Can't deal with the bouncy ride anymore after two weeks with the Mach-E. What do I do?

[Lb8403]

Thanks, just the front?

Sorry. Both front and rear

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[markboris]

I have a Job 2 GT from 2023, non-PE. I really only want to make one worthwhile investment and hope to not make multiple mitigations. Just trying to get a slightly smoother ride over potholes and road imperfections.

The springs will definitely soften the ride and the sway bars will keep the car much flatter and complement the softer springs. I would not go with the Koni rear shocks unless you have a huge issue with bounce because the Koni's will bring some of that harshness back that the springs remove.

 

[azerik]

Sadly the design of this car doesn't make it a one and done option.
1. Springs only: Softer ride but more body roll and sway, possibly the feeling of it 'stepping out' when hitting a pothole (I get this with the rear camber at -1.9 degrees. I'm coming up with a way to get the rear closer to -0.5)
2. Bars only: No body roll. Firmly planted. Potholes are felt but the car doesn't go uneasy or squirlly, higher tire pressure needed because the stock sidewalls are what gives when hitting bumps or dips off angle. (To see this simply watch the wheel in your tire which you slam the door on the car. Now imagine your car being that weight and not the 45 lb door. Once the sidewall wobble happens the only way to help that is higher tire pressure or different tires.)
3. Bars and springs: Flat, nice ride with a balanced amount of sway and give, but tire wobble still happens.
4.Tires only: Better ride possibly, or worse. Add #4 to anything above.
5. Oh yeah shocks... (see various threads)

 

[JM22681]

Appreciate all the feedback on options, thanks all.

 

[mkhuffman]

Thanks Mark. I follow all those threads. I am not so worried or have complaints on the ride that others do, I was simply replying since I knew he had a GT and posted that he bought the lowering springs. I am curious about the impressions of them on his GT.

I am doing everything in steps to gauge what I think of each (as opposed to all at once). The Sway bars are going on with a wheel mod, then I may move to the Koni shocks or lowering springs next.

I have not purchased the springs yet for a similar reason as you. I am evaluating the Hankook tires first (tracking my trip efficiency) so that I can see if I can measure an efficiency improvement by lowering the car. In theory, highway efficiency should improve if the car is lower.

 

[markboris]

I have not purchased the springs yet for a similar reason as you. I am evaluating the Hankook tires first (tracking my trip efficiency) so that I can see if I can measure an efficiency improvement by lowering the car. In theory, highway efficiency should improve if the car is lower.

Yes this is something no one has evaluated yet, lowering the car to see if range efficiency goes up. One thing we know for sure, both members that raised their cars using the Eibach lift springs lost some. Pat said he lost about 5% and I think Eric said he lost about 10%.

 

[Jerrytball]

We bought a Cadillac that sat on the showroom floor so long the tires were out of round and the car rode horribly, they fought with me to replace the tires. I’m like this is what a Cadillac rides like? I got new tires for nothing but I had to fight .

 

[21st Century Pony]

Out of curiosity, what did these additions cost you, and is there a national auto chain that is trustworthy to install these mods, or are you guys doing these yourselves?

I am 2 weeks in to the 2023 GT Job 2. On the fence and interested in a couple of options, preferably cheap-ish (less than 1k?) but I know nothing about cars and this does not sound cheap.

The KW v3 coilovers are pretty salty, North of 2 grand USD. The Eibach sway bars can be gotten on sale for about $400+.

I do my own work where I can. Sometimes out on the driveway. For specialized stuff like the KW coilovers I used a military auto craft shop.

 

[Lb8403]

@JM22681

Just picked up my mme after getting the eibach lowering springs installed and alignment. Took it down a familiar bumpy windy road and can report there is a noticeable difference in ride, and handling. Highly recommend this upgrade.

0.9 drop in rear; 1.2 drop in front

 

[4sallypat]

Yes this is something no one has evaluated yet, lowering the car to see if range efficiency goes up. One thing we know for sure, both members that raised their cars using the Eibach lift springs lost some. Pat said he lost about 5% and I think Eric said he lost about 10%.

Yup, range loss on lifting it 2" using Eibach's lift spring kit was about 5%.

Eric might be driving it spirited & faster than I do. My driving is more like an old man....

The ride is so much better than the OEM springs. Ride is more compliant and lot less bouncy.

Also got the Eibach anti roll sway bars set to stiff and it corners & power turns with more confidence.

Next is the shocks - adjustable would be nice....

 

[Geep]

BS in my opinion that + $1000 needs to be spent on a brand new car to make the ride acceptable, bearable, whatever. My ‘23 CR1 rides like a brick shit house, I lowered stock tire air pressure to 36 and it is better. Ford should replace tires/ suspension components as necessary to “normalize “ the ride.

 

[Mjtee2]

Our 2021 Mac-E’s seem to have more “bounce” than our 2023.

 

[SolarAB]

Yes, the stiff suspension is bad for anyone prone to car sickness. Unfortunately, there's no fix for this. Trading it in on a different EV is probably the best option if it's a big issue for you. I've heard from the reviews that the Volvo EX30 has an amazing suspension system.

 

[markboris]

@JM22681

Just picked up my Mach-E after getting the eibach lowering springs installed and alignment. Took it down a familiar bumpy windy road and can report there is a noticeable difference in ride, and handling. Highly recommend this upgrade.

0.9 drop in rear; 1.2 drop in front

Lee, your car looks great and glad to hear the ride is much better!

 

[Lb8403]

Lee, your car looks great and glad to hear the ride is much better!

Thanks, Mark! Appreciate folks like you sharing the wealth of knowledge and experience you have attained over the years! It's influenced many of my upgrades and saved me from reinventing the proverbial wheel. ?

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