First drive in the hills

[Vader]

So we have had our little beastie over a month now and it has done several trips up the coast. Today, we took it to the mountains (ok hills by the rest of the worlds standards). First and foremost, either the Oz versions have updated suspension, or the journalist who reviewed the cyberster were on something. For those who know Oz, specifically the Mt Nebo/Glorious region, it is a twisty, bumpy road going through the rain Forrest. Absolutely beautiful.

The Cyberster was magical - roof down, getting all the smells from the rain Forrest, and absolutely carving up the twisties. These aren't flat, curated roads, but bumpy, uneven "tracks" through the Forrest. Not once did I experience any issues with bouncy suspension. I don't speed, but kept to the speed limit - around all the bends and quickly dispatched all around (bikes, and a few "sporty" cars). We got an appreciative nod when we got to the top. Absolutely awesome. I don't believe anyone who claims that the Cyberster is bouncy at the rear. It makes me think we have a special tuning in Oz.

 

[MG Clive]

Sounds awesome @Vader

 

[SpikySimonW]

Whereas I’ve had the opposite experience…

I disregarded most of the chat reference bouncy rear suspension along the thinking of my younger years of pushing it to the limits are well behind me and I’d actually be much happier with a smoother capable tourer (vs say an on-the-rails go kart). Yet, having collected my new car around a month ago, last week found myself driving via some Cotswold (UK) country roads and which should have been the driving dream (apart from the British seasonal weather!) but instead I was genuinely concerned for the vehicles rear stability and at times felt like the rear end was going to appear over my shoulder?! By comparison, my car immediately prior to this was a BMW 6 series Coupe (=heavy GT) and my other current daily drive is a massive Land Rover Discovery - while both VERY different propositions even so both felt like they have a more planted and compliant rear end (also acknowledging the very different driving style I’m doing in the Discovery complete with dog onboard!).

I’m hoping things will settle down as I become more familiar with the Cyberster. And I’m not necessarily unhappy with it, just surprised/confused with this specific element: feels like when I’ve tuned my mountain bike rear suspension without first reminding myself exactly how to do it or taken the time to do it properly. I will certainly be mentioning it to the dealer at first service if not before.

Or maybe I just need the Oz tune-up

 

[Vader]

Does the UK version use the same pirelli P zero tyres? Maybe that is a difference. Maybe temperature of the shocks and / or tyres could create a difference. It was about 30C in the rain Forrest. Somewhat hotter once we left it. There were no humpback bridge style bumps, but just a generally poor road surface. The rear felt nailed down. At least as good as my MINI. We also had two people - a bit of extra weight....

Just trying to think how it can be so different. Maybe I wasn't driving fast enough. It is a switchback style road with hairpin after hairpin. The limit ranged from 40kph through the village to 80kph. I pretty much stayed at the limit the entire time - perhaps one overly tight and narrow hairpin I went down to 50 ish kph.

 

[salty]

Think it simply boils down to, different folks, perception of the cars handling, braking, software. etc etc. Some will think it's great, some won't. Simple's.