RCE Yellow vs. Koni Yellow

[bobabreath]

Hey guys,

Newbie here, but have been enjoying my 2016 BRZ Hyperblue. Right now it's currently stock and I feel it's time to upgrade the suspension. At first, I didn't have any problems with it, but on long highway drives, the bumpiness is starting to bother me. I don't track my car at all, so comfort on the street is most important to me.

It seems like RCE Yellow springs and Koni Yellows get good reviews around here. But if you could only choose ONE, what would be the best for getting a smoother ride? Cost is not a factor. In other words, what makes a better pairing, RCE Yellow with stock shocks that are tuned to work together, or stock springs with Koni shocks that are better quality and adjustable?

Of course the ultimate combo would be to get both. But again for this thread you can only choose ONE!

And here she is brand new and shiny at the dealership!

[Mr.ac]

You'll be better off with oem springs and the Koni adjustable shocks.

[cjd]

I'm not convinced either solution will get you a car that's less bumpy... but I suppose that depends very much what it is you're not liking. Both have the potential to make for a harsher ride.

[bobabreath]

I expected the BRZ to have a firm ride but mostly on the highway every little gap in the pavement sends a jab to my butt. When I drive my minivan over the same road, I don't get any of that sensation. Now, I don't expect the BRZ to feel like a cruise ship, but I'm just looking or something to smooth out the tiny vibrations.

In several threads there is mention that the stock shocks are overdamping the springs. If the springs and shock rates are matched, I assume that would be the solution. Seems like a higher rate spring would work or a more compliant shock. I am just not sure if the Koni at full soft would still be too stiff for the stock springs?

[JoeC]

Originally Posted by bobabreath

I expected the BRZ to have a firm ride but mostly on the highway every little gap in the pavement sends a jab to my butt. When I drive my minivan over the same road, I don't get any of that sensation. Now, I don't expect the BRZ to feel like a cruise ship, but I'm just looking or something to smooth out the tiny vibrations.

In several threads there is mention that the stock shocks are overdamping the springs. If the springs and shock rates are matched, I assume that would be the solution. Seems like a higher rate spring would work or a more compliant shock. I am just not sure if the Koni at full soft would still be too stiff for the stock springs?

I love that you are comparing the ride quality of your minivan to the BRZ. I hope you find what you are looking for.

[ryoma]

Originally Posted by bobabreath

I expected the BRZ to have a firm ride but mostly on the highway every little gap in the pavement sends a jab to my butt. When I drive my minivan over the same road, I don't get any of that sensation. Now, I don't expect the BRZ to feel like a cruise ship, but I'm just looking or something to smooth out the tiny vibrations.

In several threads there is mention that the stock shocks are overdamping the springs. If the springs and shock rates are matched, I assume that would be the solution. Seems like a higher rate spring would work or a more compliant shock. I am just not sure if the Koni at full soft would still be too stiff for the stock springs?

if you buy higher-end coilovers, you will notice that they will increase your handling performance while still being relatively "soft"

[Twinz]

I love Koni Yellows BUT I would not use them to improve ride smoothness. (they are good for handling improvements though)

I have used Bilstein dampers on a Magnum RT and a C6 Corvette. In both cases the ride improved.

[Clipdat]

RCE Yellows on OEM dampers.

[D_Thissen]

^x2

[Clipdat]

Hrm.. What? I bought these and the last thing I would describe them as is "relatively soft"

http://astsuspension-na.com/index.ph...00-subaru-brz/

Originally Posted by ryoma

if you buy higher-end coilovers, you will notice that they will increase your handling performance while still being relatively "soft"

[username404]

Originally Posted by bobabreath

Hey guys,

Newbie here, but have been enjoying my 2016 BRZ Hyperblue. Right now it's currently stock and I feel it's time to upgrade the suspension. At first, I didn't have any problems with it, but on long highway drives, the bumpiness is starting to bother me. I don't track my car at all, so comfort on the street is most important to me.

It seems like RCE Yellow springs and Koni Yellows get good reviews around here. But if you could only choose ONE, what would be the best for getting a smoother ride? Cost is not a factor. In other words, what makes a better pairing, RCE Yellow with stock shocks that are tuned to work together, or stock springs with Koni shocks that are better quality and adjustable?

Of course the ultimate combo would be to get both. But again for this thread you can only choose ONE!

And here she is brand new and shiny at the dealership!

I have Koni Yellow with RCE Yellow on my '13 BRZ. They are not soft at all but definitely improved on my DD on NYC roads. If you are interested they are for sale as well.

[ryoma]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Hrm.. What? I bought these and the last thing I would describe them as is "relatively soft"

http://astsuspension-na.com/index.ph...00-subaru-brz/

I'm thinking more along the lines of Ohlins or the Tein SRC's

[cjd]

Originally Posted by ryoma

I'm thinking more along the lines of Ohlins or the Tein SRC's

Tein SRC are not soft when the road is rough. I'd still say they rode really well for what they are (spring rates and all) but... A rough seam in the road can hurt. I still did road trips with a bum back happily, so they're not the crap ride you get from cheap coilovers packages either.

No experience with Ohlins.

In this case I'm guessing it's not all about the suspension, it may be seat and it may be expectations. Or some of all these things.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Hrm.. What? I bought these and the last thing I would describe them as is "relatively soft"

http://astsuspension-na.com/index.ph...00-subaru-brz/

That's that setup, not all high end coilovers are soft, some are probably downright punishing. The point of opening up the budget to that level is you can get precisely what you want and consistent meaningful adjusters.

Spring rates, regardless of the hype that dampers get, will be the driving force behind the comfort level over poor pavement. Hell even if they springs are super soft, if they are mismatched it could create a miserable ride.

The AST's look super nice, but I can't find what spring rates they come with for the life of me. On this car though, I wouldn't want to run more than 400#/7k if comfort and compliance is the goal. The aforementioned Ohlins either in the 6k or 4k/3k variant garnered a reputation for a decent ride for a reason. Meanwhile at near enough the same price point the Tein SRC's come with 10k/12k springs, thinking both would ride 'relatively soft' would be nuts.


To the OP's question, I have no idea what will produce better ride quality. Given what I know at this point (which ain't much), I'd try the springs first and be fully prepared to change your mind down the road and change it once again.