I'm still not too clear on what the difference is. Did a search and it seems there are different opinions on this. Is it just the rear springs that are different, the shocks/struts, or the bushings? Anybody know for sure?

I just sold my auto 2K1 SE and bought a 2K1 5 speed GXE. What do I need to change on the GXE to get the stiffer more stable ride of the SE? I'm hoping it's just the rear springs.......?

 

springs, motor mounts, rear sway bar...

but if you plan to change.. why not just do aftermarket.. because thats better than the SE suspension.. its a waste of money to put SE suspension on a GXE

 

What do you mean by "motor mounts"? I thought that they were the same in the GXE and the SE. Or do you mean aftermarket?

 

the SE has stiffer motor mounts than the GXE..

 

Let's be clear..

When I bought my Max in '99 (it's a 2K GXE), I got the liquid-filled motor mounts controlled by electronics (it came with the auto tranny).

At that time, it was the same as the SE.

So when you say that the SE has stiffer mounts, are you talking about something else? I know by the way that the bushings are different, but this is not what I am referring to.

Thanks, I am really curious...

 

so what do you recommend? Get better struts or change out the springs or bushings or all of the above? What kind? I don't want a harsher ride than on the SE but I do want the stability in cornering and at high speeds like I had with the SE.

 

well if they gave them all liquid mm in 2k.. then you should be cool.. for us 4th Genners they were biased and gave only the SE liquid motor mounts..

 

Just curious - Why did you sell an SE and buy a GXE of the same year? Insurance costs??

 

you are on pretty new struts.. i would just get some eibachs or H&R's for now.. then get better struts later on...

bushings i wouldn't worry about.. well on the 4th Gen's i know the eibachs are harsher than H&R's.. H&R's will give you the best and closest ride to Stock.. with great control and lost more stability.. but this is for the 4th Gen's.. i would assume.. maybe a 5th Gen owner can back me up.. same holds true..

I would also get a RSB .. this will stop body roll.. make your car feel better than the SE anyway.. a FSTB wouldn't hurt ither..

 

Just had to have a five speed! The SE was an auto. I looked all over the state (Texas) and found one with low miles and a fairly good price (11K miles when I bought it last month). Plus it also had a spoiler. Only problem is that it's a GXE. I am really loving the five speed now that I've transferred the RSW, FSTB, Y-pipe, OSCAI and Kumhos on 16" rims from the SE! But it still doesn't feel quite as good as the SE suspension did, even stock!

 

H&R's sound like a good idea - I'll check 'em out. Thanks!

 

When I was buying my 2k GXE 5spd, I asked the salesperson the exact difference between GXE and SE. As far as suspension goes, SE has only stiffer springs, and larger wheels, depending on the package. Stock SE doesnt come with any FSB or RSB, are you kidding? Car doesnt ride on motor mounts, therefore, it is not a part of the suspension, LOL. BTW all Maximas have the same motor mounts in all trims...liquid-cooled is in the autos..

 

I did the same research when I was buying mine. They told me that the shock, bushing and strut were different so I couldn't change the 16" in. rims for the 17" (I really liked them). All salesmen told me that it was impossible because of the suspension....

Irvine 98 says it is only the bushings which were different, so I don't know. If it was possible, I am going to knock someone with two years of frustation

 

The SE's also have an two bars in like a X formation behind the front grill. The GXE's and GLE's do not have that. I don't know what it actually does though. I can tell the difference in ride between my GLE (which has a FSTB and RSB) and my friend's SE (with just a RSB). His is more firm.

 

No one ever told me about differences in bushings and other susp. part that springs. How do bushings affect the firmness of the ride? Ooops, sorry, it's just an SE badge thats owns y'all LOL. I would put on a set of 18" with low profile tires, aftermarket springs, RSB, FSB, SE badges, a spoiler, and not a single bia** can tell my ride apart from SE.

This is a very interesting topic.

If I upgrade my GXE then will it have the SE's resale value?

 

The 4th Gen's do.. and when since does anyone at the dealer know anything.. half of them think the 2002 Maxima is a 300 hp 5spd

 

The 5th gen also has front and rear stabilizer bars. The rear bar sits right under the rear beam inside it. You can see the front stabilizer also if you look at the front control arms. The front stabilizer is completely different from a Front strut bar though.

 

SE only? or all models?

 

I thought all of them did... but I could be wrong

 

muchas gracias senor

 

liquid cooled motor mounts?

Anyway, what I meant was that even after I took off my Courtesy FSTB, Stillen RSW ect from the SE and put all this stuff on the GXE, the SE still felt more firm and stable STOCK, AND with the GXE rims and tires (sold it with the GXE rims/tires) than the GXE WITH the mods and 16" SE rims and Kumhos.

