I would like to ask owners of the 2.0 ND Sport Nav how they are getting on with the Bilstien shocks in their cars. Do they find the ride comfortable enough or would they prefer something softer. Does the ride soften a bit with a few miles on them . I have a 1.5 on order but I can get a 2.0 Sport and need a bit of help deciding. Thanks in advance for your opinions.
Yes very interested in that. I have driven a 2 litre ND but new and found it went for my back.
I had intended to go for a test drive on a year old 1.5 and 2 litre car to find my own response to driving the cars.
I’ve done 11,000 miles in my Sport Nav and have no issues with the harshness of the suspension. I did have issues in an almost-new demo I drove , this was possibly down to tyre pressures.
The car I drove was one of the prerelease cars in August 2015, they may be a bit better now.
Had absolutely no issues with the ride comfort of my ND 2.0 Sport Nav. I do think that it softened up a little after a bit of use though. In fact I found the car considerably more comfortable than my NC 2.0 Sport which used to give me back ache on long journeys. I have since fitted the Eibach springs to the ND with very little detriment to ride quality and improvements to handling and looks. If you ask me the ND is more comfortable than my Wife’s Yeti which crashes over bumps. The standard 1.5 ND I drove was more comfortable than many saloon cars I have driven. Depends what you want. I preferred sportier handling of the ND 2.0 Sport Nav with it having an LSD as well.
Thanks for your comments…keep them coming.
Hi,
Picked the car up on Tuesday in Hatfield. Took the long way home toSouth Wales on a combination of dual carriageway and A roads. A total of some 150 miles. Stopped twice en route for comfort brakes. We got out of the car feeling no different to when we started. I found the ride to be better than that of my Mk3, firmer certainly, but not harsh. We came through Oxford and its speed bumps without any harsh effect on ride. I do though wonder if lowering an already fairly low car would cause rubbing issues on speed bumps. We have plenty of them where we live.
Hope this is helpful.
Jeff.
I had a 1.5 ordered for August but now pick up a 2.0 Sport Nav on Thursday. Can’t wait
Hi dogman
i have 2litre Sport sat nav that i purchased new in sept 2015,it was def bit hard at first tyres were slightly to hard as well on delivery very critical,but it has now done 14000 miles and has def softened up a bit ,from about 5000 miles it was very comfortable,one could argue slightly to soft although it very much suits me,i am very happy with it,drives lovely.
i have just come back from a marathon trip to scotland of nearly 2000 miles including the scottish 500,my trip all done in 6 days,my trip to scotland from where i live in Bucks to north of Inverness the first day was 640 miles only stopping for no more than 15 mins once,all the time with the roof down,the car was so comfortable i have never driven that far in one go before,when i got out i was not stiff or tired and could of carried on,the last day to come home i also drove about 540 miles non stop.Most of the time with the cruise control set at 72 mph.
All best Simon
Simon really appreciate your post. To do that sort of mileage in a day is definitely is a good road test. I am in Northern Ireland and really looking forwards to doing something similar around the highlands. What sort of mpg were you averaging. Once again thanks, Ricky.
Hi dogman,
I have a 2.0l sport nav ND which I bought new in Dec 2016 and I have found it very comfortable and not at all harsh.
Like Limon I have also just returned from a trip to Scotland in the ND (Isle of Skye) via the Lake District and Pitlochry and at no time did I feel uncomfortable at all. Very impressed.
My recorded mpg for the whole trip (approx. 1300 miles) was 56 mpg which I think is amazing for a 2.0l sports car.
Hope you enjoy your car when you get it.
All the best,
Simon.
Hello Dogman.
I have a march 2016 2ltr ND Sport Nav.
As others have stated, tyre pressure is critical = 29psi all round.
I had the Mazda lowering springs fitted to my car at the Mazda Dealership followed by a full 4 wheel alignment check / set. The springs lowered the car by 30mm, this improved the overall ride quality and handling, it is not a hard ride.
The car now feels far more planted than on the factory set up, which I felt was a bit unsettled at times.
If you would like to see a photograph of my lowered car please PM me your e.mail address, and I will e.mail a photograph to you. (unable to get photographs onto forum)
Once again folks thank you. 2 more sleeps and i get my car and retire on Friday.
What a day that will be!
Have a great weekend.
Just swapped out a 2105 ND 1.5 Sport Nav for 2017 2.0 Sport Nav, definitely a harder ride but not uncomfortable. Took it on a 300 mile round trip a couple of weekends ago and stepped out of the car with no aches ‘n’ pains, and I’m 6’ 4" too.
Have fun finding the 9v socket if you don’t know already where it is 
Picked the car up on Thursday and over the moon. Have done about 300 miles and loving it. I find the ride spot on not obtrusive at all. Thanks for all your comments as they are really appreciated.