Big difference in ride between V6 and V8??

[strat880]

I test drove several V6 cars, and two V8's before buying a 2012 4.6. Is there any difference in the suspension that would make the 4.6 have a much firmer ride? I'm wondering if it's the bigger wheels, but I drove a V6 with prem and tech pkgs and don't think it was as firm. As far as a smooth, comfortable ride the base V6 with no add ons was definitely the winner. I don't mind the firm ride, it's just a big difference and I was wondering if it had different suspension components?

 

[Mark_888]

Depends on the model year. For 2012, the 3.8, 4.6, and 5.0 (non R-Spec) should have similar suspension characteristics. R-Spec should be firmer. But more comfortable after-market tires make a big difference (OEM's were stiff), and the Base Trim 17" wheels are going to provide more cushion than lower aspect 18" wheels (the total diameter is the same for 17" and 18"). Any Genesis before 2012 was stiffer than 2012+.

 

[427435]

I believe the size of wheels does play a part. Eighteen inch wheels will ride a little harsher than 17" and 19" will be still harsher.

I went to 18" when I got the Blizzacks and the ride seems a less harsh over tar strips etc. despite the cold temps. Of course some of that is the winter tire as well.

 

[Buford T Justice]

Suspension is more robust on the cars with V8s because of the extra weight they are slinging around.
It's not a huge difference, but it is noticeable.

 

[nextcar]

when i test drove the v6 and v8 back in 2011, the v8 felt a bit more settled, probably due to the heavier weight of the car.

in your case, i bet it's the tires.
what kind of tires and pressure do you have?

my genesis had Bridgestone turanza serenity plus tires, and they rode very well.

 

[strat880]

I went and drove another base model 3.8 just out of curiosity. It is night and day. The back end of my 4.6 is really bouncy on bumps, the 3.8 is like a cloud

 

[Mark_888]

I went and drove another base model 3.8 just out of curiosity. It is night and day. The back end of my 4.6 is really bouncy on bumps, the 3.8 is like a cloud

Could you tell us exactly what model years you are looking at? Hyundai made (at least minor) suspension changes almost every year between 2009-2012. They also made mid-year changes in 2009.

In addition, some of us with early 2009 models had our suspension replaced with newer versions, so you cannot always make generalizations when test driving a pre-owned vehicle. My early 2009 V6 was extremely bouncy on the rear end (on certain roads), unless I had a full tank of gas and at least another 100 lbs in the trunk.

 

[daviderle]

I went and drove another base model 3.8 just out of curiosity. It is night and day. The back end of my 4.6 is really bouncy on bumps, the 3.8 is like a cloud

For what it's worth, the Rigit Collar mod does make a significant improvement to the inherent 'bounciness' issue (4.6 specific review post #62):

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=13126&page=4


Might be worth a look, just my two cents...

 

[strat880]

Awesome. You just saved me the trouble of a new post! I was going to ask if the collars made the car ride more firmly. Reading all the threads, it sounds like it just makes it "different," but I never heard anyone say it made it more rough. I just drove it again today and man, this thing has some pretty firm rear suspension. Usually I prefer that, but I was so impressed with the ride of the 3.8, I figured the 4.6 wouldn't be that different. I had planned on trying the collars anyway, but after seeing how firm this car is, I don't want to make it more so.

 

[daviderle]

Awesome. You just saved me the trouble of a new post! I was going to ask if the collars made the car ride more firmly. Reading all the threads, it sounds like it just makes it "different," but I never heard anyone say it made it more rough. I just drove it again today and man, this thing has some pretty firm rear suspension. Usually I prefer that, but I was so impressed with the ride of the 3.8, I figured the 4.6 wouldn't be that different. I had planned on trying the collars anyway, but after seeing how firm this car is, I don't want to make it more so.

It is a one way ticket, once installed the Collars can not be easily removed.

I would not say it will make the ride firmer but rather more 'planted', think more Benz and less Lexus...

As I have suggested in the other thread, one could take a drive in the 2015 Genesis (3.8), to sample roughly 90%+ of how your G1 Genny ride may be transformed (YMMV).

