Is it still the case -- was it ever the case -- that cars come off the production line with greatly inflated tyres and with their suspension units blocked or packed to cancel all bounce when they are on the transporter?

Would a car in that state be driveable?

Yes, they have transport blocks in the springs. Sometimes they get left in by mistake by the dealers and people complain about a bad ride quality.

Tyres used to be over inflated at the factory (any factory) to stop them flat spotting during transportation and storage. I've seen tyres that were have been stuffed due to sitting in one spot at standard pressures for extended periods. I assume that the practice still continues but as i'm not in the trade any longer I'm not sure.

The vRS has packing in the front suspension when it leaves the factory to raise the front ride height so the front skirt doesn't get bashed when it is driven on and off transporters. The one I test drove had just arrived that day and still had the packing in, along with the plastic cling film stuff all over the bodywork. I have to say it was a bit bouncy at 80

Bob

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