Tein suspension. YUNOMOREPOPULAR ??

[Xauterus]

I have the Tein Flex coilovers and I really like the ride. With stock sway bars it's easy enough to get the tail out.

I love them compared to cheap coilovers fitted to my Corolla.

I believe mine were specced differently for the Australian market rather than the japanese market. I bought mine from Fulcrum suspension.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Xauterus

I have the Tein Flex coilovers and I really like the ride. With stock sway bars it's easy enough to get the tail out.

I love them compared to cheap coilovers fitted to my Corolla.

I believe mine were specced differently for the Australian market rather than the japanese market. I bought mine from Fulcrum suspension.

Unless Fulcrum had them custom valved, all Teins are valved and sprung the same regardless of where they're sold.

This is partially why the Japanese suspensions are known for having harsher rides (stiffer springs); they're really damped for Japanese roads, whereas European dampers are damped for European roads (some of which are REALLY bad... e.g. cobblestone).

[SpeedLab]

I have first-hand experience with just about every suspension manufacturer over many years on multiple cars...Usually for any project I will go directly to KW Clubsports (i've had them on 3 cars, thousands of track miles, and nothing but great things to say...), but have you seen the prices lately? They must use gold plated internals... that's the only way I can see them justifying this price gouge. Capitalism at it's finest.

Moving On:
Right now I am trying out the latest Tein "Street Flex" coilovers on the project car. For the price, they tick a lot of boxes, and are a great stop-gap until the over-inflated prices come down. (still waiting...)

I've never used Teins before, and mostly avoided them due to their reputation--- but... honestly i'm pretty shocked at how well the new product line rides. They are over-sprung a bit for the first half of the adjustment range, but not as horrible as people lead you to believe. I will be swapping the 400/400 springs soon for 280/280 (5k), which should be a better match for this damper. But, initial impressions are good FOR THE PRICE, for a non-Taiwanese made coilover.

Suspension is subjective - there isn't a magic bullet that will excel at all use scenarios perfectly, especially with different drivers. Just saying something is "garbage" isn't exactly fair -- we don't know the use, the equipped car, age of the parts, if the part was installed correctly, if steps were made to improve the product (change spring rates, ride height, pre-load, yadda-yadda).

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by SpeedLab

I have first-hand experience with just about every suspension manufacturer over many years on multiple cars...Usually for any project I will go directly to KW Clubsports (i've had them on 3 cars, thousands of track miles, and nothing but great things to say...), but have you seen the prices lately? They must use gold plated internals... that's the only way I can see them justifying this price gouge. Capitalism at it's finest.

Moving On:
Right now I am trying out the latest Tein "Street Flex" coilovers on the project car. For the price, they tick a lot of boxes, and are a great stop-gap until the over-inflated prices come down. (still waiting...)

I've never used Teins before, and mostly avoided them due to their reputation--- but... honestly i'm pretty shocked at how well the new product line rides. They are over-sprung a bit for the first half of the adjustment range, but not as horrible as people lead you to believe. I will be swapping the 400/400 springs soon for 280/280 (5k), which should be a better match for this damper. But, initial impressions are good FOR THE PRICE, for a non-Taiwanese made coilover.

Suspension is subjective - there isn't a magic bullet that will excel at all use scenarios perfectly, especially with different drivers. Just saying something is "garbage" isn't exactly fair -- we don't know the use, the equipped car, age of the parts, if the part was installed correctly, if steps were made to improve the product (change spring rates, ride height, pre-load, yadda-yadda).

This mirrors my impression of the Flex (not Street Flex, which supercedes the Flex)...

I was rather surprised by the suspension; I only did a quick outlap to feel out the suspension, and came in to turn the damping up higher, only to find out that it was already maxed (unfortunately). Shockingly good for the price (but not quite track worthy).

On a side note, 7k... my stock S2k suspension is 7k...

[Xauterus]

I was only informed they were valved softer for our rougher road conditions compared to Japan.

[troek]

i hear this a lot on the internet, and id love to know where these people are driving in japan, because it sure isnt anywhere near where i live lol.

[diss7]

An update on where I'm at...

Decided against the Teins. Too many similar stories, even from people selling them.

Cusco has a local dealer (TRD NZ is also Cusco dealer ) But, they aren't rebuildable.
Fortune Auto 500 are rebuildable, but mixed opinions.
Also considering RCE Tarmac Zero's. I am in two minds about the fact they aren't damper adjustable, on the one hand, I like a set and forget and just adapt/get used to it approach. Also like that someone with for more knowledge than I has decided what is best. But, paying the same price for a non adjustable coilover compared to an adjustable one, is that a little near-sighted? Could argue that more $/quality has gone into the unit, seeing as there was $ saved from not making it adjustable. RCE Tarmac also have excellent warranty. Although one would argue useless on otherside of the world, but I would say that it says a lot about their confidence in the product.

Any thoughts on which of the three you'd go for?

Fortune Auto 500 are the cheapest of the three.
RCE Tarmac 0's work out to be about another $500 on top of them.
Cusco Zero - A about another $200 on top of the RCE's.

[newports]

Originally Posted by diss7

An update on where I'm at...

Decided against the Teins. Too many similar stories, even from people selling them.

That they have bad customer service or bad products?

I really wanted to get the street basis for the drop and possible minor performance and because it's cheap. I won't be autocrossing or even tracking. Should I still continue with this option?

[diss7]

Originally Posted by newports

That they have bad customer service or bad products?

I really wanted to get the street basis for the drop and possible minor performance and because it's cheap. I won't be autocrossing or even tracking. Should I still continue with this option?

Its a hard one. I was saying I just wanted cheap, no real performance, until a mate when to get his grinder.

Also, I'm a sucker for the arguement that if you're spending a grand on something knowing thats its a high risk it'll be crap, just spend 2k on something to avoid the hassle. The difficult thing there is stopping escalation.

I think for you, they are still worth considering.

For me, I wasn't being 100% honest with myself with regards to performance / quality needs.

[garfull]

I recently sold my Monoflex set. The roads in my area and the high spring rates were too much for my spine. Also the reduce suspension droop made it interesting getting up every driveway. I did get the EDFC and it was nice because one of the rear adjustment was hidden behind the oem sub box.

[ft_sjo]

You stated before you're not looking to improve handling, so why even go to coilovers at all? Just put some lowering springs on?

[diss7]

I also stated that I realised that I was lying to myself making that statement.

Lowering springs have no adjustability, which I want.

[ft_sjo]

Adjust what, just ride height or damping?

[diss7]

Originally Posted by ft_sjo

Adjust what, just ride height or damping?