I have done about all the engine/exhaust mods I am going to do on my car so I have been thinking about coilovers.

I do not want my car to have that slammed look but will be fine with some lowering. I have a couple of herniated disk so ride quality is something that is important to me. I do not track my car but it is not out of the question, 95% percent of my driving is "spirited" city driving. Any suggestions?

Do I need coilovers that are adjustable? Does adjustable mean you can change how low you can make the car?

I have looked at the MCS coilover reference thread but I would still like some guidance before I buy them, any tips, experiences good or bad would be greatly appreciated.

 

All coilovers will offer ride height adjustability. When a manufacturer says that they are "double adjustable", they are referring to compression and droop being independently adjustable. If they are not "double adjustable", then compression and droop are proportionally adjusted with one control. Triple adjustables have low and high speed independant damping adjustment.

A low cost coilover, like BC Racing, will offer height adjustment and single damping adjustment. This should be fine for your stated needs. The ride can be tuned to be more comfortable than stock while adding better control.

Greg

 

Thanks Bean! I will look into these BC coils. I also appreciate the explaination about adjustablity. I just want a set that will offer some extra comfort and some lowering ability AND some that will last.

Oh, also I have heard of some coilovers causing noise, that I want to avoid

 

I know this isnt a super exciting thread

Any tips or suggestions are appreciated

 

Have you ever used the search function on NAM because this topic has already been covered about 1000 times the past several years.

 

There is a search function? Wow, thank you for putting me in my place.

 

I'm running BC coilovers and have no noise at all. Ride is very solid! I have my coilovers set of the softest setting. Anything else is a little too hardcore for my tastes if not on the track.

 

Thanks, I have been hearing good things about these. I am also looking at the KWs as well. I appreciate the review

 

+1

Whether you know it or not, he has given you the best advice on this thread.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Coilovers will ride harsher than some comparable shock/spring setups. Especially the lower end ones. People saying "they ride great" doesn't mean much. Ride great compared to what? Do they have the same opinions of "great" as you?

 

Thanks for posting in this very offensive thread Greg! lol. Let me know as I am interested

The interwebs are serious business.

 

MDBSAT, My car is like yours all set up for the track but do not track the car at all. 95% percent of my driving is "spirited" driving everywhere.

I have a set of Koni's C/O's and they are double adjustable. Rebound adjustment and ride hight. They are very confortable and make no noise at all. I have had them on my car for over a year without any problems.

I also have Helix Adj. Camber plates, M7 strut bar, OMP Under front brace and TSW Adj. end link on all 4 corners and Helix Adj Lower control Arms and the HSport Rear is a 3 position, 19 mm, tubular sway bar.

My buddy has the BC C/O's on his car but he changed out the springs for a better / smother ride that the adjustable shocks could not correct. (Sorry I dont know what Springs he used as a replacement)

I got mine from OutMotoring ($1,199.95) but I bet you can get them cheaper. http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...coilovers.html

 

forget it.

 

howdy stranger......
swift springs! a must have for the bc's imho

 

Thanks Chili! I appreciate all the feedback and reviews.

Ona, I am still learning more about coilovers as I am reading through a bunch of threads. I am sure I will understand what double adjustment means soon enough

 

The one thing I'd advise you is to remember that the most important part of a coilover is the shock itself....the guts...oil, shims, valves, etc. The stuff you can't see. Shiny anodized metal pretty much always looks cool and "high quality", whether it's a coilover or coffee table.

Most of the features you see advertised in magazines and all over the net are not as important as you think. 32 clicks of adjustment is nice, but if all 32 clicks suck, then who cares? Or they don't do anything.

Also take reviews with a grain of salt. Many have only experienced one set-up and have not been on the good stuff.

Not trying to be a suspension "elitist"....but i'm a suspension guy who's spent a lot of time on a lot of different shocks trying to help.

- Andrew

 

KW V1'S fit your requirements spot on. I'd wait though and see what Greg may be selling (If it's double adjustable, these are beyond the understanding of most of us, myself included, with regard to setup, but Greg will give you the proper settings), but if that doesn't work out, I'd take a long look at TSW's KW V1's. Man, that's a lot of initials....

 

I also like KW's....the V1 is a good set up that you don't need to fiddle with or worry about.

Also forget to mention, get your suspension from a vendor that knows something about suspension! Being able to have them help you set the car up or walk you through the install is worth the extra money you may or may not have to pay over Joe's Discounts Awesome Cheap Car Parts.

- Andrew

 

Greg - Now you, or someone like you who shall not be named due to pending or not pending vendorship agreements, come out with a package!? What the hell?

 

A friend of mine installed them on his r56 and he loves them. I like the feel and his ride is MUCH more comfortable than mine. I will go check out the tsw's now. With a setup like the KWs is the drop going to be set in stone, meaning if I buy that coil it will lower my car a set amount of inches? Hope that made sense...

 

Hey Buddy,(oxtox) Thanks for the update on the springs you are running with you BC's I could not remember what you changed too. How long till MOTD?

onasled: I stand corrected, I do not have true "double adjustable" means they have two adjustment *****, one controlling compresion and the other rebound.

I included the spring hight (Ride hight) as an adjustment to all over Coil over setup as 2nd adjustment to simplify the adjustment options I have available.
I was not aware the OP knew of or was aware so I included as one of the adjustments and I was being vague.

The Koni's I have are Single adj. (Soft to Firm)

 

Well, my post have been removed.
Even though I don't sell products, just find them for people, I'm not supposed to mention them.
So, I guess you all just need to buy what NAM vendors offer.
Go figure.

 

This site is unreal.

Onasled I will send you my email address.

With a setup like the KWs is the drop going to be set in stone, meaning if I buy that coil it will lower my car a set amount of inches? Hope that made sense...

So there are some coils that I would not have to take them off to adjust the ride height? Again, if this question is too dumb or below some of you no need to reply

Thanks.

 

Yes - e-mail Greg. He's more than helpful. This suspension stuff is a lot more complicated or less complicated depending on what your purposes are for the car. Then $ plays a big factor, too. TSW are great people to talk to about this stuff as well.

 

All coilovers are RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE, meaning the ride height is not set in stone, you can raise or lower the car as you please. Most, if not all, coilovers can be adjusted while on the car. You do need to take the wheels off though.

 

Thanks Wake, thats what I wanted to know

As you can see I dont know much about this stuff. I am narrowing down my choices and should have some COs soon.