GT3 owners with no front lift, how bad is it?
#61
Rennlist Member
Don’t have it don’t need it. West palm beach
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catdog2 (08-07-2022)
#62
Advanced
Thread Starter
Thanks for the all the responses, guys. I live in the canyons in LA, and after a closer assessment of my frequent entry points, I'm going to hold out for an example with FAL. The beauty of the used market is there is often a negligible price difference between examples with and without FAL. And there are tons of .1 GT3's on the market at the moment, so I might as well wait a bit longer.
#64
#65
Burning Brakes
They are a waste of money and a liability if you want to own the car long term. Really the only thing scraping is the replaceable $200. lip. It's there to take the damage. Consider it a consumable. Get used to the loud SCRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAPEEEEEE! noise and you'll be fine.
If you are going to own the car out of warranty, the FAL mechanisms are a very common failure item. The last person I know who had one go out of warranty was quoted $9k to fix it.
This is a polarizing topic especially on the GT3 forums. I've put 60K+ miles on GT cars without FAL and the only scraping I've ever had was to the replaceable part. That's in LA and SF.
If you are going to own the car out of warranty, the FAL mechanisms are a very common failure item. The last person I know who had one go out of warranty was quoted $9k to fix it.
This is a polarizing topic especially on the GT3 forums. I've put 60K+ miles on GT cars without FAL and the only scraping I've ever had was to the replaceable part. That's in LA and SF.
I always transit elevated surfaces at an angle. I've gotten occasional Lip scrapes, but never had to replace one.
IMO, the additional weight, complexity, likely maintenance costs and repair expense and downtime of the FAL is not worth it.
My main PITA has been the elevated Concrete Parking Blocks for my GT3, TTS and Panamera.
The FAL has insufficient lift to deal with most of those high Parking Blocks and the low front ends of most Porsches
are susceptible to damage from those on an override. A Front End Camera would be a huge help.
#66
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#68
For reference, this was a gt3 owner without FAL trying to get into his own driveway.
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Attachment 1309013
I had a '04 GT3 and back then there was no such thing as front lift, so did I get by? Yes did the front lip get by? Well it last about 3 years with some scraps and I would use sand paper to smooth out the scrape marks once very few months. So 4 years with one replacement front lip was doable. But I'd still get it now that it's available. Maybe it's just me, I just don't like to hear the scraping sound so to pay $2K for a peace of mind and a better user experience is worth the expense, and it'll make it easier to sell the car. As to the expensive repair costs, if the lift fails after the warranty period, I'll either find a shop to fix it for less, fix it myself, or drive w/ it not working or remove it all together. I'll worry about that after 4 years or let the next owner worry about it.
#69
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Ditto! I've put 35,000 Miles on my GT3.1 and GT3.2 with no FAL driving most Eastern States from Florida to Vermont.
I always transit elevated surfaces at an angle. I've gotten occasional Lip scrapes, but never had to replace one.
IMO, the additional weight, complexity, likely maintenance costs and repair expense and downtime of the FAL is not worth it.
I always transit elevated surfaces at an angle. I've gotten occasional Lip scrapes, but never had to replace one.
IMO, the additional weight, complexity, likely maintenance costs and repair expense and downtime of the FAL is not worth it.
And can you give me an example of the "maintenance costs" of the FAL? Or the "repair expense"? And the downtime?
Thank you.
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WernerE (09-22-2019)
#70
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Join Date: Feb 2006
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Going on 10 years driving GT cars and never felt the need for it. Latest RS came spec'd by dealer with FAL. Do I use it? Sure occasionally. Would I have ordered if I spec'd the car? Nope. And I won't going forward.
Only you can decide if it's a must-have.
Only you can decide if it's a must-have.
Last edited by Nizer; 09-23-2019 at 10:34 AM.
#71
For reference, this was a gt3 owner without FAL trying to get into his own driveway.
Attachment 1309013
Attachment 1309013
He had FAL and forgot to use it as he was too busy updating his Facebook page with a selfie.
Now he has FAiL.
FAL vs No FAL is circular argument. Only the individual can decide if it makes sense for them or not. I don't have FAL and never bemoan not having it.
#72
Weight? You're able to notice about 7 kg or 15 lb of sprung weight? Especially since the location of the FAL might actually provide slightly better balance with a little extra weight on the front axle.
And can you give me an example of the "maintenance costs" of the FAL? Or the "repair expense"? And the downtime?
And can you give me an example of the "maintenance costs" of the FAL? Or the "repair expense"? And the downtime?
#75
Bruce,
My name is John Dilger and I just bought a 2015 GT3. I live in Santa Ana and I would like to meet with you to talk about these cars. Please call me at 714-235-4981 or email johndilger@aol.com.
Thanks,
John Dilger
My name is John Dilger and I just bought a 2015 GT3. I live in Santa Ana and I would like to meet with you to talk about these cars. Please call me at 714-235-4981 or email johndilger@aol.com.
Thanks,
John Dilger