RE: 164 US / Euro suspension (was Cx)

[Simon Burke <sab@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>> I think that the US 164 is higher than the EU one... 
>
>If you give me a measurement to check, I'll let you know the UK 
>equivalent; although the UK/US models don't match up well. 
>
>> There is this opinion in EU when they decide to export a car here 
>> that roads are worse... 
>
>Worse? How could they be any worse? 
>
>> ...and comfort is more important... 
>
>More likely... 
>
>But I think the real reason is that US roads are perceived here to be 
>long, straight and dull, whereas here, if you find a piece of road 
>more than a mile long without a bend, you can guarantee that the 
>Romans built it... 
>
>Therefore, US cars don't need to be able to go round corners 
>(in theory). Hence softer suspension. 
>

Just wanted to add my perspectives on this for those interested.

Having lived in California (SF bay) for the last 2 years or so 
it is my general impression that for CA roads :-

1..	US freeway's are mostly long, straight and dull
	out of the main population centers (I-5) and
	unexpected interesting in cities (101 around SJ)
 
2..	there are some really nice mountain and coast roads
	that (at the right times of day/year) are relatively
	empty. They are just not the "usual" commute roads.

3..	Roads are built to lower standards than UK roads 
	initially in terms of surface quality, road camber etc
	and are more likely to be damaged here (floods landslides 
	subsidence etc)

4..	are allowed to degrade further than is usually acceptable 
	in Europe

So yeah for daily commuting to work and back, usually on freeways
the GTV6 is "harsh" at best. But at weekends out in the sticks
it's all worth it. The "softer" suspension is not essential
but for 90% of my driving would make cummuting less of a ordeal.
The Z has electronically adjustable suspension (thankfully) and 
as for the durango, well....

Simon Burke
84 GTV6
94 300ZX TT
98 Durango (Stupid Ugly Vehicle:-)
Santa Clara CA
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"I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol"
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