I and 3 still seem to be a problem on some 2004s; 2 has been solved with a 2nd fix on several posts, including my Touring. IMO, its a good, not great system now. 1 and 3 are showing up sporadically now, maybe they are at the bottom of the 2003 parts bin? Drive it first for 1, roll the dice for 2. Best I can give you.

 

If you're free to meet up on a day when there's no snow and a time when there's light traffic, we can compare. I'd be curious. I live about 1.5 miles west of the Microsoft campus.

The section I'm talking about is going north on 405 in the middle or right lane) right a little before the 520. You should go south past the NE 8th Street exit, get off past there and come north.

 

Thanks cwerdna, I'll give that a shot.

About the meet up, I'll have to decline on that one. I feel uncomfortable meeting someone I don't know. Not that I don't want to trust you, but there are too many wackos out there.

Instead of waiting on someone else for a comparo, maybe you can test drive one on a dealer's lot? All December delivered coupes were built on 10/03. I would be interested to know too. Frankly I was kinda shocked when you mentioned that you have an 04 with a bouncy ride, I figured Nissan would have fixed the issue by now.

 

I don't think they changed the suspension design, they changed the springs/struts/bump stops. Those are the items that were mentioned in the European info we got from our contacts in Europe and the publications where Nissan engineers told them. They increased the spring rate, lowered the compression on the struts, increased their rebound control and put in different bump stops(to increase the travel of the aforementioned parts). I am only guessing on the last.

Anyone who remembers the articles, jump in if I'm incorrect, but I have been one of the most vocal critics and I've read every post I know existed on the suspension on this site and others. I preordered my car, sight unseen, 7 months and 26 days before I received it along with the other 8500+ buyers who put down $1K as a deposit before any US Z was built. After waiting that long it was difficult to see the warts from the start, but mine are almost gone save the tire wear issue and the bounce.

 

Thanks for the info Boomer. Do you know when they implemented these changes? I can't seem to find "concrete" info anywhere on the web stating when Nissan started doing the "Euro-spec" changes on US cars. Autoweek states that it is part of "rolling changes" for 2004, and cars arriving in November will have it (my guess is 09/03 build onwards). I assumed I had the new springs/bump stops because I had all the items listed in their article (knee pads, padded center console etc.), but you never know.

I also incorrectly assumed that all 2004s have the new spring setup, and that the "rolling changes" were the cosmetic stuff like knee-pads etc. With cwerdna mentioning his bounce problem, that totally throws my assumption out the window.

 

I have no idea when a "rolling change" will be implemented, or if one has already taken place. One owner has stated the changes are not implemented until they use up all the 2003 parts. This could mean some 04s have not received the new suspension parts if you have the bounce. Only a few 04 owners have stated their cars have no bounce at all, and some said they do. That's why I have cautioned people to drive the car before buying to see. Its not foolproof, but its all we have.