When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have an 04 base and let's say that maybe I'd be interested in a 1/2-3/4in drop. Critically though I definitely need new shocks, so I'm faced with needing parts, potentially wanting a little cosmetic mod but also not wanting to spend a grand or more on parts that I will use very little of. I'm definitely not interested in a big drop, camber kits or anything of the like. Basically just a small drop, I currently have 18's btw, and shocks that will satisfy a better ride quality need without breaking the bank. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions
I'm in the same boat. I been doing a lot of research and ended up choosing Tein H Tech Springs with Koni STR.T shocks. Do a search here on the forums. The drop is very subtle. About 1". I really wanted Koni Sport shocks but that got to be more than i wanted to spend. People will tell you just get coilovers, but when I called Tein, the highest recommend setting on the Street Basis and Street Advance coilovers is 1.8" drop. My old self thinks that is too much of a drop for me. LOL. This is the thread that sold me on the Tein H Tech Springs! I'll be ordering within the next couple of weeks.
I only recommend them because I'm using them and I like them. I read a lot of bad reviews but it seems like some installation issues rather then the products themselves.
Update- So I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a suspension upgrade and after some careful consideration the Megan EZII street coilovers are at the top of my list. A lot of Ziners have had many good things to say about them in terms of comfort, qualiity, control and price. In comparison to getting a set of good shocks and springs it's a pretty big difference, the Megan set is $800, Tokico shocks alone are over $700, plus the Megan's are adjustable. So unless anyone jumps on here and tells me absolutely don't do it, that's the plan. I'll keep ya posted!
I don't know if I'd recommend those Megans. You're looking for a 1/2 - 3/4" drop. So why deal with the complexity and, in some ways, shortcomings of a full body coilover?
I think most people here are satisfied with Tein SA-Z's. I really like the old Street Advances (non Z version) a lot. They're a known good choice from a company that does their own R&D and puts out a solid product. The rust proofing is hands down better than anything I've seen on aftermarket suspension. And they have all the right features.
However, in either case, you may be forced to be lower than 1/2 - 3/4 inch.
However, in either case, you may be forced to be lower than 1/2 - 3/4 inch.
Good luck![/QUOTE]
That's actually one of the biggest things I'm concerned about. I'm way more interested in a better ride quality than even a potential small drop. I like the idea of a small drop, but in truth I really don't care about it that much. My shocks are getting worse and worse and I need a fix soon, I just figured that if a decent shock replacement is near in price to a coilover set, why not. I like the idea of it being adjustable, but if I'm forced to have a lower drop than I want then I definitely don't want to do that. I'd rather have no drop than lower than what I want
Well that would probably be ok. Right now between fender and top of tire sidewall there's 3"of clearance in the rear and 2.5" in the front. So perhaps a 1.5 drop all around would potentially be amexacrly what I want. I'll look into the Teins, thanks!
I would not recommend Megans haha.
The most popular coilover for our car is the tein street advance. That's your best bet for ride quality with a decent price. Megans might have been popular when tein didn't have a solution ten years ago. But by far tein is the most popular as of today
Ah right on, yeah I'm running 235/40/18, but I'm thinking about changing to a larger sidewall next spring
Well...the Teins do take away the crashy feeling that the stock suspension has over sharp bumps. So...you may end up keeping your sidewall the same.
I'm assuming you're changing sidewall due to ride harshness?
Otherwise....you can always change the height to accomodate your chosen sidewall.
My staćion wagon uses a 245/40/18 for summertime. The sidewall is taller than 235/40 that's on your car.....but with the Teins, the ride still feels better than the stock suspension/wheels/tyres.
I'm assuming you're changing sidewall due to ride harshness?
Yes, but the harshness could also be due to the shocks that are on there now. Do you think it's a bad idea that I go to a higher sidewall when I upgrade to the Teins?
As mentioned, you may find, that after installing the Teins, that a lot of the harshness goes away.
I recommend using a sidewall height that allows for the same rolling diameter as stock. That way, you retain speedometer/trip meter accuracy and gearing. Looks are subjective....but cars with notably different rolling diameters (short or tall) from stock always look funny to me.
Makes sense. Besides I'll likely do the suspension next month whereas the tires wouldn't be until next spring so I'll have plenty of time to figure it out
good job on switching up the coilovers brand haha.
i'm on 235/40/18 now and also want to go with 245/40/18 summer tires next. just gotta play the waiting game!
Yep me too. If I'm being perfectly honest though the gap isn't too terrible (by my standards) but I definitely want to close it up a bit. Hopefully the Teins will give me exactly what I'm looking for
whats weird is my car is on stock suspension as well, and I'm near 165k kms but my car sits much lower than yours.....my suspension is also stiff as heck, I feel every bump
nope, that's got nothing to do with it. I can snap a pic of my car from the side to show the difference. but the height is no where near yours. I wonder if its got anything to do with the shock/spring wear?
Yeah that'd be cool I'd like to see it. I suppose the wear could be a factor, but the thing is that I feel like "the ride" is subjective. What feels bad to me may feel fine to someone else. For all I know you could drive my car and say I don't know what you're talking about everything feels fine to me. Either way I'm having some work done this month, timing belt, water pump, etc. and I'll have my guy take a hard look at everything and see what he says. If he really feels the suspension needs an upgrade the Teins are going on and I'll go from there. Also, would you recommend getting the top hats for them if and when I do get them? I honestly don't know if I need them but I wasn't sure if it's a hand-in-hand type thing
+1 for Tein Street Advance Z. I'd recommend getting the SAZ's over the older iteration, the regular Street Advance.
I had the top hats pre-installed by HeelToe. It required me buying new top hats from HeelToe for them to install, but it was worth it to me for the time and effort saved for ease of install.
Not sure what your budget it, but my total was $770 with the new top hats, coilovers, and assembly. I went with the Base TL top hats, but the Type-S were not too much more, kinda wishing I had splurged on those, but honestly not sure how much of a difference it would have made.
The advantage of getting extra top hats is if I ever sell the car (which I plan on doing), I can just replace my struts (which were bad), and throw them back in the car to sell. Then I still can get a decent amount from the coilovers w/ tophats installed and someone else can install them with ease. More money up-front, but also more return at the end of day. I'm still losing money, but my hope is that selling the coilovers would be easier. My other plan is to sell my 5AT and get a 6-speed Type S, but we'll see.
Here's a quick pic I snapped today. You can still tell that my car sits much lower than yours, on stock suspension. Also, I am kneeling much lower than the wheels themselves, when at their height the gap is reduced somewhat.
03-17-2017, 12:43 AM
