Smoother Ride: What are the dfferences from one year and model to another?

C

cblandin

Member
Location
Grapevine, TX (Dallas)
All,

So we are considering a 1st gen FX and I'm concerned about the ride quality. In reading various reviews and threads I think I see three areas of differences including:

1. Changes in the suspension tuning from Infiniti from one model year to the next
2. Higher profile tires on 18" rims (non-sport models) v. lower profile tires on 20" rims (sport models)
3. Sport suspension vs. Non-Sport suspension (note: I am assuming there is a spring and/or strut delta beyond just the tires noted above, and perhaps other differences like firmer bushings, larger sway bars, etc.)

With regard to number one I seem to see information like:
2003 firmest suspension
2004-2005 slightly less firm (not sure about this, for 2004 Edmunds indicates "minor suspension revisions")
2006-2008 least firm (in 2006 Edmunds indicates "revised suspension tuning helps improve the ride")
Can anyone confirm this and/or confirm what Infiniti changed?

With regard to the sport and non-sport packages does anyone know what the deltas are there? Springs? Shocks? More?

I like all the cosmetic differences the Sport versions have, but we will probably prefer the non-sport ride. Along those lines, and as a point of comparison, we have a 2012 Volvo XC60 R-Design with the 20" rims and sport suspension. We knew immediately the ride was a bit too rough, and 90 days later (after trying to determine what was contributing to most of the issue) I did some research and swapped the rear sport springs and shocks out for the base suspension spring/shocks. This seems to have given us a better balance of ride and sport on that car (we probably lost 10% of the handling prowess, but gained a much better ride). I'm open to doing something similar with an FX, but need to understand my options first (i.e. can I toss in non-sport springs and struts, etc.)?

Thanks!
 
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I dont think it differs between sports and non sport.

My 05 was real rough but after i put hnr and new shocks and new tires they got so much better smooth and firm ....

Im assuming the only way to get better softer ride would be getting coil over and adjusting ride height

Sure more fit member would chime in
 
I have seen folks indicating the HHR springs were softer which is surprising since most aftermarket springs ride rougher. With regard to Infiniti's own parts, I took a look at parts.infinitiusa.com and it looks like the springs are the same (I've checked a few years and they seem to be consistent), but the struts and shocks are different. There are different part numbers for different year ranges and different part number for those models with the 20" sport package and those w/o. As an aside, since springs control the ride height (assuming wheel/tire height is the same) hat implies the ride height is the same for sport and non-sport - does that sound correct?
 
Yes correct all part are the same from 2003-08 and shock strut is kyb whether oem or not so no choice there.

Surprisingly hnr spring for me gave me 50% ride smoothness compared to oe

But remember even with all the upgrades if you compare the ride with like caddy or lexus then our FX is much more rigid and stiff
 
Are you planning to do any mods? If so, I'd get the touring model vs the sports suspension. Then get some lowering springs later. My HR springs definitely ride smoother than my stock suspension. All suspension replacement parts are made by KYB.

The 03 model had a very firm suspension. Even though they say they are all the same parts, there is a difference. My 04 rides a little more firm than some 05's I've been in.

And like angry said, this is more of a performance vehicle/suspension. No matter what you do, besides coilovers, you will NOT, get a Lexus or Caddi ride.

Sent from my DNA
 
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I test drove models with 18 and 20 inch wheels back to back on the same roads at the same tire pressure. There was only a minor difference in harshness over rough pavement.

Your tire choice and tire pressure probably make a bigger difference than wheel size since the 20s still have a 50 series profile to suck up bumps.
 
The springs look to be the same, BUT I'm not seeing that with regard to the factory struts and shock part #'s from 2003-2008 (despite having the same manufacturer). The aftermarket might be covering all of this with one part number (which is pretty common), but from Infiniti there are differences.

Examples of different right-hand strut numbers listed for a 2007 model:
54302-CL00J (sport package 8/2006 to present)
E4302-CL01A

There is also a different part number for those models with 20" run-flats.

For a 2005 model I see the following for a right hand strut:
54302-CL00J (same as '07 sport listed above listed for 11/2005 to 08/2006)
54302-CL025 (listed for 08/2004 to 11/2005)

Model year 2003 shows different numbers as well.

