Shocks?

[dcrooks]

My wife and I drove the 35 mile commutte this morning. She was not real happy with the ride as it seemed we felt every bump in the road. A couple times it was pretty hard hit enough to jar-ya... Are there any better shocks?

[Fredvon4]

Yes there are several options.... but if I were you I would wait a bit until some of us motor heads can experiment

This is a complicated little car that has some very nasty behaviors because of its high center of gravity and very very very short wheel base. The real point of the ESP and traction control programs is to keep the average driver out of a ditch or into oncoming traffic...

I suspect we will need a comprehensive up grade that includes progressive rate springs, heavier or softer anti sway bars and different compression and rebound shocks...

ALL of this is available now...BUT none of use has enough experience yet to tell you what is the best combination ... I would hesitate recommending any product until I know the effects the change would have on handling...

But...... if you are too impatient to wait, give a look at Smarts r Us, wellsmart, Bigperformance or Berlin tuning (google) and you will see there are various shocks, springs available....

[smartyPantz]

When I test drove, the salesman mentioned that the ride may not be as smooth as one is used to if one drives a larger, bigger car.
It was not an issue for me tho, cause I drive a car with a sport (read- tight) suspension currently.
It depends what one is used to. I rode in a Camry recently and I was like HOLY CRAP!! THIS IS like a floating cloud!! But I didnt like it cause I did not feel connected to the road.

[jwight]

Some suspension mod info here:

http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?page=modpage

Without having driven a smart, it sounds like the OP's issue may be either not being used to "sport" suspensions" or just wanting a softer ride. In either case, softening up the shocks will probably make the car handle like it's got air shocks (our family Town Car is a prime example - great in a straight line but at least 30 degrees of bank in the turns )

From all the posts on this forum and others, it looks like most owners are happy with the way the car rides.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by dcrooks

My wife and I drove the 35 mile commutte this morning. She was not real happy with the ride as it seemed we felt every bump in the road. A couple times it was pretty hard hit enough to jar-ya... Are there any better shocks?

Shocks are a bad name for dampers. What keeps the bumps from whacking you are the springs. The shocks dampen the natural oscillation of the springs. The lighter the unsprung mass you have to deal with the better. Most of the Tuning (hot rod) parts available that I am aware of will make this worse. All the parts in your car have a break in period. Shocks too. Don't expect it to change very much for the better mine smoothed out a bit 895 miles. Hope that helps karl

[Okie Boy]

Originally Posted by dcrooks

My wife and I drove the 35 mile commutte this morning. She was not real happy with the ride as it seemed we felt every bump in the road. A couple times it was pretty hard hit enough to jar-ya... Are there any better shocks?

Check the tire pressure with a good dial gauge and set it at the reccomended pressure. My tires were over inflated when I picked up the car and the ride was overly harsh. Setting the pressure made it better. Remember this is an 1800 pound car with a short wheelbase and low-profile tires, it is not going to ride like a 5000 pound land-yacht.

[dcrooks]

Originally Posted by Okie Boy

Check the tire pressure with a good dial gauge and set it at the reccomended pressure. My tires were over inflated when I picked up the car and the ride was overly harsh. Setting the pressure made it better. Remember this is an 1800 pound car with a short wheelbase and low-profile tires, it is not going to ride like a 5000 pound land-yacht.

Thanks! I will try that. That sounds better to wife than a breaking in period...

The other car we used to get to work was a 94 Honda Accord, so I am not comparing the ride to something like a Towncar...

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Okie Boy

Check the tire pressure with a good dial gauge and set it at the reccomended pressure. My tires were over inflated when I picked up the car and the ride was overly harsh. Setting the pressure made it better. Remember this is an 1800 pound car with a short wheelbase and low-profile tires, it is not going to ride like a 5000 pound land-yacht.

good point on the tire pressure drive a Citron 2CV you don't have to be big to have a good ride. Don't know if I would be up for a 35 mile commute in one.
karl
more is not better in this case. don't go below recommended pressure

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by dcrooks

My wife and I drove the 35 mile commutte this morning. She was not real happy with the ride as it seemed we felt every bump in the road. A couple times it was pretty hard hit enough to jar-ya... Are there any better shocks?

was anything a help ? Nice looking car by the way
karl