Suspension upgrade for a Maruti zen !

**metal_thread** · 27th Jul 2011, 22:36

Hello guys.
I need a lil help on suspensions here. If I have to improve a stock zen's ride quality without compromising handling much what setup should I go for ? Both for front and rear.
Have seen koni's special series reviews, some says they are hard some says they are soft. Similar confusing reviews available for other top brand's suspensions also. There are many options available in the market of famous and not so famous brands and even thousand of different reviews. So for a noob like me, it really gets a hell lotta confusing to what to choose and wat to not for achieving a best setup.
So Iam looking for some real help here.
Requirement is just to make zen as comfortable as it can be, i.e. making it smoother over potholes and over bad roads.
Btw for reference, its a mpfi 2004 zen.

Thanks !

**camchennai** · 27th Jul 2011, 22:37

Not considering Zen D suspension??

**metal_thread** · 27th Jul 2011, 22:41

No sir, as we all know they are stiff. They definitely make handling superb but similarly destroys the ride quality. What we are looking here is a soft, comfortable ride. Iam sure it is definitely possible but dunno what way to take.

**007** · 27th Jul 2011, 22:44

Originally Posted by metal_thread

No sir, as we all know they are stiff. They definitely make handling superb but similarly destroys the ride quality. What we are looking here is a soft, comfortable ride. Iam sure it is definitely possible but dunno what way to take.

Koni FSD struts: Koni: FSD

Originally Posted by metal_thread

They'r better then oem ones ? I mean if we see comfort side ? Any experiences ?

as much as I would love to get a set, they dont make them for my car. Ive heard they are pretty good though. like the site says, depending on the frequency of shocks the strut takes, the damping gets hard or firm. supposed to be nice and firm on high speed roads and soft and comfortable on bumpy ones. maybe somebody else on the forum has first hand experience with these.

**metal_thread** · 27th Jul 2011, 22:46

They'r better then oem ones ? I mean if we see comfort side ? Any experiences ?

**Godfather** · 28th Jul 2011, 14:25

you can check on Monroe suspensions as well. our member shyam has these on his Getz and the ride is pretty confirtable.

probably mclaren1885 can shed more light on this.

**mclaren1885** · 28th Jul 2011, 19:04

Originally Posted by Godfather

our member shyam has these on his Getz and the ride is pretty confirtable

Its nothing remotely close to being comfortable.

If you want comfort suspension, stick to stock. Or in Zens case, at most, Zen D springs.

Anything else you do will affect ride quality and comfort. shyam had Konis on his Zen. Again, not so comfortable.

**mclaren1885** · 28th Jul 2011, 19:40

Originally Posted by agn

Take a stock petrol strut, add a 1 or 2" spacer under the spring and see the difference

And you can also change the RC book to state "amphibious car"

**metal_thread** · 28th Jul 2011, 22:02

Cant really say anything against our Admin, as hes always ryt and I really respect that but still, for some knowledge sake, If koni special series is added to zen, will it be better than a stock setup or equivalent to that ? Zen's stock suspension is comfortable enuf but they bottom out way to fast. We just wantd to eliminate that, IF POSSIBLE, along with keeping ride same or even more comfortable. Rest I myself using zen diesel's shocks and they are very stiff even with an esteem engine over it so just cant go with them for a stock zen coz the person is more inclined towards comfortable side than performance.

And spacers a BIG no no, they do nothing better then raising car and spoiling its handling to the very core.

**007** · 29th Jul 2011, 14:05

dude, if you want a soft ride, your struts will bottom out early by definition. the only way to retain this softness and delay that bottoming is by raising height - which you dont want.

suspension can be soft, firm or hard. go for something that is firm and not hard. you will take a *slight* hit on ride quality but will gain a *lot* in terms of stability and driving pleasure. personally I find it funny that you have swapped a cars engine for more power but still want a sofa like ride. snap out of it.