I know Nissan softened the suspension a little in the 04.5 or 05 Z's, I was wondering if there's a major ride difference between those and the 03 and early 04's? Also what did they actually change in the suspension to do this? Is it just softer springs or is there more to it than that?

 

try riding in a shopping cart sometime and when you do say to yourself " so this is how the 03 Z feels like "

 

I test drove an 03,05,and an 06. The 06 I test drove, the transmission and gears did not seem smooth (im sure because it was new, less than 100miles). What I did feel in the 06 is not as much power down low than the other two years I drove. The 05 I was going to buy but the dealer did not want to make a deal, I drove this car for about 30minutes. I really felt no difference in the suspension between the years, but maybe that is just me. I think the 06 came with a different suspension, possibly to put to rest the tire-feathering problem. FYI I bought the 03 and have not looked back...not yet atleast.

 

Yes you can notice a difference if you are a 350Z enthusiast and familiar with the various years. Exactly what to Nissan do to the suspension? I do not know.

 

I also heard something about the later years feeling a bit heavier but what I don't get is how the rev-up VQ's would feel slower or heavy.

 

I don’t know man, the ride doesn’t really bother me that much. My dad has a 90 300zx with a suspension setup and if you think your Z is bad, Ill set you up for a ride in his. I have hit my head on the top of the car a few times while going over a bump. I have also drove in some chicks Honda, and man that thing was REAL bad. Over all I don’t feel a noticeable difference in the ride through out the different years.

 

You want real bad ever drove the new lotus elise.. I just can't stand the bouncy feeling of the 03 as compared to the revised suspension. Now the car I had before the Z was the 02 nissan Altima fully loaded which was uber smooth on the freeways. The 03 however if you rest your head on the seat for a ride you'll be boucing everywhere.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have an early 04, and it's a bit harsh on bad roads, I figured the difference wasn't that major but I thought I'd ask. I figured If there was a major difference and it was just softer springs it might be worth looking into. But i'd hate to lose too much handling anyway.

 

^^ what is the production date on your car as some 04's used the 03 suspension components.

 

Check out the spring database
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension/154233-spring-rate-database.html

Oem springs 350Z’s 2003/2004
Front:314 Rear:342

Oem springs 350Z 2004.5/2005 (found 04 car's that have the revised susp.)
Front:314 Rear:427

The big complaint in the early cars was porpoising on the freeway.

Chris

 

My 03 Z got more bouncy as I hit a few bumps(lots of train tracks and messed up roads in San Francisco), now my car feels like a boat floating around sometimes, especailyl in low speed, at high speed, it is still acceptable, but still it is bouncier than be4. Was it just me or does anyone have similar problem? Or the 03 stock suspensions get worn out just like that over time? Could somebody shed a light on me ?

 

Oem springs 350Z’s 2003/2004
Front:314 Rear:342

Oem springs 350Z 2004.5/2005 (found 04 car's that have the revised susp.)
Front:314 Rear:427

How do you add 85lbs spring rate and "soften" the suspension? How do you increase rear spring rate 25% on a good handling car and not oversteer big time?

 

not to highjack the thread but are the shocks same for all the years?

 

The 04.5 setup is the stiffer Euro spec.
The 03 setup is the original US spec and it was softer, presumably because the US market likes it soft.

Stiffening the rear will reduce understeer.

Chris

 

the 03 stock suspension is really unacceptable in terms of doing aggressive driving! IT gives u a very unsafe feedback. As for going at high speed, you can still feel the little bouncing up and down, and I really dont appreciate that kind of communication with the car.

 

I remember reading posts of how some thought the '03s handled better due to more negative camber and a few other things. Is this true?

 

Here's that thread https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....egative+camber

 

Don't agree with that at all...My older bro has an 03 took mine for a spin and was like damn thats very nice...of course he is used to his and loves his, but he loved my 06. The ride in the 06 feels a bit better as well but it still has its moments..

 

An 03 with broke in tires vs. a fresh off the lot brand new set of tires? That's not really a comparison.

Chris

 

Put on Tanabe GF210s and you'll get a really stiff ride, . I personally love it though.