Rough Ride (rear)

[sandy]

Read enough reviews and you will find support for any position take on the Genesis suspension.

 

[jwaters943]

Yes, apparently the editor-in-chief of Car and Driver was a friend of the Hyundai guy in the car.

And how did you come to this conclusion?

BTW, the Hyundai Guy is John Krafcik, who was, at the time of the video, Hyundai USA's VP of product development and strategic planning and is now their CEO. His position necessitates a certain level of face time with a number of automotive writers/editors. I don't think he was/is personally friends with Csabe Csere, the now former editor of C&D who appears in the video you're referencing, anymore than he friends with this guy from KBB:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QObP68Q4X7Q&feature=PlayList&p=BEB3C93DF3724FD7&playnext=1&index=13"]YouTube - Hyundai Genesis Sedan - Kelley Blue Book Interviews Hyundai VP[/ame]

 

[Mark_888]

Really? A suspension issue that causes the Genesis to "get out of control sometimes"? That statement is hyperbole at it's finest IMO. There is huge a difference between the ride being somewhat unsettled and being "out of control".

From C&D's newly-published Road Test of the Genesis 3.8:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...2009_hyundai_genesis_3_8_short_take_road_test

"And consider this: The 3.8’s ride is as good as, if not better than, the 4.6’s. The V-6 not only experiences less suspension crash than the V-8 but feels lighter and more spry. That is most likely because the 3845-pound V-6 model weighs some 200-plus pounds less than the V-8 model."

Highs: Great ride, roomy interior, stitched leather on the dash.

Lows: Feels underpowered at full throttle, IRS won’t believe your claimed income.


Get the V6, upgrade the tires, and you're all set. The ride should appease all but the most demanding of buyers. Having switched to winter tires, I already know that the OEM tires are less than ideal if a smooth, comfortable ride are preferred.

I also think the Genesis is a very good car, but it could easily be a great car if not for the suspension problems. And by great, I mean it could go head-to-head with the MB S class and Lexus LS.

"Less suspension crash..."? Why should any car have any amount of "suspension crash"? It can be fixed and it should be fixed, and the more that people are in denial about it (maybe because they are insecure about their purchase?) then the less likely that Hyundai will fix it.

No, we are not looking for a "smooth, comfortable ride". A firm ride with good handling is what is desired, but it should not get out of control or start oscillating like a jittery spring on certain road conditions. And no, I am not going to carry 150 lbs of salt in my trunk to solve the problem (even though I suspect it would help, as someone already noted).

 

[Mark_888]

And how did you come to this conclusion [that the editor-in-chief of Car and Driver was a friend of John Krafcik, the Hyundai guy in the car]?

From the Car and Driver video that I included in post #116 of this thread (page 4):

"John is an old friend of my mine who use to live here in Ann Arbor. We used to hang out together at the swim club together."

This is at the start of the video.

 

[sandy]

It can be fixed and it should be fixed, and the more that people are in denial about it (maybe because they are insecure about their purchase?) then the less likely that Hyundai will fix it.



Ohhhhh. Thanks, Mark. Now the vast majority of us know why we like the Genesis as much as we do. Can't you just accept that everyone doesn't see/experience things as you do? And that maybe this is an issue that Hyundai doesn't need to "fix" becuase the fix might make you happy and a lot of other satisfied owners unhappy?

Now I'm going to cuddle with my security blanket.

 

[lmftaz]

Hmmmm..let's see: testosterone + ego-dependency on one's car + rigid perfectionism kinda added up to a dead-end here... "can't we all just get along..." guys?

 

[Mark_888]

Ohhhhh. Thanks, Mark. Now the vast majority of us know why we like the Genesis as much as we do. Can't you just accept that everyone doesn't see/experience things as you do?

