Softer ride?

[Huligan]

Since I drive in Mexico often, and their streets blow, I am looking for a way to soften up the ride on my MS3... other than sticking 15 or 16" rims and using higher profile tires, are there any springs or dampers that fit that can help?

I wanted to get some lowering springs and I came up on a set of cheap H&R springs... which I guess will just make the ride harsher?

 

[NCZ13]

pretty much.

maybe swapping some regular 3 springs would work?

or get coilovers, and hope the softest setting is super soft, if that makes any sense.

 

[strytnyne]

lowering springs will definitely not soften up anything

 

[Huligan]

i thought coilovers made the ride stiffer??

 

[NCZ13]

well yeah. but they do have settings.

maybe on the extremely soft setting, they will be softer than stock.

more than likely this isnt the case, but its still something you could look into.

 

[Huligan]

anyone know how bad the eibach pro kit is?

 

[NCZ13]

well i have the pro kit on my car. certainly much stiffer than stock, but not nearly as harsh as other springs.

they are definitely not going to be softer than what you have however.

 

[Huligan]

cant have the best of both worlds, then? lower ride and better ride comfort?

GAY.

 

[strytnyne]

they say bc coilovers is close to stock at low settings 8 or so.. so i guess if under 8 it would be really soft, handling would suffer though

 

[bacarl]

Almost always, lowering springs have a higher rate. This is because 1) typically guys lowering their cars want a sportier ride and 2) to better support the weight of the lowered car and keep it off the jounce bumpers.

You could try MZ3 springs, that's not a bad idea. Or adjustable dampers for the MZ3 set to a soft setting ought to work, and be a lot cheaper than coilovers. Or like you said, a 50 or 60 series 16" tire would smooth out your secondary ride a bunch, and help absorb impacts over potholes and such too.

 

[jjjxlr8]

Since I drive in Mexico often, and their streets blow, I am looking for a way to soften up the ride on my MS3... other than sticking 15 or 16" rims and using higher profile tires, are there any springs or dampers that fit that can help?

I wanted to get some lowering springs and I came up on a set of cheap H&R springs... which I guess will just make the ride harsher?

If you are concerned with ride quality on bad roads, you should forget about lowering springs. You can't reduce suspension travel and get a softer ride.

Your best option is to go with 17" wheels and some 50 series tires. If you go with an all season type "touring" tire, you will likely get a slightly more compliant carcass that will help with ride comfort at the expense of responsiveness.

 

[Kain]

Visit your local Cadillac dealer. Or stop going to Mehico.

 

[nate0123]

or rent a caddy for the trips to mehico

 

[Huligan]

Qq

 

[SuperStretch18]

cant have the best of both worlds, then? lower ride and better ride comfort?

GAY.

Less suspension travel means that the springs have to be more firm, or else they would be constantly bottoming out.

 

[nate0123]

Less suspension travel means that the springs have to be more firm, or else they would be constantly bottoming out.

indeed, bumpstops have extremely high "spring" rates

 

[Trader]

How much would going with 17inch x 8" wide rims with the stock suspension soften the ride? Any at all?

 

[Sveivo]

I think that going to a smaller wheel will make a big difference.

Also look for tires with nylon sidewalls, they have a super soft ride. My winter setup has nylon sidewalls, and it's great. Handling is still excellent with my suspension, just not as much harshness.

 

[oaklandopen]

just go all out and get the bose suspension, you won't feel a thing in the car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSi6J-QK1lw

 

[Sveivo]

just go all out and get the bose suspension, you won't feel a thing in the car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSi6J-QK1lw

Awesome! Look at the wheel gap though

indeed, bumpstops have extremely high "spring" rates

So what he really needs is softer bumpstops. Problem solved!