Stock Suspension comfortable?
 

I have been reading around on the forums and I wanted everyone's opinion on it.

I have been reading that the stock suspension is the most comfortable compared to other after market suspension. I have been in several different cars and to be honest, the brz suspension is so stiff. I can feel every bump on the road. I'm not expecting it to feel like a Lexus and I know that it is a sports car. My old 01 accord dropped on springs were a lot better at absorbing stock then the brz. I haven't been in any other 86 then my own so I was wondering if maybe something was wrong with my suspension?

It's stiff but I don't find it harsh at all. I also like feeling the road, it's part of the reason the car appeals to me.

I have a BRZ and I don't find it stiff at all. I feel that the lack of sound deadening makes it worse then it is. Sounds like my interior is going to fall apart going over imperfections on the road.

To be frank, if the stock car is too stiff for you then you probably bought the wrong car.

@Kostamojen I understand what you're saying but I don't think you are understanding where I am coming from. I have been in several different cars and the brz suspension is one of the most stiff and harsh set up that I have experienced. I understand the car was made to be tracked and a DD but I have been inside cars that have aftermarket coilovers that feels just like our stock suspension.

Whenever I go over a small bump, its like I feel the entire road just under my feet. I will have to go into my friend's brz and see if its the same as mine. I did buy the car certified from Subaru so maybe the previous owner done something to the car?

When considering the stock cars capabilities AND price, the suspension is very comfortable. With good tires and an experienced driver the stock car plenty quick around a tight technical course. yet it remains compliant enough to be a daily driver.

I agree with you, going 80-100mph in the freeway and when there's a small bump, my car literally flys off but comes back down quick. I'm on BC racing coils with swift springs in the front so yeah

Via Note 4 using Tapatalk.

What are you 80? have you ever ridden in a car thats lowered on coils or airride. The stock suspension feels incredibly soft. Removed mine after a couple thousand miles, and i bought mine brand new

Stock Suspension comfortable?
 

No need to be rude. Ride is very subjective. The best thing to do is to meet up with forum members who have different suspensions and ask for rides.

some people are way too sensitive.

Its used?

That is something you needed to mention right off the bat.

Could be the shocks are bad, who knows what the previous owner did (or un-did before they traded it in)

I wouldn't call the stock suspension "stiff". Overinflated tires can make the ride harsher, check your pressures.

Tires in general make a huge difference based on pressures, sidewall construction, etc.

Try going from an extreme performance daily tire back to the OE Michelins, you'll actually start liking the OE tires again for comfort.

@adamg Yes I have. They aren't the greatest for comfort and I do agree that the our cars are far more comfortable.
@Kostamojen it is used but it is certified. I'm sure the previous owner didn't do anything. I bought it when it was at 10K
@juliog thanks, I will check.

Having worked at a dealership... That doesn't mean a damn thing.

They could have had the car slammed and drove the piss out of it, and then swapped stock springs back in.

But if you really want to try and "fix" the ride and think nothing is wrong... Then there are a few things you can do:

1. 16" wheels with taller tires (more sidewall = more flex = less rough ride)
2. FRS front springs (softer than BRZ front springs)
3. Better shocks that dampen the ride more.

But thats about all I can come up with... IMO this car "rides" just like a WRX/STI, and rightly so considering the suspension is basically the same. I've never felt uncomfortable with it, and I test drove a dozen or so different cars before buying the BRZ.

Are you even sure that it's riding on the stock suspension?? Given that it's used...

I'm not exactly sure but I am 90% positive it is. It looked stock when I was changing my exhaust.

Your use of "literally" is literally incorrect.

1) It's going to ride harsh when it's cold out. Tires have turned into wood and the bushings have too.


2) 2001 Accord is quite a lot heavier than this car and it's not a sports car. It's Honda's completion for the Camry so...


3) What year do you have? 2015 has reworked spring/dampers and rides nicer.



4) Aftermarket suspension can ride as good if not better than OEM, but you're paying a hell of a lot for it.

Come to think of it, can anyone think of an OEM vehicle that rides worse than BRZ? I haven't found one, harshest I've tried was probably MINI with 18" wheels. Special mention goes to Hyundai Accent for frightening body motion AND harsh damping.

Trucks can be a special kind of uncomfortable, but not harsh per se. Corvettes, MR2s, Miatas, and Zs all feel orders of magnitude softer to me. Z4 actually is roughly as stiff but it's so well-damped that it rides just fine, same story with M5 and M3.

Girlfriend's Kia Soul rides worse. Then again, I have a 2015 BRZ...

yea and how much more is the Z bud? ;)

Just some food for thought.

I'm not fanboying over here, I agree with you on the ride "quality".... but performance-wise, I can't think of a ~$25k car that handles better. Note I didn't say is more comfortable to cruise in.

The stock suspension is firm. Every friend I have driven in my 86 has commented that it is quite firm. I don't find it uncomfortable however comfort is very subjective. If you are concerned it is harsher than it should be then get it checked out. If it is as it should be there are other options out there to improve the ride comfort you do risk losing the sharp handling the twins are known for however.

I suppose it depends on your definition of handling, but a base MINI on sixteens is sticky.

stock tire isn't comfy to ride on too, I sat in one with Bridgestone RE760 & can confirm it rides smoother & quieter.

Fixed.