Just because you hav'nt does'nt mean those that have are *nuts* its kinda scary when it happens at higher speeds




Hum, haven't experienced that bouncing yet....

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See, I notice it, but it is rather mild. I doubt it is related to the tire feathering problem (My service advisor claims the feathering occurs because of the way the car is shipped can affect the toe-out, and hence causes feathering).

The theory about sharing parts with the G35 may have some merit with it, and having a shorter whelbase will make any car "bouncier (You should see what my R1 feels like on the roads the Z bounces on, and it's suspension is DEAD ON for my rider/bike weight)m but I would expect the Z to have firmer suspension pieces due to it "sportier nature" compared to the G35. Does anyone know if our suspensions are the same? I would think the G35 needs a bit more damping due to the higher weight, but perhaps Nissan picked one part to use in both to save $$?

I put money down before I drove my 04 (drove an 03 tho), but if I wouldda put money down on an 03, I still would have driven it before I ever bought it.

And, yeah, I'm not talking about the suspension being too firm; that's never bothered me. As other people mentioned, if anything, t's not firm enough. But, then again, if you're a real sports car nut, few stock cars are EVER firm enough for enthusiastic driving. That's what NISMO is for...

 

Never mentioned anything about them being 'nuts', just saying that I haven't experienced it... so have no idea what it's like yet

 

I love my 350, but this is my 7th Z now, starting from the 240Z, and this one has the "worst" ride of any of them in terms of that bounce. I would NOT call it a rough ride...it's alot different than just rough.

But it won't make me trade it in for anything else at the moment. Plan is to drive the hell out of it for 3 years, then look around!! Maybe buy the 400Z then...........

 

This subject is as old as the hills.

The stock suspension setup... until it is changed with the Euro-spec later this year... is bouncy -- period. Not sports car handling...just bounce. jmark's remark sums it up in 4 words.

I did not notice the bounce during 2 test drives. Only after I took possession of my Z.. did the bounce exhibit itself... everywhere.

Only solution is to swap out the suspension and get something decent... anything except the current stock.

 

Remember that the people who bought on the pre-order did not have the opportunity to test drive.Suspension is tight and firm and handles great just like a sports car should.

 

I noticed this bounce almost imediately when taking a test drive onto the freeway here in So. Cal. I didnt get the car because of it. I bought a G instead. It handles the way the Z should in my opinion. Its firm but never harsh or bouncy.

 

Anybody know if the FX45 bounces? What did Nissan design first 350Z or the FX?

Nissan uses the same platform for its two-seat 350Z as it does for the much larger Infiniti FX45 SUV.

 

It only happens on certain roads, so some people will never see it, and some will get it all the time, depending on where you drive. For me, it happens on a certain stretch of Hwy 101 S in Silicon Valley, and only in a certain lane! (The carpool lane is smooth.)

But when it happens, boy is it noticeable; there's no question of "I'm not sure if this is the bounce that people are talking about?" Anything in the car, including you, will be jumping up and down crazily. If it happened more often, I would have to do something about it, but since I only get it in one place (so far) I can live with it.

But it does indicate one of those first model year problems; Nissan probably never tested it on enough rodas in the U.S.

 

I've had my 04 Touring for a week and only noticed it twice (on the concrete lanes of the 110 freeway to Pasadena), and not at all during the test drive.

Would it have stopped me from buying the car? No.
But it is annoying as hell when it happens. I'm going to look into some of the above suggestions ASAP.

John

 

Koni or Nismo S-Tune......

 

I am happy we got adjusted suspension here in Europe

 

The 350Z has got to be the easiest and most comfortable sports car that I've ever driven. Everything from the clutch to the suspension screams comfort and is just very very easy to drive.

If someone doesnt desire a sporty feel, they should have looked into getting a G35 sedan? Possibly a coupe?

Try driving in a car with polyurethane (or solid) bushings and super stiff suspension, you'll soon realize that the 350Z is far from "bouncy" and is quite quite comfortable.

When people refer to sportscars not being the most comfortable cars out there, its mostly because they are DESIGNED to give the driver valuable feedback. If you run over a pebble or a quarter, you SHOULD be able to feel that. I ditched my power steering because I wanted to be able to feel the front suspension, from when I run over water and the steering gets light -- to when I run over a pothole and I feel the steering wheel get turned out of my hand.

I just think people who are complaining about "bumpy ride" should look into getting a softer suspension, perhaps some Monroe SensaShocks. Cadillac is in business for a reason, their suspensions are as smooth as water...

ps: Usually you can bypass that bumpy feel on certain roads by either slowing down or increasing speed.

 

I had the bounce when I first bought the car. It was bad. I would hit my head on the roof on one specific freeway onramp. The bounce on mine eventually went away though. It could be the extra weight in the front from the supercharger, but now it rides great and exactly how I expected it to ride in the first place.

 

Has anyone checked out the price for replacement parts on the 04's?

 

No, no no! Not bouncy; not too stiff, but the opposite. Not firm enough (not enough shock rate I think). The bounce never bugged me too much, but it wasn't about being too firm, which has never bugged me in just about any car (other than my roommates Celica, but it is too stiff for a car as light as it is- it feels great with two people but alone I hit my head on the roof)Like MANY people have said, an upgrade to the Nismo suspension cures the problem, and makes the car handle better... Having just thrown the stuff on this last weekend, I can vouch that the Z does bounce much less than it did before.

Then again, I also threw on lighter wheels, so I've got less unsprung weight, which I am sure helps relieve some of the bounce as well.

 

Dissident, thanks for the post. Hey so you like the NISMO S tune? Can I ask how much you paid for it installed? Was this at the dealership or elsewhere?

 

i've felt excessive (scary excessive) bounce in my 240sx and wrx. i don't think it's that uncommon. if it happens you need to slow down. if you have a lot of momentum and you hit uneven road, your car is going to bounce. it seems pretty intuitive to me.

edit: but i haven't actually experienced it in a 350z. maybe it's a lot worse than i'm imagining.

 

Really?? My 240SX *never* bounced. I bought it stock, and soon upgraded to Eibachs w/ Tockiko (sp?) shocks, and it didn't bounce before or after, although it was really firm afterward. I was running 225s on it, too.

But, when your suspension is either so firm the body of the car gets seriously upset over bumps, or not firm enough, where the body of the car doesn't settle (i.e bouncing), your are not acheiving optimal handling.... Although too firm is usually better than too soft for handling purposes, most cars end up too soft for "comfort." A few, like BMW, seem to be great at finding the perfect balance of handling and comfort...

Anyway, I'm rambling, but.. I installed the Nismo stuff myself in my garage. I'd be happy to do it for anyone for well under what the dealer will charge ya

 

my 240sx is completely stock. it's pretty old though. it's an 89.