GTS Front END Suspension Bottoming out

[iggorsky]

Member from nz here, I have a MY14 imported from Japan 1.6 gt-s.
So has the bilstien shocks, this has all the same issues of the front hitting the stops and flappy back end, not cool at all.
I will research what can be done here to fix it and post for any other nz fellas. Good luck all, shame that this has basically been ignored by subaru.
BZEE

NZ fella is here ))
Any success in finding a solution to the problem?

I'm going to buy one and would like to know ahead if I need to be ready to spend "some" extra grands straight away.

UPD: I guess apart from going coilovers there is no better solution. Eg these ones https://www.adenstyres.co.nz/collections/adjustable-suspension/products/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-vab-tein-flex-z-performance-coil-overs I wonder if they fit the Levorg.

UPD: They probably won't fit Levorg as there is a specific model for Levorg: https://www.scarles.co.nz/collections/tein-coilovers/products/tein-flex-z-coilovers-subaru-levorg-vmg
The thing is: it needs to be certified and Eyesight recalibrated and the clearance will drop by min 60 mm, which will make it down to 100mm only. For a street family car this seems to be a nuisance. Doh!

 

[bigsurlyt]

Howdy all,

Some great info here. Sydney roads are pretty shit most of the time, and yes the bottom out bang at the front is a joke on a car with such pedigree. Having said that, surprisingly both my WRXs have done the same on stock suspension setups.
Subaru have really dropped the ball here.
Have any of you done a coil over upgrade other than MCA? Tien? Cusco? Blitz?
Reasonably priced out of Japan with shipping
Cheers legends

 

[bigsurlyt]

That's great, can't wait to get mine put in!!!!!!!!

How’d it go?

 

[robo498]

They work well, the faster you go, the better they handle! Like driving on rails and you can drive over pot holes without the bang. ...no body roll around corners. Love Em!

 

[MarkMelbourne]

Reported issue to Subaru Australia (Customer Relations Department) when first purchased vehicle in (July 2016) and twice thereafter months apart with "Subaru" always and instantaneously denying any reported negative feedback what so ever with the models suspension on each and every occasion as to my enquires relating to any reported suspension issues.....

Urge anyone else that has or encounters similar experiences to report it directly to Subaru Australia 1800226643 and request a case reference number when doing so. (Juliane Burton) is head of Customer Relations there. An email directly to a customer relations advisor may be a better option for proof and record keepings sake if you can manage to have them to give you one. : )

I tried recently, both a letter and an email followup. Not even a reply. Very disappointing Subaru Australia I like the cars but this has changed my perception of the brand, abandoning owners who have spent serious coin on a premium car.

 

[GB2019]

NZ fella is here ))
Any success in finding a solution to the problem?

I'm going to buy one and would like to know ahead if I need to be ready to spend "some" extra grands straight away.

UPD: I guess apart from going coilovers there is no better solution. Eg these ones https://www.adenstyres.co.nz/collections/adjustable-suspension/products/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-vab-tein-flex-z-performance-coil-overs I wonder if they fit the Levorg.

UPD: They probably won't fit Levorg as there is a specific model for Levorg: https://www.scarles.co.nz/collections/tein-coilovers/products/tein-flex-z-coilovers-subaru-levorg-vmg
The thing is: it needs to be certified and Eyesight recalibrated and the clearance will drop by min 60 mm, which will make it down to 100mm only. For a street family car this seems to be a nuisance. Doh!

 

[GB2019]

To be honest the Levorg is a great car. Fantastic wagon, great touring car, AWD is great for snow on roads avoiding chains in Australia. Great comfort, appointment, Eye sight is market leading. However, there’s never been the perfect car and this one needs the owner to focus on suspension upgrade. Sad fact. Allow $2700 for MCA coilovers and a wheel alignment and make sure you have the right insurance. If it’s a roadworthy UPGRADE (not modification) then the major insurers will be happy.

 

[robo498]

Roadworthy upgrade? Never even thought to mention the upgrade to them, guess I should? Tell them that the factory shocks are faulty and have been replaced for safety and roadworthy reasons..... by MCA shocks (coilovers sounds racey)

 

[GB2019]

Roadworthy upgrade? Never even thought to mention the upgrade to them, guess I should? Tell them that the factory shocks are faulty and have been replaced for safety and roadworthy reasons..... by MCA shocks (coilovers sounds racey)

Ha ha It’s good to have two angles when speaking with insurers

 

[Guvna]

Roadworthy upgrade? Never even thought to mention the upgrade to them, guess I should? Tell them that the factory shocks are faulty and have been replaced for safety and roadworthy reasons..... by MCA shocks (coilovers sounds racey)

Indeed, it’s not always what you say but how you say it, delivery is everything

 

[Wolvo]

I tried recently, both a letter and an email followup. Not even a reply. Very disappointing Subaru Australia I like the cars but this has changed my perception of the brand, abandoning owners who have spent serious coin on a premium car.

