My previous 380 was a 2008 Platinum (210,000km) which rode and handled completely differently to the current ride.The tyres will be replaced very soon, but the current VRX (105,000km) just seems to sit a lot higher while the Platinum seemed to squat down. Both cars have/had stock suspension, but is it the same for both models? I had Bridgestone Potenza RE002's on the Platinum and it stuck to the road like shite on a blanket, while the tyres that were fitted by the dealer i bought the VRX from are cheap garbage i wouldn't use for an artificial reef. I made tyres for 10 years with Bridgestone in Adelaide and i trust the technology and development and will never put another brand on, but the faux tyres i'm riding on now are still the same size as the RE002's. Is there a difference in the suspension components across the 2 cars? Does anyone know if the ride heights are different?

I imagine Platinum models had the same suspension as the base models. The SX/VR-X/GT had the 'sports' suspension which was a bit firmer and added a strut brace, however I understand it is still the same height as the other models.

Perhaps the Platinum's suspension had begun to fail due to age, hence the lower height?

I had the RE002s on my GT when I was running the stock wheels and was pretty happy with them all around too. To my surprise they wouldn't be far off the Michelin Pilot Sport 3s I'm currently running in terms of grip, but the RE002s were quieter, so I might get them again next time.

I could be completely wrong, but I thought the only difference between the base suspension and the "sports-tuned" suspension was the addition of the front strut brace. Perhaps you could get one from a wrecker or a dealer and fit it yourself.

I'd imagine the tyres are the main difference. Not just the grip level, but things like the sidewall strength can really make a car handle differently.

What size tyres & wheels did you have on the Platinum compared to the VRX?

I could be completely wrong, but I thought the only difference between the base suspension and the "sports-tuned" suspension was the addition of the front strut brace.
There's definitely something in the suspension too. Not sure if it's just slightly stiffer springs, or shocks as well. SH00T swapped out the springs/shocks on his base model with those from a sports model and reported a decent improvement in handling.

I imagine Platinum models had the same suspension as the base models. The SX/VR-X/GT had the 'sports' suspension which was a bit firmer and added a strut brace, however I understand it is still the same height as the other models.

Perhaps the Platinum's suspension had begun to fail due to age, hence the lower height?

I had the RE002s on my GT when I was running the stock wheels and was pretty happy with them all around too. To my surprise they wouldn't be far off the Michelin Pilot Sport 3s I'm currently running in terms of grip, but the RE002s were quieter, so I might get them again next time.

You could be right about the Platinum's suspension, but if that was failing or failed suspension, all i can say is it handled bloody well.

RE002's are quiet, probably the quietest tyres i've ever had on a car. They don't get great mileage, you'd be very lucky if you could get much more than 40,000 out of them. The compounds aren't meant for long life, but their grip in wet and dry i think is unrivaled. I've had Bridgestone dealers try to talk me out of them. Their theory is that the 002's are a high performance tyre made for people who scream away from the lights, stop hard at the last minute and throw their cars around corners with wild abandon and i will admit that i'm no boy-racer but you do tend to push it a bit harder when you have confidence in your boots. They tend to favor of the Turanza which is a touring tyre, but they're noisier and less grippy. The trade off is you get 70,000 out of them. Seeing as i only drive on weekends i'm not too worried about getting less mileage because it'll take me 2 years to wear them out.

I could be completely wrong, but I thought the only difference between the base suspension and the "sports-tuned" suspension was the addition of the front strut brace. Perhaps you could get one from a wrecker or a dealer and fit it yourself.

I'd imagine the tyres are the main difference. Not just the grip level, but things like the sidewall strength can really make a car handle differently.

What size tyres & wheels did you have on the Platinum compared to the VRX?

The strut brace is already there so i can't imagine there would be anything else that could be done on that front.

The current tyres are absolutely disgusting. The fronts are Altenzo Sports Comforter - made in China and sold by Bob Jane T-Marts. Size is 215-55ZR17. The noise from these things is incredible. I've only got the stock 6 disc changer in the car but i regularly have it turned up to 34+ to help drown out the racket. The rears are Sailun Atrezzo zs in the same size and also made in China. It literally sounds like the wheel bearings in the back are grinding. The bad bit is they're all brand new so they have many, many km's to go before they need changing. I keep sticking my finger in between the tread blocks hoping to feel the tread indicators suddenly closer to the road surface but i have a feeling these things will go for 60,000+ just to piss me off. These things were fitted by the dealer, but why they didn't fit 4 of the same model is completely beyond me. I have a fair idea why they didn't put a decent tyre on and it would have to be purely a cost decision. The Altenzo's are just on $100 each although i have seen them down to $80. I can't even find a major dealer who sells Sailun.

There will always be someone who says "i have these on my car and i think they're great" and maybe the price/ride/lifespan combination suits a lot of people, but at the end of the day rubbish is rubbish. They'd probably be great for a taxi, but not for a car that is used for long drives with an expected comfort level.

It sounds to me like your suspension issues may actually be tyre issues.

You can get those free no obligation suspension checks at suspension places where they will go over the car and tell you if anything needs doing (like a failed shock, stuffed bushes or crap wheel bearings). If you think it is suspension related, this might be good peace of mind, or point you in the right direction for some DIY maintenance to return the suspension to its former glory.

But with 70,000k on it, provided it hasn't been driven its whole life on dirt corrugated roads or something like that, your cheap tyres are probably to blame.

One of the biggest factors in turn in performace is tyre wall strength. Cheap rubbish has thin, poorly constructed sidewalls which will bulge heavily under hard cornering. It leads to more weight shift during cornering, and also offsets the point of road contact from the rim. These effects are noticeable on any car. On a heavy, FWD car like the 380 - poor tyre build will be even more problematic.

What pressures you running?

When was the last time it had an alignment?

If a free suspension check doesn't show any major vices, you are up for four new tyres. The safety benefit alone to you and your family would be worth a grand or so.