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350z bumpy or smooth?

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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 09:51 PM
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Default 350z bumpy or smooth?

I bought my 03 touring around Nov 2005 and it is my first sport car so I have no idea what to expect. When i test drove it the dealer told me the car should be bumpy but it feels great to drive so I bought it. But I have seen people on this forum saying that he(she) bought this car because of the SMOOTH RIDE. I am very certain that my car is not the smooth ride he was talking about. My question is...the previous owner is a woman and this car has perfect record so I'm sure she didn't damage any spring or anything but why is it so bumpy and how much will it cost to fix my car into a smooth ride?
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 09:54 PM
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its a friggin sports car with a tight suspension. if you wanted a smooth ride you should have bought a cadillac. about the only way your can fix this is to.... buy a cadillac. i highly doubt your springs are bad. good luck
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:58 PM
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350z has smooth ride? haha, maybe when it's not moving
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 01:09 AM
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A soft and comfortable ride will cost about $2,500 depending upon the condition and mileage.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 01:10 AM
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3 fiddy Z's do not have a smooth ride, and the '03's are supposed to have the stiffest spring settings. With that said, I personally think the Z's suspension setting is perfect for a sports car - has a perfect balance between hard/softness. If you want a softer, more luxurious ride, the G35 coupe is better.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 01:11 AM
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Originally Posted by davidv

A soft and comfortable ride will cost about $2,500 depending upon the condition and mileage.
That car looks OEM-tite
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 01:41 AM
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now that is a car to get *** in
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 04:03 AM
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don't use the word 'smooth' on the Zs.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 06:05 AM
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I'd call it a firm ride...just like my girlfriend!
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 07:17 AM
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actually the 2003 and early 2004 coupes have the old unrevised suspension. It is bumpier and not as smooth riding. The 2004.5 and on have a newer suspension, that performs just as good, but gives you a better ride. You can typically buy these suspensions used on the forsale forum, or you could buy aftermarket shocks like Tokico or Koni and the ride will be much smoother. The 2003 shocks just plain suck.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 07:22 AM
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they are smooth....if your on a smooth surface w/o any lil bumps
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 07:33 AM
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You can get an adjustable coilover setup and set it at the softest setting when cruising and then go to firm which is firmer than stock on the highest setting. Check the following out.
Zeal V6
Tein EDFC

Both provide adjustability. Good thing about Tein is that its electronic, Zeal is manual. I prefer Zeal and not just because i have it but because it rebounds and compresses more controlled than that of the Tein. The Tein seemed much harsher than mine. I like the Tein because its electronic and you don't need to get out or pop the hood to change its settings.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Viffer35Z
I'd call it a firm ride...just like my girlfriend!

Really...thats what I call your girlfriend too. Sorry, you left yourself wide open on that one. Anyway, I have an 03, and its pretty rough..but I was expecting that when I bought it. Im just going to upgrade my shocks like previously mentioned.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 10:03 AM
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The 350z is a smooth ride relative to many sport cars.

I can give take you for a spin in my car that has a set of race coilovers. Your 350z will feel like you are riding on an air matress.

My car will leave you checking to see if you have all your fillings intact....
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by zoeybadm
The 350z is a smooth ride relative to many sport cars.

I can give take you for a spin in my car that has a set of race coilovers. Your 350z will feel like you are riding on an air matress.

My car will leave you checking to see if you have all your fillings intact....
Yeah, the Z is pretty smooth once you've ridding in a race car.

Weck, an STi is way harsher!
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 05:11 PM
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Depends on the road. I think the ride is fine. More importantly my comfort-to-the-max (read: candy butt) wife thinks its fine. But when I get on rough roads (such as I 80 up near Tahoe) the ride goes to hell fast.
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Old Jun 16, 2006 | 05:17 PM
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I owned an RSX Type-S prior to the Z and if you think the Z is bouncy, don't even think about getting into an RSX. To me, the ride is great and much smoother than my old car or other sports cars for that matter.
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Old Jun 17, 2006 | 05:50 PM
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It's not that I want to make it into a smooth ride...when I asked how can I make it into a smooth ride I meant what to replace to make it "smooth" doesn't mean I will do it. I like it been bumpy because it feels much more sporty to drive than a sedan. I guess my car is normal but my friend's stock 06 z is much much smoother than mine, anyone know what's up with that?
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Old Jun 17, 2006 | 05:59 PM
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just change to any aftermarket struts to eliminate the famous 03Z bounce. The difference is like night and day. Did the installation myself...took four hours. Best mod for the money.
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Old Jun 17, 2006 | 06:17 PM
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My car is "smooth" on the far side of 85 mph ...

... it just sort of flys over the pot holes and surface defects.
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