Support for suspension issues

[doug725]

Agreed One Shot!

 

[ImInPA]

If you look at how many Genesis (Genesi?) have been sold and then look at how many are complaining about the ride, it is a truly small percentage. One has to keep in mind that many participants on forums such as these are to air their concerns and experiences. With all of the awards and overwhelming accolades being levied on the Genesis, it may be that we are just more sensitive than the average Joe (Joe the Genesis Owner?). I know that my father once referred to the ride of a 528i BMW as harsh enough to jar his kidneys loose. I personally thought the ride was firm but creamy....pont is...same car...different opinions.

These issues are so very personal, that it is hard to discuss them because everyone perceives them differently. I have never read any review that complained of any supsension issues that have been described here. True, compared with BMW MB most reviewers pan the suspension with regards to the Genesis being a Sports sedan, but none...absolutely none...not even CR..rated the suspension below mid-pack when compared to other luxury/sport sedans.

 

[OneShot]

I agree with you on it probably being a small percentage, but Hyundai can't afford people taking test drives looking for suspension problems, even if they aren't there. Human nature dictates people find a problem even if it isn't there, if warned about it in advance. Remember the 60 Minute on unintended acceleration of the Audi 5000? Sales plummeted and reports of "unintended acceleration" of the Audi skyrocketed after the show was aired. What was proven later was that people were simply hitting the gas pedal instead of the brake. The Audi pedal setup was no worse than most of the other vehicles on the road, but the Audi 5000 was by then doomed forever. My point (as long-winded as it is) is that Hyundai better get in front of this because perception, even ill-concieved perceptions, almost always become reality.

 

[lmftaz]

If you look at how many Genesis (Genesi?) have been sold and then look at how many are complaining about the ride, it is a truly small percentage. One has to keep in mind that many participants on forums such as these are to air their concerns and experiences. With all of the awards and overwhelming accolades being levied on the Genesis, it may be that we are just more sensitive than the average Joe (Joe the Genesis Owner?). .

Agree-but it is IS exactly the contrast between the "accolades and awards" and my disappointment with the Genesis's overall ride/handling/suspension that annoys me here in Tucson. With our road infrastructure becoming so aged, I suspect this will continue to bother me.

I don't want to sell/replace my Gen at all, but still hope and push for a retune/upgrade/"fix" on the suspension's over (under?)-sensitivity to my roads.

Cheers

4.6 blk/blk/saddle insert/wing logo-trunk lid/blackened "H" on steering wheel

 

[ImInPA]

I agree with you on it probably being a small percentage, but Hyundai can't afford people taking test drives looking for suspension problems, even if they aren't there. Human nature dictates people find a problem even if it isn't there, if warned about it in advance. Remember the 60 Minute on unintended acceleration of the Audi 5000? Sales plummeted and reports of "unintended acceleration" of the Audi skyrocketed after the show was aired. What was proven later was that people were simply hitting the gas pedal instead of the brake. The Audi pedal setup was no worse than most of the other vehicles on the road, but the Audi 5000 was by then doomed forever. My point (as long-winded as it is) is that Hyundai better get in front of this because perception, even ill-concieved perceptions, almost always become reality.

There were deaths involved in Audi's debacle. I am not saying that Hyundai shouldn't care...they should!!! With all of your roads in such aged condition, didn't your test drive reveal any ride anomalies? Or does this problem happen after the purchase? Maybe I missed something in one of the threads. I am not saying that Hyundai shouldn't make every effort to change the suspension calibrations, but, with all due respect, it does seem that much of this disappointment could be avoided with a thorough test drive in many cases. Kind of like buying a shirt that is too small and then complaining that the manufacturer should offer larger sizes to anyone who bought the wrong size.

To your point, this issue and the reported glitches with the Tech system is why there is no Genesis in my driveway today. Hyundai should do something....and soon!!!

 

[sandy]

I agree with you on it probably being a small percentage, but Hyundai can't afford people taking test drives looking for suspension problems, even if they aren't there. Human nature dictates people find a problem even if it isn't there, if warned about it in advance. Remember the 60 Minute on unintended acceleration of the Audi 5000? Sales plummeted and reports of "unintended acceleration" of the Audi skyrocketed after the show was aired. What was proven later was that people were simply hitting the gas pedal instead of the brake. The Audi pedal setup was no worse than most of the other vehicles on the road, but the Audi 5000 was by then doomed forever. My point (as long-winded as it is) is that Hyundai better get in front of this because perception, even ill-concieved perceptions, almost always become reality.

