30k miles and tired of the harsh ride

[98blackrt]

Love the car, love the engine, but really hating the harsh ride lately as I cross 30k miles and into year 3.

Is there anyone making coilover with stock spring rate? I just want decent dampers to go with the stock springs, I dont want lower, and I dont want stiffer. I just want a damper that goes with the stock spring rate - is there anything out there?

Thanks!

 

[Chris G]

I've heard (take that with a grain of salt) that the Koni STR-T shocks/struts help soften up the ride a little bit. I am NOT a user of this setup but running a search on the forum / Google will yield you some results. I hope this helps.

http://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmerica/Products/Cars/STREET-PERFORMANCE/STR-T/

 

[DaveG99]

Going to a 16" rim and a larger side wall tire will help.

 

[98blackrt]

I am on 15" rims most of the time right now. Still have the stockers in the corner

 

[airjor13]

Koni Orange + any spring + 205/50R15 = really comfortable ride! I can attest to this combo.

 

[caliboy15]

Also correct tire pressure will help. I plan on going 16" soon. Car handles great but I cant stand the harsh ride.

 

[Waterfan]

As I understand it, the harshness (I call it "bounciness") actually comes from the shocks/struts being "too much" for the stock spring rates to handle. And all the forum posts I have read from owners switching to a stiffer, progressive, lowering spring WITH the stock dampers, report an improvement to comfort.

I understand you don't want to go lower. I like the practicality of the stock ride height myself. Therefore, I think airjor13 might have your solution: Koni Orange + Stock Springs (he said "any spring"). Basically, you need less aggressive dampers.

 

[Wimp Lo]

The real solution is find smoother streets.

I wish I could.

 

[golfhack]

I'm kinda high on mileage, 42k. Instead of replacing dampers and/or springs, I might get the Bilstien coilovers eventually. From what I've read, there seems to be a ride and handling improvement, but even on the highest setting you will be a little lower.

 

[apex]

Just hit 70000 miles yesterday and the ride is still buckboard stiff even with 205/50/16 Federal RS-R. To get a better ride, KONI yellow adjustables and stock springs should cure the bouncy rebound on the stock dampers, atleast I hope. If not Bilstein coilovers would ride just as good as it uses the stock upper strut assembly albeit at a lower ride height...no bueno. You could also get a better ride by installing SWift springs on stock dampers but again at a lower height.

I happen to like the stock height with 16s as I can drive it with the abandon on rough roads, driveways, speedbumps and will still handle like a proper sportscar.

 

[commonplatypus]

Koni Orange + any spring + 205/50R15 = really comfortable ride! I can attest to this combo.

I read somewhere that the Koni Orange dampers bring out really sketchy performance from the car. I think it's one of the main reasons that [MENTION=759]Hijinx[/MENTION] sold his set. Have you experienced similar issues?

 

[airjor13]

I read somewhere that the Koni Orange dampers bring out really sketchy performance from the car. I think it's one of the main reasons that [MENTION=759]Hijinx[/MENTION] sold his set. Have you experienced similar issues?

For daily driving on crappy roads, it's great because of the softer compression and rebound damping. At the razor edge of really hustling, like 9/10th driving it's not the greatest because of also the softer compression and rebound damping. At least with the tires, the PM braces and H&R springs, at moderate fun speeds the handling is predictable and stable. I would not consider the Koni Oranges to be an upgrade per say, but a literal option for a softer ride compared to the stock shocks. If you want more adjustability I would suggest the Koni Yellows or just go full coil-overs.

 

[commonplatypus]

For daily driving on crappy roads, it's great because of the softer compression and rebound damping. At the razor edge of really hustling, like 9/10th driving it's not the greatest because of also the softer compression and rebound damping. At least with the tires, the PM braces and H&R springs, at moderate fun speeds the handling is predictable and stable. I would not consider the Koni Oranges to be an upgrade per say, but a literal option for a softer ride compared to the stock shocks. If you want more adjustability I would suggest the Koni Yellows or just go full coil-overs.

Excellent reply. Thanks for the insight and clarification!

 

[Hijinx]

For daily driving on crappy roads, it's great because of the softer compression and rebound damping. At the razor edge of really hustling, like 9/10th driving it's not the greatest because of also the softer compression and rebound damping. At least with the tires, the PM braces and H&R springs, at moderate fun speeds the handling is predictable and stable. I would not consider the Koni Oranges to be an upgrade per say, but a literal option for a softer ride compared to the stock shocks. If you want more adjustability I would suggest the Koni Yellows or just go full coil-overs.

I second this.

 

[StayPuft]

Coilovers and 15" wheels here and very happy with the ride even on Chicago streets.

 

[hot_hatch]

I've just got Eibach lowering springs. Really improved the ride comfort. Less than an inch drop.

 

[gdvsbp]

I read a few things now indicating that the bulk of the negative characteristics with the Oranges are in the front-end, and separately that the rear of the car on OEM shocks is the primary culprit for the hard ride.

That in mind, does anyone feel replacing ONLY the rear shocks with Oranges might be a solid option?

Full disclosure: I'm merely an enthusiast of and in the market for an ST at the moment, so I'm just speculating. Still, it's something I'm considering as an option once I have my own.

 

[Waterfan]

I read a few things now indicating that the bulk of the negative characteristics with the Oranges are in the front-end, and separately that the rear of the car on OEM shocks is the primary culprit for the hard ride.

That in mind, does anyone feel replacing ONLY the rear shocks with Oranges might be a solid option?

Full disclosure: I'm merely an enthusiast of and in the market for an ST at the moment, so I'm just speculating. Still, it's something I'm considering as an option once I have my own.

Have you test driven enough to know the suspension is too harsh for you? If so, you could try to find a dealer that supplies Mountune parts and get the springs dealer installed (and warrantied?) as part of your purchase price. ~1 inch lower, but progressive and more comfortable (at least "everyone" says so).

Another option:
1. Get the FiST
2. If the harshness still bothers you, swap down to lightweight 16" (or 15") wheels and tires. Firsthand I can tell you 16" wheels are a significant improvement in ride quality. It is still firm and bouncy, but harshness is reduced (probably not more than swapping to stiffer, progressive springs)

 

[Joszer]

BC Coilovers with 6k/4k spring rates are the way to go. Rides much smoother than stock on the softest setting. I love mine.

 

[jfdana]

I live in So Maine. Our roads are universally horrible, with neglected expansion joints everywhere (one on a well-travelled local high-speed road is 3" vertical), potholes scary deep, plus large frost heaves.

I'm using Koni Oranges with Cobb springs and the combination is working great. I rate mine as 8.5 out of 10 compared to the original dampers. Having used them for a year, they work great: very predictable and I now do my crunches at the gym, not anticipating bumps in the road ahead.

If I were tracking, I'd go with yellows.

But for advanced street use, including challenging high speed linked turns (on & off ramps), including decreasing radius, and your ordinary red light straights, the Koni oranges work great.

Just my 2cts.