What Coil-Overs should I buy?

[Darryn]

My '06 Wish has hit 150,000 km, time for them shocks to be replaced (it's getting a bit "bouncy")

 

I want to go for a set of not too expensive coil-overs. Drop the ride height by maybe 2.5 cm or so (to fill the wheel well a little better, and lower C of G)

 

Car is running on 17' rims with 215 / 50 rubber.

 

Am not a super sporty driver, so don't need anything fancy, just would like to have slightly better handling, I will probably couple it with a rear sway / anti roll bar and a engine bay brace at the same time to stiffen the torisional rigidity a little.

 

Big thing is that I don't want to have a harsh ride - or the FC will fxxk me every day for months on end - and I will never hear the end of it.

 

Any suggestions?

 

And is there anywhere I can do a "pre purhase test" of the coilovers? It is one thing to tell workshop what I want, but another altogether to experience as ride comfort is so very very subjective, and if they get it wrong, I die

[Codename-Hitman]

Handling and comfort never go hand-in-hand.... Try BC Coilovers for a balance between comfort and performance. I think it is also priced right too.

 

If you have a bigger budget, the TEIN springs will give you the comfort plus the handling.

 

It's like choosing a tripod for camera - light, sturdy, cheap (choose 2). For coilovers - comfort, handling, cheap (choose 2). :(

 

 

[Antlau]

you forgot to add in the 4th point... reliability. May suddenly just kapuk...leak oil, lose springiness...etc...

[Ididbobe]

hey there! while we are on the topic of coilovers has anyolne heard of the JDM brand SECTION / SILK ROAD? seems quite well known in Jap ...

[Darryn]

Tein have been recommended to me before, so that may be something for me to look at...have to go talk to distributor see if I can get discount because of my work :ph34r:

 

Yeah - comfort and handling are opposites, so when it comes to it, I will choose comfort. What to do? At the end of the day its a blardy wish, with a sewing machine for an engine - what for do I need great handling, just improve on the stock a bit is good enough already. Turn into go kart for what - engine also no go, and den got family anyway. :D

 

 

 

 

[Yuan]

Tein have been recommended to me before, so that may be something for me to look at...have to go talk to distributor see if I can get discount because of my work :ph34r:

 

Yeah - comfort and handling are opposites, so when it comes to it, I will choose comfort. What to do? At the end of the day its a blardy wish, with a sewing machine for an engine - what for do I need great handling, just improve on the stock a bit is good enough already. Turn into go kart for what - engine also no go, and den got family anyway. :D

 

My suggestion is go for better shocks. Your stock springs should still be working.

 

That will improve your handling. There are a few good brands like Koni, KYB, Bilstein.

 

Since you have a preference for comfort, I would not recommend you to go for coils. Forget it. You might have motion sickness.....after spending thousands of dollars. Might as well save it and spent half of it, the hundreds for better shocks.

[Darryn]

My suggestion is go for better shocks. Your stock springs should still be working.

 

That will improve your handling. There are a few good brands like Koni, KYB, Bilstein.

 

Since you have a preference for comfort, I would not recommend you to go for coils. Forget it. You might have motion sickness.....after spending thousands of dollars. Might as well save it and spent half of it, the hundreds for better shocks.

 

But if change shocks only, won't be able to drop the ride height though...will I?

 

From what I understand at the moment, a substanial part of the cost is in the labour of changing the shocks, and this is the same whether I change shocks only or springs also.....I was just thinking to do the whole lot in one shot, and then be done with it?

 

 

[Weiming]

Typically dropping ride height will improve ride handling and stability at the expense of comfort as suspension travel will be reduced.

 

I suggest reading the suspension bible first and learn more before just plonking down money:

http://www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible.html

 

Also, coilovers does not mean ride will be compromised. Many modern cars nowadays come with coilover setups (coils OVER shock) from factory and their ride is not uncomfortable (eg. German Big 3). The key is matching the shock's valving characteristics to the spring rates to be used.

[Shemmy]

Bilstein pss9 or pss10. Or jic cross. Just joking. hehe

[Zaska]

My '06 Wish has hit 150,000 km, time for them shocks to be replaced (it's getting a bit "bouncy")

 

I want to go for a set of not too expensive coil-overs. Drop the ride height by maybe 2.5 cm or so (to fill the wheel well a little better, and lower C of G)

 

Car is running on 17' rims with 215 / 50 rubber.

