A discussion on improving ride quality

[calmtigers]

Originally Posted by KoolBRZ

I have airlift digital, and I loved the air controls and adjustable shock mounts. The combination of airbag resistance and compression dampening was too stiff though. I got WAY too much road feel! I'm sure my Michelin PSS2's were a contributing factor though. If they had adjustable compression dampening they would have been perfect.

How low/stiff did you have the settings? I feel like of all aftermarket suspensions air would be the most comfortable.

[KoolBRZ]

Only the rebound settings were adjustable. Too soft and the wheels shake the car around, too firm and it follows every contour of the road. It would be just right if I had 3 more people in the car with me. They made me mad the way they pushed me around all the time. Also remember that airbag suspension has to have extra-soft compression damping because of the added resistance of the air bellows themselves. I'm thankful HKS finally made struts for street use, (Hipermax Max IV GT). I never knew street lines had a thickness until I got this car. It's ridiculous how hard this car jumped over tiny 1/4" cracks and sewer caps were positively evil.

[Trettiosjuan]

Small thread resurrection. Just switched from my 16" 17kg winter wheels to my 16" 14kg summer wheels. Same tire pressures, 'normal' tires (for sidewall). Must say the improvement in ride is very noticeable, potholes feel a lot softer edged, more controlled, and bigger undulations jolt less. Really like how it combines ride quality and general plantedness of the handling. Nothing new, just forgot how it was supposed to be...

(My susp hardware besides light 16": WL rear subframe inserts, RCE yellow springs.)

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Trettiosjuan

Small thread resurrection. Just switched from my 16" 17kg winter wheels to my 16" 14kg summer wheels. Same tire pressures, 'normal' tires (for sidewall). Must say the improvement in ride is very noticeable, potholes feel a lot softer edged, more controlled, and bigger undulations jolt less. Really like how it combines ride quality and general plantedness of the handling. Nothing new, just forgot how it was supposed to be...

(My susp hardware besides light 16": WL rear subframe inserts, RCE yellow springs.)

OP finally got what he wanted after getting JRZ RS-Pro.

[abraxis]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

OP finally got what he wanted after getting JRZ RS-Pro.

What's the going rate these days?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by abraxis

What's the going rate these days?

The MSRP on the RS-Pro is $6045. This includes everything you need for the system to be plug-and-play. Your choice of spring rates are included, and the dampers will be valved to be appropriate to those rates. It also includes spherical top hats and camber plates.

If you're interested, PM me.

[Trettiosjuan]

Excellent albeit expensive.

Excuse my slight smugness, but 2nd hand te37 16" with new tires and selling original wheels bought me ride comfort for approx $200

[donoman]

$6K is way too much to call a solution for a street driven $25K car. I just purchased suspension from a 2015 Series.Blue based on forum feedback. I will report back on my findings.

[ajc209]

I like the ohlins R&T. Rides mightly well considering 6k front and back rates. Ride is not far off stock comfort.

[EAGLE5]

Better than stock ride + better than stock performance = $$$$. If I were going to drop more than 5k on suspension, I'd get Penskes. I'd probably buy a Porsche or Vette to put them on first.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by donoman

$6K is way too much to call a solution for a street driven $25K car.

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

If I were going to drop more than 5k on suspension, I'd get Penskes. I'd probably buy a Porsche or Vette to put them on first.

I don't quite understand this attitude. (Not that it's important ) Regardless of the car you are putting the dampers on they still cost about the same. If you add the cost of the Porsche or Corvette one has spent a truck load more money so it can't be just a cost thing. One ends up with a great handling car regardless of the cost of the car.

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I don't quite understand this attitude. (Not that it's important ) Regardless of the car you are putting the dampers on they still cost about the same. If you add the cost of the Porsche or Corvette one has spent a truck load more money so it can't be just a cost thing. One ends up with a great handling car regardless of the cost of the car.

If you're going to spend the big bucks, start with better bones. The FR-S is cheap, dual purpose fun. It's exactly what I want. All the expensive stuff just adds to the cost.

[donoman]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

If you're going to spend the big bucks, start with better bones. The FR-S is cheap, dual purpose fun. It's exactly what I want. All the expensive stuff just adds to the cost.

I agree entirely. I love how it's cheap and fun. It's ALMOST there!!! And by almost I don't mean $6k.

[Trettiosjuan]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Better than stock ride + better than stock performance = $$$$.

One would hope so.

But not necessarily, I would argue that going light, 16" and adding slightly harder springs buys you both, that's what better wheel control through reduced mass does after all. And for well under 1000$ realistically on a daily driven car. And stock dampers means they'll survive a salty winter also without too much bad conscience. Heck it even looks great IMHO but there is a rather strong aesthetic culture that resists such appreciation even on a DD car...