I currently have FSDs with stock springs and really like the ride quality. However, I just bought some TSW springs and am seriously considering switching to Yellows. Has anyone had experience with both the FSD and the yellow, and if so, can you comment on the ride quality between the two? I'd probably set the yellows at or near the softest setting, or maybe a fractional turn back from soft.

I run 205/50-16 Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs, fwiw.

 

I run the TSW springs and Koni Yellows set in the middle of the dampening range. They are wonderful esp. w/ my 215/45/17 Star Specs too

 

The yellows will not give you the ride comfort over bumps. Even at their softest setting, they are stiffer on quick bumps than the adjustables.

 

I'm guessing you meant to say that they even at the softest setting, the yellows are stiffer than the FSD. If so, that's exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks...

 

I was referring to the yellows: on tar strips, repairs, and bumpy corners, they are much harsher - the little and medium stuff. You would miss the FSD's ride comfort once having had it.

I've FSD on my car, and love them. With stock shocks, the "go-kart-like handling" came with an "ox-cart-like" ride.

 

 

so are you saying the FSD's took away the go-cart like handling?

 

Not in the least. The FSDs stick much better than stock on any bumpy road, because the tires stay in contact with the road better.

At the same time, the FSDs soak up all those little irregularities, and greatly improve the ride.

 

quick ot- how do i adjust the rear koni yellows? do i have to take off the entire assembly or was i supposed to cut a hole to access them in the wheel well before i installed them?

 

To me the FSD's are the perfect blend of performance and ride quality.

Longboard

 

Agreed - perfect for twisty PNW roads.

 

Well then maybe my TSW springs are going back - unless anyone here wants to buy them! Free shipping! Brand-new, never opened!

I really like the ride of my FSDs and don't want to sacrifice it in the least. I also don't want to risk blowing them with lowering springs, no matter how infinitesimal the chances are of that happening.

Thanks all.

 

Maybe I am too young, 35, but I dont agree. I thought the stock struts and springs with runflats were harsher then the Koni Yellows on everything! And I am running in the middle of the dampening adjustment.

Koni Yellow + TSW Springs...FTW!

 

I'm confused. Everyone seems to agree that the ride quality was improved when using FSDs, however, I spoke to a shop that selss them and I was told that they really wouldn't improve the ride and that I would be better off getting rid of my runflats. My wife is disgusted with the ride and wants to get rid of the car. I don't want to lose the little BRG machine. What is the best ways to improve the ride without breaking the bank.

 

In your case, replace the run flats with regular tires. That alone is a world of difference in ride quality.

 

Your setup sounds a little bi polar.

You got super sticky sporty tires yet a suspension setup geared for a good compromise of performance and ride comfort. It would seem that if you were to use a tire of that nature, you'd have a more aggressive suspension setup like the Koni adjustables and TSW springs.

Based on my experience with other Koni adjustables, I would think that the FSD and stock springs must have some wonderful ride quality while retaining good handling.

I'd say that the Koni adjustables are great if you want to adjust your damping rates for track days, autox, street driving or whatever else you might be into. If that is not your thing and you are just doing street driving, then perhaps the FSDs are the right shock for you.

If the springs are still new, I would think that TSW would allow you to return them. Perhaps you might have to pay a small restocking fee and shipping.

 

Any recommendations? I have been trying to look on the web but once there are more than three choices the brain turns to mush.

 

I don't suppose a new wife is an option?
......probably not.

 

I've tried putting her on eBay, but the week in the hospital (after she found out) wasn't worth it.

 

Really? How much you want? I've been looking at a set of TSW springs...

 

I don't want to clutter up this guy's thread with tire stuff. I'd suggest calling tire rack and talk to them as step #1. After that, search on here for other threads on tires. There is about one new one per week.

 

Yeah, kill the run flats #1. If that's not sufficient enough for the wife, then I'd highly recommend the FSDs with the stock springs. I'm not sure you can improve it much beyond those two changes.

 

I don't mind cluttering my own thread . But agreed, ditch the runflats. I was not prepared for how much the ride improved after doing that alone.

As to my "bi-polar" setup, I am actually stuck between both worlds. I drive the car alone 75% of the time. The rest of the time either my wife drives the car or I have her and two kids in the car. When I drive, I prefer a more aggressive setup (I came out of a Boxster S into the Mini), but not as harsh as stock with runflats. My wife and kids like the ride the way it is now. That's why I'm trying to find a compromise such as the TSW springs with the adjustables on a softer setting. I know, can't have it both ways... but I can still try.

So I guess another question is this: Adjustables on softer setting with TSW springs vs stock shocks and springs (no FSD) - which ride is likely harsher?

 

I know that lighter wheels made my car feel much better. Might be one more place you can look to improve ride comfort; assuming you're still on a heavy stock wheel. Seriously, have you looked at how heavy the stock wheels are?

 

Given your location and the fact that you are coming from a Boxster, I'd say do the Konis adjustables with the TSW springs. Run them full soft when the wife and kids are in the car. I'm running the Koni adjustables on my RX7 and at full soft, they feel very close to the stock shocks on that car. I'd assume they would be close to stock Sport suspension ride quality on the Mini as well.

The one thing that I really noticed between the stock shocks on my RX7 compared to the Koni was that the reaction time on the Konis was quicker. So you'd hit a bump or dip and the shock would respond and normalize the supension movement quicker than stock. It didn't feel rough or uncomfortable (IMO), just faster responding.

FWIW, I'm in my late 30s and don't have much tolerance for crappy riding suspensions. I do track the RX7 and am very in-tune to suspension setup.

I'm thinking of doing something with the supension on the Mini soon too. Now that we've gone to non-run flat tires (Kumho SPT), I find that I'd prefer to stiffen up the suspension movements a bit. Someday...