I've done the research....checked part #'s and discussed with my Service/Parts Director.


The '16 RDX has all new shocks, springs and suspension tuning. If you need more details.??...then call your local Service Mgr.


My '16 rides much better than my '13...I can say that with confidence. The test will come in the cold weather and the new shocks.

 

But the real question is - do the HOOD dampers from a '16 improve the hood lift on a '15?

andy

 

Improve the hood lift?? What do you mean? Do they fit? I have some pics on my cell...got to look at them closely and study the '16 hood. I believe they can be used on the previous 3 yrs....BUT, don't quote me on that yet. A plastic panel needs to have a "hole" opened up on the '13-'15's toward the rear of the inner fender where the hood strut needs to bolt in to the inner fender metal on the driver's side. Got to do more checking on the pass. side. So far the hoods look the same...and should be.


I'll know more later.

 

Confirmed today that the '16 shocks are still made by Sachs in Mexico. Again, different part # and so hopefully done right this time!

 

Colorado Guy - I don't know what changes Acura has made to the shocks, springs and suspension tuning on the '16 RDX, but according to my own test drive of the '16 RDX AWD Elite/Advance last weekend the ride difference/improvement is quite minor as compared to the '15 RDX AWD Tech I test drove a few months ago. The suspension on the '16 RDX is still quite stiff (not as compliant on sharp bumps, etc as some other competitor crossovers), however I suppose this is in keeping with Acura's philosophy on what their suspensions should be like /feel like. In summary I would say the suspension on the '16 RDX is marginally improved and the ride is slightly quieter inside for vehicle occupants, but my wife and I really had to look for it (concentrate on that aspect) during our test drive.

The '16 RDX is a nice vehicle (congrats once again on buying one), but I would say the RDX's suspension (even the latest iteration) is not one of the vehicle's strong points. As part of our ongoing comparison shopping routine we test drove a fully optioned '15 Escape Titanium 4WD yesterday and found that we much prefer the Escape's suspension over the RDX. Both vehicles have their pluses and minuses, and of course to each his own. We're not yet decided on what we'll buy and are now waiting on a couple of 2016 model-year vehicles to arrive in July.

 

For us driving vehicles as owners and not engineers of suspensions I can tell you this much. I've owned 9 new Honda Motor Corp. vehicles, 3 Acura's, in the last 9 yrs. Many more some yrs back. They have always tended to have a slighter stiffer suspension than maybe most of their competitors. That's just something "we owner's" of HMC vehicles have always known.


They all have high resale values....any kind of dealer loves to have them on the lots...esp. CRV's and MDX's, RDX's. Must be doing something right. Not all cars are perfect....not one is. I look at the overall vehicle. At the 3 yr. point I got 73% of the MSRP for my '13 as a trade. Not bad at all.


I drove my '16 over this one road that I have gone over many times with the '13. Various surfaces, dips, rises, rough spots, etc.


For me, I totally felt it ran that road smoother.


IF hand-filer were doing the same he'd say..."nah, still sucks!" LOL!!!


I'll know for sure if these "updated" shocks are actually better when I drive in the real cold weather this coming winter.

 

^^ Holy crap Colorado Guy.. you sure love that Honda company. Are you on their payroll? If not you should be!
Not a criticizing word can be spoken here about your cherished Honda/Acura brand - otherwise you're right on it!
Anyway, chill brother - and do try to lay off that Honda goon juice!
Enjoy your new ride. And enjoy your new Honda/Acura ride next year, and the year after, etc...

Over and out.

 

Hey rbreeze,

Wait till Colorado Guy finds out the 2012 KYB's will fit in the 2016 RDX's. Then the shit will really hit the fan (Yuk.....yuk....yuk).

 

So if I am to understand things correctly the suspension has progressed from third world to developing world status.
Great news!

 

You still quoting same $hit even though word directly from KYB says "NO"!!!!
You obviously know better than the manufacturer/designer/engineer from KYB.
Let me see...KYB is not interested in profits, so they are saying 2012 won't fit
because they don't want the business of the new gen RDX...makes perfect business sense! (Yuk.....yuk....yuk).

