Best Coilovers?

[VADER]

Grrr, Coilovers or springs or both??!?!!?!? Too much to considerrrr haha

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by VADER

Grrr, Coilovers or springs or both??!?!!?!? Too much to considerrrr haha

Do you realize the typical coilover set comes with springs?

[EarlQHan]

Originally Posted by jamal

The responses in this thread, and every single other one like it on every other forum, are hilarious. Everyone just lists the thing they like.

truth fact

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I am suggesting that 2.5" drop and "quality ride" are mutually exclusive.

not true, it can be done but it's harder since the ability for the suspension to travel is limited. however the damping ratio is not dependent on travel. it also depends on your definition of quality ride. unfortunately, it's completely subjective. some people define it as a floaty boat feel, some define it as a firm ride, some like a harsh, crashing feel. since it is described as a feeling rather than frequencies and cycles, it's hard to quantify.

Originally Posted by VADER

Grrr, Coilovers or springs or both??!?!!?!? Too much to considerrrr haha

i'd recommend trying to get a ride in cars with the listed coilovers installed, then you can experience it first hand what they feel like. however, i have noticed they do feel a bit different from the passenger side than the driver's side (maybe it's in my head, maybe it's because i better anticipate bumps when driving). also, depending on my mood, the ride feels different; sometimes it feels okay, sometimes it feels too soft, sometimes it feels too harsh; your mind will play a factor on the feel.

unfortunately, there is no one right choice, but for what you want, coilovers are the way to go. a damper and spring combo won't get you the ride height you want and a good coilover will still feel better as there's more adjustability to tune for your preference. the caveat is coilovers are typically firmer than a damper/spring combo because they run a stiffer spring, which you will need to keep the wheel off the fender with a low ride height. there's no magic solution and you're going to have to make a compromise, either some comfort, some ride height, or some money.

[CSG Mike]

It IS possible to have a slammed car that DOES handle, corners like a fiend, and still rides well on the street. The problem is, I also realize that this is far beyond what most people are willing to spend. While we cater to the performance/track crowd, even there, a lot of owners are opting for less expensive coilover setups, and calling it a day.

It would involve modifying suspension mounts, correcting geometry, getting high end dampers, and learning enough about suspension to be able to actually utilize the adjustments beyond "stiffer and softer". Not everyone is willing to spend 5k+ on suspension.

As previously mentioned, we'll be testing our high end offering (Tein SRC) at the track this weekend with trackside support from Tein product engineers. These SRCs are monotube, external reservoir shocks with full low speed compression and low speed rebound adjustment. Unlike some lower priced options on the market, the full range of adjustment is usable, and end users will be able to feel even a SINGLE click of adjustment.

We'll report back after fully developing the suspension with Tein.

We also offer JRZ, for those of you truly interested in high end suspension.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by ill86

Keep in mind all coilovers will need servicing. The words Budget and Coilovers don't work well long term or ride quality.. Also consider where you will have them rebuilt and serviced. Locally? In the USA?

There are a lot of quality brands not on the list. Some that are received very little votes. This is a reflection of the forum experience, not coil over quality.

Do yourself a financial favor and buy springs and shocks until you can appreciate and utilize a c/o setup.

Peace

You can have coilovers rebuilt instead of having to throw them away and buying new every 60k miles. For instance, on the KW v3 a rebuild will run ~$150/shock (going on memory). Plenty of shops in the US can rebuild them. The best part is that when you rebuild, you can go for more aggressive valving if you want to increase your spring rates significantly. So buy it now and you will be able to tweak it later if your plans/goals change.

[ill86]

Originally Posted by Mitch

You can have coilovers rebuilt instead of having to throw them away and buying new every 60k miles. For instance, on the KW v3 a rebuild will run ~$150/shock (going on memory). Plenty of shops in the US can rebuild them. The best part is that when you rebuild, you can go for more aggressive valving if you want to increase your spring rates significantly. So buy it now and you will be able to tweak it later if your plans/goals change.

