I just purchase a 2005 G35 coupe. Who every had the car before id di replaced the factory springs with Hotchkiss lowering springs, but left the factory shocks in place. I understand this is a sports car and isn't going to ride like a Cadillac, but on this car the ride is really harsh. My wife was in the back seat. I went over a bump and she literally hit her head on the ceiling. I love the car, just the way it currently rides

So my question is there a way to soften up the ride a little? Should I be looking into replacing the shocks with some Tokicos or KYBs? Are the Hotchkiss springs the problem? Are they a good brand or is it something I should replace as well? Any help would be appreciated

 

did you not test drive it? change the suspension lol....
go back to factory suspension. stock springs/new stock struts.
or bag it

 

SOTEX_G. Thank you for chiming in and no offense to you at all, but I really didn't post to be laughed at. Yes I did test drive the car. I wasn't going to let something like having to potentially change shocks and springs detour me from purchasing a very nice, that for the most part was untouched car. 2005 G35, with 19s, and only 81,000 miles on it for 11k. It was a steal and I jumped all over that. Putting new shocks and springs on the thing will not hurt me.

Id just like to get honest answers from people that have the car and know how they are supposed to drive. Maybe some people can tell me some nice comfortable shocks and springs to purchase. I'm not sure of the quality of Hotchkiss springs since I have never heard of them. Maybe someone could tell me if they are good springs. Then all I would need to do is replace the factory shocks.

 

Maybe search and see this has been covered hundreds of times. He's not making fun of you. What he said is just common sense stuff. If you don't like it as it sits now, search for spring/shock options and change it.

 

It's the springs that are making the ride harsh. Aftermarket springs have a much higher (harder) spring rate and make the ride much more stiff. The only way to restore is to put the stock springs back. People lower the G all the time and you can usually find them selling their stock springs on CL.

 

Thank you. This is the kind of insight I was looking for. So its the springs that are making my ride harsh and not the factory shocks that are still on there.

Now if I change the springs should I go ahead and have the shocks changed as they are the OEM shocks? Would that go any further to make the ride more comfortable? If so what would be the more comfortable shocks to go with. Ive seen people talking about Tokico Hp, Tokico D-Spec, AKG shocks, and I have also seen some Koni.

 

It all boils down to what you want. If you want a lowered look a "firm" ride is what you should expect. I never tried Hotchkis springs but the rear spring rate on those are actually softer than the oem sport suspension. The main reason for the bouncy ride would be blown shocks...you have nothing to hold the spring's bounce back. Anyways there many threads on here about springs and such. I can give one good advice which has been said on here many times. If you want to be lowered I would save some money and just buy a decent set of coilovers. Coilovers will give the most adjustability and comfort from your car. I went with the springs/Tokico blues/Tokico D-spec route and are now on BC Racing coils and couldn't be happier.

I'm not even that lowered...about an 1" or less...but what I wanted was height adjustability and dampening option. You're going to want if you go lowered and notice that one side of your car is lower than the other side.

 

Thank you for the info. I was looking at some coilovers where I can adjust the height and how firm or soft the shocks are. I still have a budget of 5k that I can put into the car. I was looking at the Tein Comfort sport coilovers that I found for $2100.

Anyone have any experience with these. I would actually like to order these today as I am anxious to get the ride comfort more suited to me. So any replies on these would be great