 

Seeing is believing. They are in my car (as well as many other people) and they work. If KYB does not want to list them in their catalog.........so be it.

 

I agree with Colorado - wife and I test drove 2015's and 2016's back-to-back. It's a minor improvement and we passed it off as 'newer is better' placebo effect but we both acknowledged a (slight) difference.

As for the stiff ride - try some BMW's, they can feel downright "crashy". Road feel, comfort, handling - it's all a voodoo science of compromise here & there within a budget. Nothing wrong with Acura's approach: good spring rates and firm but compliant dampening action to keep the ride comfortable while remaining taut and off the bump-stops. I prefer this way than under-sprung like the competitors have it. That used to be an easier approach to get good road feel in the steering wheel - although the electric steering racks nowadays dictate the feel.

 

Yup, can't be because there is a reason they don't offer them for new gen...like I said, you know better than them. Maybe you should try to get a job with them!!!!

 

They weren't engineered for the 2013 and newer but they fit the 2013 and newer without modifications (or rigging if you're nautically inclined). I don't know why you insist on being such a dick about it but hey it takes all types to make the world go around.

 

Ah yes...another "dick" that is smarter than KYB.
So it fits...SO WHAT...fit doesn't mean that it is engineered
to properly function with the overall suspension system.

 

" engineered to properly function"

Ohhhhhhh.........you mean like the "engineering" that went into the OEM shocks.

 

HA HA HA ! Good one....dumb but good one!
Get under a 2016 and you should see the difference
in the design of the suspension, using the same shock
as our 15's...must be they changes something, HUH!!!
(YUCK YUCK)!

 

According to Colorado Guy, they changed the shocks in 2016 (new part number). Maybe the new shock will work in the 2013-2015. Anything that does not make noise is an improvement.

 

According to my local Acura service (that give me a loaner to drive when they work on my RDX)...the mounting is different (cuz I asked that question). They don't "believe" the 16 shocks will mount properly!

 

Hi Colorado, I know this is outside of this subject , but I can not find your related posting. How did you verify the production day, and after that how did you track the progress from the plant to the dealer?
My dealer said that the VIN number is available after they make it and did not give me any paper work for the order. I just have an e mail confirming the price and the model, color and that it will be made on 6/20. But this is still his word!
Thanks and congrats for the new one.

 

Chill?? Really? Why...I'm fine...YOU seem to be the one who needs to "chill" my criticizing poster. Just because I've had EXCELLENT service from HMC vehicles....now I'm in need of "chilling." Wow...that is real sharp of you.


So, let's see if I can get this straight. I like a certain company...you don't...and so therefore I have a problem. Is that about it? YOU need some help between the ears. Wow....


I speak from my personal experience. You seem to like to make things up. Hiding behind the keyboard.


I will criticize HMC vehicles when there are issues to warrant that. And I have many times over the years.


I've also owned Chevys, Fords, Toyotas, Lexus, Porsche.....so, I'm hardly working for HMC.


And one of my next/future cars will be a new Corvette....hardly an HMC vehicle.


So, why don't you write some "value added" posts here instead of your BS assertions and claims about me? There, that's the ticket!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thank you. We are pleased with the new one. It's NOT perfect...that's for a certain someone here!!!......but, the "likes list" is much longer than the "dislike list."


You lost me. I never knew my production date ahead of time. I told my GM what I wanted...he knew only 1 Advance in my color was due his way. When Acura released the vehicle to be sent to my dealer THEY put the info. on the dealers web site. They do that to ALL Acura dealers. So, when you go to an Acura dealer's web site, most of the vehicles listed are on the way, not on the lot. That will change somewhat as more are available and then more will be sitting on the lot.


My GM can track the train shipment and where the train is. They knew when it was in Illinois, then Kansas....but, they had to kinda guess when it would arrive in Colorado and then to the dealer. It was actually dropped off by the car carrier at night after the dealer closed. They were surprised to see it sitting there the next morning. Has happened before, not the first time they said.


Ford tracked one of my cars through the rail system and I'm sure all dealers can do that. They know the exact railroad car # and a phone # to use.