I am well aware of this as I teach motor sports professionally. I've worked with some cool people over the years.

I was replying to the op to make sure he was aware c/o are not a one time purchase and will require maintenance. All of them.

The bad thing about having just any shop rebuilding them is you may end up with valving you do not like post install.

[VADER]

Originally Posted by Hanakuso

Do you realize the typical coilover set comes with springs?

I know but I'm asking if I should also get Swift springs with whatever coilovers I may get

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by jamal

The responses in this thread, and every single other one like it on every other forum, are hilarious. Everyone just lists the thing they like.

+1

The OP doesn't have any intentions of going to the track so why even recommmend, KW, Ohlins, HKS etc. It makes no sense blowing 2K+ on suspension when it'll be a DD. I wouldn't even recommend HKS due to the fact that you have send it back to HKS Japan if you need it serviced. HKS doesn't disclose what time of oil and valving they use so most shops tend to shy away from servicing it here in the US.

I only recommened Stance w/the Swift springs b/c it's the "better", aside from KW, out of the bunch. Plus I've read that their customer service is really good.

Here is the Stance compared to a BC.

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/show...=195332&page=7

[nzer]

Originally Posted by jamal

The responses in this thread, and every single other one like it on every other forum, are hilarious. Everyone just lists the thing they like.

That's because there's no answer other than "it depends". It depends on at a minimum (and a lot more than) the OP's:

Driving style
Car use
Budget
Personal taste
Ride wanted
Look wanted

And then, on top of all that these cars haven't been out for long enough to get long term reliability data of different coilovers or springs.

Other than all of that it's a simple question!



.

[FreshFRS]

Originally Posted by WolfsFang

No really if he wants good ride quality then he should look at spring/shocks.

Ever driven on Ohlins Road and Tracks? Zero ride quality compromises. i'd even venture to say that my S2k rode smoother with them. :happy0180:

however you don't get the 2.5" of drop, the OP wants.

[chulooz]

You said you have no funds, so why even bother with coilovers on a DD? Cheaper quality alternatives.

I vote none; coilovers (especially cheap junk that doesnt actually perform) are usually completely underutilized.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by FreshFRS

Ever driven on Ohlins Road and Tracks? Zero ride quality compromises. i'd even venture to say that my S2k rode smoother with them. :happy0180:

however you don't get the 2.5" of drop, the OP wants.

Those just ride on the Ohlins name... try the TTX series

[Racecomp Engineering]

Brick Tamland: I love... AST.
Brick Tamland: I love... Ohlins.
Ron Burgundy: Brick, are you just looking at things in the shop and saying that you love them?
Brick Tamland: I love KW.
Ron Burgundy: Do you really love KWs, or are you just saying it because you saw it?
Brick Tamland: I love KW. I love KW.

Every time this thread happens, this is what I think of.


If you want good ride quality, you need travel and good valving. You can get fairly good ride quality with just springs, but you can't lower the car a lot. Going past an inch is pushing it if you drive on bad roads.

KW is a good choice for someone that wants a drop of around 1.5 inches with good ride quality. Overkill for a DD? That's up to the user, but I personally like driving on good shocks, on the street or track.

Good shocks (Ohlins, KW, AST, Bilstein, etc.) perform AND ride well. The good controlled ride helps on a track. To me, that makes them all the more worth it on the street. Yes it costs more, but if I'm driving it everyday, I'd prefer it to be a pleasant ride and still a lot of fun. If it's too much cash, get a good set of springs (like our RCE springs) and maybe some Konis. And don't worry about not being slammed to the ground. Classy girls like suspension travel. But hey, different strokes.

For my own personal car, I'm running Konis with a good set of mild drop lowering springs. It's great for me since I didn't want a large drop and the price was right.

- Andrew

[FreshFRS]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Those just ride on the Ohlins name... try the TTX series

True story, i had my R&Ts rebuilt with TTX valving after 2 years and upped spring rates to 11k front, 7k rear. huge change in performance but they rode a little rougher, track performance was awesome. Price was not haha, but Because racecar i dealt with it.