I guess my question is what is it exactly you would want Hyundai to do?
Let's say you are the Brand Manager. You have a car that has won just about every award there is, most reviews are glowing, sales are excellent in this business enviorment, 99% (my estimate) of owners love the way the car rides and handles. I may be exagerating a bit but you get the point. As with any car (or product for that matter) some customers are unhappy. In this case, some feel the suspension is too firm, some too soft, but to most, just right. Remembering one of the laws of physics, for every action there is a re-action, do you start changing the suspension and risk losing happy customers in an effort to please those few unhappy ones? When I was working, we faced this marketing/product development dilema many times...and the search is always for the best compromise, realizing you cannot please everyone, even though you try. The Genesis is not a "niche" vehicle, tuned to appeal to a narrow segment of buyers. It is a mass product that must by definition appeal to the broadest customer base possible. That's what I believe Hyundai has attempted. And has been successful. There have been one or two on this site that are reporting suspension issues that are so extreme I feel they must be considered extra-ordinary. If the problems are so severe that they cause legs to go numb, a simple suspension adjustment is not going to be a cure. Hyundai should (and sounds like they are) address these unique situations and try and make those customers happy.

 

[moose66]

Very well said Sandy!

 

[Mark_888]

I guess my question is what is it exactly you would want Hyundai to do?
Let's say you are the Brand Manager. You have a car that has won just about every award there is, most reviews are glowing, sales are excellent in this business enviorment, 99% (my estimate) of owners love the way the car rides and handles. I may be exagerating a bit but you get the point. As with any car (or product for that matter) some customers are unhappy. In this case, some feel the suspension is too firm, some too soft, but to most, just right. Remembering one of the laws of physics, for every action there is a re-action, do you start changing the suspension and risk losing happy customers in an effort to please those few unhappy ones? When I was working, we faced this marketing/product development dilema many times...and the search is always for the best compromise, realizing you cannot please everyone, even though you try. The Genesis is not a "niche" vehicle, tuned to appeal to a narrow segment of buyers. It is a mass product that must by definition appeal to the broadest customer base possible. That's what I believe Hyundai has attempted. And has been successful. There have been one or two on this site that are reporting suspension issues that are so extreme I feel they must be considered extra-ordinary. If the problems are so severe that they cause legs to go numb, a simple suspension adjustment is not going to be a cure. Hyundai should (and sounds like they are) address these unique situations and try and make those customers happy.

On the contrary, I think the majority of owners think the suspension is at least a little too firm, and that there is some bounciness in the ride that could be improved. Your estimate of 99% liking it exactly the way it is way off IMO. Maybe only a small percent think it is terrible.

Just because the car has won some awards (keep in mind that those awards are only for cars that hit the market in 2009 with substantially new designs), does not mean that it could not be made even better without loosing any of the accolades it already has received. The awards and level of recognition just means that the rest of the car is so good, that even with the suspension issue the car is still better than the competition.

 

[doug725]

Well, I don't know the extent of anything or make any claims to such - I just know my vehicle and have heard from some others with the same concerns. And of course I did an extensive test drive of a demo - all detailed in my posts. I spent a month researching this car and others. The problem goes beyond just ride preference and opinion. I have drive enough cars on these same roads at this point to know an abnormally bad ride when I experience one and I know I should not be constantly bouncing and bucking up and down the road in any car . Who would actually prefer that? Sorry to sound snippy - I'm just frustrated at this point and tired. Take care and thanks everyone - I'm outta here.

 

[sandy]

"On the contrary, I think the majority of owners think the suspension is at least a little too firm, and that there is some bounciness in the ride that could be improved."


I'm curious as to how you come to this conclusion. The results of the poll done on this site indicated 66% of respondents thought the suspension "perfect", 23% "too firm" and 11% "too soft". Given these figures, how would you change the suspension? I appreciate you are not happy with the suspension and I am not arguing you should be.

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[Bear]

I didn't participate in the poll, because I didn't know if we were polling with smooth road or mile after mile of road with bad joints. Our Genesis rides like a old bad truck if its mile after mile of bad joints. It is not the bad road ride I expected nor should be satisfied with. If 66% are satisfied with the bad road ride, they have low expectation.

 

[Mark_888]

"On the contrary, I think the majority of owners think the suspension is at least a little too firm, and that there is some bounciness in the ride that could be improved."


I'm curious as to how you come to this conclusion. The results of the poll done on this site indicated 66% of respondents thought the suspension "perfect", 23% "too firm" and 11% "too soft". Given these figures, how would you change the suspension? I appreciate you are not happy with the suspension and I am not arguing you should be.

I don't think the members of this forum, nor the poll (a fraction of the members) are representative of all Genesis owners. In any case, you stated that 99% are satisfied, but even the poll disputes that.

I also think that a lot of people are afraid to admit that the car is not perfect, because we all spent a lot of money on it.

And lastly, I think one can keep "firm" but have a suspension that is not "jittery", "unsettled", etc. As Car and Driver noted (in the video posted on this website), the Infiniti M has a firmer suspension than the Genesis, but does not have the Genesis suspension issues.

In any case, there almost certainly will be at least a minor suspension changes for 2010 (heard it from the horses mouth--in fact the horse personally test drove the new setup). No word on whether it can be retrofitted to 2009.

 

[sandy]

I don't think the members of this forum, nor the poll (a fraction of the members) are representative of all Genesis owners. In any case, you stated that 99% are satisfied, but even the poll disputes that.

