Jetta 5 bumpy ride

G

Goobie

Expert Member
Joined
May 22, 2004
Messages
1,571
Reaction score
51
Location
Bloemfontein
What can be done to soften the bumpy ride of a Jetta 5? My gawd it is awful. I replaced my 2002 A4 with this car and already I'm regretting it. I miss my Audi. Both the Audi and the Jetta has 205/16 size tyres but there is a huge difference in ride quality.

Will higher profile tyres soften the ride, but how will that look on the car?
 
My Jetta 5 has 225/16 Continental tyres which are OEM, and I have a beautiful ride.

Sounds as if someone has been messing with your tyres.
 
Didn't you test-drive the car before buying it?

But yes tires should solve the problem, or at least lessen it. Goodyears are especially soft.
 
I have the same issue with my Cerato (215/45 R17). The ride is just too hard for our potholed and rippled roads.
I up sized them to 225/50 to increase the side wall height and it does help but not enough.
Unfortunately this seems to be a general trend among modern vehicles and I don't have the moola to upgrade to premium brands like BMW, Audi or Merc in order to get a more comfortable ride.
Gone are the days of soft suspensions setups which glide over bumps and allow vehicles to lean (and sometimes topple) going around sharp corners.
Changing rim sizes and tyre profiles for more cushioning effect only goes so far.
 
TJ99 said:
Didn't you test-drive the car before buying it?

But yes tires should solve the problem, or at least lessen it. Goodyears are especially soft.
Click to expand...

I bought it from my dad at a good price. Car is in really good condition, lots of extras that the Audi didn't have, only 83000km vs 163000 on the Audi so it made sense to me to take it.
 
Paul_S said:
I have the same issue with my Cerato (215/45 R17). The ride is just too hard for our potholed and rippled roads.
I up sized them to 225/50 to increase the side wall height and it does help but not enough.
Unfortunately this seems to be a general trend among modern vehicles and I don't have the moola to upgrade to premium brands like BMW, Audi or Merc in order to get a more comfortable ride.
Gone are the days of soft suspensions setups which glide over bumps and allow vehicles to lean (and sometimes topple) going around sharp corners.
Changing rim sizes and tyre profiles for more cushioning effect only goes so far.
Click to expand...

I had a Jetta 3 and hated the ride in it. That thing handled like a cow mounted on old bedsprings. The new cars that actually stick to the roads and don't scrape through on every speed bump and pavement are a lot better.

Goobie said:
I bought it from my dad at a good price. Car is in really good condition, lots of extras that the Audi didn't have, only 83000km vs 163000 on the Audi so it made sense to me to take it.
Click to expand...

OK, but surely you tested it first to see if you could ever live with driving it?
 
Goobie said:
What can be done to soften the bumpy ride of a Jetta 5? My gawd it is awful. I replaced my 2002 A4 with this car and already I'm regretting it. I miss my Audi. Both the Audi and the Jetta has 205/16 size tyres but there is a huge difference in ride quality.

Will higher profile tyres soften the ride, but how will that look on the car?
Click to expand...

New or second hand the Jetta when you bought it?

My folks bought a Mazda 3 a few years ago second hand with 20k on the clock. Car came from Durban and they also complaint about the ride. Turned out the car was dropped :D Had the coil springs replaced and it's been perfect till they sold it again and bought something else.
 
Check your suspension and shocks. Those could be the culprits and check correct tyre pressure and alignment as well.
 
TJ99 said:
I had a Jetta 3 and hated the ride in it. That thing handled like a cow mounted on old bedsprings. The new cars that actually stick to the roads and don't scrape through on every speed bump and pavement are a lot better.
Click to expand...

ROFLMAO!!!!:D I learnt to drive on a Jetta 3 and it did indeed handle like a cow on old bedsprings,lol I even took it drifting/rolling on a track once(lots of fun actually!),the worst part was it was a CSL so a 1,6 carburettor model that had less power than a Gangrene infected pregnant cow....seriously lame cars but man did I have fun in it!:)

As for the OP with the rough ride,what brand of tires are on there right now?The brand of tyres makes a huge difference in my experience,for example I had Bridgestone run-flats on my car and they handled well but made the ride extremely hard,I changed over to continental run-flats and they are definitely much much nicer as far as ride is concerned.

And did your old man ever drive on rough bumpy roads often,because if he did then even at 83000k's the shocks could be worn.
 
Goobie said:
The car was bought new in 2006 and had the same owner (now 70 year old) ever since. The car is really spotless.
Click to expand...

I would suggest maybe then just to be safe have a look at the suspesion. Might just be something not lekker there. Tyres does reduce road noise but ridding smoothness not so much. Better have it checked to be safe.
 
Goobie said:
The car was bought new in 2006 and had the same owner (now 70 year old) ever since. The car is really spotless.
Click to expand...

Have the shocks tested/checked.
If they have not been changed since new, it might be time to change it now.
 
Also how long since the tyre were changed?

generally speaking they have a life span of 5 years.
if the car "stood" a lot the rubber could have hardened.
If they are not in a good state they can affect your insurance even.

So make the first check shocks plus tyres. Then see the rest of the suspension..
 
Venomous said:
Also how long since the tyre were changed?

generally speaking they have a life span of 5 years.
if the car "stood" a lot the rubber could have hardened.
If they are not in a good state they can affect your insurance even.

So make the first check shocks plus tyres. Then see the rest of the suspension..
Click to expand...

Very good point
My Jetta 5 had plenty of tread left on the tyres at first look and it was only after getting her ready for COR that I realised that the tyre rubber was as hard as hell, so I replaced with original Conti's and she is perfect now.
 
I'm running Continental 215/45/R16 with the Rivazza alloys on a Polo Comfortline. It feels like a 4x4 with 20" rims if there are bumps on the road. Its very hard when compared to my friends' car (he's running the 15" mags with 185/60 R15 i think).. Higher profile will definitely help, but the car will not look as good.
 
Nangi said:
I'm running Continental 215/45/R16 with the Rivazza alloys on a Polo Comfortline. It feels like a 4x4 with 20" rims if there are bumps on the road. Its very hard when compared to my friends' car (he's running the 15" mags with 185/60 R15 i think).. Higher profile will definitely help, but the car will not look as good.
Click to expand...

I have always wondered...

I drive my car from inside. I want a smooth comfortable ride. Why pimp the wheels so you ride k@k and can't see your own car from outside while driving? That shyte astounds me :D
 
Pitbull said:
I have always wondered...

I drive my car from inside. I want a smooth comfortable ride. Why pimp the wheels so you ride k@k and can't see your own car from outside while driving? That shyte astounds me :D
Click to expand...

Personal preference. I wouldn't buy a 3 series without the Msport pack and 19" rims, even though i know it will not be as comfortable as the 16/17" base spec rims. Because it looks good.
 
Nangi said:
Personal preference. I wouldn't buy a 3 series without the Msport pack and 19" rims, even though i know it will not be as comfortable as the 16/17" base spec rims. Because it looks good.
Click to expand...

I have no problem with it being done to other cars. I myself enjoy looking at a beautiful car. But I will never do it to mine since I buy it for driving not sitting and watching it stand outside my window :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X