Hey guys, so I just got my 2012 MDX Tech a few weeks ago, and I can't help but think that the front suspension is just way too soft? Every time I go over a speed bump it feels like the entire front suspension bottoms out?

Now the problem is that I mostly have always had/have sports cars, and this is only my third SUV, but it just doesn't feel right to me since the last two never felt like this. My other theory is the big fat cushy sidewalls on the stock 18" rims....but I want to make sure by asking other owners? (Preferably new MDX owners)

Any advise is greatly appreciated!

 

check the tire pressure? some times low psi can make the tires feel mushy. i run mine around 34-35. i know the door placard says 32 all around.

 

Exactly.
This why I went with the Advance and its 19 inch Wheels/Tires and electro magnetic fulid shocks. You feel the firm difference of the shocks most when driving on rough bumps and you can make it most firm w comfort setting off.
But I use Comfort mostly and its still more sporty firm than the tech base models. The 19 inch tires wheels are the way to go for this SUV.
The EM shocks are expensive and so is the Advance but its really a whole new class of SUV. When you add wheels tires shocks to the tech the Advance is kinda a bargin w still more features.
You can still firm up yours w 3rd party shocks and 19 or 20 wheel tires.

 

right on, the advanced has way better shocks, I wouldnt be surprised if all other MDX's have Honda Pilot shocks because those can go out prematurely and feel mushy

 

Thanks for the info guys...I'm looking at a set of 19's or 20's soon, so I'm hoping that'll make it feel better.

And just to clarify, the ride of the car isn't bad or soft at all. I actually have taken this thing up through the mountains and twisties here on the island and the car feels great, especially over our $hitty roads here on Oahu. My only complaint comes from going over a speed bump at slow speeds. Like I said, since my other cars are all low to the ground, I have a habit of going over bumps really slow, so as the front tires come down from the bump, it feels like the front almost bottoms out (although I'm sure a lot of it is in my head and the fat mushy sidewalls).

If I gun it over the bumps (which i would never do), I'm sure I wouldn't feel it at all. You gotta remember that the valving in the shocks is made to handle hard jolts, so me setting the front down slowly probably isn't allowing the shocks to build any resistance since I'm sure they're valved more as a comfortable cruising heavy SUV?

Either way, I'll report back to you guys once I get the new wheels and let you know my findings. Thanks again for the input!

 

Not sure on what shocks they use, but I'm sure they wouldn't use the same shocks on a cross over SUV as they would on their flagship luxury full size SUV.

And the car is still brand new, so the shocks aren't worn out just yet. And if they do blow eventually, that'll just give me more reason to go to bilsteins or something.

 

Honestly, the front suspension of my 12 MDX Tech doesn't feel soft at all. The front suspension in my old 05 Murano felt notably softer. Although I have the pauper Tech model, handling is still not its weak point.

 

For what you will pay for a good set of 19 or 20 inch wheels and tires and still have the crappy shocks, you should have invested in the Advance, all the other goodies the Advance gives you would have been a bonus

 

Yeah, like I said it's not soft anywhere else except for when going over bumps. That's the only thing I found weird.

It wouldn't have helped in my situation....I would have just ended up getting the rims for the Advance package as well. I tend not to keep cars for super long periods of time, so the advance would have been a worse investment in my case. I might just upgrade to the 2014 MDX so I can have the panoramic roof, push start, and all the other new bells and whistles.

 

Same deal here.