Quote:
Originally Posted by b15
No offense but it doesnt really sound like you know what you're talking about.
First, the only Nissan branded car to currently use the FM (front midship = RWD) platform is the Z. It is also used by the Infiniti G/M/FX. The Altima/Maxima/Murano trio use the D-platform (which is for FWD vehicles) and no they are not that different at all from a mechanical/chassis view. The Altima/Maxima actually share many of the same suspension components.
Second, I never said a properly tuned suspension is an inch off the ground. I said its more then a set of springs, a solution that you suggested above to rectify wheel gap.
Third, all this talk about why they must have wheel gap to meet safety....If that's the case I guess all the BMWs, Audis, even the New Mazda 6, Honda Accord and Kia Optima that are similar in size yet have less wheel gap must not meet standards. Yes cars have to be a certain height, but you can still meet standards and have a car that's visually appealing, it just takes a little R&D.
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...and no offense, but you sound like a d*ck. Yes, I stand corrected, it is the D-platform and I mistakenly written FM, not that it really matters. The rest of my statement still applies. Designers and engineers aim to please a broad audience and that includes idiots that don't know to slow down for speed bumps.
The Altima/Maxima car's share a ton of the parts bin, but they're not necessarily interchangeable. Mechanically similar and being the same exact components are two different notions. The shared platform is just that, a starting point and common architecture to reduce cost. Most manufacturers do this, including the likes of BMW.
In regard to the wheel gap, who knows, it may be as simple as having the cheapest tires available or maybe there is a valid reason. If you want to continue this silly debate, please enlighten us all and provide a database of all wheel gaps you're basing your assessment on. There really isn't a sense of concern spreading around to be honest. Like I said, I think it probably comes down to a safety rating or performance issue that each Nissan didn't predict. They want a certain amount of oversteer/understeer, ride quality or a certain vehicle dynamic characteristic for example. It's the cheapest solution to solve any undesirable performance or crash test concerns when a design is close to it's final version. I'm not an expert, I never claimed I was. I do know that they do this all the time during the design process. You can't as easily go back and redesign a body panel as you can raise or lower a car's ride height with the adjustments to the suspension component. Manufacturers decide on there own whether or not they want to go for a more sporty line and slightly stiffer suspension or go softer. There's also more to a cars suspension when the car is in motion than it is standing still. The Maxima weighs about 400 lbs. more than an Altima. You think maybe that has to do with anything especially since they share the same architecture? I also never said they couldn't design the car from the beginning with a smaller wheel gap.
Lastly, progressive lowering springs have been proven to retain ride comfort and lower a car. It really is as simple as a set of springs. There are literally thousands of examples of how a simple lowering spring swap and alignment can eliminate wheel gap without sacrificing anything. It's a non-issue for those that want a lower profile, especially in the tuner crowd where even an inch of wheel gap looks huge to some people.