 

Am not a super sporty driver, so don't need anything fancy, just would like to have slightly better handling, I will probably couple it with a rear sway / anti roll bar and a engine bay brace at the same time to stiffen the torisional rigidity a little.

 

Big thing is that I don't want to have a harsh ride - or the FC will fxxk me every day for months on end - and I will never hear the end of it.

 

Any suggestions?

 

And is there anywhere I can do a "pre purhase test" of the coilovers? It is one thing to tell workshop what I want, but another altogether to experience as ride comfort is so very very subjective, and if they get it wrong, I die

 

if better handling and lowered height is wat you want, i suggest you look at aftermarket shock and lowered springs. This combination will give u better handling and doesn't compromise ride comfort. Do note that some springs will give you a much lowered rear as compared to the front ie rear left 2 finger gap while front 3 finger gap. Also it is not height/damping adjustable so after fix, wat you see is wat you get, no adjustment can be done.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Zaska

[Yuan]

But if change shocks only, won't be able to drop the ride height though...will I?

 

From what I understand at the moment, a substanial part of the cost is in the labour of changing the shocks, and this is the same whether I change shocks only or springs also.....I was just thinking to do the whole lot in one shot, and then be done with it?

 

In my opinion, better shocks with stock springs should not drop the ride height but firmer handling.

 

If you want to change the springs as well, then can consider aftermarket springs like Apex or Tein. Like one bro said in this thread, what you see is what you get. You can't do anything about it.

 

If you want to consider coilovers, the not so bumpier type would be Tanabe and Tein. But they are not as comfortable as stock suspension.

 

You have to weigh the probabilities and decide what you want.

[Mugen85]

I think u should go for koni FSD for a balance of comfort and performance and equip them with tein or eibach lowering springs.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Mugen85

[Jamesc]

If you enjoyed yr 150,000 km and din think the ride was too hard

 

then better to just replace with originals and not buy coils.

 

If you must have coils, can try used ones. Can see people

 

bought new and want to sell cos find it too hard and

 

not comfortable and now selling half price.

[Chiangauto]

In my opinion, better shocks with stock springs should not drop the ride height but firmer handling.

 

If you want to change the springs as well, then can consider aftermarket springs like Apex or Tein. Like one bro said in this thread, what you see is what you get. You can't do anything about it.

 

If you want to consider coilovers, the not so bumpier type would be Tanabe and Tein. But they are not as comfortable as stock suspension.

 

You have to weigh the probabilities and decide what you want.

 

agreedable.should get a quality shock absober

[Disc6969]

im using Drift Racing coilover... ride height can be adjusted.

but if put too low (but swee), front lower bumper will say hello to the ground everytime xpecially coming downslope plus stupid hump,

and back exhaust pipe will rub the curb if reverse blindly...

one thing: its super stiff..gd for cornering, the car feels zai zai thru hard corner..

but the "bouncy-ness" is like "F" cup breasts jumping up and down!

back passengers confirm dai guarantee kao peh...

but for me, i find it still ok and look sporty..

if u change half half.. either spring or absorber Only, i dont think u'll get satisfied after tat......

[Yaloryalor]

I am on D2 coilover. So far so good!

[SaNibOy]

I am on D2 coilover. So far so good!

 

I 2nd tat cos me also on D2. Good stuff.

[Enduro25]

im using Drift Racing coilover... ride height can be adjusted.

but if put too low (but swee), front lower bumper will say hello to the ground everytime xpecially coming downslope plus stupid hump,

and back exhaust pipe will rub the curb if reverse blindly...

one thing: its super stiff..gd for cornering, the car feels zai zai thru hard corner..

but the "bouncy-ness" is like "F" cup breasts jumping up and down!

back passengers confirm dai guarantee kao peh...

but for me, i find it still ok and look sporty..

if u change half half.. either spring or absorber Only, i dont think u'll get satisfied after tat......

 

did u adjust ur coilover to extreme hard,mid ,or soft?im using this brand too..but cant rem mine is set to which level..wanna set to soft if possible..