Hi to the forum members,

I am not an owner yet, but have driven a Touring several times (Canadian version) and really like the car except for one thing - the ride. I found it waaaay to stiff on the rough roads that are common around here.

According to the press releases I've read Hyundai adds 24 percent stiffer front springs, 39 percent stiffer rear springs, and larger front and rear stabilizer bars. My question is - what softer springs and smaller bars can be put on this car? And if springs from other Hyundai's can be used, how can I find out their spring rates? Bars are easy to compare just by looking at their diameter.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

ButtZ

 

can't help with the springs. Just wanted to agree that the ride is extremely stiff. Pa roads where I am are not too good and the ET doesn't take the bumps well. Hopefully someone from Hyundai reads the statements on the forum so they get some idea of possible improvements. A little softer suspension would make it even better than what it is.

 

Gentlemen, I hope you are not serious. This car may be a tad stiffer than the Elantra sedan but you are buying a car that is meant to handle well. To reduce the spring's tension will likely reduce the actual quality of the cornering. I wholly understand your perspective on the ride quality but I certainly hope that Hyundai does NOT agree with you.

Also, if you happen to check out the Hyundai website, you'll notice that this car is being marketed to folks who like to drive their cars hard...


Cheers!

 

kman,

Thanks for your reply and I don't want to start a war of words but I think you, and many automotive reviewers and manufacturers today, are making the same mistake - you believe a car has to be stiff in order to handle well. This is not true but it seems to be the quick way to try and market a car as 'sporty'.

As a real life example of this, I own a 1981 911SC that has the suspension 'upgraded' to the 930 Turbo specs. Now I admit that this car is technically an antique but I can guarantee you it will completely embarrass the Touring in any measure of 'handling'. Yet this car rides like a limo next to the Touring. A suspension needs to be compliant, give with the bumps that occur in any real life road that exists out there, not try and pound them flat.

So yes, I am serious. Make this car handle, and RIDE, like my 28 year old Porsche and you will have a much better car.

 

I have had quite a few sporty cars in my day and none have been as stiff as the ET. It is not just a "tad" stiff, it really doesn't absorb bumps well at all. It almost feels like my motorscooter(400cc) that I ride which actually may be better at absorbing some of the bumps. And what kind of corners are you planning to take....90 degrees? Riding in it yesterday, thoughts came to my mind if I made the right decision trading in my HHR which handled the same roads much better. If the HHR hadn't had such sucky brakes, I probably would still have it. I do like the ET but that suspension leaves much to be desired.

 

My previous statement may have been a tad bit outspoken. I do have to agree that perhaps the ride is on the stiff side. An improvement that can be made is perhaps to increase the suspension travel so that the bumps are absorbed more effectively.

As for the statement related to the Porsche. I would not doubt for a second that your 28 year old Porsche would out-handle the ET. This is a moot point as Porsche has been developing their sports cars for decades and I'm certain that they have got it down to a science.

Hyundai is more of a recent entrant to the world of 'sporty' rides and while I agree there is room for improvement, the current iteration of the ET is planted on the twisties and a deft change of direction is easily handled by lift-off-oversteer. The car does roll in the turns but only to a certain point and then remains stable. The intention of the car is to serve as a grocery getter with a little bit of fun tossed into the equation. The ET is a result of how Hyundai got to this perspective.

If you are in the search for softer springs, the korean manufacturer's parts bin is a little light on aftermarket goods but there are a few online vendors for coilovers and such things.

Check out the links below for possible changes to your ET.

http://kspec.com/main.php?ac_id=191&s=&pg=2
OR
http://sharkracing.com/acecart/bin/s...cate=011900000

For an interesting article that defines what a Coilover is as well as how to correctly install them in the car is the following link: http://ezinearticles.com/?Coilover-S...-Cons&id=12461

Happy and Safe Travels!