Why do i hate the VE

[Safetycar]

My Wife has a new VE Berlina V6. Her previouse car was an 02 VX Acclaim V6 Ex Detective vehicle. It Handled great and went like a cut snake for a six. She loves her new Berlina as she drives like a Mum and that is all she will ever ask of the car. But when i drive the thing it feels like the suspension was developed by the aeroplane jelly company. But if its made of jelly why is there such a rattle up the back end. The didnt fix it during the first service even though they did claim to have found the problem. Sounds like it has an empty shock, i even climbed underneith to see if they had remembered to put them in as it handles so badly. I have driven the SV6 and that car is a much better experience for myself. Is it just me or is the Berlina a peice of Crap that just cant handle being pushed.
I may have to go for an FE2 upgrade.

[vxSSilver]

i think you might be expecting a little too much out of the family sedan.

for comparion, old boy has a GTS and after a track day he did recently i can say it handles very well and can take every thing you can throw at it.

[Grommz]

i gotta agree with ssilver you gotta family car not an svs6 or ss or hsv model which has the updraded suspension in it.

my ss handles great i to have a rattle over bumps sometimes in the rear but i think its the parcel shelf or speaker grilles or something..

its something im yet to checkout.

[Safetycar]

A GTS certainly is the other end of the spectrum but i was expecting a little more from the Berlina as when i drove the SV6 you could feel the road and it was evident from first drive that it was a car that you could get very comfortable with at its upper limits. The berlina even after a month of driving it every second day still has me confused as to what the hell i can do with this thing.Your right its just a family sedan, but its a 40 grand family sedan that handles worse than a VX family sedan. Dont start me about the unexplained random computer binging. I would have a VY or VX anyday over the VE as a drivers car. and this comes from a guy who just bought one. If this car is a billion dollar baby than i guess a few hundred million went whilst they where scratching the arses. If theyed done a better job then they wouldnt have people like me saying such things.

[RED R8]

I think your asking the wrong car to do the wrong job.Trade the Berlina on a SV6..

[vess]

I'm with you on this one RED R8 - Is the Calias getting the specs of the shocks softened for the next release, atm I think they are the same as the SS onwards. So it should feel like your berlina after the VF I think.

[Safetycar]

Maybe i am just missing the Factory FE2 Suspension that was fitted to the VX. and the fact that i am due for a new vehicle in march and it looks like TD rodeo or something simular in a twin cab (need it for the bus) Therefore it would be nice to have something that can go around a corner half fast. OK Ill get a Go-Kart and get my fix and stop complaining.Where do we complain about a crappy interior. I have almost every new car through my shop every week. I drive these cars for about 20 feet at a time so cant comment on them but i can say my thing about the VE.(overall Vote Pending)

[SCiFiRE]

I was quite impressed with my mates berlinas ride and handling compared to previous models. Felt like it stuck to the road better than my VZ w/ FE2.

But mneh.

[Danv8]

*Warning grump mode since my holidays were cut short because the mrs isn't feeling well*

Thing is its not the type of car to hoon around in its a Berlina and its pretty much a grandpa/grandma's car. With that said a stock V6 Berlina is a grandpa/grandma's car. Modified V8 ones the exception here. Just get the suspension set up for a firmer lower ride and it should improve it a bit and it will have better road presence.

[Boom]

When I first got my VE i didnt think it was that spectacular after driving a V6 VS. Until I actually looked at the speeds I was cornering at. The car does it so easily that you may think its not so great. But thats an SS. Maybe the suspension is different in the Calais. But I have done some miles following and being followed by a Calais and it didnt seem to be lacking in the handling department.

[Wonky]

Safetycar, I'm sure if you wanted you could pick up a standard FE2 suspension very cheaply from someone who has gone to coilovers. Get it fitted with wheel alignment for $200 or less and you're laughing! :D

[RED R8]

Ive got a set of VE Clubsport springs coming out friday that you can buy fairly dearly.

[CSP]

When I first got my VE i didnt think it was that spectacular after driving a V6 VS. Until I actually looked at the speeds I was cornering at. The car does it so easily that you may think its not so great. But thats an SS. Maybe the suspension is different in the Calais. But I have done some miles following and being followed by a Calais and it didnt seem to be lacking in the handling department.

VE SV6, SS, SS V, Calais, Calais V, Statesman and Caprice all have FE2 suspension. Well, at least all the MY06 ones do. I have heard Holden have gone back to FE1.5 on the luxo models with FE2 only an option - but I'm not 100%. Anyway, a mistake IMHO.

My Calais LOVES the FE2 suspension, and I have to say, I do too! Even on the stock 17's it handles great (mildly understeery) but since it's now aftermarket (Pedders) 2 inches lower with phatter wheels, it out corners anything from the Holden Factory... Except the GTS and Senator with the MRC shocks!

