I am looking for some advice on which coilovers to get and hoping that some experienced people may be able to help me out. I have some research and here is what dilemmas remain:

I plan on using this car (2005 coupe) for street purposes, little to no tracking. My main concerns are performance while maintaining enough comfortability not to annoy passengers. I plan on lowering 1-1.5 inches and would like to relatively easily adjust height (not the most important feature though). Target price range is 1500 +/- 300 looking for best bang for the buck.


Tein: Heard a lot of mixed reviews which makes me weary. I dont particularly need EDFC but wouldnt mind it either. Low price seems to be most appealing feature.

Bilstein: Heard mostly good reviews on this forum but I also know people who say the Bilsteins they have on other cars are some of the worst rides.

H&R: Heard some rave reviews for these on other cars but havent been able to find much about them on these forums.

HKS: Mixed reviews

Definitely open to others as well.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Just get the Tein. You won't be disapointed. Apexi is good as well as the HKS. But in the ned it's all about how you prefer to ride. Some people like the suspension super stiff and some like it soft.

 

i love my teins. but if money weren't an issue, i wouldve opted for hks rs.

 

Tein, go with either comfort sports or basics.

-sean

 

I like the suspension to be a little on the stiff side but still retain a somewhat comfortable ride. Maybe the CSs would be a good choice. I think I read that Basics did not have adjustable dampering. Is that the case?

 

correct. they are height adjustable only.

 

im trying to decide on tien comforsport or hks rs. then camberkit

 

Adjustable dampers allow for a stiffer/softer ride correct? In other words, changing the spring rate?

.

 

I know you mentioned that ease of adjusting height in not the most important feature, but non of your choice's will deliver that ability. It will take a system that has full height adjustablility.

Tein Basic, good review's here and my350Z, but reading between the lines on those review's since 2003 leaves me to say that the decerning owner may be underwelmed at their dampning performance. Which in my mind would make their higher spring rates vs your other choices something of a concern, since you need better then avearge dampning (valving performance) to pull off decent ride quality dynamics with higher spring rates. Hooking up with someone for a ride along may be a good idea to decide for yourself.

Bilstein: This is a very good system, the only thing I find fault with them is for the Z/G they went with rather low spring rates and I will NOT run a progressive spring like the setup does in the rear. The review's that do exist for the system have been very good. And I've personally had Bilsteins that I had custom revalved, they were very impressive.

H&R: No Z or G owner on any forum anywhere has ever posted about owner them or reviewing them that I have ever run across. IMO, since H&R refuses to give out spring rate specs, one cannot make a informed choice, buyer beware.

HKS: Please post links to any Z or G review that was not postive, I've never seen one. Yes, they do show up for resale time to time. But in general the RS is one of the most positively reviewed coilover products their is.

What comes to my mind.

Tein CS: Lower spring rates vs the Basics and adjustable dampning.

Cusco Zero2: Higher spring rate in the front, but you get the easier height adjustability you asked for. What I do not know is if on lower dampning settings if you'll get the ride softness the RS or CS would offer in comparison.

Stance: Has very good reviews, but it's out because of too high spring rates for you.

Price rules out the other systems that come to my mind.

 

^ Quite helpful, thanks. I think I am leaning towards the RS or CS now. Planning on just getting the SPC rear camber kit since I do not plan on lowering more than 1.5" if that.

 

You do realize that drops past .8" generally do not get aligned within oem specs. 1.5" will definatley not be in spec, though I get that for some, they'll take all the free negitive camber they can get. Something tell's me your not one of those people however.

 

Tein Basics are the way to go. Not too stiff a ride at all. Height adjustable and a very fair price for the performance one recieves...I've had them on my 06 for just about year and Love them...

 

From what I've been reading the rear camber is the main problem when you drop around 1" or a little more (hense ill definitely get the rear camber kit) and although the front may not be quite in spec, it isn't that bad either. Am I mistaken?