My inlaws have a 2000 GLE that has 85K. I have a 2000 SE that has 149k. Their front end feels a ton more "loose" and "sloopy" than my SE. I doubt that we drive the car very differently and the roads are the same (they live 20 min). What is in the se front suspension that is different than the GLE, and do you think that the SE's would hold up better over the long haul.

THIS IS NOT AN AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION QUESTION

just curious.

 

SE sway bar is thicker by 1mm, different struts, and I am pretty sure the springs have different rates. With all else equal such as enviroment and driving habits, they should last equal time.

 

Having driven both cars personally and owning the GLE... the 2 cars are in fact very different in stock form..

the GLE has more luxury style soft suspension settings while the SE is more firm in its tuning with less body roll and different rebound settings for the shocks/struts.

I swaped out my stock gle struts and springs with illuminas and H&R springs and the difference is night and day.. the car not only handles better but has lost all the floatiness the GLE tends to have at speeds over 75-80 which doesnt give you the confidence of going more than that.. I will add in the FSTB soon and hope that does help The SE on the other hand is beautifully tuned from factory and upgrading to the aftermarket struts and the standard 17 inch rims give it a much better road hold..

if i were to do this again i'd buy the SE with 6speed..

i'm sorry i compare it to my 01 330ci so to me the maxima gle's handling inspire my confidence anyways.

 

is there any difference in the gle and the gxe becuase my car feels pretty sloppy compared to my friends SE
thanks

 

the SE and GLE have completely diffirent suspension (springs, sway bar, etc)

im pretty sure the GXE is also diffirent

GXE - "normal" suspension
SE - "sport" suspension
GLE - "luxury" suspension

 

How is the GXE different from the GLE Sooner?

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=316583