These differences would seem to confirm that Infiniti was indeed making changes throughout the life cycle (whcih is what they were claiming) and based on the presence of the sport package in some cases (and they do not appear to be just be new superceded numbers since that is all listed as well). Now, what we don't know is if KYB offers just one part number aftermarket for all years, which tuning did they follow? If they went with the most recent shock tuning from Infiniti that would indeed be softer than the earlier tunings (or they could have just gone softer from the get go). I will say that it is possible there are still internal differences in the "factory" KYBs vs KYBs aftermarket version. I had an '05 GTO and Monroe made the factory shocks (stamped "Monroe") and when I replaced with aftermarket Monroes they rode differently.

---------- Post added at 04:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------
davidcarson48 said:
I test drove models with 18 and 20 inch wheels back to back on the same roads at the same tire pressure. There was only a minor difference in harshness over rough pavement.

Your tire choice and tire pressure probably make a bigger difference than wheel size since the 20s still have a 50 series profile to suck up bumps.
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That does seem pretty consistent with what I saw with our Volvo. We have the model with the 20" rims, but the base model had 17's and the in-between model had 18's. While the smaller rims (and taller sidewalls) do help smooth out the ride, it wasn't nearly as big of a difference as I expected it would be - the springs/shocks seemed to play the biggest role. I think the FX has 265/50s for the 20's and our Volvo has 255/45s so the FX has a bit more sidewall.
 
tires make a huge difference between harshness and smoothness. Also you have to change out the suspension once you get one. The difference is huge. I would not get springs, ill get coils! Makes the car feel faster, i guess with less weight and you can set the dampening on your mood. One major difference i noticed 03-04s had a heavier steering feel compared to 06+
 
cblandin said:
The springs look to be the same, BUT I'm not seeing that with regard to the factory struts and shock part #'s from 2003-2008 (despite having the same manufacturer). The aftermarket might be covering all of this with one part number (which is pretty common), but from Infiniti there are differences.

Examples of different right-hand strut numbers listed for a 2007 model:
54302-CL00J (sport package 8/2006 to present)
E4302-CL01A

There is also a different part number for those models with 20" run-flats.

For a 2005 model I see the following for a right hand strut:
54302-CL00J (same as '07 sport listed above listed for 11/2005 to 08/2006)
54302-CL025 (listed for 08/2004 to 11/2005)

Model year 2003 shows different numbers as well.

These differences would seem to confirm that Infiniti was indeed making changes throughout the life cycle (whcih is what they were claiming) and based on the presence of the sport package in some cases (and they do not appear to be just be new superceded numbers since that is all listed as well). Now, what we don't know is if KYB offers just one part number aftermarket for all years, which tuning did they follow? If they went with the most recent shock tuning from Infiniti that would indeed be softer than the earlier tunings (or they could have just gone softer from the get go). I will say that it is possible there are still internal differences in the "factory" KYBs vs KYBs aftermarket version. I had an '05 GTO and Monroe made the factory shocks (stamped "Monroe") and when I replaced with aftermarket Monroes they rode differently.

---------- Post added at 04:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------



That does seem pretty consistent with what I saw with our Volvo. We have the model with the 20" rims, but the base model had 17's and the in-between model had 18's. While the smaller rims (and taller sidewalls) do help smooth out the ride, it wasn't nearly as big of a difference as I expected it would be - the springs/shocks seemed to play the biggest role. I think the FX has 265/50s for the 20's and our Volvo has 255/45s so the FX has a bit more sidewall.
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I understand what you mean

I have no knowledge in that order as to what may be different amongst the part numbers

I dont think many have tried different shock/strut nor even bought from the dealership. Stealership ^^ so we may have just bought kyb
 
You can dial in a coilover setup as soft or firm as you like, I absolutely love mine made a world of difference. Not the cheapest mod but very well worth it IMO.
 
I went from an '04 to '07 and did notice the suspension was slightly softer for the '07. But I went from a 35 to a 45, so not sure if the added weight of the 45 contributed to it or not. I had H&R springs before on the 35 and they did ride noticeably softer than the stock ones. I run coils now and I love the look, stance, and handling I get and it does ride a bit harsh at times. The biggest improvement you can make is just run the 18"s, but you already understand the compromises in handling it will make. The FX was designed with this intent to be a very capable handing vehicle. I still get into a debate about FX versus Lexus RX all the time with a coworker of mine. Apples and oranges but he just doesn't get the target audience the FX is aimed at.
 
