I just bought, for better or worse, a GXE (sterling mist) with meridian. I was told that Nissan is no longer going to manufacture GXE's with meridian (now I don't know about special orders though).

I don't like how it drives, it is stiffer than ones I test drove, and I feel vibration in the seat from the engine when idling in drive at a stand-still), and I feel the road ripples under me a lot. The shop foreman said they are just built that way with stiff engine mounts, suspension, etc, and we're supposed to feel these things. Then he said something about an electronic motor mount in SE and GLE that when idling, it somehow detaches something from something and you don't feel the feedback anymore. I didn't read that anywhere. Anyway, they swapped the tires from another GXE I drove and it improved slightly. Now I just have to deal with it I guess. Several people at the dealer just said that's how they drive. Anyone have vibrations in their seat? At one point I could feel a very periodic vvrrooomm type noise and feeling in my seat at idle.

2K1 GXE Sterling Mist with Meridian, now discontinued (?)

 

AFAIK The meridian edition has nothing to do with the ride. I'm surprised that you were surprised by the ride if you've test driven GXEs and that car in particular.

Regardless, the SE will have an even harsher ride since it has stiffer suspension and usually 17inch wheels. The GLE would ride more to your liking. But, to be honest with you, I find that the ride in my SE is awesome. I like to feel the road and be connected with what is going on while I'm driving. I understand that others don't feel the same way and prefer a floaty feel.

As with most things on a new car, I'd bet that you will get used to the ride and later on prefer it to the more floaty ride of other models.

But, there probably isn't anything particularly wrong with your car. The vibration in idle is something I haven't experienced - it seems out of the ordinary. My main suggestion to "improve" the ride is to make certain your tire pressure is not at the maximum for that brand. Put it a few lbs under the max and it will make the ride softer. Don't go too far as you don't want to damage the tires.

 

Was initially set too high at 38 on delivery, that when we reduced it to spec at 33 in front, 30 in back, it felt a bit softer. Are you saying I should set the front to maybe 31? I am wondering what the tire pressure is of the swapped tires I have, didn't have a chance to check it.

 

another example... be sure to test drive *the* car you purchase. seems to be alot of variance between cars (with several issues)

 

Spec tire pressure should be the same for the swapped tires. I think you can go down to 30 in the front as well but you need to confirm that with nissan or the tire manufacturer - don't rely on my advice.

 

There should be a sticker, under the armrest, that indicates the correct pressure for your tires... Stick to this pressure (cold), because its seems to offer the best compromise between "bumpy" and "soft".

I feel a LITTLE VIBRATION when stopped at a light (but i'm sure it's normal), and when I say little I mean, that I have to turn down the stereo, and really try to "feel it".. Otherwise, you can't even hear that pearl harbor engine running!!! [try a different brand of gas, maybe that will lower the vibration]

Oh, and the sports tuned suspension + tires in the SE are strictly for the driver... Once you drive around a bit in an SE, you get to notice that "disconnected from road" feeling when driving anything else... There is an eery sense of comfort gained from feeling every bump in the road....

I would assume that the GXE and GLE share a common suspension (am I right?)

 

Well under the armrest says 33 front, 30 back.
And yes I should have test drove it first but it was late at night and really didn't have time - the salesman pushed me to pick up the car the night it came in, implying it might get damaged sitting in the lot.. oh well.. lessons learned.
I didn't realize there was such a variance in feel of the cars.
I think my main complaint now is the periodic engine vibration in my seat at idle.. maybe the idle control isn't set right.. it is slight at times and other times more noticeable as it makes my thighs vibrate in the seat.

 

Forgot to mention, I have maybe Japanese gas in my car. i.e. it's dealer gas, so that is a very interesting suggestion. I'll have to drive it in circles to empty the tank and try Exxon or something.

 

That vibration just doesn't sound normal to me. I'd go to another lot, act like you want to buy a GXE and sit in and drive a couple different ones to make certain it's out of the ordinary.

If it is out of the ordinary, I'd take it back to the dealer, keep complaining and have them sit in yours and some of the others on the lot for comparison. You will probably have to fight them to get them to do anything.

My 2000 SE does not do that (although I can feel some vibration if my hand is on my manual shifter - but that's different).

I always hated 4 cyl hondas and camrys for that reason. They do that at stoplights after a few miles.

As for the roughness of the ride - that is something you will probably have to get used to.

 

Japanese gas?

From too many eggrolls? hehe