350Z Touring a more forgiving ride?

[Hal900x]

Taken several test drives of the base Z, and yes the ride is quite stiff. The leather upgrade in the Touring helps a bit, but I have yet to drive the Touring. I notice one of the upgrades on the Touring is the independent suspension. Is this model tuned more for long-distance driving, as the name suggests, or is it just as punishing?

[asad]

I notice one of the upgrades on the Touring is the independent suspension.



Hmm that's weird. All Z's share the same basic independent suspension design. I was under the impression that all trim levels shared the same suspension tuning as well, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

G35 Coupe perhaps?

Asad

[Hal900x]

I notice one of the upgrades on the Touring is the independent suspension.



Hmm that's weird. All Z's share the same basic independent suspension design. I was under the impression that all trim levels shared the same suspension tuning as well, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

G35 Coupe perhaps?

Asad



Now that I look at the listed Trims (http://www.config.nissanusa.com/redirect.jsp?tryset=true&destination=CFG&modelName =Z&make=Nissan&flow=trimselect&model=350Z&lang=en )
it's the "Performance" trim that gets the "Independent aluminum multi-link suspension" upgrade. I want the Touring because it adds Leather seats. I don't know if the suspension is actually different, or perhaps is simply retuned.

As a side note I'm assuming the Touring includes all the upgrades from trims below it...but can someone verify?

[asad]

it's the "Performance" trim that gets the "Independent aluminum multi-link suspension" upgrade.




That's not an upgrade. All 350Z's have that.

Asad

[Hal900x]

it's the "Performance" trim that gets the "Independent aluminum multi-link suspension" upgrade.




That's not an upgrade. All 350Z's have that.

Asad



Check the link I included. They are clearly listing it as only being available on Performance and up. I'm sure you are right, but is this a mistake on the Z site? What exactly are they saying?

[asad]

Check the link I included. They are clearly listing it as only being available on Performance and up. I'm sure you are right, but is this a mistake on the Z site? What exactly are they saying?



Your link doesn't work, it's reading something from some cookie on your computer and gives me an error when I click on it.

When I go to the Nissan website and then the 350Z page, it says that every Z comes equipped with a multi-link aluminum alloy suspension.

Try this link:
http://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/ModelHomePage/0,,120017,00.html

Asad

[Hal900x]

Asad,

from your link, click on "Build your Z" and tell me what you think.

Thanks,
Hal

[asad]

That is indeed weird. If I were to take a guess...I'd say that they ran out of things that the Performance model has as an upgrade from the lower models and just threw the "independent suspension" bit in so there wouldn't be any empty space http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smile.gif Similarly, all of the 350Z models have the integrated rear strut tower brace (the big bar going across the cargo compartment) and I would be surprised if they didn't all also have front and rear stabilizer bars, and they all definitely have the microfinished crank and cam surfaces.

It could just be that they're trying to appeal to a certain demographic with the "Performance" moniker, and the list of features reflects that. Ahhh, the joys of marketing...

If you continue on with the "build your Z", and look at the list of standard features for, say, the base 350Z and the Performance model, you'll see that the description of the suspension is exactly the same in both cases:

-Front: Independent 3-link aluminum-alloy suspension with strut bar

-Rear: Independent 4-link aluminum-alloy suspension with strut brace and aluminum-alloy subframe

-Front and rear stabilizer bars

-Ripple-control shock absorbers

Asad

[Hal900x]

If true, that's sad. The upgrade path is already overpriced IMO. Z's are a good value at the bottom trim, each incremental upgrade is rather stiff for little return. Seems to me that those to whom a Z would appeal wouldn't be overly enthused about VDC and so forth. Bothers me that the Leather is so high up the ladder.

[CSUSM1856]

i have an '04 enthusiast Z. i compared all the models before buying. 100% for sure the suspension is exactly the same for each model of Z from the base model to the track package. Please see this review from Road & Track which provides a clear statement on the differences between models
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=460
check the third paragraph on the first page (next to the rear 3/4 pic of the blue Z) and check the first paragraph at the top of the second page. both these discuss the suspension.

[Gsedan35]

All trim level's of 350Z have the same exact suspension settings. Where you will see a differance is when Nissan did a running change in 2004. But the suspension revision was applied across the entire model range. So, from job one, to the car's rolling off the assembly line as we speak, all trim level's have the same suspension specs. Any differance in ride quality would be limited to how aired up a dealer does it's tires during PDI and 17's vs 18's. Keep in mind that in the used market, 2003's will definatley ride differently then 2004.5's or 2005's. That is because of the suspension revision I mentioned earlier.