Genesis with Hydraulic suspension (Available in my country)!

[GennyV6]

Hello everyone



I'm thinking of buying a Genesis V6 2009, there's a good deal on it in my country. I have noticed some are complaining about the suspension.

In our markets, the Genesis is available with an optional Hydraulic suspension ! Where there are buttons that lets you chose either a normal suspension or a sporty one, look at this pic :

This Hydraulic system allows the car to lower itself while speeding


We have four choices for the Genesis as follows:

1- Genesis V6 WITHOUT Hydraulic and WITHOUT Screen
2- Genesis V6 full options with Hydraulic and Screen
and the same choices for the V8


Now my question is, since some of you are having trouble with the suspension, does that apply to the one with Hydraulic ???

Considering that the U.S market does not have the version with the Hydraulic suspension ..

I rented a V6 2009 Genesis without Hydraulic, the ride was fine and smooth .. not that stiff .. I didn't really concernrate on that issue (I'm gonna rent again) but it was fine and I like it !


Another question, I've seen many pics of the U.S Genesis where there was no evidence the Hydraulic is there, so what is actually the setting of your cars suspension !! is it equal to the normal? or sporty? (of the Hydraulic version) ?

I really would like to buy a 2009 V6 full options, but I've read that Hyundai upgraded the suspension for 2010 !!

Does that apply to our version of the car (with Hydraulic) ?!

It's tricky for me, I don't want to lose the offer for 2009, because maybe the problem is only for those non Hydraulic version sold in other markets.

I really need an advice on this issue ..

It would be really great if someone could compare the suspension parts of those 2009 Genesis sold in the U.S and those 2009 Genesis with Hydraulic suspension

I would be happy if our version is updated in that particular issue.

I'm trying to get a test drive from the dealer for the Hydraulic version, but only the V8 is available, and I'm not sure maybe the feeling of the V8 could be different so I may not be able to judge. But that V6 non Hydraulic I rented was ok.



Thanks in advance for the help and advice

 

[jwaters943]

The U.S. doesn't get the adjustable air suspension.

There is only 1 suspension setup here in the states, a 5-link independent suspension front and rear w/ Amplitude Selective Dampers made by ZF Sachs that are supposed to automatically adjust damping depending on the road surface. This differs greatly from the air suspension which uses air pressure to adjust ride firmness and is adjustable by the driver and has multiple settings. Our Genesis also has firmer tuning than the Korean-spec car w/ the non-air suspension.

More info on the Genesis' Amplitude Selective Dampers: http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/pres...cts_press/products_detail.jsp?newsId=21684118

 

[DavidNJ]

Note that it is pneumatic (gas/air) vs. hydraulic (fluid/oil). Shocks (dampers) are virtually always hydraulic and are adjustable in different makes either by electrically changed valving or magnetically changing fluid viscosity. Pneumatic suspensions can adjust the stiffness and ride height by adjusting the gas pressure. Note that ride height adjustment without a spring rate change requires the system to alter the spring perch position.

While I have never driven a pneumatically sprung Hyundai, I have driven the metal spring and pneumatic (CATS) Jaguar XF back to back. To me, the standard suspension Jaguar on 18" wheels was unacceptable, the CATS equipped car with 20" wheels was excellent. From an aspect of ride.

 

[GennyV6]

Our Genesis also has firmer tuning than the Korean-spec car w/ the non-air suspension.

Are you sure of this ?

Do you think the problem some are facing in the U.S are because of the suspension parts, or tuning ?

Because some say parts were changed for 2010, with the same numbers of 2009 !

What I understand from you is that our Genesis with air-suspension is a completely different ride that the U.S version ?

I've asked some Genesis owners here (both w/air suspension & non) They are all happy with the ride

Actually, nobody ever complained about the suspension !!!

Sales agents at the showroom were surprised when I asked about the suspension issue

I guess I'll go with the 2009

But is the air-suspension reliable? I mean after 5 years from now ? Am I gonna have trouble with it ?

I usually buy a car and keep it for more than 5 years

 

[STREETS]

I see as well that (what country?) dual heated & cooled seats are available too.