I also think that a lot of people are afraid to admit that the car is not perfect, because we all spent a lot of money on it.

And lastly, I think one can keep "firm" but have a suspension that is not "jittery", "unsettled", etc. As Car and Driver noted (in the video posted on this website), the Infiniti M has a firmer suspension than the Genesis, but does not have the Genesis suspension issues.

In any case, there almost certainly will be at least a minor suspension changes for 2010 (heard it from the horses mouth--in fact the horse personally test drove the new setup). No word on whether it can be retrofitted to 2009.

My question was how did you come to the conclusion that a majority of owners feel the suspension is too firm? Do you have data more reliable than the poll? Or are you in contact with a group more knowledgable than those on this forum? And when you say a lot of people are afraid to admit a suspension problem, would that be everyone that disagrees with you, half, 20% or what?

 

[Mark_888]

My question was how did you come to the conclusion that a majority of owners feel the suspension is too firm? Do you have data more reliable than the poll? Or are you in contact with a group more knowledgable than those on this forum? And when you say a lot of people are afraid to admit a suspension problem, would that be everyone that disagrees with you, half, 20% or what?

OK, that is a fair question. When the poll first started, the majority said it was a little too stiff, and the moderator made a comment to that effect. I did not notice until today that the tide had turned on the voting, so I was incorrect with regard to the poll (but how do we know that people don't create fictitious id's to vote multiple times?).

However, I do think we are confusing firm, with bouncy. If we could keep the firm, but have more compliance on bad roads and eliminate the bouncy/jittery ride like BMW or Infiniti, then I think the majority would take it,

Anyway, the powers at HMA will be making suspension changes (which may only be minor tuning, but noticeable nonetheless) in 2010, and maybe even slipstream into 2009 models.

 

[thomaspf]

Hi Mark,

do you know what these changes are and whether they can be retrofitted to a current model?

Cheers

Thomas

 

[MaxdOut]

New to the forum and prospective Genesis owner. I am reading up on the car and found this thread which concerns me greatly. Has the suspense issue been resolved or are poeple with the problem SOL?

doug725 - Have you heard back reagrding the shock sensor testing you had on your car?

 

[Mark_888]

New to the forum and prospective Genesis owner. I am reading up on the car and found this thread which concerns me greatly. Has the suspense issue been resolved or are poeple with the problem SOL?

doug725 - Have you heard back reagrding the shock sensor testing you had on your car?

Check out this thread:
http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=1788

 

[doug725]

Hi Max -

No I have not heard back from Hyundai yet. To save money I turned in my rental Maxima on Saturday and started using my Genny. Almost immediately my sciatica began acting up from the constant bounciness/low level vibration felt in the seat. On Saturday I noticed the car is also very susceptible to wind. On 355 I was being buffeted by brisk winds that never would have bothered my Sante Fe. So, I was in the light rain being buffeted by wind all the while bouncing up and down, vibrating with every road imperfecton. Not a good feeling at all - especially when you are surrounded by trucks. A passenger on Sunday complained of a really bumpy, bouncy ride in back and aksed to never ride with me again. I have a huge backseat but at this point am too embarrassed to have anyone ride along. Drove to work today - after 15 minutes of bounciness my left leg became numb from my sciatica (never happened in my rental Maxima). Drove two other Gennys over the weekend at dealers and they exhibited the same ride charcteristics as mine. My car has been declared normal by all concerned. So, to some extent I think this this is how Hyundai designed it/wants it - although I may have a more extreme experience. I know many people like the ride and that is certainly OK for them - I just wish I was one of them. From my perspective it's the worse riding car I've ever been in period and it completely negates all the other wonderful qualities of the car. Hence, I'm taking half a day off work again to go car shopping. Beware - the depreciation is an absolute KILLER
(20% of value within a week of purchase with 700 miles). I've almost instantly lost my entire down payment. All that said - if YOU drive one and like the ride characteristics (or what they may become?) go for it- the car is truly beautiful inside and out!

 

[njohnson]

I'm not quite sure I understand, you are saying that this seems to happen pretty much everywhere and every time you bring to the dealer they can't replicate the problem?

 

[doug725]

The dealer and Hyundai reps have driven it by themselves three times without me present and have declared it normal for the vehicle (note - not necessarily desireable, but "normal" for the vehicle). On my one ride with regional it was very wet and rainy and it drove great - a complete anomoly of course. And they claim the bouncy, busy, harsh ride quality is normal and it's the fault of the bad roads and I'm the only person who has ever complained - a complete lie of course. Course, as I said when you drive the Genny you'll discover all sorts of roads you never knew were bad before. I'm not holding my breath for the sensor results -the ride/design is what it is and I just think that certain roads bring out the absolute worst in the suspension of mine and at least some other vehicles. Unfortunately, I have not yet found any road around here in which the Genny rides even half as well as my Sante Fe did. Even smooth roads cause constant movement in the car. Again, this is me - always best to judge on your own roads, etc.