Suspension Issue - A new take

[Puredeath]

Don't do it! Have you checked Volkswagen/Audi quality scores lately? At least the Genesis never left you stranded!
Also check out VW resale values...

I didn't. The deal fell through as we couldn't agree on the purchasing terms. VW dealer was offering a ridiculous price on the genesis. Since I already own an impreza, I decided to check with my subaru dealer to see if I can make a deal. Well, 2 days later, I'm the proud owner of a Legacy GT. Good riddance.

Thanks to everyone here at genesis owners forum. Now let me get back to enjoying my new ride.

 

[ImInPA]

Genesis380. Like you, I was very skeptical about VW quality. My last car, a 2005 VW Passat Diesel, was one of the best quality cars I have ever owned. Nothing, and I mean nothing, broke, creaked, squeaked, rattled, or needed replaced outside of regular maintenance items during its first 110,000 miles. From a quality perspective, that car will forever be my benchmark for comparison. The real problem VW has is that when they do have a problem (and who doesn't?) they can be very slow to remedy and/or repair. This gives their problems much more exposure, aggravates owners, and scares off potential new customers. In all honesty, I do not think they are any worse than Hyundai has been on many issues. After purchasing my Passat, virtually every other VW owner I met was equally pleased with the quality of their cars. If VW had not dropped the Leather and Lux trim package for 2009, I would have seriously considered a new Passat. I really like the new CC but i need a bench seat in the rear, not buckets. I hope my decision to buy the Volvo S80 T-6 proves to be as good as the VW (11K miles and so far so good). The bottom line is that anyone can get a car they end up not liking for any number of reasons. And, whatever the reason, that always sucks.

 

[mghaynes]

Has anyone actually tried putting on new spring and/or dampers? Did it affect ride quality?

 

[LLT]

Has anyone actually tried putting on new spring and/or dampers? Did it affect ride quality?

I personally rebuilt the entire suspension on mine - springs, control arms/bushings and stabilizer bar. It made a little difference, but not enough that I wanted to keep it.

 

[Mark_888]

I personally rebuilt the entire suspension on mine - springs, control arms/bushings and stabilizer bar. It made a little difference, but not enough that I wanted to keep it.

Can you provide details of the parts you used?

 

[LLT]

Can you provide details of the parts you used?

I can dig up the receipts with part numbers. The part numbers for the control arms were slightly different (A instead of B) thus leading me to believe there was a production change between the time my car was built (10/08) and when I ordered the new parts (8/09.) The springs appeared the same. They didn't make any difference, so I pulled them and sent them back. The upper control arms and lateral arms did dampen the loud noise on rough surfaces a bit - so I kept those on the vehicle.

 

[Mark_888]

I can dig up the receipts with part numbers. The part numbers for the control arms were slightly different (A instead of B) thus leading me to believe there was a production change between the time my car was built (10/08) and when I ordered the new parts (8/09.) The springs appeared the same. They didn't make any difference, so I pulled them and sent them back. The upper control arms and lateral arms did dampen the loud noise on rough surfaces a bit - so I kept those on the vehicle.

OK, so you used Hyundai parts? I thought you may have used aftermarket parts. I am not sure what the purpose of using Hyundai parts was, unless you get a hold of the 2010 parts.

 

[GripperDon]

Looks like interest in the sedan forum is waining, or am I wrong, hope so.

 

[mk1]

Looks like interest in the sedan forum is waining, or am I wrong, hope so.

Nope, we're all just enjoying our cars. And enjoying the fact that certain people have stopped beating a dead horse about certain silly subjects

 

[jailer]

Just a note about this Motortrend 550i article. This is the one with "active roll bars", which is part of the "M Sport Package". If you've ever driven the 3's or 5's WITHOUT the Sport suspension, THAT is the one to have IMO. I've driven ALOT of the 3's with and without, and I could never understand, for daily driving, who would want the Sport. The normal version is the absolute best option, and VERY accomodating, IMO.

I believe, unless you choose the "M Sport Package", you have the non-sport suspension.
http://www.carsdirect.com/build/options?zipcode=92037&acode=USC00BMC291A0&restore=false

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[ImInPA]

Just a note about this Motortrend 550i article. This is the one with "active roll bars", which is part of the "M Sport Package". If you've ever driven the 3's or 5's WITHOUT the Sport suspension, THAT is the one to have IMO. I've driven ALOT of the 3's with and without, and I could never understand, for daily driving, who would want the Sport. The normal version is the absolute best option, and VERY accomodating, IMO.

I believe, unless you choose the "M Sport Package", you have the non-sport suspension.
http://www.carsdirect.com/build/options?zipcode=92037&acode=USC00BMC291A0&restore=false

I don't believe this comparison test was the M package. Just the 550i. I have driven the standard 550i and found the ride to be quite harsh. The 535i would be the one for me.

 

[jailer]

I don't believe this comparison test was the M package. Just the 550i. .

I'm almost positive it is ImInPA. The Motortrend test car has the sport package items. Sport aero kit with mesh spoiler grill, 19" M style wheels, sport seats and the sport wheel. I don't know how it could not be, although I am open to mistakes. I'm sure the regular one on the 550i is harsh too, just like you said, and from your experience.

 

[GripperDon]

Nope, we're all just enjoying our cars. And enjoying the fact that certain people have stopped beating a dead horse about certain silly subjects

Info: I am also partially enjoying me car also. To those of us that are negatively affected by the harsh ride, I can assure you it is not a silly subject. To those of you that think the subject is silly, why waste you time reading a silly thread about suspensions? One more reason the subject is getting less comments is that many of the posters that had negative, feelings (pun), about the ride, gave up and traded the dead horse in on something else. They also paid dearly for the horses coffin.

