MK3 suspension/harsh ride

[Ossiantoad]

I've taken my 07 plate Mk3 from 30k miles to 65k over the last three years. Most of this has been motorway miles but the area that I live in is also completely infested with speed humps.

Now it may just be my imagination but I feel as though the ride is not what it used to be and may have been gradually getting worse so that I haven't noticed a dramatic change. It seems to be harsher and I'm sure it didn't used to make a meal of the slightest man hole cover or small imperfection in the road surface. My question is, how can I tell if the shocks need replacing or is it more likely to be in need in of a bit of laser setup wizardry?

Thanks in advance.

[ronime]

Have you fitted new tyres recently?

[Ossiantoad]

On the front are 80% worn Maxxis. The rears are fairly new Jinyus, fitted about six months ago. It's on 17" rims.

[hornetrider]

Fairly new what now?!

[Genie Chaser]

Ossiantoad said:

On the front are 80% worn Maxxis. The rears are fairly new Jinyus, fitted about six months ago. It's on 17" rims.

Think you may have answered your own question there, are they Chinas finest ?

[Ossiantoad]

Chinese certainly, finest I'm not so sure.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Ossiantoad said:

Chinese certainly, finest I'm not so sure.

And that my friend is the problem. Buy cheap rubbish, get cheap rubbish.

[Ossiantoad]

I could understand if cheap tyres gave less grip, more noise or even increased side-wall flex (despite these being fairly low-profile) but a firmer ride? That surprises me. Guess that shows how much I know!

[hornetrider]

Well, you don't know what the sidewall construction is like I guess.

Anyway, your first port of call should be pressures, then decent rubber. Alignment always helps but imo wouldn't lead to a hard ride.

[g40steve]

Oh dear.

You buy a spots car & the only thing touching the road you decide to skimp on.

= fail.

[Ossiantoad]

Times is hard g40steve!

I've been running them at 29psi, does that sound about right?

[SmilerFTM]

Pressures are fine but you should've gone for some Kuhmo KU39's if you wanted to spend a little bit less than the 'norm'. The tyres can make a big difference to the ride which is why a lot of people ditch the OEM runflats

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m54b0s457p61951/Kumho_Ty...

[Genie Chaser]

Runflats ? MX5 ? Me thinks not.

[rfn]

I find that MX-5's react very badly to different tyres front/rear, and poor tyres generally.

I've always fitted Toyo T1-Rs on my MX-5s and never felt anything terrible.