Does anyone know what exactly the difference is between the two?? I know the SE has the sport tuned suspension but what does that consist of exactly?? "i.e...springs, struts etc...." Also, is it possible to put a sport tuned suspension in a GXE?

Thanx

 

Slightly firmer struts and springs. It wouldnt be worth the $$ to put an OEM SE suspension into a GXE. You'd be much better off buying aftermarket stuff.

 

The SE also has stiffer front lower control arm bushings - that's probably a cheap upgrade. The 00 SE also had additional braces in the radiator cowl area but these seem to have disappeared by 01 - easy to make.

wdave

 

my SE suspension feels so mushy, go with eibach's, im doing that once i get the funds

 

I've driven both the 4th gen SE & GLE (same suspension as GXE?) and there is only a slight difference, but that might be caused by the crappy tires on the GLE I'm driving now.

 

who cares.. everyone changes them anyway eventually

 

I have owned both before too. I owned a 96 GXE and now a 2K SE with differential. The SE definetly handled much better than GXE. The GXE shocks loses its life very easily, it became so soft that I got rid of the it and purchased the 2K SE instead. The SE uses Tokico struts.

GXE do not have the same suspension as GLE. If you look at the Catalogue, GLE has the so called "luxury" suspension.

 

so does that mean i can just get the eibach pro kit and not have to get new struts to match?

 

Although the stock SE comes equipped with sport tuned tokico struts, it still has comfort in mind over performance. They do not perform as well as the after market tokico. But sure, you can use Eibach on them, but I think its worth getting new shocks as well.

My friend used Tokico performance struts with stock SE springs and it is still very agressive.

 

umm they use macpherson struts.. not tokico.. unless its different up in canda, which i highly doubt. by the way, a 4th gen and 5th gen are different. so comparing the 2 in 2 different classes doesnt work

 

Mcpherson is the type - named after a Ford of England engineer in the 60's. Tokico is one of many manufacturers of Mcpherson struts.

wdave

 

i learn something new everyday

 

I actually laughed after reading that. Sorry, AZN.

 

Don't worry about the small differences in suspension between models. The aftermarket setups are MUCH better handlers and little ride quality is compromised if you do it right. I've pretty much removed everything from my car that makes it a SE. I've changed out the whole suspension (Koni, KYB, ST springs) and added different wheels. All I've got to seperate my car from a GXE is a sunroof and Bose.


Dave