Test drove a '15 BRZ, bought a '13 FR-S ... WAY DIFFERENT

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ImBatman

The only other performance upgrade in the 2015 FRS/BRZ that I know of is the factory turbo... Should've opted for the new one man.

You forgot the AWD on the BRZ!
And the shark fin antenna that gives the aero equivalent of a 20hp increase!

Actually OP's follow up post about being used to German cars does make sense since even a stock FRS will feel rough compared to most of them.

With my RSR lowering springs I cringe in fear every time I approach a set of railroad tracks, pot hole or crack in the road but I wouldn't trade them for anything!

[tennisfreak]

Dont bitch, you picked the right one as the FR-S has the better suspension set up

[Ddreder]

I feel OP's pain. I always felt the suspension was a bit stiff. I can visibly see my front end bobbing around on the freeway because of the stiffness and what I assume is lack of dampening. Heck I put coilovers on my miata last weekend and I set the dampening to just under full hard and it felt the same as my FR-S.. I was actually kind of bummed because I am trying to get my miata ready for autocross and I wanted it to be stiff as a rock.. Oh well it doesnt rollover like a pig going around corners anymore so that is nice lol

[Zyo81]

I don't know what the brz feels like, but I love the suspension in this car. Yes it is firm. Yes passengers have complained, but for me it's awesome. It's almost as good as the auto-x suspension setup I had in my EK civic. Sometimes I do see the front end bobbing on certain roads and I just smile. Just another example of how this car is so perfect from the factory and needs next to no mods to make me happy.

[Trettiosjuan]

Originally Posted by Ddreder

I feel OP's pain. I always felt the suspension was a bit stiff. I can visibly see my front end bobbing around on the freeway because of the stiffness and what I assume is lack of dampening.

Actually it's the other way around, it's the stiff rebound damping that does the bobbing. That is why this car responds quite well to stiffer springs, more performance in compression (less pitch and roll, bit firmer) but actually becomes calmer and more followsome in rebound.

[CAMBAM_6]

Stock '13 frs suspension is set up very stiff. I hated going over small bumps and cracks because my foot would slip around on the gas pedal from the harsh bounces, he is not lying at all. Depends on the road conditions. My coilovers now have a softer set up so its a lot lower but still a wayyy more comfortably ride.

[Hotrodheart]

I didn't read the whole thread, so forgive me if I am repeating.


Yes, the suspension calibrations are different, mostly in the rear, if memory serves.


It makes the FR-S more "tail-happy" cornering wise. Which is my preference.


But that's why they make two different versions!. You pays your money, you gets your choice.


Anyway, welcome aboard!

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by Trettiosjuan

Actually it's the other way around, it's the stiff rebound damping that does the bobbing. That is why this car responds quite well to stiffer springs, more performance in compression (less pitch and roll, bit firmer) but actually becomes calmer and more followsome in rebound.

Yep, when we put RCE yellows on my son's FR-S with stock struts we both felt that the car rode better and absorbed bumps and rough payment better. That is with about a 3/4 inch drop and stiffer spring rate.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by Trettiosjuan

Actually it's the other way around, it's the stiff rebound damping that does the bobbing. That is why this car responds quite well to stiffer springs, more performance in compression (less pitch and roll, bit firmer) but actually becomes calmer and more followsome in rebound.

I guess it depends the application? The 2015 suspension has even more rebound force! I can post the drawings if any one is interested. This was to improve the performance in race tracks. Additionally, they changed the internal oil to a thinner one to improve the comfort.

[Trettiosjuan]

Originally Posted by Rampage

Yep, when we put RCE yellows on my son's FR-S with stock struts we both felt that the car rode better and absorbed bumps and rough payment better. That is with about a 3/4 inch drop and stiffer spring rate.

Also on RCE Yellows here, to the same effect...

[strat61caster]

Assuming the car is in perfect working order I am surprised you notice any difference at all. As pointed out in an earlier page the difference in spring rates is relatively small and the damping rates are also minutely different. Top Gear did a blindfold test to see if they could tell the difference after a few days of driving them:

http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/Cou...BRZ-2013-01-09

Back on with the blindfold for a blast up the same bit of road. And after five minutes of blackout in each car, I think a verdict has been reached. My first mystery ride? I'm going with the Toyota. I could swear it pushed me harder into the seat bolster as it took a greedier first bite at each corner. Next? Subaru. The ride was ever-so-slightly calmer... a little more subdued, maybe. Not by much, but certainly a bit. As the mask comes off, I'm proved correct.

I'll put money on you misremembering the BRZ and you don't typically drive on the same roads you did a test drive at the Subaru Dealership in. Walk up to the dealership, say you're interested in upgrading, they'll be happy to let you drive the BRZ again, say it isn't different enough then immediately drive the FRS on the same loop. Decide from there.

[Trettiosjuan]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

I guess it depends the application? The 2015 suspension has even more rebound force! I can post the drawings if any one is interested. This was to improve the performance in race tracks. Additionally, they changed the internal oil to a thinner one to improve the comfort.

That previous statement was in reference to the 'old' FR-S. Haven't tried the new suspension on the new '15 or the new(?) BRZ suspension which are, as reported here, supposedly better - problem solved

[Uplink]

Just want to weigh in with my quick $.02.

I bought a '15 FR-S. The rear is definitely softer than the '13. You can feel a little bit more rear body roll on twisty roads. However, as a whole it's definitely more compliant than the factory '13 suspension. It's comfortable yet firm over rough stuff and still completely capable. I DD mine and also had it on Watkins Glen for 2 days just after break-in all with bone stock suspension and didn't feel it needed anything more. It actually feels better to slide the car around too because it isn't as snappy.

One thing not suspension related, the '15 doesn't have the noticeable power dip that the 13/14's did. This is one thing that has me hesitant about getting the car tuned. I don't want it to come back. The factory seems to have done a good job with this one.

[donoman]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I'll put money on you misremembering the BRZ and you don't typically drive on the same roads you did a test drive at the Subaru Dealership in. Walk up to the dealership, say you're interested in upgrading, they'll be happy to let you drive the BRZ again, say it isn't different enough then immediately drive the FRS on the same loop. Decide from there.

I'll be the first to call BS on the OP except that's me and I did feel what I felt ...my '15 test drive was pretty elaborate, through some mixed city/fwy driving and a mountain road (I actually test drove the same car twice at the dealership). I just never remember it porpoising or doing the bronco buck.

My Dyno isn't just my butt but also my hair. I can feel my combover shifting in the '13 whereas I never felt that in the '15 because that's an uncomfortable feeling for me. :-) yes maybe hair conditions were different but i doubt it. I am using the same hair products as I have been using for the past 6 months. I guess that's one advantage of this goddamn Justin Beiber haircut.