HI guys,

I joined a time ago but haven't been here in a LONG while.
At the time I was shopping for a new ride and had it down to EVO, Audi A4, BMW 325i.
I LOVED, love, love the EVO. The younger sales guy wanted me to take one on an extended test ride, so we did.
As you guys already know, these cars are so much fun to drive. Go-kart handling with
Corvette V8 power is what it felt like. I drove, the sales guy sat next to me, and my buddy was in the back seat and even with the added weight the EVO did not care.

Anyway, it was a hard decision to make but I went with the BMW for it's overall refinement and smoothness. It's been a very nice, excellent handling automobile.
I'll give credit to BMW as their cars really are driving machines. The handling is fantastic along with a smooth ride that you would swear it couldn't handle as well as it does. Drawback is that it's fairly slow.
I had a 2000 Eclipse GT and a '90 Eclipse turbo before that. I really miss turbos and that awesome 2.0 liter from Mits.

The main reason I didn't get the EVO was the highway ride. The interior is plain sure, but I like the seats and the simplicity was just fine given the cars intent. It has more room than my 325i and the STi (which I have test driven as well, very sweet).
I had my eye on a blood red 8 one and/or a silver one. The second test drive is what convinced me to not get it. Still it was very hard to say no, I wanted it, really did.
After I bought the 325i I've been enjoying it. However, it's not a tuners car and it's limited tuning potential takes the weekend tinkering fun away, but then most NA engines do.

It was the rough and loud highway ride that kept me away from the EVO. But, I was thinking that the main reason for all that had to be the track ready Advan tires.
Those tires are really not meant for the street. So, in about a year I'll be in the market again. Even though many of you prefer the hardcore edge of the EVO, as a daily driver I was hoping that Mits would bring the GTA variant to compete with the Legacy GT and upcoming Mazda-Speed6. The GTA is toned down in physical appearance mainly a lower wing and has a softer suspension tuning for daily use and longer trips. I believe it also offers a higher quality interior with leather. I kept thinking Mits would bring it here but no.

The question; Does the daily highway ride improve dramatically if typical high performance tires are put on, tires such as; Pirelli P-zero all season, or Conti-sport contact all season, or Michelin sport all season?
I don't intend to track the car. Has anyone tried simply going with less agressive tires to improve the daily ride? I'm not concerned about giving about a few tenths of the EVO's overall greatness as it can't be used on the street anyway.

In comparison the STi did ride better and was quieter on the highway but still very loud. The STi and Evo are very similar cars with distinct different personalities.
The Mits feels a bit tighter to me and the seating is nicer. However, the 6 speed should be standard mainly for fuel consumption.
I hope they bring the GTA with a 6 speed (quiter highway ride and better MPG).
280hp would smoke the Legacy GT and Mazda-speed6.

T

 

I runthe stock Advans and don't notice a rough ride on the highway. In my opinion, it drives much nicer at speed. Very smooth.

 

toyo proxes with full tien suspension.. rides like a caddy or it can ride like a tank... boy i love the e.d.f.c. controls the comp. rebound from inside the car... pricey but it satisfied my audi like craving for refinement..

 

agreed ^^^^^

 

I was told the bilstein on the mr or ix gave the car a smoother ride.

 

Everyone that rides with me complains about the rough ride, but to be quite honest, I don't really seem to be bothered by it. And trust me, up here in western PA the roads are pretty darn bad. I am also running Advans and on the highway they are great.

 

I just replaced my worn out Advans with Bridgestone Potenza S-03's. The ride quality improved drastically. Way less bobble head action. The Advans have the stiff sidewalls which transmit every bump. Is the handling as good as the stockers? Answer: No. Hope that helps a bit.

 

You know...I was a bit confused over the Evo's reputation of being an "extreme"car as far as noise & ride quality. I had read reports of this so-called "faults" long before I actually drove in one.
Now I own one....I have no idea what on earth the people who feel this way are talking about. Yes, its a little bumpy at times, but nothing even close to bone-jarring. Noise wise, its queit...not luxury car queit, but I feel its fine.
I've been driving this car for 7 months as my daily driver, and cant think of anything I'd rather drive on a day to day basis. These people must be used to cadillacs or lincoln continentals!!!

 

Well, those who think the EVO (stock) highway stiffness and ride have been over exaggerated, well.... I think you guys are simply used to it, that's all. NO, I am not used to riding in Cadillacs (old ones) or lincolns. I prefer sportier suspensions.
However, the EVO is not setup for average street driving, it's more track ready than just about anything out there.

Take a ride in my 325i with the sport suspension and you'll see how the EVO is "stiff" and loud.
It's not just a "a little bumpy at times". That's the understatement of the automobile world.
It's like saying, "the Pontiac Aztek is slightly unattractive."

T

 

Yes, it does. I know it's the Advans. Those are pretty much race tires approved for street use, barely. The sidewalls are like iron with no give whatsoever. Awesome for
10/10ths steering feel, but commuting to work for 30 minutes can cause a morning head rumble.

Also, the S03's are on the hard sidewall sector as well yet a notch below hardcore track tires. Thanks again.

T

 

Slap some JICs on the Evo, THEN tell me it's stiff

 

I know the Evo is stiffer than most other cars....my issue was with people feeling the stiffness was an issue. Then again...my last car was a 1970 Ford Bronco, and the car before that was a 1963 Triumph TR-4. The Evo is the lap of luxury for me!
You have not felt stiff and bumpy until you driven a 1960's sportscar.

 

The EVO is modern sportscar that can run circles around even the most sport of the 60's cars.
Being that it's modern the ride could be helped and should be better. I understand the MR version has a more compliant suspension? Has anyone driven both? Please comment.

I'm sure I can find a set of aftermarket springs and dampers along with tires to make and EVO that handles nearly as well but rides much better. That will probably be my route.

T

 

I was worried about the rough ride with my Evo, but I really liked the way it could handle (all aspects). Sure I was worried I would grow tired of the harsh ride. Living in IL as well, just go over Willow Rd near I-94 and your there is enough rattling and bouncing to make you question if you made the right choice. You would probably get used to it. When the winter came I thew some Conti-Extreme Contacts on, and yes the ride changes a lot (less harsh). It is still not nearly as smooth as say your BMW. Funny thing is, you get so use to the precision of the stock advans, that you crave to put them back on. If you are looking for a fast smooth car, I think the Evo is wrong for you. The Evo is not a GT car like the GTO. Why get a car that can handle so well, just to through on some mediocre tires or suspension mods which will cause it to lose its athleticism.

 

Well, because for the money there isn't anything that can touch it other than the STi.
It's AWD and where can you get that speed with that function at that price?

Mits, like any other manufacturer, has to compromise. Suspension is one area where alot of car makers will do this. The stock EVO suspension is firm, but it's NOT true that an athletic, great handling suspension will be or needs to be harsh in ride.
BMW proves that. And, from what I'm reading so does the MR EVO and the GTA EVO, as well as the STi.

I would probably get the GTA over the standard VIII if it were offered here, but it isn't.
So, if I want the virtues of the EVO such as; tight steering ratio, explosive accleration,
precision handling, and great price for all of it, then I may have to simply mod the suspension to get it where I want it for daily driving. If you don't track you EVO then you will never use it's full potential anyway. Thus, why not give up a bit of the athleticism to gain a bit more everyday comfort? Sounds reasonable to me.

T