Yes, weight is a factor. However, limos do not have soft suspensions. In fact, the spring rates would surprise you. They are actually very truck like. If you want to experience the difference that wheelbase makes, along with a bit of weight, try driving a Mini, then climb into a Mini Clubman, then a Mini Countryman (when it becomes available). The basic suspensions at various option levels are virtually the same, like the GTV6/Milano comparison. The prime difference is wheelbase. And, yes, you can make anything stiff or soft using spring rates and shock valves. All things being equal, the longer the softer.
Ciao, Ben -----Original Message----- From: Brian Shorey [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 8:23 AM To: 'Ben Ament'; 'ira kaufman' Cc: 'alfa' Subject: RE: [alfa] GTV-6 Suspension questions >Wheelbase has a very large effect on ride. It is much of the reason >that a limo rides softer than a Mini. Those are the extremes. The GTV6 >and Milano are in the middle of the extremes, but the fact is that >wheelbase does affect ride. Longer = softer, shorter = harsher. The >shorter wheelbase will also give sharper handling. I'd love to have a suspension expert weigh in on this. In my opinion, weight has more effect on ride, and wheelbase has more effect on handling. Limos give a cushy ride because they have soft suspensions and tons of weight. You can make a limo ride harshly if you want to. The Milano weighs more than the GTV6 by a couple hundred pounds. Should be easy enough for Bruce to load a couple of people into his GTV6 and see if the ride improves. bs -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
