RedZOH3

I am kinda a noob and am looking for advice on my suspension. I just got a '03 Grand Touring. I love the car, with a couple exceptions, one bieng the Bose system, but thats for another day, another thread.

As far as the ride goes, I love how it handles, with one exception. On the freeway, it bounces like a lowrider. Is it possible to get it to handle like a Z but ride like a maxima?

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

First of all , how many miles ? Your struts are probably bad. 03's have the worst suspension from the factory, i would upgrade to the next gen of suspension (found in the for sale section cheap ) or get some d-specs with aftermarket springs.

Swapping head units helps a lot, much better sounds quality, enough base , decent highs. Normally i do full stereo systems, i havn't done anything but my D3 in the 2 years ive had my 03.

RedZOH3

64000 miles. Whats D-specs? I also heard the Nismo suspension was freeway bounce free, is that true?

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

NISMO= overpriced junk. Tokico makes D-specs, they are an aftermarket shock.

Z04

iTrader: (15)

if you got a 2003 Grand Touring you got yourself a rare car considering there is no such car. plus why would you want your sports car to handle like a family sedan? read some of the reviews listed in the sticky above, make a plan, then get yourself a setup that will work for you. having it "handle like a maxima" will not work for a Z.

RedZOH3

I thought it was a Grand Touring. Its on 03 with Bose and sub, but without the navigation. Its the one that is one step lower than the 03 track.

And when I said I wanted it to handle like a Maxima i just meant I would like a nice smooth ride on the freeway. I still want it to handle like it does now.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

If it has leather, its a touring

RedZOH3

It has leather and heated seats. Soooooo nice in this cold weather....

Done Deal DR

iTrader: (5)

This place never gets old.

Gsedan35

iTrader: (10)

I get what your saying. Even when brand new, oem 03/04 shocks have known issues with bounce and freeway porposing. Ride like a maxima, I get that to, however, I'm sure even the maxima has less then perfect issues I can detect on a ride and drive ralated to it's mass produced production shocks.

IMO, to get what yout want.

Step 1,.......pull oem shocks go directly to dumpster (please don't try to resell them, why would you wish that same ride quality on someone else?)

Step 2,......install 4 Bilstein H.D. shocks

Dwnhill350z

Wow I was actually going to post up the same complaint,glad I found this before starting another thread. I have a 03 with 50k miles and its gotten so bumpy on the freeways and streets its killing my lower back, I know the shocks aren't blown, but the ride is far from smooth especially compared to when I purchased it. So in order to regain a smooth ride I should look into getting D-specs or Bilstein H.D.shocks? I could care less about ride height I just want a smooth easy comfortable ride. Will my factory warranty be voided? As I remember reading that if I do anything,add anything or change anything to the suspension my warranty will be voided, which is something I want to avoid. TIA.

Gsedan35

iTrader: (10)

Stupid question, your 2003 with 50K still is covered by a factory warranty?

D-specs will be better then your oem shock when they were new and certainly better then your shocks now and if you want adjustablity they are pretty good. If you don't need adjustablity and don't mind paying a little more, the Bilstein H.D. is a better shock.

As far as your factory warranty goes, Nissan would have to prove that your new shocks caused a failure in order to deny a warranty claim. If the slim likelyhood of that actually happening bothers you, I'd get low mileage late model oem shocks til your waranty expires.

Dwnhill350z

Cool thanks for the 411, sorry should have said dealership warranty, only thing is I was worried they might cancel or claim I voided it because I installed something on the car that wasn't allowed. As I remember reading that if I installed any springs, or add anything non oem or that were not nismo my warranty would be voided, that's why I was worried, however my back can't take anymore bouncing so I'll look into the bilstein since I don't want adjustablilty and would rather a smooth ride.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm. What suspension components are primarily responsible of bounce-no bounce. I’ll have to think this over.

5150DS

iTrader: (1)

Shocks.


Oops, I missed the sarcasm first time.