[planetdavo]

HATE is a strong word.
Like it or not, Berlina is the "grandpa" model of the VE range. Why do you think it has such soft suspension?

[ryno]

Drop a set of springs in it and you will be in love.

My last car was a VT that had a couple of grand worth of suspension in it and I think I feel that my SSV with Lovells springs as the only suspension mod is heaps better...and coil overs would be even better again.!!

[QIKMIK]

My missus has a VT wagon for her daily driver. I made sure she got her boat license before taking it out for the first time. This was quite a change from the Kings/Koni setup in my VTII sedan. The Berlina has taken over from the Acclaim in the line up as it certainely isn't as luxurious as it used to be.

Mick

[Danv8]

HATE is a strong word.
Like it or not, Berlina is the "grandpa" model of the VE range. Why do you think it has such soft suspension?

Pretty much it.
Although I can't help getting the gut feeling that this topic was a troll. I could be wrong but with all the stilly flaming topics recently I cant help but be suspicious.

But I could have just pre x-mas paranoia. ;)

[Safetycar]

Hey Who's a Troll and whats a troll in computer terms anyway. also i thought that the FE2 Suspension kit from Holden was fairly cheap to buy. Antone got any idea of the price. I went for the Berlina as i love climate control and also have fond memorys of a VR Berlina that i had. Our VX Acclaim was good but i still missed climate control. I didnt want a SV6 as i wanted an individual look buy having a berlina with some big wheels. I guess i will have to also invest in some better suspension. Yes it is my wifes car that i dont drive that much but i feel that it will be much safer vehicle with some stiffer suspension where my bum can feel whats happening at the 4 corners.

[Ghosn]

Pretty much it.
Although I can't help getting the gut feeling that this topic was a troll. I could be wrong but with all the stilly flaming topics recently I cant help but be suspicious.

But I could have just pre x-mas paranoia. ;)

I hear ya, the fact he created an account on the basis of whinging.

[Safetycar]

I hear ya, the fact he created an account on the basis of whinging.

You got too much time on ya hands. as i said (WHATS A TROLL)
Yes i do realize this site is not owned by Holden and that LS1.com.au can not solve problems on anyones car. All i was ever expecting was some feedback which i did get and to all those that responded with material to think about, I thank you and it will certainly influence the direction i head with our VE. But i dont think you should be knocking a guy for asking a Question on a website that is all about the asking of Holden related questions and discussion. I have been in the Automotive game for over 20 years and contributed thousands of reply posts in various forums over the years. i guess a little more time will answer the obvious. By the way (WHATS A TROLL)

[whitels1ss]

Hey Who's a Troll and whats a troll in computer terms anyway. also i thought that the FE2 Suspension kit from Holden was fairly cheap to buy. Antone got any idea of the price. I went for the Berlina as i love climate control and also have fond memorys of a VR Berlina that i had. Our VX Acclaim was good but i still missed climate control. I didnt want a SV6 as i wanted an individual look buy having a berlina with some big wheels. I guess i will have to also invest in some better suspension. Yes it is my wifes car that i dont drive that much but i feel that it will be much safer vehicle with some stiffer suspension where my bum can feel whats happening at the 4 corners.

I understand where you are coming from mate, you are used to a car that handles better! Should not be too much to change the shocks and springs, plenty people do it. Pedders? Pro Fix? Tyre places?...
Just do it and you will change the car into something you will enjoy!
Ed:xmas:

[Brandonsdad]

I dont think that a car has ever been made that hasnt had someone not like one particular thing on it. I bought an SS and I didnt like the wheels, so I bought different ones and I will change them again soon. I did not like how high the car was, so I changed the springs and I am still not happy with the height (too low this time and bottoming out) so I have to change it again. I didnt like the quiet exhaust, so I changed it. If you dont like a particular thing on a car then get it changed or buy a car that suits your needs or tastes. I dont think you would be the first to not like the FE2 suspension, not that Ive had any dramas with it, but most people that buy cars wouldnt ever consider changing the suspension in any form, except for us enthusiasts. I have had numerous things changed on my car and numerous things fixed under warranty and I would never say a bad thing about my car. Its the best car Ive owned and was the best value for money as well. That is why I DON"T hate the VE.

Happy days.

[Vulture]

Have you thought about wheels and tyres? A good set of tyres can make a huge difference to handling.