Hi Mark

at least I got a reply from Subaru NZ when i complained about my 20Gts 2016 suspension hitting the bump stops not the one I was after though

from Subaru quote Shocks are a wear and tear item, they can last a long time or not, depending on how they are used and treated End quote

Anyway still a great car for taking the boxer on a road trip to the beach Heres mine

 

[MarkMelbourne]

Hi Mark
at least I got a reply from Subaru NZ when i complained about my 20Gts 2016 suspension hitting the bump stops not the one I was after though

I left a post on productreview.com.au and within hours Subaru found my correspondence and replied!
Was told there is 'nothing' they can do for me, and the standard spiel that it's not recommended I try and fix the problem myself.

Anyway still a great car for taking the boxer on a road trip to the beach Heres mine View attachment 1059

 

[Muz]

Hi All,
Subaru’s inadequate response to sub grade suspension well documented in these forums, my 2016 GT2.0 bounced around like a trampoline - scary - dangerous!
Ironically the front end of mine felt better than my mates Spec B (front end) that kept hitting the bump stops.
I fitted MCA, pro sports, ended up being too firm for me so fitted softer springs. 8kg front - 7kg rear. (MCA have a different set up now though). The suspension transformed the car. Sweeping bends with undulations that felt dangerous at 80km/h can now do at 100km/h with total confidence.
Have just fitted Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. More compliant and more grip than the standard Dunlop Sport Max RT’s.
I told my insurer that the standard suspension didn’t feel safe, so I upgraded it for this reason, they accepted that and noted the upgrade on my insurance at no extra cost.
I wouldn’t say the MCA’s are perfect but definitely 100x better than the stock set up. Ideally it would be a good idea to go for a drive with someone that’s already done an upgrade, whichever brand you end up going for.
Muz

 

[robo498]

Hi Muz, I am in Blackburn south and have the latest MCA fitted and love them, if and when we get out of lockdown you are welcome to come and have a go in my car. Mark who lives down the road went with a different brand of coil over because he wants to tow a van, but so far is not that happy with them.....

 

[Muz]

Hi Robo,
Sounds good, we might be in for a long wait though.

 

[robo498]

I think dhf are currently open, as this is a safety issue they can do it !

 

[MarkMelbourne]

I think dhf are currently open, as this is a safety issue they can do it !

Hi Robo,
Sounds good, we might be in for a long wait though.

Muz, you will have read that several owners here are happy with the MCA product. I went with a different brand based on DHF's recommendation, and so far have not been happy. To their credit, they are trying to remedy the issue, so I'm not going to give full details of that journey until I allow that to fairly play out.
However, I must say, I kinda wish I had gone with the new MCA product after going for a drive with Robo

 

[Guvna]

Muz, you will have read that several owners here are happy with the MCA product. I went with a different brand based on DHF's recommendation, and so far have not been happy. To their credit, they are trying to remedy the issue, so I'm not going to give full details of that journey until I allow that to fairly play out.
However, I must say, I kinda wish I had gone with the new MCA product after going for a drive with Robo

Sup Mark,
Sorry to hear that your underwhelmed, good and fair idea to let it play out first mate. My MCA's had issues when first fitted too, I did the same as you and refrained from bagging them as sometimes things don't always go as planned and things can go wrong in manufacture, parts etc with any brand. One email and phone call to MCA had it all sorted and a new set made with a few mods, and sent down. Had to wait around two weeks to fit them coz of lockdown though (thanks COVID!). Hopefully your issues are sorted swiftly too, be sure to update us on what brand you went with, what setup, what was wrong and how it resolved. I know it feels shit when you pay out cash to fix something that shouldn't need fixing and then 'it don't feel fixed'

 

[Chad125]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. I have taken my MY18 Levorg GT-S back to local Dealer on multiple occasions. In March 2021 I replaced the original Dunlop tyres with Bridgestones, mistakenly thinking this might solve the problem. WRONG. In April 2021, I went back to dealer with a Case Reference No. from Subaru Australia Customer relations. So, in April 2021, Subaru replaced the front shocks under warranty. Made no difference. Yesterday after 2 more trips to the dealer I was told this is just the way the car is! So today I have started the journey to get the MCA Pro Comfort Coilovers from Brisbane. As I live in Sydney I will use a local suspension specialist to fit and tune. Will keep you posted on outcome.

 

[Guvna]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. I have taken my MY18 Levorg GT-S back to local Dealer on multiple occasions. In March 2021 I replaced the original Dunlop tyres with Bridgestones, mistakenly thinking this might solve the problem. WRONG. In April 2021, I went back to dealer with a Case Reference No. from Subaru Australia Customer relations. So, in April 2021, Subaru replaced the front shocks under warranty. Made no difference. Yesterday after 2 more trips to the dealer I was told this is just the way the car is! So today I have started the journey to get the MCA Pro Comfort Coilovers from Brisbane. As I live in Sydney I will use a local suspension specialist to fit and tune. Will keep you posted on outcome.

Just a quick heads up for you on what you should pay to have them installed, set up, and aligned. Some people have pain up to $800 for this, I paid $300 for fitment, wheel alignment, wait a week for them to settle (they do drop over a number of days) then re set height and final alignment, all for $300. That’s in Melbourne. But I’d ring around and get quotes before you choose someone as the price can vary dramatically for the same thing