I have had my FSD on my 2003 S for about 150 miles now, and while they seem nice over the freeway expansion joints, I have not felt much of an improvement on city streets. Do they get better with age?

For your information, I am running H-Sport springs and Ireland adjustable camber plates (street version with urethane) and have 215/40-17 GoodYear F1-GSD3 tires.

I have been thinking about all the good things that I have read regarding the FSD's and am wondering if my tires are to blame. Then I got to thinking that they have improved the ride over the expansion joints on the freeway, so maybe I just need to give them more time. Like a fine wine, do they improve with age? Or should I go back to stock springs?


Thanks for any information,
Mike

 

stock springs will certainly help, shocks can only make so much of a difference in ride quality, the springs will determine how much of an "impact" is felt in the cabin more than anything else. . .

 

I think your ultra low profile tire series "40" of your 215/40/17's is where you are feeling most of this.

Can you trade "shoes" with a fellow motorist? I bet you'd be amazed at the difference moving to a 45 series can provide for comfort.

 

However, I felt like the cornering ability of the 45s was much "mushier" than 40s.

Trade-offs everywhere.

 

True that, but using a tire with a stiffer sidewall and proper pressure can help the 45's perform almost just as well.

 

I have the FSD's along with H-sport springs and 215/45/17 Bridgestone Potenza RE 750's which I am running at 41 psi. This combo is much improved over the ride I had with the stock springs/struts/runflats. I also have a slight negative camber in the rear and the car handles better than any car I have ever owned. Of course, the WMS extreme rear sway helps!
If you are concerned with comfort on city streets without losing much in performance, go with the 215/45's. I drive 60 miles a day just to go to work and the comfort level of the ride is much better than when it was stock.
The 41 psi is mostly for better gas mileage and tread wear. However, it does seem to stiffen up the sidewall enough to give me a level of performance that is gokartesque.

 

most dampers needs to be broken in....but it should come within 1K miles.

im not sure about the structure of the FSD's but a lot of times dampers
get airbubbles from to shipping. take it easy for the first 500miles or so
and it may/may not improve.

if they don't improve i would try the 215/45 or 205/45 tires.

if they're still bumpy, im going going to get those.

 

FSD's are recommended with the stock springs so your an 1" or so short of travel placing movement in a different spot of the shock.
The GY D3's have stiff side walls, you would not lose any performance with 45's and even if you did... your not driving an autox...your on the street.. it's all a compromise. FYI I run 225/50/16 GY D3's, I sold my 225/45/17's and haven't looked back. I too have the fsd's but also have oem S springs.

 

I'm running 215/35/18's and I love my ride quality....Even more so now that I'm on PSS9's.