Does the ride soften up a bit with mileage?

[Car Fan]

Interesting question Vince. It hasnt been my experience that the ride is in any way harsher - in fact quite the contrary. Instead of being an all weather all purpose tire these performance tires provide excellent ride in temperate conditions. As for the ride there is one semi-paved road near the house that causes the car to act up unless I keep under about 10 mph. Otherwise the ride reminds me of 2003 E class I use to own. For me the ride feels as upscale as the car looks. With that said perhaps Hyundai could have given buyers the pricey air suspension option that Mercedes, BMW gives so that those who want more contol over the ride can have it.

 

[Vince2]

Yep Seattle I lowered my pressure and after a day driving returned the pressure to 33. Hey who says it always rains in Seattle...I was there about three weeks ago for a weekend "look around". Everyday was in the mid 70's and nary a cloud in the sky! Pikes Market and the "underground tour" (really!) was our favorite. The Jimmy Hendrix exhibit in the rock museum alone was worth the trip! We left Sunday morning as the clouds were rolling in every now and then I get a little lucky.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

Yep Seattle I lowered my pressure and after a day driving returned the pressure to 33. Hey who says it always rains in Seattle...I was there about three weeks ago for a weekend "look around". Everyday was in the mid 70's and nary a cloud in the sky! Pikes Market and the "underground tour" (really!) was our favorite. The Jimmy Hendrix exhibit in the rock musem alone was worth the trip! We left Sunday morning as the clouds were rolling in every now and then I get a little lucky.

Vince... You should have sent me a PM. Would have loved to show you around. Sounds like you hit all the right places. Hendrix gravesite is out in the burbs. If youre a fan you should have gone out there.

 

[Vince2]

Thanks CarFan. I thought a softer compound (stickier) would/should make the car in fact ride even smoother especially here in Las Vegas during summer. And your comment about this vehicle reminding you of the MB e-class is probably a fair statement. I've never owned a "high end" car and my gripe about the car's suspension (well at least prior to the 2012) may be more of a statement about my driving experience as opposed to the state of the cars' suspension. What I do know is comfort and I can say that the previous years Genesis didn't work for me....purely a subjective statement.

 

[Vince2]

Seattle I was so close to doing exactly that but you know you got to be careful about this whole internet thing...I have a sense (kinda) of who you are but one never knows! And I hate imposing...on the other hand if in Vegas! You might be a touch surprised!

 

[Seattle Genesis]

Seattle I was so close to doing exactly that but you know you got to be careful about this whole internet thing...I have a sense (kinda) of who you are but one never knows! And I hate imposing...on the other hand if in Vegas! You might be a touch surprised!

LOL.. We could have met in a very public place. maybe next to the Seattle Police Department if youre wary of those internet meetings. Just kidding ya. Las Vegas sounds good in few months when all there is is rain rain and more rain.

 

[Car Fan]

Vince, even though I've only been posting a short time I've been reading this board since August of 2009 so I'll try to avoid the minefield of the Genesis ride. I mentioned this one road near my house that discombobulates my Genny unless I drive below 10 mph. Wellin my Porsche - a bonafide Sports suspension car - that stretch is practically no drama at all. That tells me there is some issue. But I don't go down that road unnecessarily in the Genny and so problem solved for me.

 

[Vince2]

Minefield indeed! The comment about the Porsche is very telling. I recently had access to a friends very high dollar BMW coupe (sorry I can't remeber the model) and it simply soaked up the bumps yet was firm overall. I've made this comment before and usually someone answers with a comparison of price. That's a fair comparrison but I don't think this is just a money issue. There are many less expensive vehicles that handle the rough stuff well. I'm suprised that the aftermarket has'nt provided a choice. A letter written by me to Monroe was answered quickly with "nothing at present and no plans for anything in the future". O well it is what it is.

 

[Glashub]

Koreans are all about value. With my Genesis I get two different types of rides for the price of one (and I don't have to press a button to adjust the suspension)! Firm and/or bouncy (depending on road conditions) with a nice over layer of body roll.

All kidding aside the ride is an improvement over my former 2010 SH-AWD TL for LA.

 

[TEF]

While I have a 2009 (vice 2012) 3.8 sedan, the most notable improvement in ride came last week when I changed the OEM Dunlops for Contential DWS tires. I had the new tires mounted at a mom & pop garage (one of Tirerack's recommended installers) and was able to chat with the tire tech as he worked. Without discussing ride issues, the first thing he mentioned was that the sidewalls of the new Contentials were much softer than the OEM Dunlops. For him, that made things easier on his tire machine.

Anyway, the 50-mile trip home was markedly different - much smoother, quieter and better in the wet. In fact, my wife's first comment was how much better the car seemed to ride. Due cost, I was hesitant to replace the OEM tires for only ride issues, but at least three times in heavy rain, the Dunlops scared me. And what's the point of having a car that cannot be driven on wet roads? In short, changing the tires seems worth the expense in many ways.

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[Vince2]

I'm not sure why Hyundai chose the Dunlpaps. Maybe someone can find Wendell and ask. When the new tires of my '12 wear out I'll try my first set of performance tires. Definetly "summer" types no need for snow capability in my town.

 

[Car Fan]

At the end of the day I really enjoy the car. I'm only half joking when I suggest that Hyundai might have considered offering the air suspension here in the US as an option. My prediction is it would get 15 % or fewer takers but would eliminate the chief criticism of the car.