I really think the major difference is the springs.
Where's a good source for H&R's?

 

http://www.custommaxima.com/H&Rsprings.html

 

sorry, I meant liquid-filled

guys, did anyone talk to anyone at Nissan, or is a Nissan technician here, whats the true story on the difference between GXE's and SE's suspension? I know my GXE feels like a boat, and handles like Buick, but at the time I saved 2,5G's. It's too late now.

 

Man,

I don't know what you personnally mean with the term "boat", but I think that my Max (GXE) is not a boat to me... I have driven many cars (Corvette C5,BMW, Porsche, alleluia, etc) and I know the difference, but to compare that with a Buick, I think you have smoked stuff coming from your sofa (and it must be good!!)

 

There is A LOT of false information in this thread; liquid-cooled engine mounts, no front sway bar, no rear sway bar

First of all...not matter the trim level, you get the same liquid filled engine mounts with the 5th gen....the only difference is in the automatics in which the rear mount is electronically controlled to provide the best vibration dampening at idle in drive, while stiffening up while the car is moving for less engine movement.

all cars that have Independant front suspension have FSBs (FRONT SWAY BARS). This includes the maxima

The maxima's rear suspension includes a SWAY BAR, that is integrated into the beam.

the only difference between SE and GXE suspension is stiffer springs in the SE.

 

So if I was to buy a GLE and stick in stiffer springs (struts the same?) I would have SE suspension... and does the difference in rims between the GLE and SE make a difference in speed/gas-mileage?

SE has 6-Spokes GLE has 7-Spokes. and the SE has performance tires.

 

That and put on those Funky SE rear lenses. I can always tell who the SE wannabe's are by their red tails.

SE Badge DOES own you all!

As for which is better... if you mod it then of course its going to be better than stock.

But of course nissan doesn't necessarily want "Better." They want a car that keeps up with their warranty. That and cut corners on production costs. Like how SE paint chips just as much as GXE paint.

 

name me a car company that uses DIFFERENT quality paint for different trim levels of the SAME CAR. Hell....name me a car company that uses different quality paint on differnt models AT ALL. That statement makes absolutely no sense at all. It's like saying that Mercedes-Benz (if they have good quality) uses better paint on the E430 than they use on the E320.

 

CHECK YOUR PM

 

yes...technically speaking, I believe you would have SE suspension....but another thing that makes the ride stiffer is the 17 inch rims on the SE. There is NO difference in gas mileage or speedometer error with stock 17s vs. 16s.

 

BriGuy Max, I agree with you. It makes no sense... I am sure they have the same paint shop for all the models.

I also agree that one of the differences between the two models resides in the 17" rims (and the associated tires).

 

I thought the GLE and SE had the same "size" rims... just different amount of spokes.

 

The GXE always seemed much less sporty, both in look and feel. I drove the manual GXE, manual Volvo S70, and the manual 97 Camry, and those cars seemed better with autos. I remember the GXE had a cheesy plastic shift. You fellas have serious money to be able to change your minds so often. Reminds me of this dude, he changed cars more than most people changed their underwear! Seriously, about 2-4 per year. Stupid, huh?

 

You're right about the cheesy shift ****. I'm going to have to change that. Actually the car looks great with the SE wheels.
It's only stupid if you lose a lot of money - fortunately I was able to buy the GXE for about the same price as I sold the SE (and the GXE had lower miles 11K vs 15K). I'm only out TTL but I can live with this. I'm loving the five speed more and more daily!

Anybody know what aftermarket springs won't lower the car, or at least won't lower it too much, say more than half an inch?

 

Eibachs lower 1.3" front and 1" back... I think that is the mildest drop you can get.... If you want just 1/2", then keep the springs and get stiffer struts.

 

Finally got the actual differences: only the rear springs and front stabilizer bar are different on the SE.

The SE also has a different rear insulator assembly-shock absorber mounting to accomodate the stiffer springs. Also, to accomodate the thicker front stabilizer bar, different stabilizer bar bushings are used, as well as slightly different left and right complete transverse links.

So there's probably not an easy way to do a GXE to SE suspension conversion, the rear springs are easy, but the front stabilizer bar would be a pain because you'd probably have to replace the transverse links (these are the heavy metal L shaped pieces that, along with the struts, link the front tires to the chassis and actually support the front weight of the car). I'm not sure if this is necessary though.

By the way, anybody have rear SE springs for sale? If so, I'm very interested in buying them.....