 

[GripperDon]

Folks, I realize that I don't belong here anymore having finally disposed of my ill-fated Genesis, and I will be vanishing off into the sunset soon...

IMO, You do still belong here, we need to hear how the MAX is going and get your continuing inputs on the subject. Many of the posters on the forum are not yet owners, so a past owner is surely appropriate. Besides we get lots of posts that are really not interested in the subject and are mainly out to shut up the posters, fanboys that think any post about a perceived problem is a bad thing to talk about. Personally I think that as Mr. Genesis, says that Edison said you have to be unhappy about something to start to fix it. (paraphrase). I belonged the the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) for many years when I worked in Detroit and So I order the Technical paper about the design of the Genesis suspension . After a complete review of the document. I can't tell you that the elements of the design affecting cornering, maintance of caster and camber during vehicle tilt, are good and that the attention to occupant ride is nill. If you want to see the paper I'll send you a copy.

 

[Asus999]

but now that I have the Maxima, sanity has returned and the exact same roads I traverse every day seem to have been miraculously repaved, and I am no longer constantly aware of the pavement.
The Max has only reaffirmed that there really is an issue with the Genesis, perhaps not only with the harshness of the ride, but also with the natural frequency of the suspension, and how the human body perceives oscillations. It certainly is not just a phenomenon imagined by the fussy few.
Having the Maxima is like taking a whole box of Ex-Lax.... relief.

Thats what life is about, Keeping your Sanity and do everything to enjoy it..Even if it means cutting your LOSS... Glad you got the relief you needed.. Some people are going to great lenghts to prove there is an issue with the Genesis Suspension, hopefully they get Benefit/Relief from their pains... BTW.. Ex-Lax gives me the runs, and thats NOT a Pleasant feeling.. So hopefully your Maxima doesnt make u feel like ur crapping yourself...

 

[bilmat]

IMO, You do still belong here, we need to hear how the MAX is going and get your continuing inputs on the subject. Many of the posters on the forum are not yet owners, so a past owner is surely appropriate. Besides we get lots of posts that are really not interested in the subject and are mainly out to shut up the posters, fanboys that think any post about a perceived problem is a bad thing to talk about.

Excellent point, GripperDon. I'm hanging around even though I sold my 6-month-old 4.6/Tech in July because I no longer wanted to deal with its stiff ride. Eventually, posts will be generated by 2010 Genesis buyers, and I'm interested in reading what they have to say about any changes to the car's suspension. If the ride is anywhere in the neighborhood of the ES350 I bought as a replacement for my 4.6/Tech, I'll dump the Lexus in a heartbeat and jump back into a Genesis — or an Equus with its adjustable suspension, which I know offers a softer ride because I had the opportunity to take one on a half-hour test drive a few months ago.

 

[Asus999]

Excellent point, GripperDon. I'm hanging around even though I sold my 6-month-old 4.6/Tech in July because I no longer wanted to deal with its stiff ride. Eventually, posts will be generated by 2010 Genesis buyers, and I'm interested in reading what they have to say about any changes to the car's suspension. If the ride is anywhere in the neighborhood of the ES350 I bought as a replacement for my 4.6/Tech, I'll dump the Lexus in a heartbeat and jump back into a Genesis — or an Equus with its adjustable suspension, which I know offers a softer ride because I had the opportunity to take one on a half-hour test drive a few months ago.

hmmm.. Taking an Equus for a Test Drive for 30 mins doesn't mean it doesn't or Wont have suspension issues either... Early in this same post, Numerous posters did take vehicles out for test drive which did not ehibit the rough ride behavior.. Only time will tell.. no Guarantee...

 

[Mark_888]

hmmm.. Taking an Equus for a Test Drive for 30 mins doesn't mean it doesn't or Wont have suspension issues either... Early in this same post, Numerous posters did take vehicles out for test drive which did not ehibit the rough ride behavior.. Only time will tell.. no Guarantee...

Equus has an air suspension ride that is softer and more compliant. Even the Korean version of the Genesis has an air suspension ride, but someone decided it was too soft for the US market (or at least too soft for the US automotive press). But even the US press has complained about the Genesis ride, so they obviously over did it a little.

 

[GripperDon]

I had a VW Phaeton with the adjustable ride suspension, WOW was that wonderful. It could be made very sport suspension or all the way to floaty. The sporty was not harsh just very glued to the road. You could also change the ride height. It was even possible so the car automatically lowered at about 55 mph!

 

[Bear]

IMO, You do still belong here, we need to hear how the MAX is going and get your continuing inputs on the subject. Many of the posters on the forum are not yet owners, so a past owner is surely appropriate. Besides we get lots of posts that are really not interested in the subject and are mainly out to shut up the posters, fanboys that think any post about a perceived problem is a bad thing to talk about. Personally I think that as Mr. Genesis, says that Edison said you have to be unhappy about something to start to fix it. (paraphrase). I belonged the the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) for many years when I worked in Detroit and So I order the Technical paper about the design of the Genesis suspension . After a complete review of the document. I can't tell you that the elements of the design affecting cornering, maintance of caster and camber during vehicle tilt, are good and that the attention to occupant ride is nill. If you want to see the paper I'll send you a copy.

Don, I want you to know that I appreciate your trying solve the suspension (miserable ride) problem. I know you will take a lot of gruff for trying fix a problem Hyundai doesn’t want to face, but as the remarks come in, remember my back will appreciate a solution.