Bought 2011 Genesis: Harsh Ride Killing My Back. Help

[quadzilla200]

Greetings all. I bought a used 4.6 2011 Genesis a month ago. I traded in my VW GTI, because the suspension was getting to be too harsh on my lower back issues. I was expecting a soft ride in this car.
The previous owner put aftermarket rims and I believe there are new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 235/50/18 97Y
Is it the suspension that is harsh on these cars, the wrong tires? I love everything else about the car, but it is beating me up. I don't want to put a bunch of money into this car. I'll try to post a pic with my phone later.

 

[dmitriylm]

I personally find this to be one of the most comfortable cars I've driven. It's definitely a huge improvement in ride quality compared to my 2007 BMW 530i. The seats are incredibly comfortable too with my boss (drives an Acura RDX and X3), my mechanic (various luxury cars) and body shop guy (usually high end cars) all saying the car is very nice to sit in.

Are you sure it has aftermarket wheels? I believe 235/50/18 is the OEM tire size and its a bit strange for someone to swap OEM 18's for aftermarket 18's as people tend to go one or two sizes up. Either way, a 50 profile is relatively chunky so I doubt you'll find much additional comfort in a fatter tire.

 

[427435]

Check the tire pressures. You don't need 40 psi.

 

[craigt]

I specifically bought a Genesis because it was comfortable (compared to my former '11 TL SH-AWD manual). The '12+ Genesis have a revised suspension for a little more comfort, but I don't think the difference is back breaking vs. comfortable.

I also didn't opt for the RSpec simply because I wanted comfortable. If only they still offered a 5.0 with the regular suspension like they did in '12....

 

[dmitriylm]

I specifically bought a Genesis because it was comfortable (compared to my former '11 TL SH-AWD manual). The '12+ Genesis have a revised suspension for a little more comfort, but I don't think the difference is back breaking vs. comfortable.

I also didn't opt for the RSpec simply because I wanted comfortable. If only they still offered a 5.0 with the regular suspension like they did in '12....

I can say that my OEM 2010 suspension was very comfortable while the 2013 RSPEC suspension I installed is a bit more firm while still being comfortable. I really can't complain.

 

[zielritter]

Greetings all. I bought a used 4.6 2011 Genesis a month ago. I traded in my VW GTI, because the suspension was getting to be too harsh on my lower back issues. I was expecting a soft ride in this car.
The previous owner put aftermarket rims and I believe there are new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 235/50/18 97Y
Is it the suspension that is harsh on these cars, the wrong tires? I love everything else about the car, but it is beating me up. I don't want to put a bunch of money into this car. I'll try to post a pic with my phone later.

Hate to be the downer here, but don't people test drive before purchasing any more? It seems to be a common trend on forums recently.

235/50/18's are the OEM 18" sized wheels/tires as mentioned. As a quick potential fix, you could drop down to 225/55/17, which is the OEM size for the base model 17's. Those tires were plush on my 2012 base before I switched them out for 235/45/18's for smaller profile and lower ride height.

If you're willing to invest a bit more time and/or money, you can always swap out the suspension components with a 2012-14. They made changes to spring rates, damping, and sway bars to address some of the ride complaints with the 09-11 sedans.

 

[homeofstone]

The michelin tires you have are not grand touring tires. Try tire rack for info.on best riding grand touring tires. Bridgestone serenity is one of the top 5.

 

[Buford T Justice]

1999 Buick Le Saber might be in your future. You could drive in the ditch with one of those and it will feel like you're still on the road. Absolutely no road feel in those things.

Try looking for something with magnetorheological suspension (Cadillac). That's going to absorb harsh expansion joint impacts and other road undulations better than any other type of suspension can.

 

[zielritter]

1999 Buick Le Saber might be in your future. You could drive in the ditch with one of those and it will feel like you're still on the road. Absolutely no road feel in those things.

Try looking for something with magnetorheological suspension (Cadillac). That's going to absorb harsh expansion joint impacts and other road undulations better than any other type of suspension can.

Ahhh, Buick Dynaride. My grandfather's LeSabre felt like you were riding on a cloud on the highway. Problem was that the steering was so loose and numb that it was downright scary trying to take a turn at speed and get an accurate feel for the actual direction the car was headed.

 

[Gunkk]

I was expecting a soft ride in this car.

Why would you expect that?

Go drive a 2015 v6 or v8? Ride is much softer/smoother than the 2011. And the upgraded seats in the new gen are very comfortable and supportive. Night and day difference.

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[landtuna]

Greetings all. I bought a used 4.6 2011 Genesis a month ago. I traded in my VW GTI, because the suspension was getting to be too harsh on my lower back issues.

You don't say where you live or what condition the roads are in your area but I would give you the same advice I have given others - do not buy a car with stiff suspension in areas with poor roads. I love my R-spec but the drive into SoCal was a most painful experience I will not repeat. Likewise most East Coast cities would be out of the question as well.

Then, suspension stiffness, along with seat comfort is an individual experience. What is comfortable to one may not be to another. It is therefore mandatory that you take your car out for a reasonable test drive to see how it fits you - and this is typically not a 15-minute quickie with a salesman.

You can expect cars sold as "performance" machines to be somewhat uncomfortable. Especially those with very low profile tires. A 50's tire profile is a dead giveaway.

So now what do you do? If you really want to keep the car changing the tires (and possibly rims if necessary) is about the only cost effective solution. Find the softest sidewall tire you can and give those a try. Pay attention to proper inflation pressures.

 

[7i bigblock]

The Genesis has a European type ride . Easiest way to improve , lower tire air pressure , as previously mentioned. Test driving a car is important ,as well as research . The Lexus LS is the best riding auto Ive been in --- for the money. Also, they last forever. Thanks The 4.6 Genesis is one of the best produced.

 

[Cosworth]

As mentioned above, the least expensive solution would be to buy a set of 17" OEM wheels and tires. Sometime they can be had for ~$400 on ebay. Additional side wall should dampen the ride considerably.

But, one person's comfy ride might be another's harsh ride. Having said that, most German cars might ride "harsher," but they absorb road irregularities much better than most Asian cars. My friend's VW Golf TDI is much softer than my R-spec sedan.

 

[Buford T Justice]

Ahhh, Buick Dynaride. My grandfather's LeSabre felt like you were riding on a cloud on the highway. Problem was that the steering was so loose and numb that it was downright scary trying to take a turn at speed and get an accurate feel for the actual direction the car was headed.

Dynaride...lol, that's the name of their setup I was looking for!! Oh my God was that suspension supple. You could drive down the highway at speed with half of the car's wheels on the gravel shoulder and the other half on the road and it would feel the same as if all 4 wheels were on the road.

The steering was hilariously numb, it makes the Genesis steering feel sporty even though you cant feel much through it either.

This car would be perfect for the OP. He could drive over speed bumps at 55 mph and it wouldn't bother his back!