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[strat880]

Just took my first long drive in it, mostly highway, and I am still shocked at how it bucks on bumps. My other car is a GMC 1500HD 4WD pickup with quadrasteer (=ROUGH!), this sounds crazy but the genesis is similar on bumps. I had a cup of water I had to wait to drink out of until a really smooth stretch of road. If any bumps or expansion joints in the road it will spill all over you. This is crazy. I spent SO much time stressing over the decision to lean more towards luxury than sport, but with this ride I could have bought the 535i I thought was too stiff! I'm sure it's not the case but I'm seriously about to crawl under there and make sure it didn't get some kind of modification.
I read lots of reviews on the r-spec that universally said it was a great car but the suspension gave up too much ride quality and was unnecessarily rough. The 4.6 doesn't have the same setup does it?
I have always chosen sport over luxury until this purchase--I sound like an old man!!

 

[Mark_888]

I read lots of reviews on the r-spec that universally said it was a great car but the suspension gave up too much ride quality and was unnecessarily rough. The 4.6 doesn't have the same setup does it?
I have always chosen sport over luxury until this purchase--I sound like an old man!!

Since you refuse to specify the exact model years you are comparing, there is no way to help you.

 

[daviderle]

It appears he bought a 2012 4.6:

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?p=162794#post162794

One other thing to check is tire pressure (33PSI all around), or even consider lowering the pressure to 32PSI all around, to see if that makes any difference to ride.

 

[Mark_888]

It appears he bought a 2012 4.6:

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?p=162794#post162794

2012 was a strange year, since Hyundai upgraded the V8 engine from 4.6 to 5.0, and also made the suspension softer (except R-Spec). However, during the first few months of 2012 MY, the 4.6 was still sold because there was delay in the 5.0 engine, so I wonder if the new suspension did not get installed on the 4.6 models in 2012. But I would also check the VIN number to make sure the model year.

Also, there is no telling what mods were made to pre-owned car.

 

[strat880]

Sorry, I certainly wasn't REFUSING to specify model years; guess I missed the question above?? Wow.

The V6's I drove were both 2013 base models with 17" wheels. I drove one 2012 V6 with tech and premium, but did not spend very long in it. I also drove a 2011 4.6. It was very obvious that the V8's had a little bit firmer ride, but I had no idea how much this one had until spending some time with it.
I checked the tires first thing. All are right at 32psi. It currently has Michelin energy saver 235 50/18's all the way around. I thought I had read that they were supposed to have larger tires in the rear? It was also less than 1/4 of a tank for the whole drive today.

Manufacture date is May 2011. Supposed to be a 2012 model, but I don't know how to decode the VIN. KMHGC4DFXCU155871. Carfax shows it as a 2012 going into service 8/27/11.

 

[Mark_888]

the v6's i drove were both 2013 base models with 17" wheels. I drove one 2012 v6 with tech and premium, but did not spend very long in it. I also drove a 2011 4.6.

ah hah!!!

 

[strat880]

Ah hah what?

 

[Jutdean]

Any energy saver type tires are going to be very firm. That is probably part of the issue (even with reduced pressure).

 

[zielritter]

Sorry, I certainly wasn't REFUSING to specify model years; guess I missed the question above?? Wow.

The V6's I drove were both 2013 base models with 17" wheels. I drove one 2012 V6 with tech and premium, but did not spend very long in it. I also drove a 2011 4.6. It was very obvious that the V8's had a little bit firmer ride, but I had no idea how much this one had until spending some time with it.
I checked the tires first thing. All are right at 32psi. It currently has Michelin energy saver 235 50/18's all the way around. I thought I had read that they were supposed to have larger tires in the rear? It was also less than 1/4 of a tank for the whole drive today.

Manufacture date is May 2011. Supposed to be a 2012 model, but I don't know how to decode the VIN. KMHGC4DFXCU155871. Carfax shows it as a 2012 going into service 8/27/11.

That's a really early manufacture date for a 2012. Like Mark said, they made updates to the 2012's suspension - mainly a larger rear sway bar, different spring rates, and different shocks. I'd be surprised if Hyundai slipped the old suspension into your 2012, but I guess you could have a dealer double-check the part numbers.

My base 2012 manufactured in May 2012 isn't like you describe. It's not so jarring that it would spill my drink.

 

[Gunkk]

I thought I had read that they were supposed to have larger tires in the rear?

2009-2014 have all 4 tires the same size.

Only the 2015's have the staggered setup.