Does anyone know why the MKS rides better than the SHO?

[Greg Futral]

Is it the springs? The shocks? The bushings? All of the above? None of the above? I think my headaches would benefit from a smoother ride, but I like the features of the SHO better, and to trade my 2010 for an MKS would seemingly be cost foolish, as I don't see many of them, and a used car dealer would want probably close to double what he would give me in trade. Can parts be swapped to get the better ride? Thank you!

 

[rubydist]

I know the shocks are valved differently and I never checked to see if the suspension bushings are different. The Lincolns had active ride control which I don't think the SHO has, so I don't think you can just swap parts around. The MKS is also a little heavier with more sound absorbing stuff, so that probably helps the ride a little too. The MKS that had the red "S" in the MKS logo on the trunk was equipped pretty much like the SHO as I recall. I don't remember which years they offered that.

 

[RonPorter]

Being a 2010, it's probably due for a complete suspension refreshing anyway. So just go with a full setup from a regular Taurus from the same year, if that's your desire. And remember that the lower profile tires of the SHO add to that, also. But I wouldn't downgrade the tires, just to get a mushier ride.

 

[luigisho]

Cash vs headaches. If you're my age and you have the cash pull the trigger. Private sale this one and get what you want. If money is tight then nah.

 

[SHOrod]

I had a 2010 SHO and now have a 2013 MKS EcoBoost. In my 2013 MKS the lower control arm subframe bushings are oil filled versus the rubber of the Taurus and, as mentioned above, the MKS has active ride control. The car lets me select between three suspension settings (Comfort, Normal, Sport) and I can also associate any of the three settings with the normal "Drive" transmission setting and the "Sport" transmission setting. I have the suspension set to Sport for Sport mode which does firm up the suspension quite a bit and on Normal for the Drive mode. Once in awhile on road trips I'll switch over to Comfort, turn on the massaging seats, and enjoy the trip.

-Rod