 

I have a 2015 with the KYBs. It drives great. I went to the dealer last weekend and drove a 2016 .... and my car definitely drives better. I have extensive experience with race suspensions and valving. There is something fundamentally wrong with the stock rear dampers.

 

carreracup03,

Just curious how long you have had the KYB's on your car, what part of the country you live in, and if you have had any experience over the winter months with them. My car certainly does not ride "like a truck" as some have stated.

 

Agree about the dampers. Last fix by dealer was a thicker damper, but apparently not thick enough or wrong durometer, because clunk still there.

 

Thank you.I guess I misundrestood your old postings following the car progress.
Now, I just have to wait for the Build date

 

Kyb shocks are all engineered the same, it's all a matter of fitment. I emailed kyb tech support to let them know those for the 2007-2012 also fit the 2013-2015 RDX, I'll let you guys know what they said if they ever reply.

 

Just for comparison purposes, was your 13 RDX equipped with the same brand and model tires as your new 16?

Is the MFG. door sticker specified tire air pressure the same for both years and are you running them as such?

My experiences have been a brand/model tire change can change ride/handling characteristics considerably and altered tire pressure will do the same if not more.

The new 15 RDX I test drove was equipped with Michelin Latitude Tours H/P, this is a tire I prefer although typically in the non H/P model.

Sumoto

 

Yes. The same Michelin Primacy MXM4's. Have a high quality pro tire pressure gage that I had calibrated after I bought it! Not many folks do that. Keep the same pressure as I always have...and it makes no difference if it matches what the door sticker says. If I kept the same pressure in the same tires on the '13 as I do the '16 then the comparison is valid. Weight is almost identical. I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to vehicles. Owned over 60 and over 30 new. Taken cars, engines apart and put them back together...properly! LOL! Well trained A.F. tech and mech. etc.


I will say again....my new '16 does ride better....enough so that I can definitely tell the difference going over the same roads I drove the '13 over.


And...the Continental LX-20 is a better tire overall than the Mich. Had them put on the '13 at the 8K plus mile mark. Loved them. Long wearing, quiet, ride great, outstanding All Season tire...that is at the top for it's class in the Tire Rack testing and feedback from tons of owners and over a million miles driven. I only buy Contis...have done so for the past few years. Put on my other Acura...Accord EX-L V6 Coupe, etc. Cost less and high quality. You learn by trial and error over the years. Since I'm an "older fart" I have learned a lot. No, not an "expert"...but, pretty darn knowledgeable.

 

Fluid flow, valving size, etc...are different depending on the application. And of course the mounting structure depending on the application. They don't make one shock for all vehicles. The '12 shock was not designed nor made for the 2nd Gen RDX. That's just a fact. KYB has already spoken on that.


If..and I know you can't....can show us here...proof...that '12 RDX KYB's were engineered and designed for the 2nd Gen RDX's....we'd sure like to see it! But, we won't...'cause it does not exist. Get over it...move on, use true information here.

 

This guy is annoying!

 

Sumoto

 

Yes you are. Facts...just the facts, Joe!

 

Last on this subject. No, I have not put the Contis on yet! I did state earlier I compared the same Michelin tires that were on my '13 with the same Mich. on the '16. I will put the Contis on in the late Fall, getting ready for winter.


Factory tire pressures are most often LOW..to make sure the customer feels a "softer ride." I've learned over the many years the tire pressure that works well for ride quality and tire wear on the particular vehicle I'm driving. My choice, my car, I can do what I want. Never lower than 32 psi...most often 33-34 psi, and you have to adjust for altitude. So, at my 6,200 ft level my gage has to read 36-37 psi.


Tire gauges are calibrated at sea level. Most all...I'm sure somewhere in the Rocky Mtns. some shop has a gage calibrated for their altitude. But, normally that's rare.


After over 16,000 miles my Conti's still measured a tread depth of 10/32".

 

WOW!! What a rebel. Changing factory installed tires!! Not using the factory recommended air pressures!! Next, you will be using off-brand parts on your car.

Just yanking your chain!!

I used to have a tire gauge like this that had a rotating dial that would allow me to "zero" out the needle before taking a reading.

 

Soooooo...what did they say? I know what they replied to me (check other thread).