Does the ride quality change with time?? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

BRZnut · 11-22-2012, 09:59 AM

My BRZ handles like a dream, but this is the first sports car I've had with low profile tires/sport suspension. I find the suspension slightly harsh (can feel every road imperfection, which we have alot of in NJ).Tires set at 36 psi.

Only have 100 miles on the car and wondering if those with more miles have noticed any less "harshness" with time??

No flames please...like "you should have gotten a minivan instead" !

UPSed · 11-22-2012, 10:41 AM

Not gonna change anytime soon unless you find softer springs. The car is made to handle.

Rayme · 11-22-2012, 10:44 AM

Technically it will get softer with time as everything wears down, bushings, shocks, the chassis, etc...

Will you be able to feel it? Maybe in 100 000 miles lol

BMWDavid · 11-22-2012, 10:51 AM

My BRZ was pretty "bouncy" over certain types of road bumps at first. Over the next several hundred miles it settled down. I think the BRZ has an amazing mix of suspension tuning. It has that buttoned down feel that BMW's used to have, never soft but never crashy.

This car continues to amaze me. Now at 5,750 miles and just enjoying the heck out of it on every drive.

BRZnut · 11-22-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWDavid

My BRZ was pretty "bouncy" over certain types of road bumps at first. Over the next several hundred miles it settled down. I think the BRZ has an amazing mix of suspension tuning. It has that buttoned down feel that BMW's used to have, never soft but never crashy.

This car continues to amaze me. Now at 5,750 miles and just enjoying the heck out of it on every drive.

Good to know that it does settle down a bit. I have to agree, the handling and road feel is fantastic and just as good, if not better, than the reviews!

The more I drive it, the more I want to drive it again!

ericvanderwoodsen · 11-22-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRZnut

My BRZ handles like a dream, but this is the first sports car I've had with low profile tires/sport suspension. I find the suspension slightly harsh (can feel every road imperfection, which we have alot of in NJ).Tires set at 36 psi.

Only have 100 miles on the car and wondering if those with more miles have noticed any less "harshness" with time??

No flames please...like "you should have gotten a minivan instead" !

It kinda depends on what car you came from, I came from a luxury car to my brz and it felt like a i was driving on third world country roads. After only 2k miles i've noticed i dont even really notice it anymore,

Squishy · 11-22-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRZnut

My BRZ handles like a dream, but this is the first sports car I've had with low profile tires/sport suspension. I find the suspension slightly harsh (can feel every road imperfection, which we have alot of in NJ).Tires set at 36 psi.

Only have 100 miles on the car and wondering if those with more miles have noticed any less "harshness" with time??

No flames please...like "you should have gotten a minivan instead" !

To be honest this should have been a consideration in purchasing your vehicle. You buy what works best for where you drive. A sports car will need smoother roads due to what it is engineered towards (road feel) such that imperfect roads will be the Achilles heel for any driving pleasure. Otherwise it is still a wonderful car just maybe not a good DD for you. One solution might be to go with 16" wheels and taller tires as this would smooth out daily driving alot. Then you could put back the stock tires for fun days. Tires will smooth out most bumps and taller tires will cushion the bumps alot - maybe not totally considering the stiffer springs and shock valving. However do remember tires make the most immediate improvement to any "feel" one might get from a vehicle.

fistpoint · 11-22-2012, 06:14 PM

My RSX-S started showing signs of suspension wear at 50k. By 80k you definitely wanted to replace the struts to have the original feeling maintained. If you don't replace them then you get a bouncy ride.

I imagine the same applies to this or any sporty car with a tight suspension.

chaotichoax · 11-23-2012, 01:24 AM

Tire choice has a lot to do with the feel as well. I recent put on the some General winter tires and the sidewalls have a lot of flex which you can feel in the handling of the car. The car is a little more willing to get sideways on dry, cold pavement. Put that's the sacrifice I'm willing to make for moderate snow capability.

JohnS_Rosamond · 11-24-2012, 02:19 AM

Tire pressure and sidewall section height (as well as tyre type) will influence how soft or harsh the ride is - as well as teh suspension. I can't remember what the section height is, but for example if you have a 205/45R-17 then a 205/50R-17 might ride a little softer, but it may affect the handling also depending on how strong the sidewall is. BRZ has slightly softer shocks in the rear more stiff in the front. When they need replacing you may want to put the OEM FR-S shocks in the front as they are valved a little softer. However, anything you do to change the ride will also affect how the car handles. If you wanted a softer ride to fit the local roads, perhaps the BRZ wasn't the best fit. I drive a Miata and I feel like the BRZ is a little softer riding (but that may hanve more to do with overall chassis size and weight).

uspspro · 11-24-2012, 03:20 AM

Some adjustable dampers, like Bilstein or Koni, with the stock springs may be more comfortable. I find the stock setup pretty good though.

FT_Monk · 11-24-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRZnut

My BRZ handles like a dream, but this is the first sports car I've had with low profile tires/sport suspension. I find the suspension slightly harsh (can feel every road imperfection, which we have alot of in NJ).Tires set at 36 psi.

