Hello

Apologies for my late reply as I have been extremely busy with other commitments.

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who took the time and trouble to kindly offer information, suggestions, advice.

Thank you very much:

@Callisto
@grim-reaper
@Cloughie
@Alexmed2002
@Lobstah
@chickdr19
@jabiru

(I hope that that is the correct way to list respondents so that they get note of my reply and gratitude?)

Callisto - Thank You: First Class advice to research ‘comfort tyres’: I will give that a go and see if I can find some comfortable tyres for 19 inch rims to improve the ride. Also will try a portable CD Player in the glovebox or under a seat or something.

grim_reaper - Thank You. I will stick with the 19’s and try to find more comfortable tyres. Sorry: I’ m a ‘Luddite’!! Unable and unwilling to burn all my CD’s to a USB stick or flash drive as I don’t have a computer! I prefer the tangible feel of a CD: each to their own my friend. Would never have thought of trying leather cleaner and conditioner: that’s a great suggestion that I will definitely try soon - thank you for that. Hope that works.

Alexmed2002: Thank You. Tyre pressures are correct BUT tyres are unlikely to be helping the ride as it has a Toyo front n/s and rear o/s and other makes on the other two wheels! Obviously different ages too … that can’t help. As per Callisto’s excellent advice I will try to find more comfortable tyres and try them. As per above unable and unwilling to burn all my many CDs to a flash drive or do Bluetooth to the infotainment system but will try to find a good portable CD player and try to connect that to the infotainment system.

Lobstah: Thank You. As above I will try to find a usb CD player. To be honest I did do a lot of research before buying (obviously not thorough enough) and do recall mention of a harsh ride being expected. The one competitor I didn’t drive or view was the CRV as they were thin on the ground in my area and I don’t like the design of them compared to the CX 5 or others.

chickdr19: Thank You: I will stay with the 19’s. Glad you also experience the ride as hard compared to your previous vehicle … as I do. Perhaps we will accept it for all the good aspects of the vehicle.

jabiru: Thank You: Pleased that even thousands a miles away from each other we have the same experience! Unhappy with the harsh ride on harsh surfaces in your home area but happy with it on smooth surfaces. On our (UK) rare well maintained roads and motorways the car is a dream to drive and the ride is beautiful. However on my North West roads generally- which have been poorly maintained for many years due to lack of money to our councils from central government - the ride is hard and harsh compared to my previous VW and not as expected. That has surprised and disappointed me. If I can find some more comfortable tyres I will keep the car for sure: if not I may resolve to trade it for something else. May go for Pirelli like you and drop the pressures a little. Thanks. Also thanks for the suggestion for the seat cushion: I will look into that with everything else.

Lastly Cloughie: Thank You. Your comments were noted and appreciated. Not offended by them myself. Everyone has their own opinions. I neither know them as valid or invalid but I considered them as valid. You live in Gloucester: perhaps your roads have been maintained much better than ours or you have a better climate that doesn’t have such a detrimental effect on the surfaces and repairs undertaken. As stated above: I can honestly state that that is definitely NOT the case up North. Our roads are generally regarded as being very poorly maintained and poorly repaired… and our weather certainly doesn’t help!!! Guess it is a subjective matter: you feel the ride is fine and I certainly don’t (on our 99% harsh road surfaces). I will try to improve the ride with the well-intentioned advice Forum Members have very kindly offered as potential solutions. I lament the argument caused by my post that has caused you to leave the Forum - very regrettable - but I thank you for your well-intended offerings and wish you well.

Best regards to all.
Drive safely.
Thank you.

Riverman99

 

Just a quick one, in addition to the last:

anyone any suggestions on a specific portable CD Player that has been purchased to overcome the lack of ability to play CDs in a CX-5, from Amazon for example, that has proven to work correctly and to be a good purchase? Or which products NOT to buy … as other owners have tried them and they didn’t work.
One that can somehow be connected into the infotainment system would be great.
Many thanks
Riverman99

 

Would it help to install new premium replacement shocks/struts like Bilstein B4 or KYB Excel-G, which claim to offer better damping control than OEM parts (typically $400-800 for a full set)?

If so, replace both front and rear?

For the record, replacing my OEM tires with Michelin Primacy AS XL tires made a huge difference for my 2021 CX-5 GT (19-inch tires). It made the ride oh-so-much smoother and quieter. A great investment!

Milt Baker, Pompano Beach, FL

 

You are misunderstanding the term dampening control which for this example has to do with the dampener internal parts engineering design and not so much harder or soft ride quality.
Most all those selections of dampeners will increase the firmness of the suspension over OEM dampeners. If that is the direction, then also at least the rear sway bar by way of finding one that has a higher lb. rating then factoring which is generally advertised in % increases. NOT by solid or tubular design of mm O.D. which is a gimmick way to sell them. But these compliment the aftermarket performance dampeners to mention and adds to the firmer ride quality but also increases steering feedback and reduces body roll in turns with added stopping power in shorter overall braking distances.

None of these is advisable unless the owner is willing to trade off ride quality (comfort) for increased handling and stability.
The only exception but not the best idea is to use a progressive spring in the front and rear. But for many applications the need to research to find a none applicated one that will work in the struts and rear suspension without increase the load value to much.

 

@miltbaker

Hello Milt: thank you very much for taking the time and trouble to consider my dilemma and offer suggestions: very much appreciated. Sounds like a lot of expense and hassle to start modifying the suspension! I’d be inclined to leave it as it is and suffer the consequences or trade that car in on something with a softer ride. The tyres are certainly a different proposition and easier (and cheaper!) to try: great suggestion on the tyres you mention. I will look into changing the tyres as my first effort to improve the ride: thank you.
best regards
Riverman99

 

@Callisto
Callisto: once again utterly brilliant detailed information. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful: Thank you very much.
best regards
Riverman99