 

[Mark_888]

At the end of the day I really enjoy the car. I'm only half joking when I suggest that Hyundai might have considered offering the air suspension here in the US as an option. My prediction is it would get 15 % or fewer takers but would eliminate the chief criticism of the car.

They do offer it in the US. It is called the Equus, which is selling above expectations.

I disagree that only 15% would have gotten an air suspension option on 2009-2011 models. Maybe 15% of current owners (I still think that is low), but they surely would have increased Genesis sedan market penatration into a whole different group of potential buyers. But the 2012 suspension is proably good enough for most buyers.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

They do offer it in the US. It is called the Equus, which is selling above expectations.

I disagree that only 15% would have gotten an air suspension option on 2009-2011 models. Maybe 15% of current owners (I still think that is low), but they surely would have increased Genesis sedan market penatration into a whole different group of potential buyers. But the 2012 suspension is proably good enough for most buyers.

That option of an air suspension may be coming in the next model year. Stay with me on this.....

My R Spec had a bad head unit (stereo unit) and they replaced it with a brand new factory unit, not a rebiult one. I have option listed on my unit that probably no one else has. It has;

-Vehicle Height
-Vehicle Suspension

Both are listed in the menu, but of course there is no hardware fo this software options to control.

The explanation from the dealer (after checking with HMA) was that these were future options on the Genesis.

So there may be some relief coming.

I hope this makes sense. I guess I can take a pic of what I just said to better explain it.

 

[waveman]

That option of an air suspension may be coming in the next model year. Stay with me on this.....

My R Spec had a bad head unit (stereo unit) and they replaced it with a brand new factory unit, not a rebiult one. I have option listed on my unit that probably no one else has. It has;

-Vehicle Height
-Vehicle Suspension

Both are listed in the menu, but of course there is no hardware fo this software options to control.

The explanation from the dealer (after checking with HMA) was that these were future options on the Genesis.

So there may be some relief coming.

I hope this makes sense. I guess I can take a pic of what I just said to better explain it.

From an Edmunds review of the 2009 Genesis, published in May 2008:

"We noted that the KDM Genesis on sale in Korea has an adjustable air suspension. Could future U.S. Genesis sedans be so equipped? Again, as a cost-cutting measure, Hyundai chose to introduce the car to the U.S. without it to be more competitive on price. It may become an option next year."

If Hyundai does add it, I suspect that it won't be before the next major revision for the '14 model year.

 

[Car Fan]

They also offer the suspension on the domestic models in South Korea. But the add on price of 2500 to 3500 dollars for the option might be off putting. Maybe I'm wrong. I ordered it on my last Porsche for $8000 and the salesman said he wanted to make sure I wanted it as they didnt keep any in stock because there were few takers.

Perhaps I'd revise my answer if I had more data regarding which Genesis models sell. My perception is value conscious Genesis buyers would eschew extra costs unless they saw the specific value. Consider that there were purchasers who got the 4.6 in 2009 but not the tech package. Presumably they did so because they valued the cost of the 8 cylinder engine but not the benefits of the tech package.

in any event, that's why I suggested 15% or less.

 

[Mark_888]

That option of an air suspension may be coming in the next model year. Stay with me on this.....

My R Spec had a bad head unit (stereo unit) and they replaced it with a brand new factory unit, not a rebiult one. I have option listed on my unit that probably no one else has. It has;

-Vehicle Height
-Vehicle Suspension

Both are listed in the menu, but of course there is no hardware fo this software options to control.

The explanation from the dealer (after checking with HMA) was that these were future options on the Genesis.

So there may be some relief coming.

I hope this makes sense. I guess I can take a pic of what I just said to better explain it.

I don't think that has anything to do with future models. The Korean version has the air suspension option, and when they shipped your dealer a new head unit from Korea, the dealer probably forgot (or did not know) to block out that option.

I think that if the Genesis had air suspension, not very many Equus would be sold. But I do think Hyundai will continue to improve the Genesis suspension, and I certainly can't rule out air suspension on future US Genesis models, but not related at all to your new head unit.

 

[roblaw]

An update for those who care. My car (2012 3.8) now has about 1800 miles on it. It does seem to have softened up a bit. Does it ride like a Lexus or E350? No. But the ride is certainly tolerable. Honestly, the car takes impacts fairly well. The main ride issue that that the body moves around more than a true high end luxury car should both at city speeds and on the highway. But overall, the ride is still better than a number of cars in the price range and the other qualities of the car compensate.

This car is one generation away from being truly competitive with the E350s and the 535s of the world, however the dealer experience will need to improve and the car will still need to keep at least a $10k price advantage to truly steal customers from the high end brands.

 

[Dandydon]

I have a 2004 Lexus LS430 and am trying to decide between buying a 2008 LS460 and a 2012 Gen V8 (the LS would be about $4-6K more). I'm concerned about reports of an overly firm (read hard) ride in the Gen. What has been your experience.

I'm not a sports sedan guy. Been there and done that. I'm for comfort, quiet and luxury. Also, what brand of tires comes on the 4.6? I understand that Dunlops are not good.

Any thoughts on this form you owners?

Dandydon

 

[Gurkha]

I'm not a sports sedan guy. Been there and done that. I'm for comfort, quiet and luxury.
Any thoughts on this form you owners?

IMHO, you'd be a better candidate for an Equus.