antirice

iTrader: (2)

Ride comfort is pretty much like stock in everyday driving. I would say for highway driving it's actually better than OEM shocks. The only time I feel more harshness is when I go over a speedbump a little too fast.

Driving in the canyons the weight transfering of the car is noticeably quicker. I am no suspension expert, but I think stiffer shocks = quicker weight transfer. Hence my previous comment.

4DRZ

iTrader: (7)

I think the E46 M3 was definitely ahead of its time in terms of engine, handling, and styling. I got my 2005 late in 2012 and the most surprising part was how modern it seemed, even the interior. (It now seems a little dated inside, but I still think one of the best looking cars outside.) The G37S is no slouch though. A few simple mods and it is remarkably quick on the track.

That does sound awful to adjust. So if you want to adjust them do you have to jack up the car and take the wheels off?

It is a given that a 3,700lb. sedan is not going to handle like a lightweight sports car, but then again it is not much heavier than most of the sporty cars on the road today and it is a lot lighter than many of them. I know what you mean about the acceleration, shifting, and acceleration feeling a bit muted on the G37S when stock. Nissan/Infiniti probably had to water it down a bit since it is supposed to be a luxury sedan, but those are all pretty easy fixes. It is surprising how responsive it can be made on the cheap. The weight balance and suspension architecture really help the car.

I guess that makes sense about the ride quality. Stiffer shocks will make you feel everything move quicker about the steering and suspension, but should lead to less overall weight transfer since there should be less overall movement in the suspension.

Alcaponed

It feels that the mods I did to the car so far kind of "bring out" the sporty character of the car that's hidden under all the luxury bits made to please the masses. The car has lots of potential but it feels a bit buried under layers of parts made for the mass market.

Lego_Maniac

iTrader: (3)

It would be far easier to just remove the shocks. 3 bolts per side

4DRZ

iTrader: (7)

That's exactly what I mean in the post above you about Nissan/Infiniti having to water down the car a bit for the luxury market it competes with in the U.S. I wonder if it is as watered down in Japan where it is sold as the Nissan Skyline...

Good Lord that's a major PITA compared to the Konis I had on my WRX!!! I think I will be happier with my Tein Basis since the springs are probably better matched with the dampers anyway than trying to guess with aftermarket springs and Konis. A lot cheaper too.

Lego_Maniac

iTrader: (3)

No more of a PITA than adjusting them on my Firebird, but I'm not shuffling between street and track settings, so it's not a consideration, and I've only adjusted the rears once.

Adjustable height or dampers, not going to get both at the Tein or Koni price point. The ride and handling of the Konis is awesome. I don't have any of the issues you've reported about the Teins ride on certain surfaces, and for my 100% street driven car that's important to me.

4DRZ

iTrader: (7)

You can get a number of coilovers with adjustable height and dampening at similar cost to the Konis with springs, but I bet most of them ride like junk.

I only have one road I have driven on so far that I notice anything in the ride not exactly like stock. It actually rides exactly like a new Miata and I am sure your car rides the same way so don't let that keep you from Tein Basis. I drive the road every day and do not notice it unless my wife is riding along and complains because her Murano rides like a couch.

Lego_Maniac

iTrader: (3)

I'll keep my made in Holland Konis with a lifetime warranty instead of some budget coils with height and damper adjustment.

FWIW, there are a couple threads on the 370 boards about autocross settings for the Konis. Sounds like they are adjusting them on car, so don't take my experience as definitive on the adjustment process.

Rochester

iTrader: (8)

There's no damping adjustment in the Tein Basis.

Not that it really needs it... the ride is marginally more aggressive, with marginally better handling, than the OEM sport shocks on lowering springs. While that might not read like an endorsement, actually... it is. Great, adjustable suspensions for a very reasonable cost. Thanks again to Brad for the heads-up, if he's reading this.

bsanalyst

As someone coming from a 2005 BMW 330Ci (coupe) w/ Performance Package, the G37 sedan feels quite "loose". The steering rack is not as heavy/precise, and the car feels much heavier and floatier. On its stock sport suspension, it is not particularly confidence inspiring on twisty roads. A set of coilovers is high on my wish list for this car. Tein Basis looks very solid and good enough for my use (handles better than stock but retains factory-like ride comfort).

Then again, the G37 is miles ahead of my old ZHP as far as comfort and ride quality. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss my ZHP though...that thing felt like it was on rails from the factory. I felt invincible going through corners on that car...

iCrap

iTrader: (8)

I drove my friends e46 330 Manual and i gotta say i was not impressed at all. Lot of body roll and the steering was just "alright," nothing special. But, I don't know how different the 330Ci with the performance pack is.
then again, my car has had the hotchkis sways on it for years. I don't even remember what it was like without it. I only recently lowered it though.

bsanalyst

Never drove the normal 330 but the performance package did include a different suspension (as did the sport package). I think it's about an inch lower than a normal 330, also the wheels were 18", which meant very little sidewall and consequently less roll but a harsher ride. Definitely for a different audience vs. the non sport trims.

Most of the handling characteristics in my old e46 I could probably quite easily replicate in my g37 through upgrades. But Im not sure if I can ever get the steering to feel as connected and firm as my old zhp

Lego_Maniac

iTrader: (3)

I know the Basis don't have adjustable dampers, I was referring to 4DRZ comment on height/damper adjustable coils at a Koni price. Something like the KWv3 would be wayyyy more expensive.

If you feel that good about the Teins and you're still just running the rears, you should move the fronts up on your list. I think you'll look back and regret waiting.

4DRZ

iTrader: (7)

Konis are decent on the street, but not as durable for the track as dedicated coilovers. I was glad I had a lifetime warranty as they were the only suspension that blew out on a track I have driven many times with other cars/suspensions without any issues. Sounds like we both have the right fit for how we are using the car.

Rochester

iTrader: (8)

You're probably right, about the regret thing. That's always the way when you put off a mod that turns out to be ****. RJM and STS are great examples of that.

In big, round numbers... figure $400 give or take for a front camber kit, and $200 give or take for the install of the kit and the fronts CO's, and another $100 for an alignment. That's $700 to get the fronts matched up, when the car is already situated quite excellent right now. Would it be better? Probably, but in a marginal way, just like the rears were a marginal improvement.

So all that means good-enough for right now, and $700 directed towards other things with more priority.

It's all a game, man. A big, obsessive spreadsheet of pointless plans for a car barely driven.