Same suspension as the 5 series?

[luken]

i was hanging out with some of my mechanic friends a couple days ago. my rsx driving buddy was ripping on my 6 while my other buddy was disagreeing with him. other buddy told me that the 6 uses the exact same suspension setup as the 5 series. is this true?

[shutterbug2020]

QUOTE (Luken @ Sep 13 2009, 04:01 PM)

i was hanging out with some of my mechanic friends a couple days ago. my rsx driving buddy was ripping on my 6 while my other buddy was disagreeing with him. other buddy told me that the 6 uses the exact same suspension setup as the 5 series. is this true?[/b]

Not exactly sure what you mean by the same? The 5 series is rear wheel drive, and thus carries its weight much differently than our beloved 6 (52/48 front/rear weight bias for the Beemer vs 60/40 front/rear for the 6). Both are very good, but each requires something different from its suspension. Ok, so what does this mean? Well, after the engine, the suspension is probably the 2nd most expensive part of the vehicle. And, again after the engine, it has the biggest impact on performance/handling character (or lack there of LOL!). Performance oriented fully independent suspensions add cost, complexity, and weight, but pay large dividends when the road gets twisty. Strut type suspensions are light weight, simple, and fairly cost effective, but come up short in the handling dept. Both cars have great suspensions. Mazda spent a lot of Zooom-zoom $$$ on the 6's suspension. In stock form, it is easily one of the best ever on a fwd vehicle. Nothing else even comes close. Tweak it a little with some springs and a RB rear sway, and good turns into great. That said, the 5 series also has a proper fully independent suspension, and with a few tweaks it is awesome. Are they exactly the same? I wouldn't bet on it, but its high praise just the same.

[Nealio]

They both use double wishbone suspension.

[luken]

QUOTE (shutterug2020 @ Sep 13 2009, 09:41 PM)

Not exactly sure what you mean by the same? The 5 series is rear wheel drive, and thus carries its weight much differently than our beloved 6 (52/48 front/rear weight bias for the Beemer vs 60/40 front/rear for the 6). Both are very good, but each requires something different from its suspension. Ok, so what does this mean? Well, after the engine, the suspension is probably the 2nd most expensive part of the vehicle. And, again after the engine, it has the biggest impact on performance/handling character (or lack there of LOL!). Performance oriented fully independent suspensions add cost, complexity, and weight, but pay large dividends when the road gets twisty. Strut type suspensions are light weight, simple, and fairly cost effective, but come up short in the handling dept. Both cars have great suspensions. Mazda spent a lot of Zooom-zoom $$$ on the 6's suspension. In stock form, it is easily one of the best ever on a fwd vehicle. Nothing else even comes close. Tweak it a little with some springs and a RB rear sway, and good turns into great. That said, the 5 series also has a proper fully independent suspension, and with a few tweaks it is awesome. Are they exactly the same? I wouldn't bet on it, but its high praise just the same.[/b]

QUOTE (Nealio @ Sep 13 2009, 09:46 PM)

They both use double wishbone suspension.[/b]

awesome, thanks for the info! just another reason to love my 6

[TRMM]

Current 5 series uses a cheap Macpherson struts for the front. I have one, so I know. It drives like a modified accord, nothing special, but not bad either, a bit too bumpy for a 50K luxury car IMO. Mazda6 copies the Honda accords superior double wishbone setup for the front. The rear is where the MAzda6 is similar to a 5 series or most BMWs, the shocks are separate from the springs. Nissan also uses the same setup in the rear as the mazda6 for the altima, 350/370Z to G37s. However, in reality, the 6 does not respond or feel as stable as the Nissan or Honda(go drive one and yu'll what I mean). When driving an accord, one feel that the wheels are at the corner of the car, car drives flatter and more stable and has sharper steering feel to boot. On the 6, it feels like one is riding on top of the wheel/tires and not at the corner of the fenders, but 6 is smoother. Having driven both accord and 6 on many many occasions, the Honda is much more stable and secure feeling. The new 6 is pretty good, but still not on par with a Honda.