Suspension advice needed. About to choose PP or stock dampers. - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

~el~jefe~ · 10-30-2016, 12:40 PM

I read a lot im general and this subforum over the past three months. I was at a dealer yesterday test driving a 2017 Limited without performance package. The ride was smooth and it never jarred over potholes or sunken manhole covers. It was a better ride than my 2006 mini cooper s. My mini has Konig 15x7 rims with 205/15"/60 falken tires. It also has Koni FSD shocks all around. The ride is much better than stock for realistic roads.

I have actual uses for the brembos, less fading brakes. And i like the wheels of the pp. i am not getting into the brake debate, this is only about dampers.

I am concerned that the Sachs zf setup will make the ride more track and worse crap road enjoyment. My Koni FSD's on my mini made it corner better and increased the comfort over bad roads. So, I know it is possible to simply have a better strut/shock vs stock and lose nothing.

anyone have any new data? Or an understanding of these particular Sachs zf dampers and springs?

Drambeenie · 10-30-2016, 01:55 PM

The only thing I could find was in their marketing message. Don't know if it'll mean a stiffer or softer ride though. I got the PP for a weekend car, so I kinda hope it's stiffer!

"Sachs® performance dampers give the BRZ more stability, better ride quality, and more responsive handling."

~el~jefe~ · 10-30-2016, 02:26 PM

I do understand wanting a stiff ride on a sports car for a weekend driver. I do. I did drive the thing yesterday, which was a weekend, and it was the 2017 limited without PP. It was just the amount of stiffness one could take without breaking friction and having a bad day. Bad day = check out mini cooper on runflats model S.

There is a goal here: to remain in 100% contact with road after a tiny bump or big bump. And to feel no less comfortable than stock shocks. This is the question for the new PP and Sachs ZF.

renfield90 · 10-30-2016, 06:09 PM

Keep in mind the Sachs still has to work with the OEM spring. It is going to be a very subtle difference, not a big wild one.

solidONE · 10-30-2016, 07:26 PM

Only one way to find out for sure is to test drive one that is equipped with the performance package. Though for the upgrades you get for an extra $1200 to the sticker price its a no brainer to me. If you dont like it, I'm sure people are ready and willing to pay good money for the sachs dampers if you want to trade or sell.

~el~jefe~ · 10-31-2016, 12:18 AM

Oh. So same springs but different dampers? I wonder what the point is of using them then. What is the stock model and brand?

Thank you helping me guys.

JDM4E · 10-31-2016, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

Oh. So same springs but different dampers? I wonder what the point is of using them then. What is the stock model and brand?

Thank you helping me guys.

OEM is Showa and it is all about performance/cost.

~el~jefe~ · 10-31-2016, 01:28 PM

Hm. Anyone find the model of the Showa?

I thank you for the information thus far matey.

JDM4E · 10-31-2016, 05:41 PM

I think that in most cases these parts for OEMs are made-to-order spec. I can recall exceptions but I believe that suppliers make what is ordered simply saying.

~el~jefe~ · 11-01-2016, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDM4E

I think that in most cases these parts for OEMs are made-to-order spec. I can recall exceptions but I believe that suppliers make what is ordered simply saying.

Ah, that makes sense. They all seem so similar but not exact to the consumer listing of parts.

10-30-2016, 12:40 PM	#1
~el~jefe~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2016 Drives: 2019 MX-5 RF Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 601 Thanks: 829 Thanked 241 Times in 153 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	Suspension advice needed. About to choose PP or stock dampers. I read a lot im general and this subforum over the past three months. I was at a dealer yesterday test driving a 2017 Limited without performance package. The ride was smooth and it never jarred over potholes or sunken manhole covers. It was a better ride than my 2006 mini cooper s. My mini has Konig 15x7 rims with 205/15"/60 falken tires. It also has Koni FSD shocks all around. The ride is much better than stock for realistic roads. I have actual uses for the brembos, less fading brakes. And i like the wheels of the pp. i am not getting into the brake debate, this is only about dampers. I am concerned that the Sachs zf setup will make the ride more track and worse crap road enjoyment. My Koni FSD's on my mini made it corner better and increased the comfort over bad roads. So, I know it is possible to simply have a better strut/shock vs stock and lose nothing. anyone have any new data? Or an understanding of these particular Sachs zf dampers and springs?

10-30-2016, 07:26 PM	#5
solidONE Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: FR-S Whiteout Location: California Posts: 2,863 Thanks: 1,808 Thanked 791 Times in 611 Posts Mentioned: 42 Post(s)	Only one way to find out for sure is to test drive one that is equipped with the performance package. Though for the upgrades you get for an extra $1200 to the sticker price its a no brainer to me. If you dont like it, I'm sure people are ready and willing to pay good money for the sachs dampers if you want to trade or sell. __________________ Intent > Content cowardice is the mother of cruelty.

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10-30-2016, 01:55 PM	#2
Drambeenie Join Date: Oct 2016 Drives: Black 17 BRZ LT MT PP Location: NYC Posts: 477 Thanks: 507 Thanked 520 Times in 203 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s)	The only thing I could find was in their marketing message. Don't know if it'll mean a stiffer or softer ride though. I got the PP for a weekend car, so I kinda hope it's stiffer! "Sachs® performance dampers give the BRZ more stability, better ride quality, and more responsive handling."

10-30-2016, 02:26 PM	#3
~el~jefe~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2016 Drives: 2019 MX-5 RF Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 601 Thanks: 829 Thanked 241 Times in 153 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	I do understand wanting a stiff ride on a sports car for a weekend driver. I do. I did drive the thing yesterday, which was a weekend, and it was the 2017 limited without PP. It was just the amount of stiffness one could take without breaking friction and having a bad day. Bad day = check out mini cooper on runflats model S. There is a goal here: to remain in 100% contact with road after a tiny bump or big bump. And to feel no less comfortable than stock shocks. This is the question for the new PP and Sachs ZF.

10-30-2016, 06:09 PM	#4
renfield90 The Stig's German cousin Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 1,071 Thanks: 140 Thanked 519 Times in 345 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s)	Keep in mind the Sachs still has to work with the OEM spring. It is going to be a very subtle difference, not a big wild one.

10-31-2016, 12:18 AM	#6
~el~jefe~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2016 Drives: 2019 MX-5 RF Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 601 Thanks: 829 Thanked 241 Times in 153 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	Oh. So same springs but different dampers? I wonder what the point is of using them then. What is the stock model and brand? Thank you helping me guys.

10-31-2016, 01:28 PM	#8
~el~jefe~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2016 Drives: 2019 MX-5 RF Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 601 Thanks: 829 Thanked 241 Times in 153 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	Hm. Anyone find the model of the Showa? I thank you for the information thus far matey.

10-31-2016, 05:41 PM	#9
JDM4E Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Drives: Honda Accord Euro Location: Europe Posts: 204 Thanks: 251 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s)	I think that in most cases these parts for OEMs are made-to-order spec. I can recall exceptions but I believe that suppliers make what is ordered simply saying.

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