Which sub <$1,500 coilover?

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by solidONE

If quality is not a consideration then you are right. You can get all the bells and whistles for much less than $1500. How long will they last and how well they work would be questionable. With the Bilsteins and RCE you are paying for quality assurance. You get what you pay for, dude.

Yes, of course I understand "you get what you pay for" ...but Tein or Buddy Club isn't exactly considered a super cheap, low quality nor generic brand is it? (I didn't say I wanted one of the other cheap coilover brands I've never heard of - BC Racing, ARK, Fortune, Function and Form, ISC, Megan, Stance, Pedders, etc...just naming the ones that I see online right now that I never really heard of (though, some may be good..I just don't know nor haven't heard/read about any of them yet) ... I never mentioned any of these).

Honestly, I would consider Bilstein first to be a "cheaper brand" over Tein (not saying Bilstein is cheap.. just saying it is more susceptible to low quality designs, as it can be more mass-produceed with cost-cutting manufacturing than Tein) ..since Bilsteins are available at mainstream(ie: tire rack) and/or cheapy retailers and more readily available and designed for consumers (mass made & lower quality) over prosumers/hobbyists (attention to detail, better quality). Just my 2 cents, opinion and philosophy ......but then again, on the flip-side/other-hand, "mass-producition" could also be seen as a good thing; since the company doing the mass producing has a much higher risk of law suits and safety concerns of that mass produced product - forcing them to be even extra sure of the quality control and the design's safety/solidity of the product. I would like to think the latter of Bilstein


Anyways.. of course "you get what you pay for" ...That's why I am willing to spend a little more on Tein SF or BuddyClub RSD, over all those aforesaid "cheaper brands"..maybe even HKS Sp or the MonoFlex. ..I wouldn't go as far to say those coilovers are for people that "don't take quality into consideration" though


But..I think I made my decision for a sub $1500 coilover: The Tein Street Flex. Maybe not that aggressive; but it sounds like the best bang for the buck and also good quality. Another main deciding factor - they can be serviced in the US (Idk if the buddyclubs can be as easily serviced in the states).

And, if I can spend a little more, for a $2k coilover, I think I would have to choose the Monoflex or the new HKS SP (if the SP costs the same as the GT, at a little more than $2k). But then again, the MonoFlex might have the lead; reason being as the MonoFlex can be serviced here in the US (not sure about the HKS).

[wallace03]

Did you find a lot of negative reviews for buddy club? Most of the reviews i found from google via different forums were positive. I'm considering them as well or ST coilovers. If Buddy club isn't reliable then i'm going ST. I was even thinking about getting the buddy club BBK.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by wallace03

Did you find a lot of negative reviews for buddy club? Most of the reviews i found from google via different forums were positive. I'm considering them as well or ST coilovers. If Buddy club isn't reliable then i'm going ST. I was even thinking about getting the buddy club BBK.

Ahh..found it. I knew I remembered reading about Buddy Club coilovers breaking and it being made by a korean company that made cheap coilovers:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=638111

Also, google "buddy club broken coilovers" and browse the google pics. You'll see several instances of the brackets breaking on hondas, RSXs and S2000s..not to mention the finish and paint easily chips/comes off and begins to rust like crazy.

well... I guess that makes my decision even easier.. I'll stick with Tein, HKS or other higher brands.

[wallace03]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Ahh..found it. I knew I remembered reading about Buddy Club coilovers breaking and it being made by a korean company that made cheap coilovers:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=638111

Also, google "buddy club broken coilovers" and browse the google pics. You'll see several instances of the brackets breaking on hondas, RSXs and S2000s..not to mention the finish and paint easily chips/comes off and begins to rust like crazy.

well... I guess that makes my decision even easier.. I'll stick with Tein, HKS or other higher brands.

lol i just did a google search after my first post and ended up at that same thread as well. I'll probably go with something else as well.

[sittinSideways]

Originally Posted by CSG David

For starters, you're not going to be completely satisfied with anything below $1500. We've tried almost most suspension setups on the market. Buttonwillow is the track that will basically determine how good a suspension kit is. Bilstein B14 and TEIN Street Flex are pretty much your options. Most single adjustable setups really only have 1 setting that works well since valving is based on that specific spring rate and length.

The next level up is going to be Ohlins R&T, Bilstein B16, RCE T2 + camber plates, KW CS. Afterwards, you're going into true motorsport suspension territory where kits are proven in a motorsports setting. That's where the TEIN SRC, the JRZ RS-Pro, KW Motorsport 2-way and 3-ways, Ohlins TTX, Penskes, etc. are available.

