Adaptive suspension or not?

[skroonigan]

Just to add some feedback. I have the 2.0T Sport Manual which has the non-adaptive suspension and it's been fantastic. Very well balanced, rides much better than my Charger R/T R&T. I think part of what makes it work so good is the weight of the G70, since it's relatively light compared to other larger cars there's less mass to manage. I feel like adaptive suspension came about largely to have a less compromised ride (IE you can have it float in comfort mode and get the stiffer/more engaging ride in the sport mode) with the huge mass of new(er) cars and giant rims with low offset tires. Lower the mass and use reasonable sized tires and you don't have to use adaptive suspension as a band aid.

 

[Ed Okin]

Thank you, skroonigan!! I have learned so much from this forum and always appreciate the well-informed posts and replies from everyone here.

Just to add some feedback. I have the 2.0T Sport Manual which has the non-adaptive suspension and it's been fantastic. Very well balanced, rides much better than my Charger R/T R&T. I think part of what makes it work so good is the weight of the G70, since it's relatively light compared to other larger cars there's less mass to manage. I feel like adaptive suspension came about largely to have a less compromised ride (IE you can have it float in comfort mode and get the stiffer/more engaging ride in the sport mode) with the huge mass of new(er) cars and giant rims with low offset tires. Lower the mass and use reasonable sized tires and you don't have to use adaptive suspension as a band aid.

 

[CVDH-TN]

I came from a BMW 128i with the Sport Package, which I always found to be a great compromise between sport and comfort (I came from a '08 VW R32 which had a jarring ride that I hated). I debated a long time between Sport and Prestige for my 3.3t. I wanted the prestige because of the light grey interior and the 10 spoke rims but I was concerned about the suspension. I would only have gone for the Sport for the adaptative suspension. I ended up test driving both. I am not going to lie: I think the adaptative in sport was a little bit better than the standard non-adaptative suspension but the standard suspension is really good and the difference was not enough to force me to live with a black interior (I really dislike black interiors). I have been living with mine for a little over 6 months and really like the suspension, it is excellent. The car never feels too soft, it handles great in every circumstance, better than the 128i. I think both are fantastic but the adaptative is not an absolute must-have.

 

[PerfN3rd]

I came from a BMW 128i with the Sport Package, which I always found to be a great compromise between sport and comfort (I came from a '08 VW R32 which had a jarring ride that I hated). I debated a long time between Sport and Prestige for my 3.3t. I wanted the prestige because of the light grey interior and the 10 spoke rims but I was concerned about the suspension. I would only have gone for the Sport for the adaptative suspension. I ended up test driving both. I am not going to lie: I think the adaptative in sport was a little bit better than the standard non-adaptative suspension but the standard suspension is really good and the difference was not enough to force me to live with a black interior (I really dislike black interiors). I have been living with mine for a little over 6 months and really like the suspension, it is excellent. The car never feels too soft, it handles great in every circumstance, better than the 128i. I think both are fantastic but the adaptative is not an absolute must-have.

Appreciate this post. I've been daily driving a '16 Focus RS and the suspension is one of the primary reasons I'm looking to jump into a 2020 G70 3.3T. I'm sure anything will be an upgrade over the racecar stiff suspension I have now, but I'm looking for genuine "can't tell that I went over a crack in the road" suspension.

I still haven't driven one yet, that's happening next weekend. This thread has given me hope .

 

[Jetaway Dave]

I agree with the above - Sport mode the suspension does feel nice and tight, but not overly firm, nor anywhere near having a jarring effect. It's not a ton stiffer than when in comfort or eco mode, but you do notice it, especially when you start driving more aggressively and/or the roads are relatively bumpy. Still, that all being said, I would still feel pretty comfortable keeping the suspension in sport while driving all the time. Also, it certainly does complete the effect that makes the car seem like a sport sedan.

Although I tend to default to comfort rather than sport mode, I am in complete agreement with the above and add a little twist to it. Out here on the wonderful roads of California (ha!) sport mode is often a bit smoother than comfort when going over freeway expansion joints at speed.

Chris

 

[ncrashb]

I've only had my 3.3 AWD Sport during winter so far in Canada, but I must say it is nice being able to use Custom mode to have the Sport drivetrain but the Comfort suspension, since the roads are usually uneven and rough due to ice and snow. So, I'm sure it will be nice in the summer to be able to stiffen it up a bit in full Sport mode.

Also, I saw a module online somewhere which lets you intercept the signal for controlling the dampeners to let you control them with far more room in both directions (more stiff & less stiff). It was rather expensive but claims to make a massive difference in the adjustable and feel.

 

[Toddasaurus]

I've only had my 3.3 AWD Sport during winter so far in Canada, but I must say it is nice being able to use Custom mode to have the Sport drivetrain but the Comfort suspension, since the roads are usually uneven and rough due to ice and snow. So, I'm sure it will be nice in the summer to be able to stiffen it up a bit in full Sport mode.

