohlin R/T Coilovers) 13' Audi TTRS (APR Stage 1, MSS Springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' E90 M3 06' 335i (KW V2 Coilovers) 03' C5 Z06 |
01-27-2019, 07:07 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2013 Cayenne GTS Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Scottsdale AZ
Posts: 338
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There is only one reason a person would choose the SS 1LE over the ZL1 1LE and that's money.
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01-27-2019, 07:10 PM | #6 | |
Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 2,027
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Quote:
That is simply not true and this thread isn't about which one is better or to turn into a pissing match about money. It is an informative observation for those interested in knowing. Lets' stay on topic here.
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Current:
22' Porsche PDK GT4 (MCS 2-way remote dampers) Previous: 18' NFG 2SS 1LE (ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings & Corsa Exhaust) 16' F80 M3 (Ohlin R/T Coilovers) 13' Audi TTRS (APR Stage 1, MSS Springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' E90 M3 06' 335i (KW V2 Coilovers) 03' C5 Z06 |
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01-27-2019, 07:24 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: FEMA Region 4
Posts: 2,936
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Thanks for the review. What a joke on the trade in for your car. That would be impossible to swallow even if you wanted the zL1. Camaros really don’t hold their value well
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01-27-2019, 07:33 PM | #8 | |
Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 2,027
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Quote:
Yeah, GM performance cars in general depreciation quickly. I knew that going in though. Luckily, this car is one of my top three I have owned ( and I have had a lot of them), and I plan on keeping it for around 5 years, otherwise I would be pretty upset. My M3 was a pretty big disappointment performance wise and if I had purchased that car and had the GM depreciation, I would have been pretty upset.
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Current:
22' Porsche PDK GT4 (MCS 2-way remote dampers) Previous: 18' NFG 2SS 1LE (ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings & Corsa Exhaust) 16' F80 M3 (Ohlin R/T Coilovers) 13' Audi TTRS (APR Stage 1, MSS Springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' E90 M3 06' 335i (KW V2 Coilovers) 03' C5 Z06 |
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01-27-2019, 08:04 PM | #9 | |
Drives: 18' A10 ZL1 , 18' F150, 04' MSM Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 178
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Quote:
OP, did you get the solid cradle done at life's good? Had my exhaust done there. |
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01-27-2019, 08:06 PM | #10 |
Drives: 2018 ZL1 A10/2018 GT350R #JR603 Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Dublin CA
Posts: 819
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I owned a 18 ZL1 1LE & now a 2018 A10. I love the A10 & it is so much quicker on the roads than the 1LE.
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2018GT350R+2018 ZL1 "Red Hot" A10 w/ PDR, Nav, Carbon Fiber Hood insert, Carbon Fiber Dash Insert, Carbon Fiber Fuel Dior & Sun Roof. T/M T-Body, Roto Fab & Borla S Type.
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01-27-2019, 08:29 PM | #11 | |
Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 2,027
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Quote:
I won't go anywhere else , unless it's for warranty work.
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Current:
22' Porsche PDK GT4 (MCS 2-way remote dampers) Previous: 18' NFG 2SS 1LE (ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings & Corsa Exhaust) 16' F80 M3 (Ohlin R/T Coilovers) 13' Audi TTRS (APR Stage 1, MSS Springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' E90 M3 06' 335i (KW V2 Coilovers) 03' C5 Z06 |
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01-27-2019, 08:31 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2019 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Texas
Posts: 23
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Am surprised at how many folks are willing to put up with the harsh ride of the 1LE for street driving. I could not do enough track days per year to make me want the 1LE. But hey, great to have choices.
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01-27-2019, 08:40 PM | #13 |
Drives: 20 X3M CP & 19 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brenham, TX
Posts: 3,517
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GT 500s are better.
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01-27-2019, 08:44 PM | #14 |
Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 2,027
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I think you are replying to the wrong thread, LOL. Put the joint down.
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Current:
22' Porsche PDK GT4 (MCS 2-way remote dampers) Previous: 18' NFG 2SS 1LE (ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings & Corsa Exhaust) 16' F80 M3 (Ohlin R/T Coilovers) 13' Audi TTRS (APR Stage 1, MSS Springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' E90 M3 06' 335i (KW V2 Coilovers) 03' C5 Z06 |
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