Harsh ride comes from the struts. If you have the harsh struts then thats it.

Grab the koni adjustables used on the mazda 3. Most struts will be softer then the dynamic (the harshest Volvo has). It will deff have setting softer then stock.

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (noah katz)

Take a quick look at your springs and make sure they pulled out the shipping blocks. A few guys had noted that the dealer forgot to remove the blocks.

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (noah katz)

Noah: sorry to hear you don't like the 2.0 suspension. I happen to love it. A welcome difference in comparison to my over soft lexus IS suspension. You should have stuck with the 1.0 suspension and upgraded the sway's only. Imagine how upset you'd be if you got the 18" wheels too..hehe Maybe you can ask some other 1.0 owners on C30world or here if they wanted to upgrade to the 2.0 and you guys can swap suspensions for free instead of buying new suspension.

 

Re: (zerocover)

Thanks, zerocover!

Like these?

http://www.therpmstore.com/pro...d=698

I thought these came up w/a search for koni adjustable, but it doesn't say they are.

Maybe it's OK, Koni says they ride well, and the adjustables said they have to be removed from the car to adjust(!).

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (noah katz)

Quote, originally posted by noah katz »

Thanks, zerocover! Like these? http://www.therpmstore.com/pro...d=698 I thought these came up w/a search for koni adjustable, but it doesn't say they are. Maybe it's OK, Koni says they ride well, and the adjustables said they have to be removed from the car to adjust(!).

You are looking for Koni Sport shocks (also called Koni Yellows). I don't recall the Koni FSDs being adjustable.

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (noah katz)

Different tires could, possibly, make a huge difference.

My S40 was also very harsh on the expansion joint kinds of bumps. I replaced the OE 17" Michelin tires after 2 years (even though they were only 1/2 worn) with a different set and the car is much, much less annoying - much better.

I was surprised Volvo would accept such a tire. Perhaps they did the same in the C30.

Just as an aside, I didn't replace the tires for the harshness, thinking that it was all in the suspension. I bought the tires 'cause mine pulled, and then was very pleasantly surprised to have improved the ride quality (as well as the pull). It was a great purchase. I bought summer tires (Bridgestone RE750) so I didn't give up any handling IMO. Traction is also much better. I might have given up a bit on fuel economy (but it's hardly noticeable) and maybe wear life.

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (steve909)

fletcher, thanks, I looked and there aren't any errant spring blocks.

"Different tires could, possibly, make a huge difference."

That was my original plan.

Yesterday I replaced the 205/50-17 Michelin HX MXM4's with Nitto Invo 225/45-17.

Based on a couple of dozen reviews I was sure they'd be better at everything, but they only scored 1 out of 3.

Handling is way better, phenomenal actually, but they're noisier and harsher.

It did seem odd that Nitto says on their site that the Invo is better at everything than their Neo Gen, which actually gets better reviews, yet the price difference is just a few $.

I was thinking of trying again with a 225/50 to get some more sidewall height and/or a competent all-season tire that rides better; picking which tire is of course the hard part.

But reducing harshness via tires is hard to do w/o giving up handling, whereas practically speaking I suspect the only thing more appropriate compression damping will cost is responsiveness to very quick steering inputs, which isn't the way I drive.

I'll have to research the different Koni's more.

Any other brands I should consider?

Modified by noah katz at 7:04 PM 3-9-2008

 

Quote, originally posted by noah katz »

I'll have to research the different Koni's more. Any other brands I should consider?

There's Bilstein Heavy Duties. I don't think they are adjustable, though. So, if the Bilsteins turn out to be too harsh as well, you will be in the same boat as before.

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (genjy)

"You are looking for Koni Sport shocks (also called Koni Yellows). "

Like these?

http://www.good-win-racing.com....html

So the white knob is used temporarily to adjust the damping before installation?

Any idea how many labor hours it takes per adjustment per wheel?

 

I am pretty dure the non adjustabele , SPT Bilstiens are not what you are looking for. I also am surprised that you think it is that harsh. I would change anything.....althgouh i dont have koni experiance. I doubt you will get more slop that stock in them.
Sean

 

Re: (genjy)

the HD will be too stiff IMO, the street tuning ones (I forgot the name) are twin tube design which are softer, again IMO.

My Volvo is just as tight as the first day, which is good, now my VW's dampers were dead by two years.

 

Better tires always mean a worse ride.
Heres what you need
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V

You can adjust them on the car with the knob. If you want to stay volvo, just trade with someone that has the normal struts. This is an enthusiast forum some people deff want stiffer struts. Swap w someone that has a newish car (it would be a cheap / free mod).

 

Just throwing out another option...

You can try the normal 2.3L Mazda3 hatch struts and springs.

That may be a good balance of comfort and handling. Try test driving a Mazda3 hatch and see how it feels.

 

Zerocover, thanks for the link.

"the HD will be too stiff IMO, the street tuning ones (I forgot the name) are twin tube design which are softer, again IMO."

Oldman, to be clear, you're not referring to the Koni Sport Shocks from the above link, right?

"I also am surprised that you think it is that harsh."

