Another FR ride quality thread

[Charlie Bix]

Quality rubber makes a huge difference. I have multilink rear end, which also helps on more challenging roads, but I doubt there's a noticeable difference around town. I also have the pressures a touch lower that the manufacturer states, as this seems to be for economy. No uneven wear to speak of.

If your car is wearing Bridgestones, it doesn't surprise me that it's unacceptable. More like brickstones. We didn't realise how bad they were until they were gone from my mum's GTD. Night and day difference. Get yourself some decent rubber. It's the easiest option. Buying second hand wheels etc. is time consuming, and if they're not straight, then you'll get wheel wobble and warning codes on the dash.

I have no doubt that a Leon with steely 15" wheels will ride the best from a comfort point of view, but I bet it rolls over on its sidewalls. Going from 18 to 17 isn't going to make any meaningful difference if you still use hard, unforgiving tyres. Changing to decent rubber will. These videos may help you decide:

UHP tyres 18":

This channel is really informative.

I watched these videos last night as it goes Makes for very interesting viewing.

The fact a golf actually has decent suspension probably helps too. Bridgestones are definitely going as a start, just got back from an hour each way trip to do some Xmas shopping with 2 passengers and the ride was shocking especially on the way back. Felt like there is almost zero damping on the rear especially which funnily enough is where the Bridgestones are.

Both passengers actually think I should book it in as in their words ‘that can’t be normal’

 

[Mr Pig]

As you’ve had a golf did you find that any better?

Yes, but the Golf had independent rear suspension which the 1.4 FR does not. But you've got to remember that thee cars are fundamentally the same. The Leon and Golf are the same chassis, same engines and transmissions, same suspension, the list goes on. Sure, there are differences in dampers etc but the cars are more alike than different.

In terms of ride the Golf was stiff too, only slightly better than the FR, marginal really, but overall it felt like a better compromise. Just. The best suspension setup is the one Seat don't make...

 

[Charlie Bix]

Yes, but the Golf had independent rear suspension which the 1.4 FR does not. But you've got to remember that thee cars are fundamentally the same. The Leon and Golf are the same chassis, same engines and transmissions, same suspension, the list goes on. Sure, there are differences in dampers etc but the cars are more alike than different.

In terms of ride the Golf was stiff too, only slightly better than the FR, marginal really, but overall it felt like a better compromise. Just. The best suspension setup is the one Seat don't make...

Didn’t think there would a night and day difference. I’m gonna book it in once we are in the new year just to be sure that the shocks are in good order as I’m struggling to believe an inch larger wheels and crap tyres would make mine ride this much worse than the one I drove on 17s with budget tyres on it.

At least it will eliminate one possibility even if they are just crap dampers and there’s nothing wrong with them. Then I can find a set of 17s and wrap them in really decent rubber.

Been winding me up so much I’d even consider making the car look and handle worse crap and wacking 16s on it if it meant drastically improving the ride

 

['& Son' managed]

My vote in most cases would be a new set of Konis, (no need for pricey coilovers) and decent tyres on whatever size of rims you currently have. Konis are top quality and improve the damping control/ride, if not always the handling to such a noticeable degree.

If the wheels are to be changed, then stick to the same diameter or smaller - but not narrower. A change from the original VW 16"x6.5 to lighter/stronger 16"x7 alloys on same-size 205/55, but better-suited tyres did well enough on my 2019 1.5 Golf with the indie rear end.

 

[biglunn]

I’m looking at improving ride quality on my 184FR an so far the best things I’ve done are as follows:-

1) Replace the Michelin PS4 tyres with Bridgestone All Weather A005 Evo before the winter. Loved the PS4 but happy to sacrifice a teeny bit of grip/sharpness for a softer and much quieter ride.

2) Increase tyre pressure on my new A005s. Seems counter intuitive - ran on 34/31 psi as with PS4 but the A005s were fidgety until raising pressure to 36/33.

Just my penny’s worth! Lal

 

[Charlie Bix]

I’m looking at improving ride quality on my 184FR an so far the best things I’ve done are as follows:-

1) Replace the Michelin PS4 tyres with Bridgestone All Weather A005 Evo before the winter. Loved the PS4 but happy to sacrifice a teeny bit of grip/sharpness for a softer and much quieter ride.

2) Increase tyre pressure on my new A005s. Seems counter intuitive - ran on 34/31 psi as with PS4 but the A005s were fidgety until raising pressure to 36/33.

Just my penny’s worth! Lal

Funny you say that I changed the rears from Bridgestones (granted they were summers and rock hard!) to PS4’s and although it’s not night and day it’s certainly taken the edge of the crap ride quality to the point it’s just about liveable, still agrrevates me on some days though.

Finding better shocks is a pain for mine and I’ve given up now as it seems a lot don’t work with torsion beam on mine, you should have plenty of options on your 184 as you have the independent rear end.

I have a real love/hate relationship with this car, love the look of it, gearbox and engine combo too but somethings continue to get on my nerves. Door rattles have returned even after sound deadening and duck tape all over the place and the crap ride means it’ll likely be going this year.