You got too much time on ya hands. as i said (WHATS A TROLL)

troll

v.,n. 1. [From the Usenet group alt.folklore.urban] To utter a posting on Usenet designed to attract predictable responses or flames; or, the post itself. Derives from the phrase "trolling for newbies" which in turn comes from mainstream "trolling", a style of fishing in which one trails bait through a likely spot hoping for a bite. The well-constructed troll is a post that induces lots of newbies and flamers to make themselves look even more clueless than they already do, while subtly conveying to the more savvy and experienced that it is in fact a deliberate troll. If you don't fall for the joke, you get to be in on it. See also YHBT. 2. An individual who chronically trolls in sense 1; regularly posts specious arguments, flames or personal attacks to a newsgroup, discussion list, or in email for no other purpose than to annoy someone or disrupt a discussion. Trolls are recognizable by the fact that the have no real interest in learning about the topic at hand - they simply want to utter flame bait. Like the ugly creatures they are named after, they exhibit no redeeming characteristics, and as such, they are recognized as a lower form of life on the net, as in, "Oh, ignore him, he's just a troll." 3. [Berkeley] Computer lab monitor. A popular campus job for CS students. Duties include helping newbies and ensuring that lab policies are followed. Probably so-called because it involves lurking in dark cavelike corners.

Some people claim that the troll (sense 1) is properly a narrower category than flame bait, that a troll is categorized by containing some assertion that is wrong but not overtly controversial. See also Troll-O-Meter.

From dictionary.com

[Safetycar]

I dont think that a car has ever been made that hasnt had someone not like one particular thing on it. I bought an SS and I didnt like the wheels, so I bought different ones and I will change them again soon. I did not like how high the car was, so I changed the springs and I am still not happy with the height (too low this time and bottoming out) so I have to change it again. I didnt like the quiet exhaust, so I changed it. If you dont like a particular thing on a car then get it changed or buy a car that suits your needs or tastes. I dont think you would be the first to not like the FE2 suspension, not that Ive had any dramas with it, but most people that buy cars wouldnt ever consider changing the suspension in any form, except for us enthusiasts. I have had numerous things changed on my car and numerous things fixed under warranty and I would never say a bad thing about my car. Its the best car Ive owned and was the best value for money as well. That is why I DON"T hate the VE.

Happy days.

Yeah i know HATE was a strong word but Geez it got some reaction. Since joining this forum i have realized that i am a little like the Kia Rio new car buying who is expecting a C Class Mercedes.I am very close with the new car industry and i realy should know better. I have and always been a huge Holden fan. My holden Combo 05 model has done a135K has never had more than a first service at the dealer as i dont have time.Oil and filter change when i remember and thats it. The thing has never missed a beat and runs on the smell of a gas soaked rag (The modern day oily rag) I believe that if Opel made the Commodore than it would be a much better finnished car but please dont confuse me for someone who is not a Holden Supporter. Growing up on the North Shore of Sydney i am no more likely of switch political alleigance as i am to switch car codes. I will do suspension and wheels and let you all know how things work out.
I DONT HATE THE VE

[Wonky]

also i thought that the FE2 Suspension kit from Holden was fairly cheap to buy. Antone got any idea of the price.
I don't know off hand but having worked closely with HSPO for many years until recently my guess would be that you would be lucky to get away for under $1,000 for 4 springs and shocks, probably a fair bit more. Given most people would sell their originals for well under $200 if they've upgraded, buying new would be a very expensive mistake!!

Only problem is nobody to my knowledge has yet released reasonably priced short body shocks for VE which is why my original reply suggested you'd probably need to find someone who had upgraded to coilovers in order to get springs and shocks.

[Brandonsdad]

Yeah i know HATE was a strong word but Geez it got some reaction. Since joining this forum i have realized that i am a little like the Kia Rio new car buying who is expecting a C Class Mercedes.I am very close with the new car industry and i realy should know better. I have and always been a huge Holden fan. My holden Combo 05 model has done a135K has never had more than a first service at the dealer as i dont have time.Oil and filter change when i remember and thats it. The thing has never missed a beat and runs on the smell of a gas soaked rag (The modern day oily rag) I believe that if Opel made the Commodore than it would be a much better finnished car but please dont confuse me for someone who is not a Holden Supporter. Growing up on the North Shore of Sydney i am no more likely of switch political alleigance as i am to switch car codes. I will do suspension and wheels and let you all know how things work out.
I DONT HATE THE VE

If Opel made the commodore, you believe it would be a much better finish car.....Well Opel dont make the commodore and never will so we will never know if they would be a better finish, or for that matter a worse finish, so a pretty pointless quote. Im the sort of person that if I own something, like a Holden, I never bag it because theyre great cars and give me a lot of satisfaction. Also with my football team, win or lose I still support them and dont bag them when they lose, even if its the Grand Final and by a record margin. I guess its just me, but I am pretty loyal person and can live through a few little imperfections in life. And you say you dont hate the VE, look at the title of your post and read it S L O W L Y .

[Danv8]

I hear ya, the fact he created an account on the basis of whinging.

Oh well although I did like the way I said Stilly instead of silly. ;)