Also, I saw a module online somewhere which lets you intercept the signal for controlling the dampeners to let you control them with far more room in both directions (more stiff & less stiff). It was rather expensive but claims to make a massive difference in the adjustable and feel.

Is this what you're referring to...?

Mando ECS10 Suspension Control

Plug ‘n play device for the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70 and Genesis G80 with an Electronically Controlled Suspension. Stock damping force is set at only 60% of what the suspension can use. This module allows you to use 100% – even on “uneven” roads. It automatically detects the damping pressure.

genesisowners.com

If so, many Stinger owners seem to like it.

 

[ncrashb]

Is this what you're referring to...?

Mando ECS10 Suspension Control

Plug ‘n play device for the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70 and Genesis G80 with an Electronically Controlled Suspension. Stock damping force is set at only 60% of what the suspension can use. This module allows you to use 100% – even on “uneven” roads. It automatically detects the damping pressure.

genesisowners.com

If so, many Stinger owners seem to like it.

That's the one

 

[Riouxgrande]

Hell, i cant even tell the difference between sport and comfort in the suspension...I haven't tried to tell the difference but on daily driving I can't say its obviously different between the two. Any good tests for a feel? Maybe a speed bump?

 

[Springer]

For me, it's most apparent in the body lean while cornering and especially in transitions (ie, left turn followed immediately by a right).

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[peteyc]

Has anyone driven G70s with both regular and adaptive suspension?

I’d like some real life comparison between the two, if anyone has driven both. I also don’t know if AWD or RWD makes a difference.

Trying to decide between 3.T Prestige and Sport. I know I will ultimately need to drive both.

Thank you for the help!

I drove both, yesterday and the day before. The difference was very subtle, but there. However, the non adaptive I drove on both occasions had 18” tires vs. the 19” on the adaptive Sport model, so it’s not a totally fair comparison. I wouldn’t spring for the adaptive unless you wanted the other features mentioned in the Sport package.

 

[BadTrainDriver]

I drove both, yesterday and the day before. The difference was very subtle, but there. However, the non adaptive I drove on both occasions had 18” tires vs. the 19” on the adaptive Sport model, so it’s not a totally fair comparison. I wouldn’t spring for the adaptive unless you wanted the other features mentioned in the Sport package.

You can't "spring" for the electronically controlled suspension. It's either in the package your choose, or it isn't. There is no individually adding or removing it from or to a specific package. FYI

 

[joschneider]

Just wanted to bring this thread back from the dead. Had my first G70 sport loaner since my test drive years ago so it gave me a chance to test out the sport vs comfort suspension settings. To me, there was a difference from my car with the non adaptive suspension but very subtle. Comfort was a little more floaty, and sport felt almost the same. The most noticeable thing I found was that the car felt more planted powering out of a turn in sport (rwd vs rwd) than mine does, and just a little more composed under power. All in all Im still happy with my decision to get a lower trim level, but wanted to give another data point for anyone considering it. If having that comfort mode difference is important to you, I can understand how that could be a big draw to the sport trim level.

 

[Ed Okin]

Just wanted to bring this thread back from the dead. Had my first G70 sport loaner since my test drive years ago so it gave me a chance to test out the sport vs comfort suspension settings. To me, there was a difference from my car with the non adaptive suspension but very subtle. Comfort was a little more floaty, and sport felt almost the same. The most noticeable thing I found was that the car felt more planted powering out of a turn in sport (rwd vs rwd) than mine does, and just a little more composed under power. All in all Im still happy with my decision to get a lower trim level, but wanted to give another data point for anyone considering it. If having that comfort mode difference is important to you, I can understand how that could be a big draw to the sport trim level.

Thanks for continuing the discussion.

With my 3.3T Prestige it is the non adaptive suspension and I am fine with it as I am doing regular suburban and freeway driving.

My choice of the Prestige over the Sport came down more to the interior and exterior details, especially that I much preferred the wheels on the press to use and did not prefer the contrast stitching on the Sport.

Had the six speed manual transmission been available for the 3.3T and if its performance was good, that may have swayed me a bit more toward the Sport, if it were offered. What few manual transmission vehicles there were apparently had their own set of options. I was never even able to find a nearby dealer that had a manual in the 2.0 to even try out.

 

[purestyle02]

Yes, but they're subtle. Really, all G70 models have a sport-tuned suspension in that they're all quite firm. The "standard" suspension strikes a pretty great middle ground between firmness/wheel control and ride compliance. The 3.3T Sport with the adaptive suspension, meanwhile, splits the gap - the Comfort setting is softer, with noticeably less rebound than the standard suspension. The Sport setting, meanwhile, is firmer than the standard suspension, and gives the car a slightly heavier feel.