First off, thanks for responding to the thread. My situation is very similar to OP's.

So, are all these coils you just listed coils that you personally endorse for their quality/performance, or just coils you know of in "that level" ?

[peebking]

I got a t1r right now, no doubt it is a lower end product, but it is good enough for me now, it got those camber kit with it and ground control, if I gonna go next step will be a airlift performance

[Wonderbar]

National championships have been won on koni's a few times...

So much bad data in this thread. Just go with what CSG is telling you. People who recommend random eBay brands probably don't have the same level of experience.

* edited because I was apparently talking out of my ass.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by sittinSideways

First off, thanks for responding to the thread. My situation is very similar to OP's.

So, are all these coils you just listed coils that you personally endorse for their quality/performance, or just coils you know of in "that level" ?

We list the parts that we've tested and approve. We have a plethora of roads we test on and use as proving grounds in southern California so we have a good amount of experience with multiple kits that need to pass "the girl test".

We also dial suspension settings specific to each individual driver's driving style and car setup. Damper construction quality also reflects on how the suspension will perform, but is not always directly related.

[Kodi]

Fortune Auto 500 series

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by Wonderbar

Entry level Tein is made in the same place as BC, and all those others...

I understand many coilovers are...but Teins too? I am unsure about that. Can you please post a link, info or article to confirm this??? Tein is a coilover specific brand that only makes 1 thing - coilovers.

I can easily understand and see how other big companies, even reputable companies (ie: HKS, Greddy/Trust, BuddyClub, Apexi, RSR, Tanabe, etc.), can outsource, and possibly may even outsource to that cheaper "the same place" for the entry level products, because they make many many other products (exhausts, turbo kits, suspension parts, gauges, etc., etc.) and just cannot produce them in-house.

But, Tein? ...I am unsure if they would truly outsource to a cheap manufacturer, and would like to know if this is fact or not. Tein is very much able to build all their products in-house, no?

So much bad data in this thread. Just go with what CSG is telling you. People who recommend random eBay brands probably don't have the same level of experience.

"Bad data" - this would be assuming and spreading rumors that Tein outsources to cheap manufacturing companies, when they probably do not (I haven't read anything about that yet). Please post link to your source that says this. Otherwise, you'd be giving the "bad data."

Yes, CSG has great, knowledgable, valuable recommendations and insight...but he recommended Tein SF too (and the B14) for a lower cost coilover

I think I will go with the Tein SF. And maybe in the future, 5 or so years from now when they need to get serviced, get them revalved with firmer dampening.

Yes, I agree to avoid eBay or chinese made looking coilover brands..I wouldn't touch them with a 10' pole.

[CSG Mike]

All Tein coilovers are made in-house. Suspension is literally all they do; they're not a "me too" company.

They just happen to have offerings at a wide range of price points ($1000-$15,000), as do many other dedicated suspension companies.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

All Tein coilovers are made in-house. Suspension is literally all they do; they're not a "me too" company.

They just happen to have offerings at a wide range of price points ($1000-$15,000), as do many other dedicated suspension companies.

Very good to know.

Btw: do you know who makes HKS, RSR and Cusco coilovers? (the other coilovers that peak interest)

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Honestly, I would consider Bilstein first to be a "cheaper brand" over Tein (not saying Bilstein is cheap.. just saying it is more susceptible to low quality designs, as it can be more mass-produceed with cost-cutting manufacturing than Tein) ..since Bilsteins are available at mainstream(ie: tire rack) and/or cheapy retailers and more readily available and designed for consumers (mass made & lower quality) over prosumers/hobbyists (attention to detail, better quality). Just my 2 cents

Hoooold up....

Bilstein is one of the top names in shocks in the world. Their sport shocks are a common upgrade for BMW, Porsche, etc. They're active at all levels of motorsport and a "go to" for a huge portion of the aftermarket...because they make a heck of a good monotube shock that's easily serviced/rebuilt/revalved for not too much money.

Just because they're commonly available at mainstream retailers doesn't mean they're lower quality...it just means they've been making monotube gas shocks since the 1950's.

- Andy

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Very good to know.

Btw: do you know who makes HKS, RSR and Cusco coilovers? (the other coilovers that peak interest)

Cusco shocks are made by Showa...at least their higher end stuff. Can't say if they make their full line.

Not rebuildable in the USA last time I checked, which is a shame.

- Andy