Me too; I don't remember it being this bad from my road test. I drove the same loop yesterday and it was OK, but there are no tar strip seams like on my way to work.

It's like the suspension is completely locked to low, abrupt irregularities.

The v1.0 was worlds better, but overall too soft. No wallow, but too slow on rebound recovery.

The Koni FSD sounds like just the ticket.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspen...r+Set

Anyone here tried them? Searching yields the same question.

The few reviews at Tirerack sound very good except for one fellow that sounds a lot more hard core than me.

Another question is, are the Mazda3 spring rates close enough to what I have so that the damping matches the springing.

 

yes stiff suspension wears in... however its NOT a great deal.

It may over time lighten up a bit but remember if you pay for sport suspension expect to get sport suspension...

Rich

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (noah katz)

My AWD V50 came with the sport suspension standard (I think that's what it was called - it's the stiffer of the two offered at the time). If anything, mine has become more harsh, particularly from 25k miles onwards. Now at 33k miles so I don't think it's time for replacement.

UKMatt

 

Re: Does suspension break in and loosen up? (ukmatt)

Quote, originally posted by ukmatt »

My AWD V50 came with the sport suspension standard (I think that's what it was called - it's the stiffer of the two offered at the time). If anything, mine has become more harsh, particularly from 25k miles onwards. Now at 33k miles so I don't think it's time for replacement. UKMatt

Same here: 2005 AWD V50. The ride just keeps getting worse. I keep alternating between Bilsteins or a new car.

 

Are you guys lowered? I find my ride to be pretty plush, only reason I redoing my shocks is I dont like hitting my head on the roof from being underdamped because it is lowered

 

so Mazda 3 parts fit this car right? If so has anyone looked into Tein's coilovers with EDFC? They make it for the Mazda 3. Height adjustable ride adjustable. You can adjust the shock comfort settings from inside the car like Lexus cars. hehe

 

Re: (PornSStar)

Stock suspension, 17" Sagittas, michelins. 48k miles. My wife will not ride in it or drive it anymore. It is not just the ride quality, the impact sounds when I hit a bump or pothole have become louder.

 

Re: (BarentsBlueV50)

"It is not just the ride quality, the impact sounds when I hit a bump or pothole have become louder."

Exactly, it sounds like the impact is just hammering on the car's structure.

"If so has anyone looked into Tein's coilovers with EDFC? They make it for the Mazda 3. Height adjustable ride adjustable. You can adjust the shock comfort settings from inside the car like Lexus cars."

First I've heard of Tein. Googling says the EDFC motors on top of the struts don't fit under the hood of a 3.

I don't need to adjust from inside the car, manually w/o to take the struts out would be great.

I just looked under the hood, it looks like you ought to be able to get to the top of the strut.

I wonder why Koni doesn't make theirs that way.

Modified by noah katz at 12:42 PM 3-10-2008

 

A lot of times a change in tires really can make a world of difference. In my old protege I tried on tons of tires until I found one that was the best in balancing performance, wear, ride, and noise. Finding nothing I really liked totally I just gave up and one day decided to get the cheapest tires I could find for the car. Believe it or not those cheapo tires were exactly what I was looking for. Best ride, tire wear, noise, comfort.. maybe not max dry performance but that's not that much of a priority. Kumho ASX's FTW!!!

 

Re: (ba-b4)

Quote, originally posted by ba-b4 »

A lot of times a change in tires really can make a world of difference. In my old protege I tried on tons of tires until I found one that was the best in balancing performance, wear, ride, and noise. Finding nothing I really liked totally I just gave up and one day decided to get the cheapest tires I could find for the car. Believe it or not those cheapo tires were exactly what I was looking for. Best ride, tire wear, noise, comfort.. maybe not max dry performance but that's not that much of a priority. Kumho ASX's FTW!!!

I was going buy some ASXs for my Mazda5, but I opted for some similarly-priced Continental ExtremeContacts.

The Contis are great tires all around, but a bit noisy when they are cold. I may give the ASXs a try next time around.

 

Re: (genjy)

Quote, originally posted by genjy »

I was going buy some ASXs for my Mazda5, but I opted for some similarly-priced Continental ExtremeContacts. The Contis are great tires all around, but a bit noisy when they are cold. I may give the ASXs a try next time around.

Yeah try them out.. seriously they're really good for the cost. I couldn't find anything bad about them other than the name. I've tried Dunlops, Nitto's, Bridgestone, and Toyo's on that car. None of them were as balanced overall as the Kumho's and they all cost like almost twice as much!

Some people want to buy the best possible but the "best" is not always what you really want. Some great performance tires might have really thick firm sidewalls that just transmit everything into the cabin. Less performance all seasons might have a softer sidewall to absorb all the stuff you don't want coming in. Many times that's all you need not necessarily a new suspension.

 

I believe my o5 S40 AWD has the dynamic suspension standard. I have two sets of wheels, the stock 16" and 17" borbets. The car rides so much better with the 16s.
Also, the S40 may hava stiffer body than either the C30 or V50 due to the sedan configuration.
Before I changed any struts, I would buy a set of tires with a taller sidewall.

I would also see if there is any kind of rear brace available.