Ride Quality of FR

[ultimate]

Hi,

Ive read several reviews on the FR now, one reoccuring issue in all is the hard ride.

I relaise this is subjective but would appreciate owners views on how bad this really is.
I have done a test drive but with concentrating on other things only noticed it was bit jittery.
Is at hard as say Civic Type R?
Is it liveable or does it ruin the whole experience?

(edit: forgot ask if 18 or 17 inch wheels make a great deal of difference?)
thanks!

 

[bluehaze]

Hi,

Ive read several reviews on the FR now, one reoccuring issue in all is the hard ride.

I relaise this is subjective but would appreciate owners views on how bad this really is.
I have done a test drive but with concentrating on other things only noticed it was bit jittery.
Is at hard as say Civic Type R?
Is it liveable or does it ruin the whole experience?

(edit: forgot ask if 18 or 17 inch wheels make a great deal of difference?)
thanks!

Depends how bad the roads are in your area, it is harder than a golf or civic and come become intrusive on local roads at lower speeds, you tend not to notice on fast twisty B roads, too much else going on!

18" wheels always amplifiy the problem, you would notice a difference if you had them side by side, but you get use to what you live with. I would save a few quid on tyres etc and go for 17"

 

[yell_oh]

Ride Quality

As the previous post says, it depends on the roads. It's quite compliant with things like small bump absorption (e.g. if you drive over cat's eyes, drain covers etc. it's not too bad), but if the road is undulating (i.e. ripply tarmac due to HGVs etc.) then it's absolutely terrible and starts to shake up and down to the extent that passengers are unable to talk !! You don't tend to notice it much from the driver's seat though, maybe because you're braced against the wheel.

I've had Koni FSD dampers fitted to mine (£500 fitted) which has made it maybe 25% better.

I'm interested you say worse than a Type R as if that's bad ??! I assume you mean the old (-06) model - The one I drove was highly refined compared to the Leon and several other cars! I've driven a *lot* of hot hatches and the Leon is the worst riding of them all, by a good margin. Focus ST is much smoother if that's what you're after.

The POSITIVE is that the hard springs reduce body roll and mean it feels much more composed when you find some smooth tarmac and start throwing it around.

If I only needed 3 doors, I'd find a last model CTR, it's the best engine/drivetrain in the world ever! More torque at the wheels than you could possibly imagine and 100% reliable.
As I needed 5 doors, Focus ST was my first choice, but ended up with Leon FR after Ford messed me around with lead times (waited 6 months before giving up!).

 

[ultimate]

thanks for info.

i was referring to 05 civic which seemed pretty bumpy. I am yet to test drive ST.
think i will get another test drive with passengers this time!

the civic is a great car as you say but im not keen on its on or off nature and the fact you have to rev it so much to get its full performance. i only need three doors, it seems a shame this car is let down by its suspension, the tdi fr engine seemed great!

 

[Rob GTI]

I've driven the current shape Civic (2.2.cdti) on 18s and the current Leon (FR TFSI) on 18s and I'd say that subjectively the civic has the harder ride of the two.

 

[fivetones]

Our FR TDI (18s) is marginally more harsh than the TDI sport Ibiza it replaced.

For years I've driven modified VWs, I like a hard ride. It's 'honest' somehow

 

[Greytop]

It can be a bit jittery, depending on road surface. But for me it doesn't detract from the driving experience.