I can certainly accept that not everyone agrees with me. I can even accept that no one may agree with me, if that happened to be the case (obviously not this case). In the case of the Genesis suspension issue, most professional auto reviewers have commented on it, including Car and Driver (not exactly pansies when it comes to handling and suspension).

In your comments above that you first say "the vast majority of us..." claiming that I am in a distinct minority, and then switch to claiming that I can't accept that everyone doesn't see/experience things like I do.

The truth probably lies somewhere in-between. Obviously, not everyone agrees with me, but I don't think the vast majority of people would reject a suspension fix if Hyundai offered to give us one.

 

[Mark_888]

Hmmmm..let's see: testosterone + ego-dependency on one's car + rigid perfectionism kinda added up to a dead-end here... "can't we all just get along..." guys?

We are getting along (sort of). And I don't think this is a "dead-end" discussion, at least I hope not. I hope that Hyundai is listening and that they come up with a easy solution (such as a swap of the shock/sping assembly with a slightly different one).

 

[ttsig]

Really? A suspension issue that causes the Genesis to "get out of control sometimes"? That statement is hyperbole at it's finest IMO. There is huge a difference between the ride being somewhat unsettled and being "out of control".

For the first 6K miles of my Genesis I would have agreed with you. I had been on a few roads that I thought were a little rough/jumpy, especially in contrast to the normally smooth ride, however, then I found a few roads that absolutely bring out the worst in the Genesis. Like I said, the first time I hit that stretch of Interstate I thought I had blown a tire or hit something. It startled my passenger enough to wake them up from a fairly good sleep on a long road trip. I really don't think the vehicle was truly out-of-control, but it was certainly bucking so much that your senses thought it was.

 

[CanukV6]

For the first 6K miles of my Genesis I would have agreed with you. I had been on a few roads that I thought were a little rough/jumpy, especially in contrast to the normally smooth ride, however, then I found a few roads that absolutely bring out the worst in the Genesis. Like I said, the first time I hit that stretch of Interstate I thought I had blown a tire or hit something. It startled my passenger enough to wake them up from a fairly good sleep on a long road trip. I really don't think the vehicle was truly out-of-control, but it was certainly bucking so much that your senses thought it was.

Exactly what I have been trying to say. There is a suspension problem that only exhibits itself on certain road surfaces, but it needs a fix as it tarnishes an otherwise excellent car. The suspension does not need to be softer it just needs to be more compliant over these problem surfaces. Good handling and smooth ride are not mutually exclusive.

I am VERY happy with my Genesis and even with this problem, I do not regret purchasing it for one moment. Yes I would like a solution, but if not I will live with the occasional buckboard ride and enjoy smooth motoring the rest of the time.

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[keithl]

The suspension does not need to be softer it just needs to be more compliant over these problem surfaces. Good handling and smooth ride are not mutually exclusive.

Exactly, it needs to be more compliant and less jittery.

 

[scottdk]

As mentioned in earlier posts regarding tires being over inflated for shipping purposes......

I check all 4 tires and they were at an average of 37 psi. The car is recommend to have front and rear tire pressure at 33psi, which I let air out to achive this pressure and I have noticed a large improvement in the "harsh" ride that has been described in other posts.

Might wanna check your tires to see where there at

 

[gipp]

Denial is the key word here, both by a good portion of current owners and the Hyundai USA team. Every credible independent review I have read over the past 6 months has mentioned the suspension. Almost every V8 owner on this forum has mentioned it as a singular flaw in execution of the concept Genesis.

Hyundai USA needs to act quickly and decisively if they really aspire to play with the big boys. Customer Satisfaction is so much more important than quarterly earnings. This is a fantastic, world class car with an unfortunate "American version" suspension issue that obviously did not show up during testing/tweaking. It is the fatal flaw.

Brand reputation is bulit by talking to the guy at the gas station, water cooler, swim club and soccer games. No amount of advertising or denial will stop current owners from telling the truth about the suspension issues and how Hyundai adressed those issues. Brand reputation is built by the ability to take decisve action to meet customer needs.