In terms of raw performance I'm not convinced there's any difference at all, and I say this having driven both back to back on a racing circuit. If I'm being completely honest, I think the standard suspension is the most enjoyable, but there's no denying the advantage of having the ability to adjust the setting in the 3.3T Sport - Comfort for commuting, Sport for more spirited driving.

I'm probably about to ask a blasphemous question. I'm definitely going to lower my G70, and the popular lowering springs don't really go low enough, so I'm going with coilovers. My question is this: anyone have a clue how that will work with the adaptive suspension?

I'm guessing it will either throw an error code or any changes I make with adaptive suspension controls will just have zero effect.

Thoughts?

 

[ncrashb]

I'm probably about to ask a blasphemous question. I'm definitely going to lower my G70, and the popular lowering springs don't really go low enough, so I'm going with coilovers. My question is this: anyone have a clue how that will work with the adaptive suspension?

I'm guessing it will either throw an error code or any changes I make with adaptive suspension controls will just have zero effect.

Thoughts?

Correct, it will throw a CEL if you unplug any of the OEM struts. You can fix this by ordering the "cancellers" for about $350. ARK and M&S make sets. I know someone with them locally and they work fine.

I could be wrong but I believe there are coils that support the adaptive suspension, however they were like $3500+. May as well bag it at that point unless you're seriously tracking it haha.

 

[One - Fastfred]

Switching in performance mode between comfort and sport is a substantial difference in ride and sway Not to note engine performance too

 

[WilcoJunoHotel]

Switching in performance mode between comfort and sport is a substantial difference in ride and sway Not to note engine performance too

Agree, you will notice the difference - much less body movement and the rebounding is better. I use Eco on the interstate, Comfort around town and when I am obeying speed limits but it is Sport mode for me when my foot is heavy. Sport + is so ridiculous I haven't used it much.

 

[JCtx]

Hey gang, I want to know more details about the adjustable shocks (I wouldn't call it adjustable suspension, since it's only the shocks. McLarens have adjustable suspension), and can't find anything. Most vehicles have only 2 settings, and all the ones I've driven (Corvette, Audi, Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, etc), have always had just 2 settings. And in most vehicles they were non-independently adjusted (just thru drive modes). And most have been the ubiquitous Magneride ones, except Porsche, I believe. So does anybody know if that's true (which I assume, on our 'budget' entry car) here? And if yes, which mode has which shock setting? I assume:
ECO = comfort (or whatever it's called)
COMFORT = comfort. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?
SPORT = sport. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?
SPORT+ = sport. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?
CUSTOM = you choose. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?

And same question for the exhaust valves. Most of the ones I've had were vacuum, so just 2 modes as well (open or closed). The only electric ones I had were on my ex Bullitt, which had 5 modes: quiet start (0% open), 25% open, 50%, 75%, and 100%. It was awesome not having to choose between luxury car quiet, or obnoxious neighbor. Ha ha. And steering mode. And which one you use the most. Thanks gang. And if you have something better to do, just ignore my message. Ha ha.

 

[MichaelJohnson]

Hey gang, I want to know more details about the adjustable shocks (I wouldn't call it adjustable suspension, since it's only the shocks. McLarens have adjustable suspension), and can't find anything. Most vehicles have only 2 settings, and all the ones I've driven (Corvette, Audi, Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, etc), have always had just 2 settings. And in most vehicles they were non-independently adjusted (just thru drive modes). And most have been the ubiquitous Magneride ones, except Porsche, I believe. So does anybody know if that's true (which I assume, on our 'budget' entry car) here? And if yes, which mode has which shock setting? I assume:
ECO = comfort (or whatever it's called)
COMFORT = comfort. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?
SPORT = sport. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?
SPORT+ = sport. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?
CUSTOM = you choose. EXHAUST MODE? STEERING MODE?

And same question for the exhaust valves. Most of the ones I've had were vacuum, so just 2 modes as well (open or closed). The only electric ones I had were on my ex Bullitt, which had 5 modes: quiet start (0% open), 25% open, 50%, 75%, and 100%. It was awesome not having to choose between luxury car quiet, or obnoxious neighbor. Ha ha. And steering mode. And which one you use the most. Thanks gang. And if you have something better to do, just ignore my message. Ha ha.

Good questions. I'm with you on the two settings for the shocks. Not certain with the exhaust. Seems to me like there might be three. Maybe it's just me but I think there's a little difference between comfort/sport as well as sport/sport+

Maybe there's 3 settings on the exhaust?? I did turn off the engine noise that's pumped in through the speakers.

There's a suspension controller that I've been looking at but I haven't seen a whole lot of feedback for the product.

Mando ECS10 Suspension Control

Plug ‘n play device for the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70 and Genesis G80 with an Electronically Controlled Suspension. Stock damping force is set at only 60% of what the suspension can use. This module allows you to use 100% – even on “uneven” roads. It automatically detects the damping pressure.

kdmwarehouse.com