Which sub <$1,500 coilover?

[fooddude]

Which coilover would you choose?

Looking for something sub $1,500, higher the quality the better, at least 6kgmm spring rates (which leaves out the nice Bilstein B14's) and suitable for DD (I am very tolerant of a firm ride for DD and don't care about "comfort") and occasional track/autox time.

Planning on mostly a stock car with just these few mods - 9" wide wheels, 245-255 tires (going to try PSS, RS3, D2, RE11 and others), upgraded brake pads and fluid, maybe a 4.56 or 4.88 FD and catted headers in the future and that's pretty much it..and of course, coilovers.

THe only ones that peak my interest that are <$1,500 are the Tein Street Flex and the Buddy Club Race Spec. I am more attracted to Tein's reputation and quality (and also them being able to be serviced in the states); but not sure if they are aggressive enough. And, I am attracted to the Buddy Club Race coilovers for it's monotube design, stiffer rates and upside down front dampers; but I am unsure of their quality, reliability, etc. (I think I read somewhere that BuddyClubs were made by a company whom made other cheap coilover brands, in China iirc. Not sure if this is true though. Also, I think i remember seeing pics of failed and broken BuddyClub coilovers on more than one occasion).

So, right now(unless I get more input/experience of these products, and/or recommendations to other coilovers), it's pretty much a choice of aggressive but with unknown and possible poor quality (Buddy Club RSD), vs, not as aggressive but with known good quality (Tein SF).

[spdbydesignchris]

I would check out our SBD Pro Street Coilovers

[fstlane]

Have you considered Feal 441's? They would seem to fit all of your requirements.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Which coilover would you choose?

Looking for something sub $1,500, higher the quality the better, at least 6kgmm spring rates (which leaves out the nice Bilstein B14's) and suitable for DD (I am very tolerant of a firm ride for DD and don't care about "comfort") and occasional track/autox time.

Planning on mostly a stock car with just these few mods - 9" wide wheels, 245-255 tires (going to try PSS, RS3, D2, RE11 and others), upgraded brake pads and fluid, maybe a 4.56 or 4.88 FD and catted headers in the future and that's pretty much it..and of course, coilovers.

THe only ones that peak my interest that are <$1,500 are the Tein Street Flex and the Buddy Club Race Spec. I am more attracted to Tein's reputation and quality (and also them being able to be serviced in the states); but not sure if they are aggressive enough. And, I am attracted to the Buddy Club Race coilovers for it's monotube design, stiffer rates and upside down front dampers; but I am unsure of their quality, reliability, etc. (I think I read somewhere that BuddyClubs were made by a company whom made other cheap coilover brands, in China iirc. Not sure if this is true though. Also, I think i remember seeing pics of failed and broken BuddyClub coilovers on more than one occasion).

So, right now(unless I get more input/experience of these products, and/or recommendations to other coilovers), it's pretty much a choice of aggressive but with unknown and possible poor quality (Buddy Club RSD), vs, not as aggressive but with known good quality (Tein SF).

What is your absolute goal for your car's driving application?

There many options out there, but the list quickly becomes limited the moment you specify your driving application: public roads and their conditions, canyon, autocross, autocross tarmac surface, track, and track tarmac surface.

Road surface is the reason of why you have suspension. Emphasis on this will narrow your list down very quickly.

[wootwoot]

Ground control gets my vote.

[Kakawate]

Buddy club racing spec are really awesome

[ericmpena]

+1 for Speed by Design. If you're wanting the drop without giving up ride quality then they'd be a great choice. They're pretty much focused towards daily drivers.

[Captain Snooze]

I think you are in the wrong forum. I think you want something like this:
http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/380190923
(I didn't know those things had dampers, must be huge.)

[IAmNotTheDriftKing]

How often are you going to be racing at all? Like autocross or track days? That is a huge determinant in deciding between coilovers. If it isn't often get something comfortable like the Speed By Design one. If you can afford 1500 dollars though, KW V1s are the way to go.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by wootwoot

Ground control gets my vote.

Yes, they look great..but they're also much more than $1500 and I also dislike how it's composed of various parts (GC sleeves on Koni dampers). I also dislike the Koni's full length bodies/stroke and I prefer something short bodied. Koni's are relatively inexpensive and I can't justify spending +$2k on a system that uses inexpensive dampers.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by IAmNotTheDriftKing

How often are you going to be racing at all? Like autocross or track days? That is a huge determinant in deciding between coilovers. If it isn't often get something comfortable like the Speed By Design one. If you can afford 1500 dollars though, KW V1s are the way to go.

I am in SoCal, so the weather is always nice for track/autox days. Maybe at least once every 2 months, if not more, or once a month. In the future, more when finances are better, maybe once or twice a month and might get an extra set of track only wheels and tires.

I'd rather get RCE T0s than the KW's though, since I understand KW are less aggressive than the RCEs. But either way, they're both out of my budget. And, 1500 is stretching it; I won't go over 1500.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by ericmpena

+1 for Speed by Design. If you're wanting the drop without giving up ride quality then they'd be a great choice. They're pretty much focused towards daily drivers.

I stated that I don't mind giving up ride quality for performance. I definitely don't want something focused on DD. I want something more focused on performance, like the Monoflex, T2, Ohlins R&D, etc; but, I can't afford those so I am looking for the closest thing to them for $1500

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by CSG David

What is your absolute goal for your car's driving application?

There many options out there, but the list quickly becomes limited the moment you specify your driving application: public roads and their conditions, canyon, autocross, autocross tarmac surface, track, and track tarmac surface.

Road surface is the reason of why you have suspension. Emphasis on this will narrow your list down very quickly.

Goal? A low hp (stock power), simple DD car and ability to push it relatively hard whenever I go to track/autox things. Just a fun car..not looking to make it a competitive national champ nor a 1000hp beast. Just a simple, no fuss, reliable car I can learn performance driving from, improve skill and just have fun.

Public DD roads? LA and OC ...but I don't mind a stiff suspension going through sections that are old and unrepaired. That would be super slow anyways and just "passing through"..otherwise, most of SoCal roads are pretty upkempt and have good infrastructure.

Tracks? Buttonwillow, Willow Springs

AutoX? I guess this greatly varies and depends on who's throwing the events. But, whichever come up I happen to attend.

Canyon? Several various in SoCal - Malibu, Palomar, Ortega, Lyons Valley, Azusa and several others.

[pitstops]

go eibach r1 or r2, you can get used ones for around $1500, its a great coilover.