I'm just a guy in a 2004.5 5AT coupe looking to drop my car a little, and cruise around town with a much softer ride. I don't race.

What's the difference between all the coilovers? Why should I spend $1500 on CS's over the $800 Tein Basics... what's the difference?

Help?

 

IMO, based on what you want, it's totally pointless to discuss anything other then the Tein CS or HKS LS (NOT LS+). And even then, I would not expect them to truely deliver a "much softer ride". I would order the CS Tein's and pay extra to get a softer set of springs for them, 1Kg softer. The Flex and Basic's cannot offer a softer ride for you.

Tein Flex (twin tube construction, adjustable dampners
Full-length adjustment and height adjustment for separate setting of the height and spring preload
Spring rates 672/672
Stiffer then oem by F+114% R+98
Transfers +16% roll stiffness to front
Side Note: Extremely high spring rates mean even when the adjustable damping is set as low as possible, you may not find ride quality happiness, several reports of this setups harshness exist Yet a few owner comment’s of a “like stock ride quality” also exist. However given the fact that they use a spring stiffness that’s over 100% stiffer then oem, if ride quality is of concern, either hitch a ride in a car equipped with them or make a different choice. In addition, several review’s have been done by people actually having the original more softly sprung Tein Flex coilovers do not take their comments to mean the same as the one using the current product, the original product specs are listed below under Tein Flex JDM.

Tein Flex JDM specs (can be special ordered est 6-8 weeks delivery)
Full-length adjustment and height adjustment for separate setting of the height and spring preload
Spring rates 560/560
Stiffer then oem by F+78% R+64%
Transfers 14% roll stiffness to front
Side Note: This is the original specs first offered in the U.S. with the Flex, shortly after it’s introduction the specs changed to those listed further above (672/672)


Tein Basic (twin tube construction, non adjustable dampners )
Spring rates 504/504
Stiffer then oem by F+61% R+43%
Transfers +18% roll stiffness to front
Side Note: Excellent value at it’s price point

Tein SS (twin tube construction, adjustable dampners )
(JDM only at this time. 6-8 weeks delivery, come via ship)
Spring rates 392/314-392 (rear’s are progressive)
Stiffer then oem by F+25% R+15% at peak



Tein CS (Monotube constructionad, adjustable dampners )
Special Note: A comfort ride system compare to HKS LS.They are valved and sprung to fullfill their intended mission of offering up improved ride comfort. More specifically their valving will impact the performance they can deliver. And to add, revalving them is extreamly expensive if you find they are too soft for you. If you want performance, pick a different Tein offering or pick a different brand.
Spring rates 392/392
Stiffer then oem by F+25% R15%
Transfers +10% roll stiffness to front

HKS LS G35 (Monotube construction, non adjustable dampners)
Spring rates 448/336
Stiffer then oem by F+43% R -1%
transfers 44% roll stiffness to the front
Special Note: A comfort ride system, compare to Tein CS coilover

 

Gsedan35, thank-you SO much. Great info dude.

Why the big difference in roll stiffness between the Tein CS's and the HKS LS's? Can you shed some light on the probable diffrences I'll notice between the two?