Hey SoCal TL'ers!
First of all, I just want to say I just got my car a week ago (manufacture date is 7/04!) and I'm thrilled and am in love with this rolling piece of technology! And this forum has really been informative and the folks seem really cool!

Anyway I have a question regarding the TL and the 101 (particularly the stretch between the Calabasas and Burbank). I'm not sure if it's the El42's that I've read so much negative stuff about, if it's the TL's suspension, or if it's the 101 East and West, but going certain speeds (mostly between 35-50) it seems that when I go over any slight bump, it feels like the car is bouncy and I feel every little bump. I just got rid of a 98 A4 2.8 with 18" RS4 rims and I swear I never felt bumps like this. I know the suspensions are different but is this normal? Am I just not used to this type of suspension? Or should it be smoother ride?

I know that when I go over a visible bump in the road, I expect to feel the bump and when I do go over it, it feels like what I'd expect. Not sharp and abrupt but muted and smooth. But it's the less visible frequent bumps in the road that I feel. I can see other folks wheels reacting to the same bumps but it just seems so apparent and jolting and frequent. I'd love some input and recommendations in case this is a tire balancing issue so that I can bring it up to the dealer. And if anyone else on the board drives the same stretch (or any LA freeway for that matter) I'd love some input as well. Am I going nuts?

Thanks in advance!!!!

Now on a slightly related note, as I was driving home the other day going through the aforementioned 101, in my rear view mirror was the bad ass looking sports car coming up to my left. It was British Racing Green I thought it might be one of those McLaren Benz sports cars but as it got closer I noticed it was a Bentley. Wow, it was sweet but to make it even more interesting, it was Jay Leno driving and he looked like he was fumbling with his cell phone trying to dial a number. It also had blue manufacturer's plates. If only he had the TL and the HFL, he wouldn't have had that problem! Must be nice to have that kind of cash. I know he's an avid car collector but if he's got manufacturers handing him cars to test drive, I'm even MORE jealous!!

I think this is what he was driving:
http://www.autogaleria.pl/tapety/img..._2002_03_s.jpg

 

The 101 is pretty bumpy. I used to drive a 94 camry and it was very very unsmooth ride. I have a set of LS-Z and Pilot Sport A/S but currently I have the Pilots on. They are pretty smooth driving on the 101 so I guess it could be partly due to the problem.

Congrats on the TL btw

 

The 101 sucks buttockal nether region...

For that matter all SoCal freeways suck...

My $ 0.02...

Cyall

 

try checking your tire pressure. Soemtimes, if it's under/over inflated, the feel will be weird... then again some people overinflate tires just a bit to get a more cushioned ride (i think.)

 

i live in Calabasas and drive that stretch all the time. I dont have any bad experiences on the 101, except for the crappy traffic.

 

And yes, the 101 does suck butt. However, I think I'd better get my tires checked because none of you seem to have the same issues I do. After reading some of the other threads about shimmies and shakes, I'm thinking it's a tire issue. Thanks again!

p.s. Don't know what it is but since I started the thread, I've seen Jay Leno 2 more times! One time he was driving a sweet-ass brand spankin' new Ford GT, and this weekend I saw him driving some antique car that had no windshield or any canopy whatsoever spewing what looked more like steam than smoke out the tail pipe. Doesn't suck to be Jay.