 

[Mark_888]

Are you sure of this ?

Do you think the problem some are facing in the U.S are because of the suspension parts, or tuning ?

The North American version uses different shocks/springs in place of the KDM regular suspension or air suspension. The North American suspension was tuned at the Hyundai test facility in the Southern California desert.

Because some say parts were changed for 2010, with the same numbers of 2009 !

The North American Genesis suspension was changed for 2010, but I doubt that it was for KDM version (but not sure). Minor changes to shock and spring rates, and different bushings (which may have been for improved steering).

What I understand from you is that our Genesis with air-suspension is a completely different ride that the U.S version ?

Yes, the North American version is firmer than KDM version, for both 2009 and 2010.

I've asked some Genesis owners here (both w/air suspension & non) They are all happy with the ride

Actually, nobody ever complained about the suspension !!!

Sales agents at the showroom were surprised when I asked about the suspension issue

I guess I'll go with the 2009

If it is KDM version, then it should not be too harsh. Whether or not you like it is up to you.

But is the air-suspension reliable? I mean after 5 years from now ? Am I gonna have trouble with it ?

I usually buy a car and keep it for more than 5 years

Good question and don't know the answer. If regular suspension is not too harsh for you, then you can get that, but shocks do wear out (although cheaper than air suspension).

 

[Aquineas]

I see as well that (what country?) dual heated & cooled seats are available too.

I noticed that as well. I bet it means it's easy as pie (but probably pricey) to retrofit cooling to the passenger seat.

 

[GennyV6]

I see as well that (what country?) dual heated & cooled seats are available too.

Yeah we get that in all models !

It is standard

But I think the rear seats are heated only


Thanks all

 

[DavidNJ]

Two things:

1) The most tuning was probably done for the pneumatic suspension; it probably not only has more features but just is setup better.

2) US tuning may be partially do different anticipated driving styles, partially to different road maintenance levels, and partially to US mandated equipment such as 5mph bumpers.

 

[Mark_888]

Two things:

1) The most tuning was probably done for the pneumatic suspension; it probably not only has more features but just is setup better.

2) US tuning may be partially do different anticipated driving styles, partially to different road maintenance levels, and partially to US mandated equipment such as 5mph bumpers.

It has pretty-well been documented that US suspension tuning (done at the Hyundai Testing Facility in the S. Cal desert) was because they wanted the ride to be more firm than a Lexus GS (which is a lot more firm than it used to be), but not quite as firm as BMW and Infiniti M. This is almost a direct quote from John Krafcik, CEO of HMA.

They could have made it softer or even more firm if they wanted it to be. I don't think it has anything to do with difference in road conditions in US vs South Korea, or 5 mph bumpers (since many other Hyundai vehicles are much softer). It is simply a marketing and design decision. HMA changed the suspension a bit in 2010, and I expect some additional changes in upcoming years, but it will still have fairly firm ride.

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[Saudi Genesis]

I am a Brit with a Genesis sedan with the air suspension (I live in Saudi Arabia where similar to GennyV6 you can have 3 different specs, V6 Deluxe and Super Deluxe, and V8 Super Deluxe.

I have to say, it has the option to raise and lower the ride height, at speed it automatically lowers, there is a sport setting that firms up the suspension a lot. I have owned many cars, almost all sports cars (including C5 corvette and 2003 Boxster S), and the supension in sport is nigh on perfect. I know there was an increase in cost to have air suspension, but I don't understand why it wasn't an option in the States....

 

[ctrcbob]

While I have never driven a pneumatically sprung Hyundai, I have driven the metal spring and pneumatic (CATS) Jaguar XF back to back. To me, the standard suspension Jaguar on 18" wheels was unacceptable, the CATS equipped car with 20" wheels was excellent. From an aspect of ride.

Funny you should say that. Last spring, I saw an 09 Jag XF sitting at Orlando Hyundai. The owner hated the ride so much, he traded for a Genesis.
Don't know which Genesis he traded on, and don't know what size tires and wheels he had on the XF but he hated the ride.

BTW, the XF wheels were loaded with "curb rash". Orlando Hyundai sent the XF to auction.