Only have 100 miles on the car and wondering if those with more miles have noticed any less "harshness" with time??

No flames please...like "you should have gotten a minivan instead" !

You set the tire pressure at 36 psi and you want comfortable?

jflogerzi · 11-24-2012, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRZnut

My BRZ handles like a dream, but this is the first sports car I've had with low profile tires/sport suspension. I find the suspension slightly harsh (can feel every road imperfection, which we have alot of in NJ).Tires set at 36 psi.

Only have 100 miles on the car and wondering if those with more miles have noticed any less "harshness" with time??

No flames please...like "you should have gotten a minivan instead" !

Sorry sir. You bought a sports car and it comes with the territory. Different tires and softer springs, but if you do this, it begs the question. Why did you buy a sports car?

dem00n · 11-24-2012, 06:08 PM

Minivans ride like shit.

Go back to school, get a good job and buy a Rolls Royce.
Your welcome.
Ditch the family while your at it, waste of money.

11-22-2012, 09:59 AM	#1
BRZnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: BRZ DGM Limited Location: USA Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 5 Thanked 431 Times in 250 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Does the ride quality change with time?? My BRZ handles like a dream, but this is the first sports car I've had with low profile tires/sport suspension. I find the suspension slightly harsh (can feel every road imperfection, which we have alot of in NJ).Tires set at 36 psi. Only have 100 miles on the car and wondering if those with more miles have noticed any less "harshness" with time?? No flames please...like "you should have gotten a minivan instead" !

11-22-2012, 10:51 AM	#4
BMWDavid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: '89 911, '06 GTI, '13 BRZ Location: USA Posts: 313 Thanks: 40 Thanked 62 Times in 40 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My BRZ was pretty "bouncy" over certain types of road bumps at first. Over the next several hundred miles it settled down. I think the BRZ has an amazing mix of suspension tuning. It has that buttoned down feel that BMW's used to have, never soft but never crashy. This car continues to amaze me. Now at 5,750 miles and just enjoying the heck out of it on every drive. __________________ 2005 Honda XR650L 1989 Porsche Carrera 3.2 Coupe 2006 VW GTI/DSG 2013 Subaru BRZ WRB Limited 6MT-gone but not forgotten 2014 Nissan Murano SV

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11-22-2012, 10:41 AM	#2
UPSed Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Drives: FRS Location: Simi Valley Posts: 48 Thanks: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Not gonna change anytime soon unless you find softer springs. The car is made to handle.

11-22-2012, 10:44 AM	#3
Rayme The Answer Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Mazda 2 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 1,233 Thanks: 488 Thanked 661 Times in 315 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Technically it will get softer with time as everything wears down, bushings, shocks, the chassis, etc... Will you be able to feel it? Maybe in 100 000 miles lol

11-22-2012, 06:14 PM	#8
fistpoint Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: Supercharged Golf Cart Location: Estados Unitos Posts: 1,196 Thanks: 75 Thanked 364 Times in 206 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My RSX-S started showing signs of suspension wear at 50k. By 80k you definitely wanted to replace the struts to have the original feeling maintained. If you don't replace them then you get a bouncy ride. I imagine the same applies to this or any sporty car with a tight suspension.

11-23-2012, 01:24 AM	#9
chaotichoax Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: 2013 SWP BRZ Location: New Jersey Posts: 145 Thanks: 10 Thanked 29 Times in 19 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Tire choice has a lot to do with the feel as well. I recent put on the some General winter tires and the sidewalls have a lot of flex which you can feel in the handling of the car. The car is a little more willing to get sideways on dry, cold pavement. Put that's the sacrifice I'm willing to make for moderate snow capability.

11-24-2012, 02:19 AM	#10
JohnS_Rosamond Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: Mazda MX5 Location: So Cal Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Tire pressure and sidewall section height (as well as tyre type) will influence how soft or harsh the ride is - as well as teh suspension. I can't remember what the section height is, but for example if you have a 205/45R-17 then a 205/50R-17 might ride a little softer, but it may affect the handling also depending on how strong the sidewall is. BRZ has slightly softer shocks in the rear more stiff in the front. When they need replacing you may want to put the OEM FR-S shocks in the front as they are valved a little softer. However, anything you do to change the ride will also affect how the car handles. If you wanted a softer ride to fit the local roads, perhaps the BRZ wasn't the best fit. I drive a Miata and I feel like the BRZ is a little softer riding (but that may hanve more to do with overall chassis size and weight).

11-24-2012, 03:20 AM	#11
uspspro Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: DGM BRZ, MR-S 3.5L V6 swap (sold) Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 602 Thanks: 28 Thanked 188 Times in 121 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Some adjustable dampers, like Bilstein or Koni, with the stock springs may be more comfortable. I find the stock setup pretty good though.

11-24-2012, 06:08 PM	#14
dem00n Member of the year - 2016 Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Scion FRS Location: New York Posts: 3,575 Thanks: 788 Thanked 2,427 Times in 1,111 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Minivans ride like shit. Go back to school, get a good job and buy a Rolls Royce. Your welcome. Ditch the family while your at it, waste of money.

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