As mentioned in earlier posts I love the Genesis but the suspension problems suck major joy out of the ownership experience.

The Geneisis team goal was a world class car in every regard-the US suspension is not world class at this point of time in the V8 models. IMO the suspension is not even GM or Ford or Suzuki class. Hyundai needs to fix it or live with the long term consequences of living in denial and the end of the Genesis concept in the USA.

Yes the problem is that bad for a $42,000 car.It is the fatal flaw that can undo the entire launch. The automative press will watch Hyundai USA's response to this issue very carefully and everyone on this board should be concerned because it will effect resale value and brand reputation forever.

Do not fall into denial-complain to your dealer, your satisfaction surveys, and the guy at the water cooler. Just tell the truth. If not we will all live with the consequences.

 

[jwaters943]

Again with the hyperbole.

No, not every review has mentioned the suspension as being an issue. In fact, most are saying it's not as good as Lexus, but it's average at worst. And how do you define "credible review"? It's obvious you are cherry picking your reviews to reinforce your opinion.

 

[bishop666]

It is hard to fathom why some find a problem with the 4.6 suspension while others do not ... is it the word PROBLEM that you disagree with? Well, no matter which word you pluck from the lexicon, it remains, that there is something clearly unsettling about the 4.6's suspension under various road conditions, whether you chose to admit it or not and unless owners speak out, and that means beyond this forum, it may simply endure.
Good Luck

 

[Calvin]

I have had no problems with the 4.6 ride and handling. For me it is the perfect balance between two cars I have previously owned: 1990 560 SEL Mercedes and a 1992 538 BMW. Granted these are older cars but they both had great suspensions. The BMW was a tad stiffer and the 560 had a little more body role but considering size and weight they both seemed great for their chassis style. So for me its the best of both worlds and at a lower price than what I paid back in the 90"s!
I know this was mentioned before but since there is such a spread of feelings on the suspension maybe Hyundai has made a modification and/or change to units produced later in the year. I picked mine up in December and it was manufactured on 10/08/08.

 

[jwaters943]

I suppose they could have made a running change, but FWIW, I took delivery of my 3.8 on 6/27/2008 and have no real issue with the ride quality.

 

[sandy]

, it remains, that there is something clearly unsettling about the 4.6's suspension under various road conditions, whether you chose to admit it or not

No one says you are not perceiving a problem!!!!! But what I find "unsettling" is the position taken that if I am not experiencing your problem I am either dilusional, insecure or will not break down, confess and admit it. Why is it so important for to impose your will? State your case and leave the innuendo out of it.

 

[Sonata2009]

As I have stated before, I too, have NOT experienced any situations where the Genesis 4.6 has resulted in any form of an "uncontrolled" or harsh ride. It may very well exist, but my experience says that either it is/was a quality control issue, or it only occurs in an EXTREMELY specific set of road conditions. (If so, it would not be unreasonable to see why Hyundai missed it)

That said, I hope something is discovered to help those who are unhappy with the ride quality. Has anyone tried to corrolate manufacture date? Mine was "born" on September 21st, perhaps later than those with "problems".

 

[gentecv8]

I own a 4.6 and have no issues with the suspension, while some other owners do take exception to how the car handles given unique road conditions, as such, I suggest the following:
For your city, provide specific street/road address where you notice/experience the suspension failure and its extent. Also, note your model v6 or v8 and when you bought it, this will help us narrow in on the problem (if one exists) and also determine how wide-spread it is.

City: ATLANTA
Street Address where suspension problem is most pronounced: N/A
Extent of suspension failure (NO ISSUE, MINOR, MAJOR, or DISASTER): NO ISSUE
Genesis type (V6 or V8): V8
Date of Purchase (or date of mfr): Jan 2009

By the way, I am in Atlanta, GA - so if you have a specific location I need to go and drive on - please let me know.