If you Bag it will it improve handling?
And also at the same time give you caddy ride? Even when riding low?

Or does low mean stiff even with air shocks?
 
AeroBFA said:
I went from an '04 to '07 and did notice the suspension was slightly softer for the '07. But I went from a 35 to a 45, so not sure if the added weight of the 45 contributed to it or not. I had H&R springs before on the 35 and they did ride noticeably softer than the stock ones. I run coils now and I love the look, stance, and handling I get and it does ride a bit harsh at times. The biggest improvement you can make is just run the 18"s, but you already understand the compromises in handling it will make. The FX was designed with this intent to be a very capable handing vehicle. I still get into a debate about FX versus Lexus RX all the time with a coworker of mine. Apples and oranges but he just doesn't get the target audience the FX is aimed at.
Click to expand...

Did your old '04 FX35 have the 20" rims and sport package? Did you swap in the H&Rs to see the before and after? Before your coilover install on your '07 was it still less firm than the H&R equipped '04? Sorry, I know that's a slew of questions.
 
cblandin said:
Did your old '04 FX35 have the 20" rims and sport package? Did you swap in the H&Rs to see the before and after? Before your coilover install on your '07 was it still less firm than the H&R equipped '04? Sorry, I know that's a slew of questions.
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I can kinda answer the first question
I have an 05 45 with 20"
After i swapped to hnr springs car got lowered immediate smoother firmer ride with better handling

Passing on the question to someone with coil overs
 
Bagging it will not improve handling. The new air setups are based on coilovers which means they're a huge improvement on older setups in terms of handling and ride quality. But they will never handle as well as a good coilover setup or even good lowering springs/shocks.

Simple physics; the lower a car rides on air, the lower the pressure and the softer the ride. The higher it is, the higher the air pressure. Even though new setups can compensate for this some and provide a decent ride while low, it won't be the same. Air ride is very progressive. Also, air ride doesn't mean air shocks. The shocks are the same as you would use for regular springs. The springs are air.

To the OP, my progression of wheels suspension went like this.

OEM 18"s/OEM suspension
OEM 18"s/H&R springs, OEM shocks, cut front spring
22"s / Modified H&R's
22"s / BC coilovers (set up almost as low as they go).

The best actual ride quality was with the 18"s and H&R. The springs are stiffer, not sure why people say they aren't. But the ride quality is better because the spring rate seemed more suited to the car. The factory setup always seemed undersprung and tended to bob a bit. The H&R's fixed that while only adding a tiny bit more firmness. Bigger wheels won't make as big of a difference as you might think. Even with 20"s, you're running a 50 sidewall and on 22"s, it's a 40 sidewall. That's more sidewall height than most cars come with OEM.

angryfx said:
If you Bag it will it improve handling?
And also at the same time give you caddy ride? Even when riding low?

Or does low mean stiff even with air shocks?
Click to expand...
 
cblandin said:
Did your old '04 FX35 have the 20" rims and sport package? Did you swap in the H&Rs to see the before and after? Before your coilover install on your '07 was it still less firm than the H&R equipped '04? Sorry, I know that's a slew of questions.
Click to expand...

Yes, my '04 had the 20"s and sport. On that car, I went from stock to H&R to BC Coilovers. On the '07 I went from stock to Kido Coilovers. The H&Rs was a little softer then the '07 stock. I think the tires make all the difference too. I had Yokohama Parada Specs on the 04 and they were really good tires. I had the dealer mount my winter tires on my 07 20"s straight up.
 
Thanks guys. I think I understand my options pretty well now with all of this feedback. I do understand that the FX will never ride like a Lexus and that's fine (interestingly enough we test drove a ton of things before we bought the Volvo. An '09 Lexus RX350 was among them...we both though it was beyond wallowy to the point of being dangerous!).
 
I pretty much have had all the various combinations as well. The FX rode/handled very well with H&R's on GTR's with 265/50 - 295/45 Hankook tires. BC CO's handled OK but the stock spring rates never felt as planted as the H&R's. I purchased the KIDO CO's with a higher spring rate in front and its very nice, firm, and you can adjust the ride quality.
 
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